DUKE ACCLAIMED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22005, 11 January 1935, Page 10

DUKE ACCLAIMED

JOURNEY TO DUNEDIN MANY TOUCHING SCENES GREETINGS BY WAYSIDE AN OLD LAM'S VIGIL I, ON ELY riPEH'S GESTURE [BY TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER] DUNEDIN", Thursday In the past 2i hours the Duke of Gloucester has seen a remarkable contrast. His train from Ross left after darkness had fallen and the last farewells of the warm-hearted coasters were paid by little groups cheering in the night. One caught a glimpse of a row of timber mill men standing on the top of a shed near the line, cheering far more vociferously than thej would hare done had it been daylight. The train rumbled on through the night- and, thanks to the fatigue of the walks to the Franz Josef glacier, few on the train failed to sleep. The Duke and his party -were in the depths Of slumber when travelling through the Otira tunnel, and only the few restless ones peering out in the early dawn saw the tussockv foothill country slip by and caught occasional glimpses of farm folk standing outside their doors to record their loyalty. Down through the paddocks of j stooked wheat and oats the train | moved to Seadown, where a halt was'; made for breakfast. A reaper and hinder was at work a few chains away. A. score' of larks singing from the heavens serenaded His Royal Highness, hut not before a few campers, one party of which was engaged in cocksfoot cutting, had hailed the Royal visitor and wished him well. All down the line to Dunedin the fervent loyal spirit was manifest. Groups from Homesteads Timaru and Oamaru had official receptions that were animated by the warm-blood virility of this part of th® % country. The wayside welcomes were heart-moving. Hundreds of travelling holiday-makers took their stand by the * line and cheered and waved their flags, but, more significant even, were the little groups from homesteads. Here, seated on a chair near the line, was a very old lady, the head, perhaps, of four generations of loyal Otago folk, who had a strong wish to see Queen Victoria's great-grandson. That was a beautiful but pathetic memory. There, sat a farmer on his hack on a hilltop, giving the curt but •eloquent gesture of his kind to the Duke's train. Then was passed a youngish man blowing for all he was worth on a set i. of bagpipes. No one else was in sight, but the blood of some old clan and a 1

gallant forebear had led him to the line to demonstrate in the manner of Scotland, a country which probably he has never seen, nor perhaps his father before him.

A very smart young woman with the ißeat of a born rider rode to the line on a fiery chestnut with a silver mane and tail. Her feminine instinct had told her, as it has told many other young women, that a girl sitting on a fine horse by the line might receive a special salute from the Royal officer of the Hussars. Small Boy's Welcome

One girl waved from the top .of a hay rick and hundreds of other from the top rails of gates. A collie dog that evidently is in the habit of rushing to the line to bark at trains was caught ■unawares by the Royal train, that passed, at a time out of his routine. He made a desperate effort to mount the rise in time, and on this occasion he had red, white and blue streamers flying from his collar. A touching sight was that of a small boy standing alone in a paddock, with sheep grazing round him, waving timidly a little whip. He wore the Red Indian trousers which are so much

favoured by his generation, but was very shy. Nevertheless, he told the Duke precisely what this part of North Otago thought about the Duke's visit. Every station where the train slowed down was crowded with eager and cheerful people. At Waikouaiti was a band of girls and boys from a health camp yelling a very glad welcome. They received a wave from the Duke, and, before' the train was away from the platform, a shower of nuts and oranges descended upon it from the Royal dining car. ADDRESSES OF LOYALTY PRESBYTERIAN GREETINGS PROMINENT WORK REALISED [BY TELEGBAPH —PBESS ASSOCIATION] DUNEDIN. Thursday The Duke of Gloucester at Dunedin to-day was given a memorable ovation, which was repeated when he rose to reply to the civic address and express his gratitude for the city's solicitous references to his Royal father's illness, and to say how pleased he was to come to Dunedin, where, to use his own words, "the Scottish race, with its great traditions, is happily so prominent." In addition to the civic address the Duke received greetings from the Presbyterian Church in New Zealand. "Their Majesties and I are well aware of, and gratefully appreciate, the leadership and guidance given by your Church," he said in the course of his reply. "We fully realise the prominent part it has taken from the earliest days in the spiritual direction of this city. We devoutly hope the Church will be blessed in its continued efforts for the welfare of its people in New Zealand."

KAURI TO BE FELLED « VISIT TO THE NORTH PROGRAMME CONFIRMED [BY TELEGRAPH OWN CORRESPONDENT] KOHUKOHU, Thursday The final arrangements made by the Hokianga County Council for the visit of His Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester, have been completed. On arrival at Kohukoliu, the Royal party will be escorted to the Omahutu Forest, where a giant kauri will be felled. The tree measures 18ft. at the base with a" barrel of 40ft. The log will then be drawn from the forest by bullocks. As the Duke carries a movingpicture camera it is thought that a picture of the falling giant might appeal to him. He will be entertained at afternoon tea in the forest.

The towns of Rawene and Kohukohu will be be ."lagged. Tremendous interest generally is being taken in the visit. The county programme will be under the personal supervision of the chairman of the county council) Mr. A. C. Xarboroufttu