THE PRINCE OF WALES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20086, 25 October 1928, Page 10

THE PRINCE OF WALES.

HI WALTER AND LEONARD TOWNSBND.

ffOUR OF NEW ZEALAND. 'AUCKLAND'S GREAT WELCOME ENTHUSIASM OF NATIVES. MAORI MELODY AT ROTORUA.

(All Eichts Reserved.) No. XLI. With the exception of tho calls at Fiji, tvhero the Fijian chiefs made their peculiar tribute to tho Prince, the voyage was nnoventful until tho Renown reached Auckland on April 24, 1920, after a strenuous voyage of 14,000 miles. In Auckland's fino harbour a heterogeneous fleet, composed of every manner of craft, decorated with every kind of bunting and flag, assembled round the Renown. Bands played lively tunes, jchiluren on board tho smaller boats Bang and cheered, and in their midst the »miling Prince, above tho bridge, saluted his greeting. Here at last was the itarting point of tho Prince's New Zealand and Australian tour. Tho Governor-General came on board amidst the playing of a full brass band, and the Prime Minister, members of tho Cabinofc, tho Mayor of Auckland, and many other important officials and officer* fcwaited on shore to greet t'iio Prince of their country. The rido to Government House and Town Hall was triumphant. Tho scenes of enthusiasm that followed ■were unprecedented in tho twin islands of Now Zealand. On tho following day—Anzac Day—■ the Princo attended services in St. Mary's Cathedral, and at tho Auckland Town Hall. Welcome from the Maoris.

'At Rotorua the Maoris were gathered in strong array, and performed their native dances and ceremonies for th# benefit of their honoured guest. One of their chiefs afterwards read an address, in which tho Maoris gave their staunch promise they would he true till death, and bado the illustrious Prince return to : Their Majesties bearing the renewal of their oath of loyalty. Hearing late one night, after his engagements were finished, tho weird, though musical playing of Maori music outsido his bedroom window, the Prince, without saying anything to his staff, walked through the windows of his room—which was on tho ground floor—and went in Search of the melody. Ho found a group of natives not far away playing and singing to themselves in a manner that is quite characteristic of these people. For an hour tto Princo sat with them while they played to him—then, rising to hii feet, he gave them ten shillings each and returned back to bed—tired, but satisnod after his strenuous day. Now Zealand's Railway Strike [While in tho Auckland district a strike Of the railway workers suddenly dislocated the travel arrangements of tho Prince's party But when concern was reaching its tensest point there came a message from tho strikers that they were -willing immediately to carry tho Royal train any whore, and Would see that it %vas not delayed. It speaks much for the loyalty of tho New Zealand workers that thoy could lio unselfishly put aside their peraonal grievances in order not to cause the Royal guest any discomfiture. With the splendid efforts of the Prime Minister. Mr. Massey, and his colleagues, including the present Prime Minister, Mr. Coates, a settlement was effected within four days, and the tour .continued. Nevertheless, time had been lost, and had to be made up later by cutting out certain engagements. The inspections, visits, and ceremonies in which tho Princo took part proved .very arduous, and it is a matter of wonder that ho was able, considering tho great demands imposed upon his physical as ,well as mental energies, to keep a smiling face and a cheerful word for all throughout tho whole of his journey. His interest was unflagging whatever was presented to his attention. During one stretch of tho train journey the Prince boarded the footplate, and, after a little coaching, drove the train at a rate of nearly a milo a minute for a considerable (distance. Interest in Industrial Matters, Tho Princo never forgot the primary reason tor hi 3 visit, however, and whenever industrial areas wero visited, or ,when ho was shown New Zealand products, ho showed tho keenest interest. His .mind was gradually being filled with commercial information of the most important kind, and what he learned in this and subsequent tours haß fitted him, as nothing elso could have done, to (ulfil his role as tho heir to tho Imperial '.Throne. With appreciation and enthusiasm, the Prince noted tho small holding scheme* practised in New Zealand, and was greatly impressed with tho robust health ®f the peoplo. In one of his speeches ho confessed to a liking for farming, and referred to his own scheme in Alberta, which, with characteristic depreciation, referred to as " in a small way." The reception which was accorded the Prince in all parts of New Zealand was tremendous. Tho people did not know how to excel each other in making striking innovations to meet tho Prince's eye. Once, when the Prince's train wa» passing through a series of villages at night time huge bonfires were lighted noar every homestead in greeting to him The sight from tho train was wonderfully spectacular. Prince's Farewell Message In his farewell message to New Zealand the Prince said: —" I havo felt, from end to end of tho Dominion that there is nowhere a British people more set in British traditions or moro true to British ideals. I havo found tho strength of your loyalty to tho Empire and its Sovereign as keen and bracing as n;ountain air." It was with regret that the Prince left on board the Renown for Australia, The Princo had very enthusiastic receptions in all the cities and towns of Australia. Whilo in tho Commonwealth he ftad a temporary break-down, and » week s complete rest was ordered. iml'L itv v ' a y homo tho Prince called. IWn P l ' P ces '^ l Samoa . Honolulu, Grenada n™™' T T dar1 ' Demerara Bermudas. lca> *■«».., »nd th. One dull October morning the Renown steamed mto Portsmouth Harbour bringing with it the Prince, tired out, and happy m tho knowledgo of duty well done and well appreciated, but withal an un comfortable restriction about his throat when he remembered tho warm friend ships ho was leaving behind, perhaps for n y>. many years. .ITo bo continued daily,)) j