GIFT TO THE VISITORS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19567, 21 February 1927, Page 12

GIFT TO THE VISITORS.

CHOICE OF AUCKLAND CITY. MAORI TREASURE HOUSE. UNIQUE MODEL FASHIONED. ■ The gift'.' of the city - c>f Auckland to tho Duke and Duchess of York is typical of the province of which Auckland is the capital In the ,search, for inspiration concerning the nature of the casket, in which should be deposited the address of welcome to the visitors, the City Council conceived ,the '-.happy idea ,of a model replica of tho unique Maori treasure house in the Auckland museum, and the result as seer.-in "the finished,. article is a gift that wiill".be outstanding among the many which will bo made to Their Royal Highnesses before they return . to ' England. The model is 2ft.. in length and 18in."in height, and is complete to the smallest detail of the pawa shell eyes of the Maori figures. The wealth of carving on the original has been faithfully reproduced, and while modern tools have, been used in its construction,, there is an indefinite something which suggests that the model is the work of some aged Maori of olden times, rather than the product of to-day. Into the carved side has been let a drawer operated by a spring catch. The 1 drawer contains the address of welcome, a handsome volume of engrossed pages bound between covers of inlaid native woods. The centre of tho covers lias tho city's coat of arms in colour, supported by kiwis and surrounded by white manuka blossoms, and there is a figured border on a "background of puriri. Tho address is carried over several pages, each bordered with, heavy gold, work and carrying scenic views,and.Maori figures in tho corners. On the first page is tho Royal coat of arms and that of the city, and'on tho-last page is a beautiful piece of gold .panelling oh a background of reel, illustrative of Maori art. The volume is, further illustrated with water colours of' tho Town .Hall, the Renown,, the harbour from Mount Eden, the view from Grafton Bridge over, the harbour, and the War..Memorial Museum.- , To the address will be-appended the signatures of the, Mayor, Mr; G., Baildon, and the town clerk, Mr. J. S.- Brigham. t With the' treasure house is a table stand, another splendid example of what can be do.ne with New Zealand -woods by ah enthusiast in inlay work. The top is of mottled totara inset into puriri, with a figured border introducing clematis blossom. The legs rest on small replicas of Maori gods, the tops being Maori male and female figures. Five men have assisted in the preparation of the address and of the treasure house and table. The carving was dont. by Mr, W. Forister, the inlaying by Mr. W. Siefert, the cabinet making by Mr. A Moakes, the engrossing and illumination by Mr. J. Park, and-the water colours : by Mr. Walter Wright. ESCORT FOR THE DUKE. EIGHTY PICKED CONSTABLES. SPLENDID BODY OF MEN. The detachment, of 80 constables which has been detailed for special duty during the tour of the. Duke and Duchess of York will parade at the Central Police Station this morning,for inspection by the commissioner, Mr. W, B. Mcllveney. The commissioner will address the men regarding the services which they will be required to perform in various parts of the Dominion., ,• . „ . , , . • The .fall force of 80 will be required, only at Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dupedin. The constables, who will not accompany the Royal Party throughout the tour, will be moved ahead of the itinerary to provide for various contingencies. The escort for the Rotorua trip will comprise 67 men. The 80 men who will parade this morning have been drawn from all parts of the Dominion in-order that there may be a certain amount of local knowledge available in every circumstance. The commissioner has selected a'particularly stalwart company, the average height of the detachment of 80 being 6ft. 3in. None of the men is under 6ft., and a number range from 6ft. sin. to 6ft. s|in. '* The , commissioner stated last evening that the escort had been instructed to exercise every discretion in the execution of : the unfamiliar- duties which had to be performed .Tho work would be arduous, the hours long and the responsibility considerable, said the commissioner. • Tile' nien would have hUge crowds' to handle, but they were to avoid harsh .treatment and blunt address. " Every, precaution has been taken, and the force will act with absolute propriety, making every allowance for' the exuberance of- a -public welcome to Royalty,'' said. Mr,. Mcllveney. .... . ' Senior-Superintendent Brcberg.- of .Wellington. will ,accompany the commissioner throughout the tour, and Superintendent Wohlmann and Inspector Mcllveney, 'of Auckland, will travel with the escort during the- Rotprua trip. .... THE CIHC RECEPTION. PRESENTATION OF ADDRESS. FUNCTION TO BE BRIEF. When the Duke and Duchess of York arrive at the Town Hall for the civic reception to-morrow morning at 11.30 they will be received by the Mayor, Mr. G. Baildon, and after the inspection of the guard of honour they will be escorted to the mayoral rooms, and thence 5 to the stage through the main hall. The reception will be a brief function. The address-of welcome from the city will be read by the Mayor, who will make the presentation of the address and the model treasure house in which it is housed. The Mayor may also make a few remarks in support of the formal address. There will be no other speakers and the Duke v.-ill then make his reply. Beyond the representatives of a few religious bodies, there will he no presentation of members of * the public at the reception, this ohase of the welcome to the Duke and Duchwts beinx reserved for the "at home" on Wednesday evening. FOR FLAVOUR-"PECK'S." "Peck's" salmon and shrimp paste, higher food value. finer. flavour than any other. . British-made. The Farmers* Trading 1 Co.'a. Tea Room and Roof Promenade will remain' open all day on Tuesday and Wednesday. Other department? w-Il be closed from 10 a.m. till 12 neon on both days. Pure Taniwha is the perfect- all-round soap for busy . women. Lathers freely. yet most . economical in use. Preserves fine linen and keeps it spotless. The gold medal soap. .- Children .like Wade's Worm Figs, Absolutely ■ harmless Cheap. Royalty desires loyalty to the Empire by . asms Wing worth's famous British Films. See that your camera is loaded with them during tb# Royal visit. Sold by chemists.