SOUTHERN TOUR

Northern Advocate, 17 March 1927, Page 5

SOUTHERN TOUR

THE DUCAL VISIT TRIUMPHANT PROGRESS. DUKE DELIGHTED. (Per Press Association.) DUNEDIN, This Day. The Duke continues to have a triumphal progress, and enthusiastic crowds and largo groups of children greeted him en route from Christchurch to Dunedin. He sent a message to the Mayor of Christchurch to say how delighted he was with his wonderful reception there. The clerical Labour Mayor of the plains city stated that he had formed a high opinion of the character of the Duke with whom he had been in close contact.

The'streets were densely thronged in Dunedin and the Duke drove for over a (mile; !to the Pernhill Club, where he is staying, to the accompaniment of continuous cheering.

CONTINUOUS CHEERING. GREAT CROWDS GATHER, DUKE AT THE ’VARSITY. ILLUSIVE ENTERTAINMENT. DUNEDIN, This Day. The great crowd, which assembled in Dunedin streets last evening, waited for hours in the cold wind for the coming of the Duke. His route to the club was a long one and there was continuous cheering all the way. The people were most orderly and nowhere was there any attempt to break the lines, but after the Duke had reached his destination, street traffic got into a hopeless tangle, mainly owing to the inconsiderate conduct of a large number of private car-owners who honked their way dangerously through the great press of pedestrian traffic.

Illuminations here are on an extensive scale, extending along Prineess Street and through the Octagon, where they are most beautiful, to far down George Streets. The streets were thronged for two hours after the Duke reached the club and many people were late getting home. Early in the evening excitement was caused by a spectacular fire which destroyed the old Choral Hall, now used as a clothing factory by Butterworth Bros.

Today there is bright sunshine with a keen southerly breeze. At Logan Park, the Girl Guides made a line display as they marched past. The Wolf Cubs gave their grand howl, and Scouts their Dominion haka. The Duke inspected the Girl Citizens at the University, where every student was present. The Duke received a rousing welcome which did full credit to the students of the first University College in New Zealand. The students sang with fine effect and volume of sound in the College Anthem. They roused enthusiasm by the vigour with which they performed a haka. Chancellor T. K. Sidey conducted the Duke through the various departments of the ’Varsity. In thp physical science tab, Professor Jach, for the time being assuming the role of a magician, greatly interested the Duke and uhis staff in a number off strange physical experiments in the nature of illusions. The Duke fully entered into the spirit of the entertainment, for such it really was, and before the performance was half finished he laughingly told the Professor “it was a good thing they were not seeing those things after dinner,” Students, men and women, including the domestic science girls, gave the Duke a rousing send off as he left the ’Varsity for Fernhill.—Press Assn. •