DUKE OF GLOUCESTER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21938, 23 October 1934, Page 10

DUKE OF GLOUCESTER

A GAME OF POLO DEPARTURE FOR CANBERRA CROWDS AT STATIONS; By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright (Received October 22, 10.25 p.m.) MELBOURNE, Oct. 22 Although heavy rain fell last night and part of the railway near Wallan, 29 miles from Melbourne, was 2ft. under water, gangs worked all night and repaired the damage. This permitted the Royal train to leave on schedule this morning, when the Duke of Gloucester paid the first of his visits to the Victorian country towns, en route to Canberra. Crowds of people again lined the streets from Government House to the station and gave the Duke a rousing send-off. A red carpet, bordered by shrubs and pot-plants, was laid across the railway platform to the luxurious Royal carriage at the rear of the train. All the wayside stations were crowded as the train passed. The Grenadier Guards travelled by car to Wangaratta yesterday to assist in the welcome to the Duke. After the Caulfield Cup race on Saturday the Duke spent a happy hour at polo with the Victorian and visiting Queensland and New- Zealand players, including D. W. Gould and R. M- Johnson. The Duke proved himself a skilled player. His Royal Highness will return to Melbourne on Friday by motor-car, via the Gippsland lakes. During the week-end 51,000 people visited the cruiser Sussex in the port of Melbourne, and 20.000 the visiting Italian cruiser Armando Diaz.