THE MELBOURNE CENTENARY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21906, 15 September 1934, Page 6 (Supplement)

THE MELBOURNE CENTENARY

PREPARING FOR THE DUKE THE HISTORIC HUNTER VALLEY [FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT] I SYDNEY. Sept. 5 The fact that the Governor-General, Lord Bledisloe, and Lady Bledisloe will be in Sydney during the early part of the festivities in connection with the Royal visit, has given the event an added zest as far as New Zealanders are concerned. Besides, Lord Bledisloe's family has had many links with Australia. Bathurst, the principal town of the west, and now the see of a bishop (who is married, incidentally, to a direct descendant of the Rev. Samuel Marsden), is evidence of that; for the town received its name in compliment to that distinguished ancestor of Lord Bledisloe's who was Principal Secretary of State for the tolonies at the time of its foundation. Now that the Sussex is already on its way, bearing a Prince of the Blood Eoyal to inaugurate the Melbourne Centenary, the eyes ofc Australia are on the cruiser. Queen Mary has shown her interest in a practical manner by sending a number of historic souvenirs from Kensington Palace, once owned by Queen Victoria. An ornamental firescreen, Queen Mary's own property, will be presented to the city of Melbourne when tlje festivities have concluded. These treasuers are now in the strong-room of the liner Ormonde, and the same vessel is bringing Titania's Palace to Australia. This miniature palace, Complete in every detail, was designed and decorated by Sir Neville Wilkinson, and will be exhibited in public in aid of some of the charities in which the Queen is particularly interested. Preparations for the Royal Guest Already there are great preparations at Gostwyck, the lovely homestead in the beautiful Hunter Valley, where tlie Duke of Gloucester will stay •with the Dangar family. The Hunter Valley, as a matter of fact, has a link with New Zealand, for it was there that- Mrs. James Busby left as a bride, to join the' future first British Resident in New Zealand. The Dows, of the upper Hunter, the family of which Mrs. Busby was a member, were pioneer settlers. It is even said that the Dangar family, who are enormously wealthy, are adding a wing to the country mansion,' so that the Duke can be adequately housed with his 4 staff. Hitherto, Royal guests in Australia have stayed with the well-known • Onslow family, of merino sheep fame, at Camden. Camden Park was an original grant to John Macarthur, the man who rebelled against Governor Bligh, and won even more enduring fame for hid successful efforts in ,making New South Wales the cradle of the great wool industry of Australia. It is a most picturesque home, built of stone hewn out of rock obtained in the neighbourhood. The Onslow owners have been so anxious to preserve its colonial atmosphere that even when they had the Prince of Wales and the Duke and Duchess of York a$ guests at Camden Park, they sent them to bed by candle-light! There are no electric lighting schemes in this fine old mansion. It was suggested that the Duke of Gloucester might like a kangaroo hunt during his stay at Gostwyck, but the possibility raised such a public outcry that the project was abandoned. The Duke, one would imagine, would be the last person anxious to butcher a lot of harmless animals to make sport. Fortunately, there is a decided public opinion nowadays against such so-called " sport " as rounding up kangaroos in a pen and slaughtering them, knowing full well, of course, that the animals cannot escape their attackers. The Duke's Headquarters The State Governor, Sir Philip Game, and Lady Game tre now on their way back from leave in* England, . ready to welcome the Duke when he leaves his cruiser in historic Farm Cove. Old Government House has had many distinguished occupants, including the present King and Queen. It was there, too, that Queen Victoria'ssailor son, the Duke of Edinburgh, was nursed back to health and strength after the attack on his life in the '7o's, when he was fired at by a Fenian during . a picnic; at Clontarf, at Middle Harbour. 7, • Government House, which will be the Duke of Gloucester's headquarters in New South Wales, is a picturesque old block, towered and turreted, and built on one of the most delightful sites around Sydnev. From his front verandah, vine-sheltered from the warmth of the nooh-dav sun, Sir Philip will be able to see H.M.S. Sussex almost as eoon as the cruiser rounds Bradley's Head. There is an interesting collection of coats of arms at Government House. It has been the custom for many years past for the retiring governor to have his arms carved on the stone facade of the building, and the result is a collection, both historic arid unique. ) . Social Festivities Social Sydney is, of course, looking forward to the Royal ball, and already the Town Hall is being overhauled for the event, and the moth balls shaken out of the red carpet on which so many distinguished visitors have walked. A special entrance is also being erected in the Duke's honour —not before time, either, as the old one was only propped up! .

New Zealanders are also associating with the representatives of the other states in holding a combined ball, which/ it is hoped that the Prince will attend, and New Zealanders resident in Sydney will present a loyal address to His Royal Highness at Government House.