DUKE OF GLOUCESTER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21934, 18 October 1934, Page 11

DUKE OF GLOUCESTER

"MOCK BATTLE" AT SEA CRUISERS AND DESTROYERS ROYAL VISITOR'S INTEREST By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright. MELBOURNE, Oct. 17 A wireless message from the cruiser Sussex, at sea, states that in moonlight and while steaming at 15 knots the cruisers Canberra, Australia and Sussex "fought" a night "battle" against the Australian destroyers Stuart and Voyager. The cruisers picked up the destroyers at a range of two miles and theoretically sank both. * The Duke of Gloucester witnessed the "battle" from the bridge of the Sussex and was tremendously interested and enthusiastic over the result of the encounter, which was entirely impromptu. All ratings manned the ship, as though in actual battle, and every vessel was darkened. When the "engagement" ended all the vessels played their searchlights on each other, creating an impressive effect in mid-ocean.

Following is the itinerary of the Duke of Gloucester in Victoria: — To-day: Arrive at Melbourne. Official opening of the Centenary celebrations. In the evening attend Governor of Victoria's dinner at Government House. To-nsorrow to Sunday Spent in Melbourne, functions to include official opening of the Royal Agricultural Show, a Parliamentary reception, a people's levee, and a visit to the Caulfield racecourse on Caulfiekl Cup Day. Monday, October 22: Depart by Royal train en route to Canberra. Receptions at towns on the Victorian North-eastern railway line; arrival .at Wagga, where he will stay the night. Tuesday, October 23: Continue journey to Canberra, passing through Junee ; C°°t amun^ra > Harden, Yass Junction and Goulburn.

ROTORUA PREPARATIONS ACTIVITY AMONG MAORIS IMPROVEMENTS AT THE PAS [by telegraph OWN correspondent] ROTORTTA, Wednesday Much, preparation is being made by the Maori community for the forthcoming visit to Rotorua of the Duke of Gloucester. At the time of the Royal visit it is anticipated there will be a large influx of natives from the neighbouring tribes of Ngatiporou, Ngatiawa, Ngapuhi and others, but it is not i yet known whether the Waikato and King Country tribes will be represented. The visiting natives will be accommodated in special camps, which will be established at Whakarewarewa and Ohinemutu. However, no definite arrangements will be made until the arrival at Rotorua on Saturday of Mr. H. R. H. Balneavis, secretary to the Minister of Native Affairs, Sir Apirana Ngata. The pa at Ohinemutu is now being cleared up, the guides at Whakarewarewa are particularly busy making puipuis and poi balls, while the various concert parties are holding regular practices. The entrance to the Whakarewarewa pa has been considerably improved with the new fences and carved figures at the approach to the Paurenga Bridge. A large carved Maori gateway has been erected, bearing the words "Haere Mai," and a large sheltershed has been built on the rise overlooking the ever-busy Papakura geyser. Here the visitor may rest and enjoy a panorama of all that is weird and wonderful. The paths in the reserve have also been attended to.