PRINCE IN AFRICA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19061, 4 July 1925, Page 16 (Supplement)

PRINCE IN AFRICA.

GOLD COAST WELCOME. NATIVE PAPER'S EXHORTATION. " ECSTACY OF OUR PEOPLE." Some interesting particulars about tho visit of the Prince of Wales to the Gold Coast, West Africa, are contained in tho Vox Popnli, a native jpurnal published at Accra, which was very, ftnxiotis that our Princo should be welcomed in a fitting manner. To ensure this the following instructions were given:—"Wo desiro to educate tho minds uf those of our people who do not know fov want of opportunity or instruction, and to remind those who know, that on such occasions, to demonstrate our loyalty, devotion, ecstacy, and proud enjoyment, we should cheer the Prince of Wales in a respectable, gentlemanly, <-nd mannerly modes worthy of our timehonoured colony. The general hooting to which our people are accustomed will never do. The best way is to greet His Royal Highness when passing in our sight by a thunderous and cheery 'Hurrah, hurrah!' a*l libitum."

Tho instructions given seem to havo been carried out, for the paper confesses that:—" Words adequately describablo of the significance, historical, political, and otherwise, of (his exceptionally unique and unprecedented visit to West Africa of His Majesty tho King's eldest son are to us unavailable, unavailable indeed, because every effort of ours to obtain fitting terms and suitable phrases is absolutely drowned by tho excessive gladdening of our hearts and merrying of our very souls at tho joyous fact that in our own lifetime, by design of Providence Divine, we have been blissfully privileged and honoured to see in person, yea. face t<-> face, him whom many ancient kings, rich and noble men, would havo rejoiced to have seen . . . " Herein, then, is the warranty for that almost inextinguishable outburst of merriment, delight, and ecstacy of our people. Like petrol poured into the conflagrant flames, our joys havo been still more ablazed by the several arrangements and decorations undertaken here and there to celebrate this festive occasion, and to make the festive reception of our Royal visitor a supremely exquisite one. . His Royal Highness landed at Sekondi, and one could hero feel tho current of joy pulsating in the veins and artories of our brethren in the Western Province; before our mind's eyo is the graphic picture of their smiling countenances; while from tho eyes of His Royal Highness dart forth the radiant, rays of that flashlight of his pure sympathy, profound devotion, and love, for his father's loyal, law-abid-ing, and trustworthy subjects."