ROYAL VISITOR

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21983, 14 December 1934, Page 15

ROYAL VISITOR

' AUCKLAND'S WELCOME

BRAVE ARRAY OF BUNTING FESTOONING QUEEN STREET PREPARATIONS UNDER WAY A brave array of flags will flutter Auckland's welcome as Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester, drives up Queen Street on the morning of December 24 011 his way to the civic reception in the Town Hall. Flags representing all the countries of the Empire will be strung across Queen Street at. regular intervals of 90ft. throughout the length of the city's main thoroughfare from Quay Street to Karangahape Koad. In addition, the Auckland Harbour Board will arrange a decorative scheme, which will be one of the first to catch tlio Prince's eye as ho proceeds from the railway station by way of Quay Street to Queen Street. The principal feature of the board's display will be an arrangement of code flags, conveying a message of greeting. Another imposing display will be made at the Chief Post Office, where special poles for carrying flags will be affixed to all the upper windows, projecting 15ft. from the top floor and 9ft. from the first floor. In addition, many private business houses propose to make a lavish display of bunting.

Limited Illuminations A novel scheme has been devised for the decoration of the streets near the Town Hall. Pinus insignis trees, from 15ft. to 20ft. in height and planted in green tubs, will be spaced in Queen Street on either side of the Town Hall area from Wellesley Street to the southern end of the building, while others will be placed at the apex of Queen Street and Grey's Avenue. The trees are thinnings from the City Council's plantations. A decision against the use of native trees was made by the council some months ago. Flags will also be flown from numerous special poles at the Town Hall, but the building will not be flood-lighted, as was done on the occasion of the visit nearly eight years ago of the Duke and Duchess of York. The Government has advised local bodies that •they will not be expected to provide special illuminations. Nevertheless, private enterprise will supply some of that deficiency. The first outward indication of th« city's preparation for the Prince's welcome was given yesterday, when a large "Welcome" sign, in multi-coloured electric lights, was suspended over the Queen Street entrance to the Strand Arcade. The Auckland Electric-Power Board, with a view to encouraging extra illuminations during the Royal visit, has fixed a special rate of on" penny a unit for that purpose, compared with the usual rate, which varies between twopence and fourpence. Numerous business firms, particularly picture theatres, have intimated their intention of displaying electric light festoons outside their premises. No Aquatic Welcome

Nevertheless, illuminations during the visit will not approach the scale that was evident on previous similar occasions. This is in conformity with the official desire that expenditure should be kept within reasonable bounds in view of the difficulties of the times. It is expected Jhat the invitation to motorists to fly miniature Union Jacks on their cars or to decorate them with red, white and blue streamers, will meet with a ready response. A suggestion was made that the Auckland Transport Board should decorate some of its tramcars for the occasion, but inquiry yesterday showed that the proposal would not be put in hand, as it was considered the transport system would be fully taxed in coping with the greatly increased traffic which is anticipated on the day of the Prince's arrival. In past receptions to Royal visitors Auckland's most picturesque welcome has always been provided by the fleet of small craft on the Waitemata Harbour, and there is evident in the city deep disappointment that Prince Henry, through arrival by train, will be denied a type of greeting which, alone among New Zealand cities, Auckland is able to give.

EAST COAST ARRANGEMENTS CONTROL OF ROAD TRAFFIC [BV TELEGRAPH —OWN CORRKSI'ONDKNT j GISBORNE, Thursday Special precautions against involving the Duke of Gloucester in any road accidents or congestion of traJlic will be taken during the visit of His Royal Highness to Poverty JJay next week. Police control of traffic will be instituted on all sections of highways on which the Royal party will travel ami one-way traflic will be enforced on certain sections to ensure that the Royal entourage will have a clear passage for high-speed travel. In view of the fact that the party is to leave Napier at 9.-'3O a.in. on Thursday next and is to reach Gisborne at 3.40 p.m., after short halts at Wairoa and Morcre, the necessity for fast travelling will be recognised. Particular care is beini/. taken to provide for freedom from embarrassment oil hill roads over which His Royal Highness will enter Poverty Ray on Thursday and by which lie will depart from the district on the following day. An impressive muster of returned soldiers resident in Gisborne and surrounding districts is expected to mark the first visit of Royalty to Gisborne. As in all other centres to be visited by His Royal Highness, the men who served with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force in the Great War will be given a prominent place in the proceedings, and they »ill be inspected by His Royal Highness.