DUKE'S VISIT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21396, 20 October 1934, Page 13

DUKE'S VISIT

MELBOURNE LEVEE BRILLIANT SPECTACLE CHILDREN'S GREAT DISPLAY ROYAL SHOW OPENED By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received October 19, 10.25 p.m.) MELBOURNE, Oct. I*9 The people of Melbourne have recovered from the excitement of yesterday's welcome to the Duke of Gloucester and settled down to-day to enjoy the Centenary celebrations and honour the Royal visitor. The Duke held a levee in the ballroom at Government House in the morning and in the afternoon he attended a great display by, children. Later he opened the Royal Agricultural Show and in the evening attended a dinner given by the Royal Society of St. George. The levee was attended by 1500 people. Twenty-eight addresses of welcome were presented to the Duke by several churches and welfare and patriotic societies.

The weather again was gloriously fine and the scene in the ballroom was brilliant. Among those present were the officers of the visiting Indian sloop Hindustan and the Italian warship Armando Diaz. A pathetic touch was given to the levee by an address in Braille from the Blind Institute expressing loyalty and respect " To you whom we cannot see." Children's Great Demonstration The children's demonstration was the most remarkable ever seen in Melbourne. At this 17,000 schoolchildren gave a physical culture display on the Melbourne cricket ground. The Duke was tumultuously received as he drove round the ground, which was packed by 80,000 people. In the arena were the thousands of gaily-dressed children in a living tableau of welcome, spelling out " Victoria " in giant letters. At the Royal Agricultural Show His Royal Highness saw the greatest display of Victoria's wealth and resources ever assembled. Staff Gratified at Reception Describing yesterday's reception, members of the Duke's staff said it was beyond their expectations. They expressed appreciation of the adoption of the suggestion for a curtailment of His Royal Highness' engagements, thus' avoiding fatiguing him as much as possible. However, all the engagements made would be carried out.

Unprecedented chaos occurred in connection with the city traffic last evening after the fireworks display. It is estimated that 150,000 people watched the display, all of whom wanted to go home at the same time. Thousands of motor-cars became hopelessly jammed in the inlets and outlets of the city. Those within the city area could not move for hours.

The police used loud-speakers to assist in directing the traffic. Pedestrians making for railway stations were marooned for long periods on the footways, being unable to cross the roads. It is estimated that 1,000,000 people travelled by train yesterday.

200 BOYS FROM COUNTRY YOUNG NEW ZEALAND LEAGUE REQUEST FOR ACCOMMODATION The use of buildings at the Epsom Showgrounds by 200 country boys who will be in Auckland on the occasion of the visit ,of the Duke of Gloucester was sought by the Young New Zealand League in a letter received by the council of the Auckland Agricultural and Pastoral Association at a meeting yesterday. It was stated that the boys would be in the city from December 22 to December 29. The league was prepared to guarantee the restoration of any damage to property that might occur at the showgrounds. " There are grave difficulties in the way of granting the request." said the managing secretary, Mr. W. F. O'Donnell.

Opinion on the matter among members was divided, some pointing out the element of risk "from fire and the necessity of clearing the buildings to provide room for the boys. Others, however, considered permission might well be granted to the league. The matter was referred to the new grounds committee with power to act.