THE PRINCE OF WALES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVII, Issue 17449, 20 April 1920, Page 5

THE PRINCE OF WALES.

MAORIS FOR ROTORUA. DEPARTURE. FROM AUCKLAND INTERESTING SCENES • Two further contingents of Maoris from the North Auckland district arrived in Auckland yesterday for the purpose of proceeding to Rotorua to take part ii the native welcome to the Prince of Wales., , The only Northern natives who ha-v e yet to arrive aro those from Parenga "enga, Houhora and Kaimaumau, who will reach Auckland by the steamer Ngatiawa > day. The natives who arrived on Sunday evening and yesterdayabout 600 in number— left for Rotorua by two special trains last evening. Those due to arrive \to-day, totalling nearly 300, will leave tonight. The wet weather has deterred many from leaving their homes. The railway platform and the standing spa>e outside the gates presented an animated appearance between seven and eight o'clock last evening, when the I Maoris who had arrived from the North assembled at the station in readiness to j board the trains for Rotorua. It was an | eager and motley, but withal orderly, | throng that gathered. There were -men j and women of middle age and over, activelooking young men—including many returned soldiers—laughing bright eyed | maidens, a number of chubby prattling ! children, and even a few jjjacid infants in | arms. , The visitors, who comprised representatives of the Ngapuhi, Rarawa and Ngatiawhatua tribes, presented the personal contrasts incidental to all Maori gatherings- I Some wert smartly, and even gaily, [ dressed, some wore a mixture of native | and European attire, while others had contented themselves by donning ordinary every-day pakeha garb bearing no suspicion of resemblance to current fashionplates. Most of them were surrounded by a varied and remarkable array of luggage. The Government is not providing bedding at the Rotorua camp, ronse quently bundles of blankets, as well as ruffs and cushions, were added t<: the usual collection of portmanteaux, dress hampers, food baskets, and the hundred and one other articles of personal impedimenta in separable from the. journeying* of the up-to-date Maori. Some of the men 'carried meres of different size*. others flourished silvermounted walking sticks, while others, again, with due regard to the present frequency of April showers, maintained a firm grasp of the homely and nscessary umbrella. All more -or less were encumbered by general luggage, and the passage througH the narrow gateways leading to the platform was a matter of some difficulty. A few of the women parted company with cloak buttons as they pushed their way through, but all, young and old alike, were in good humour, and walked to their carriages with countenances beaming with pleasurable anticipations of the part they are to play in an ent that will live long in the memories and traditions of their race. A number of the members of the Waikato tribe are expected to proceed to Rotorua. and provision is hemp made to transport them on Friday. A'out 500 Ncatiporous are due to arrive from the East Coast by the Mapourika on Thurs day morning. They will go to Rotorua the same night. THE ROYAL REVIEW. INVITATION TO RETURNED MEN. In connection with the Roval Review, to be held on the Domain on Saturday j afternoon, it is announced by the Defence authorities that the Prince of Wales ha« expressed a desire to meet as many returned soldiers as possible. Men who do not now possess uniforms are urged to parade in mufti. The guard of honour, which is to consist of 100 returned soldiers, representative of the whole of the district,' will carry the colours of the Ist Auckland Regiment. The guard of hononr at Hamilton will be provided by territorials, and the remainder of the territorials and the senior cadets will line the route to the Claudelands racecourse, where the Prince will be welcomed by the school children. The guard of honour at Rotorua will he composed of members of the Maori Pioneer Battalion, who will wear their native dress, if sufficient uniforms are rift available. RECEPTIONS IN TOWN HALL. ISSUE OF INVITATIONS. A commencement was made yesterday by the civic authorities to issue the invitaton cards for the two Town Hall receptions to be accorded to the Prince. The function on Saturday morning, so far as invitations are concerned, is to be strictly I confined to officials of the Government and members of local bodies, the general public | being admitted thereafter up to.the cap- | acity of the hall. The reception on Mon- ! day evening, on the other hand, will be j for citizens, who have been included on j the invitation list. It is expected that | all the cards will have been sent out by j this evening. "T QUESTION OF PRECEDENCE. INSTRUCTION FROM THE KINO. [Br TELEGRAPH.PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, Monday. Government House announces that His Majesty the King has commanded that the j Governor General shall take precedence of I the Prince of Wales during his visit to the Dominion. This procedure has alreadv j "been given effect to 'during the Prince's tour through Canada. RAILWAY CONCESSIONS. SOLDIERS AND KURSK R. [BT TEI.Kj.RAI'H.—PRBSS ASSOCIATION'] WELLINGTON. Monday. It lias been derided by the Department of Internal Affairs that travelling warrants ■will be granted to all veterans and returned sailors, soldiers and nurses, to en- : able them to travel to the newest centre where there is a reception to tie Prince of Wales, providing that the journey to and from the reception can he rrade on the same day.