THE WAIKATO'S WELCOME.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVII, Issue 17456, 28 April 1920, Page 8

THE WAIKATO'S WELCOME.

HAMILTON EN FETE.

GATHERING ON RACECOURSE. a ROUSING RECEPTION. INCIDENTS AT STATION. [BS TELEG3APH. —OWN COBEESPONDENT.] HAMILTON, Tuesday. . Hamilton awoke early this morning to find heavy Tain falling, but this did not deter town and country residents from preparing to meet the Prince. Towards nine o'clock the rain lifted", and with the advent of bright sunshine people began '.o pour into the town from far and near and to take up positions to see the Prince. The long wait was enlivened by the var'ous bands playing on their way to Claud v lands and in watching the marching from the railway station, of the thousands of children from other districts.

The streets were gaily decorated. Streamers fluttered gaily in the breeze at intervals, and at the entrance to Te Arohi Street a handsome arch of greenery was erected. The traffic bridge, with Venetian poles, flags, and greenery, was a work of art.

Rain was still falling heavily as the Vice-Regal train passed through the station soon after noon, the only visible passenger bring Sir Joseph Ward. The pilot train, with a number of police, arrived soon after, and 15 minutes later there was a hush of expectation as a whist'e was heard. The rain ceased, and the sun shone brilliantly as the Royal train steamed* in. ... - Drive to the Racecourse. As His Royal. Highness left the train, followed" *y the Prime Minister and the Prince's entourage, and walked down the carpeted footway through an arch of greenery, there was a salvo of cheers and the band struck up the National Anthem. The Prince then inspected the guard of honour,' undor MajorAl. H. Luxford, and conversed with the officers. He was wearing a light groy suit and looked very tired, but acknowledged the cheers by raising his hat and smiling. After inspecting the guard tho Prince and party joined the waiting cars and proceeded via Ward Street, Victoria Street, River Road, and Te Aroha Street to the. Claudelands racecourse, where the children and troops were already assembled* All along the route wore dense crowds, and cheer followed cheer as the Prince sped along. As he entered the racecourse there were indescribable scenes of enthusiasm. Fully 10,000 voices gave forth one mighty cheer, while over 5000 children joined in the chorus and lustily waved i flags. The Prince passed through avenues of children and adults, and on leaving his car, near the dais, was presented to the Mayor, Mr. P. H. Watts, and members of the council. . i The Prince then slipped through tnoj sticky mw*l to where the veterans and re-1 turned wen were lined up. He shook hands with each man. and when a special decoration caught his eye spoke a few kindly words to tho wearer. He leaned heavily on his stick, and nsed hits left' hand, but although there was a long line of men to inspect he went through the ordeal smiling to one and all. Presentation of Address. The Mayor, who was wearing a private's uniform, accompanied the Prince while ho inspected tho children, who Cheered heartily as ha passed through their lines. On returning to the dais, on which were Messrs, J. A. Young and R. F. Bollard, M.P.'s, and representatives of local bodies, an address was read by the town clsrk of Hamilton, Mr. E. J. Davey. In reply, the Prince said : — j Mr. Mayor and Gentlemen. j I am very happy to have been abb to j visit Hamilton, the chief town of the i "Waikato. and to receive your loyal address. 1 greatly »pi>(r*u»i* *-• r words of greeting* to myself, and will not tail to convey your assiuance ui loyalty to my father the Kin?. Ih'a was once ft district torn by war. but it is now a picture of prosperity and pence, and I congratulate you on th-> process which you have maoe. 1 beg you to accept my sincere thanks for s"pur cordial welcome and my best wishes for youfr.turo prosperity and happiness.

Addresses were also handed to the Prince by the Mayor of Cambridge, .Mr. E. J. Wilkinson, Mr. Campbell Johnstone, chairman of the Raglan County Council, and Mr. John McGregor, representing th Legion of Frontiersmen. Written replies were handed back. As Unrehearsed Incident When the ceremony ended the large audience joined in singing the National Anthem. Prior to re-entering his car the Prince conversed with the Mayor, Mr. Watts, and ho drove away to the accompaniment of cheers and "Goodbye, Digger." He smilingly acknowledged the compliment, and so as to let the gathering have a final good look at him stood up in the car as it passed from the course to the ClaudeJands station. There was some hitch in the arrangements, and when the Prince arrived at the station the Royal train had not arrived from Hamilton. This was a piece of good fortune fop the public, and the police were unable to keep the crowd back. The people surged on to the railway line and surrounded the Princa. Mounted police tried to drive them back, but wi*h only partial success. The people wanted to see the Prince, and the more they saw the more they wanted to. see. Cameras snapped on all sides, and the Prince smilingly posed for them all. One girl daringly approached within a few feet of the Prince, but her courage failed her, and the Prince joined merrily in the laughter as the girl in her nervousness sought to press the shutter.

Admiral. Halsey Helps. After a long deloy the Royal train drew slowly iu, and the Prince embarked. He stood on the outside platform of his carriage and acknowledged the salutations of those around. One man climbed on to the train and got a snapshot at close quarters, and the Prince, taken by surprise, laughed merrily. A small girl with camera, and. autograph book also climbed on to the platform. Owing probably to his arm being sore from so much handshaking, the Prince refused the autograph, but consented to pose for tho photograph. The gill was unable to hold on to the rail and operate her camera. Admiral Halsey offered to take the snapshot, and while he was doing so the Prince noticed that the camera was not properly adjusted, and accordingly fixed it himself, and joined in the laughter at the Admiral's efforts. (i As the train drew out to the strains of "Auld Lang Syne" there was renewed peering, and a memorable day in the history of Hamilton finished with the picture of the Prince waving good-bye from the back of the train. Another charming incident occurred just before tho train left. A girl had taken a snapshot, and was changing her film nervous with a view to taking another. Admiral Halsey said the Prince would like her to take his photograph, and the girl stepped forward to do so. whereupon the Prince remarked that he was a, the wrong light, and changed his position. After the photo, was taken he said } 16 hoped it would turn out well and shook hands with her. The girl said she hoped it would, and if so she would send him one Admiral Halsey took her name and address.