THE PRINCE OF WALES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20075, 12 October 1928, Page 10

THE PRINCE OF WALES.

, INTEREST TN AVIATION.

CALLED TO THE BAR.

FREEMAN OF LONDON CITY.

! " CITIZEN AND FISHMONGER."

BY WALTER AND LEONARD TOWNSEND. (All Rights Reserved.) No. XXX. Tlio Prince of Wales has always been i interested in aeronautics. It will bo remembered that he mado his first flight in 1913 and that in 1928 he took up flying in earnest, not as a pleasure but as the quickest method of getting about from place to place in the fulfilment of his duties In March, 1919, ho visited, with his brother Albert (a qualified pilot), the Handley-Pago works at Crieklewood and was shown round the factories by Mr. Handley-Page. Few people credit the Princo with having ambitions in any particular direction. His position, they argue, prevents him ■from having ambitions. But why should it 1 The Prince's ambitions may not lend themselves to definite classification, but the end of them all is the desire to bo of use—both to himself and the people. A comparison with his brother, Prince 'Albert, at this time, brings to light a most* significant difference of temperament. The two brothers were both taking aviation instruction, but, whereas Albert wished to qualify for a pilot's certificate, Edward desired only to gain a little experience in flying so that he would not be at a loss when associating with Air Force men to discuss intelligently problems of aviation. Flying Over London. The Prince of Wales has never expressed any desiro to become a pilot, although ho has spoken with enthusiasm of the enjoyment aviation gave him. On one occasion he took an hour's flight in a Handley-Page machine and soared over Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament, Fleet Street and St. Paul's Cathedral, landing at last at the Crieklewood aerodrome. After the flight the Prince questioned his pilot, Lieutenant Carruthers, R.A.F., on the mechanism of the machine and greatly surprised that young officer by his knowledge of matters aeronautical. But, unlike his brother, his heart was more with the army than in the thrills and adventures of the newest branch of the service. At this time thero was a movement on foot which had first originated after the Prince's investiture at Carnarvon in 1913 to persuade the Princo of Wales to take up residence in his principality, and for a certain season of every year to transfer his household to Wales. Several Welsh towns urged their claims upon him and the people of Llandudno sent a special resolution to the Premier to ask him to uso his influence in persuading the Prince to consider their town as a suitable residence. Lord Mostyn also announced that his beautiful houso in Gloddaeth Woods, Llandudno Bay, was at the disposal of the Prince. No Welsh Residence. Much as he would have liked to avail himself of the wishes of his people, there v ere several obstacles in the way of the Prince following the suggestions put forward. Then, too, there would inevitably have arisen a feeling of jealousy among (Welsh people, whatever town or district he had chosen. Therefore, with the utmost reluctance, he had to abandon the idea, for the time at least, and content himself with promising to visit Wales whenever he could find the opportunity. He had a, host of engagements in the apring of 1919. Every town and city was eager to confer upon the Princo some Bign.il honour in appreciation of his services to the country, and as a proof of t.heir loyalty. The Princo was made a Freeman of the Borough of Plymouth—he was already the High Steward of that (own—and was admitted an Elder Brother of Trinity House, at the same time being called to "the Bar at Middle Temple, where he was made a Bencher of the Inn. In the great Elizabethan hall the Prince, in evening dross, looked quite out of place, even though he wore the broad ribbon of the Older of the Garter across his breast, and several other importantlooking orders on the lapel of his coat. His sunburnt face and athletic bearing ppoko more of open fields and sunlit country roads than musty, confined chambers beloved of the legal fraternity. Nevertheless, when the barristers present plied their legal severity and sang lustily "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow" the Prince regained his sangfroid, and walked up the great hall with pleasing self-assur-fince to make his speech. "Magnificent Camouflage." He was in fine humour, and caused the austere faces of his audience to relax on several occasions. The Prince said: "The Master Treasurer asked rne if I had read the document I had signed; I could not say that I had. He has also said that I havo not eaten the number of dinners which are necessary. lam afraid I have not, nor have 1 done many other things M'hich I should have done. I feci very embarrassed standing before you in this gown. I cannot pretend that it makes me learned in the law; in fact, I feel rather magnificently camouflaged! But I rlo want you to treat it as a symbol of my desire to study and associate myself with the great legal institutions upon which tho stability and welfare of our great country so largely depend." On May 29, 1919, the Prince of Wales ,was admitted, by patrimony, to tho Freedom of tho City of London. The month before, the King had approved of his eon's promotion to Colonel-in-Chief of the 32th (Princo of Wales Royal) Lancers, nnd the Scots Fusiliers, and the young Prince took his advancement as a direct assurance of his progress in the military career in which ho had for the last few years devoted every energy. Presented by Fishmongers. Tho ceremony was only a brief one, but the sincere speeches made it impressive enough. The town clerk declared tho order for the Prince's admission as a Freeman of tho City, and immediately after the patrimony vouchers were rend. On the completion of these formalities the Lord Mayor inquired to know who presented the young Prince as a Freeman. The honour fell to the representatives of the Fishmongers' Company who presented His Royal Highness as an Honorary Freeman of their own company. Speeches followed, and amid loud cheers and acclamations from those present the Chamberlain gave a brief resumo of the Prince's past activities, making reference to tho special interest which His Royal Highness evinced in the work of the Royal Academy and Ihe British Museum, resullirig in his being elected to the Standing Committee of the latter. After offering him the right hand of fellowship and greeting the Prince as a citizen and a fishmonger," lie presented no young Freeman with a silver-framed copy of tho Freedom, which tho Prince gratefully received. xJrilT the , P I rince of Wales stepped forlie f UI' SP i ?. was clie ®red to the echo. He delivered himself in clear, steadv tones, declaring his appreciation of tS honour ho had rocoivou 11 T im i 1 grateful to you/* he btLn -V ™ i lee Ply .n, to cojo \ld r ,S I °:r° l! that franchise the right to'wlS, t 1 by patrimony. It if. me .to bo presented to you • fishmonger!" y . as (To be continued daily.)