DUKE'S TOUR

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21910, 20 September 1934, Page 12

DUKE'S TOUR

ITINERARY ANNOUNCED ARRIVAL ON DECEMBER 15 CHRISTMAS IN AUCKLAND VISITS TO SCENIC RESORTS [by TELEGRAPH —Pit ESS association] WELLINGTON, Wednepday The Governor-General, Lord Bledisloe, has made available the itinerary for the Duke of Gloucester on his visit to New Zealand in December and January. Except in a few minor details it has been approved by His Royal Highness. The Duke will arrive at Wellington in H.M.A.S. Australia at 10 o'clock on the morning of Saturday, December 15 and will stay at Government House, Wellington, from Sunday until Tuesday, leaving for Hastings late on the Tuesday night. The arrangements then are as follows: —

Wednesday, December 19.—10 a.m., arrive at Hastings; 11.35 a.m., arruo at Napier. Stay the night at cither Napier or Wairoa. 1 hursday, December 20: Afternoon, arrive Gisborne.

Friday, December 21.—Motor from Gisborne to Rotorua, via Opotiki and Whakatane. Saturday and Sunday: At Rotorua.

Monday, December 24. —10 a.m., arrive at Auckland; stay at Government Hotiso. The Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday will be spent in Auckland. Friday, December 28.-2 p.m., leave Auckland; 4.20 p.m., arrive at Hamilton; then proceed to Waitomo Caves and Tongariro National Park. Saturday, December 29 to Wednesday, January 2. —At the Chateau, National Park.

Thursday, January 3. 10 a.m., arrive at New Plymouth; 12.30 p.m., arrive at Hawera; 3.50 p.m., arrive at Wanganui; 5.15 p.m., arrive at Flock House, Bulls; 7.30 p.m., arrive at Palmerston North. Friday, January 4. 1.15 p.m., arrive at Woodville; 3 p.m., arrive at Masterton; evening, arrive at Wellington and embark on H-MA.S. Australia. Tour of South Island Saturday, January 5. —10 a.m., arrive at Pfcton; 11 a.m., arrive at Blenheim; noon, depart by motor via Havelock for Nelson; 3.45 p.m., arrive at Nelson. Sunday, January 6: At Nelson; 6 p.m., leave in the Australia for Lyttelton. Monday, January 7, 9.30 a.m., leave Lyttelton; 3 p.m., arrive at Greymouth, thence via Hokitika to Waiho (Franz Josef Glacier). Tuesday, January 8: At Fran& Josef Glacier. Wednesday, January 9: 5 p.m., leave Franz Josef Glacier.

Thursdav, January 10.—10 a.m., arrive at Timaru; 12.20 p.m., arrive at Oamaru; 3.40 p.m., arrive at Dunedm. Friday, January 11: At Dunedin. Saturday, January 12: Morning at Dunedin; noon, leave Dunedin; 2.45 p.m., arrive at Gore; 4 p.m., arrive at Invercargill; evening, leave Invercarg.il. Sunday, January 13: Free, possibly drive to Lake Te Anau or Lake Mana--1 Monday, January 14.—11.30 a.m., arrive at Queenstown; 8 p.m., arrive at Mount Cook. Wednesday, January 16: Leave Mount Cook and motor to Longbeach, Ashburton. Thursday and Friday: At Longbeach (private visit). Stay in Bay of Islands Saturday, January 19. —10.20 a.m., arrive at Ashburton; noon, arrive at Christchurch. Sunday: At Christchurch. Monday, January 21: At Christchurch; Evening, embark at Lyttelton on the Australia. This will mark the conclusion of the official tour of New Zealand. At daylight on January 22 the Duke will proceed by warship to the Bay of Islands in order to enable him to visit Russell and Waitangi and give him an opportunity for some deep-sea fishing. He will leave the Bay of Islands on January 27 for Fiji, The itinerary, which has received the close attention of the Governor-General and Ministers, has b*en designed: (A) To conform to the hope expressed by the Ki;ig that the tour would bo so arranged as to avoid imposing an undue strain upon His Royal Highness, and to reduce public expenditure to a minimum. (B) To provide opportunities for as many as possible, including school children, to see the King's son, while at the same time allowing for visits by His Royal Highness to some of the points of scenic attraction. Wishes of the Duke (C) To give effect to what His Excellency and the Government fe<}l would be the general wish of the people of New Zealand, namely, that His Royal Highness should carry away with him deep and lasting impressions of the warm-hearted loyalty of New Zeahinders and of the beauties of the country's natural scenery. This happy result) is far more likely to be achieved if the Royal traveller is not confronted with an excessively arduous itinerary or overcrowded programme.

The I)iiko, who wishes to gain a true insight into the general conditions and real-life of the people wo\ild prefer as few formalities bh possible. For that reason speeches and addresses should be reduced to a minimum in order that His Royal Highness may minglo with the people informally. Addresses of welcome should bo presented to His Royal Highness as a general rule at civic gatherings in the main centres. Copies should bo sent, in duplicate as soon as possible to Sir Cecil Pay, private secretary to tho Governor-General for submission to His Excellency and His Royal Highness. The Minister in charge of the arrangements for the tour is the Hon. J. A. Young, who will bo assisted by Mr. Malcolm Eraser, Under-Secretary for Internal Affairs.