GREAT WELCOME

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

GREAT WELCOME

CROWDS IN STREETS PARADE OF EX-SERVICEMEN MOST IMPRESSIVE OF TOUR STIRRING MEMORIAL CEREMONY [BY TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER] DUNEDIN. Thursday The greetings tendered to Prince Henry along the railway were a fitting prelude to the magnificent welcome accorded to His Royal Highness by the people of Dunedin. In many respects it was the finest welcome he has received in the Dominion. The fact that it took place in the afternoon was all to the good, for then, as has been observed throughout the tour, more people have the opportunity of being present and more are in the mood. The wholo of Dunedin seem6d to line the streets and the journey to the Octagon was one long demonstration. There, returned soldiers numbering well over 1000 encircled the southern sector. This by far was the largest parade of ex-servicemen the Duke has seen in the Dominion. After the formal observances His Royal Highness went into the Town Hall and, while he was there, the ex-soldiers marched off to the Queen s Park Garden, where the Duke was to lav his wreath on tho Memoniil Column. War Service Women This ceremony was unquestionably the most impressive of the kind that has taken place during the tour. The ex-soldiers in two ranks completely encircled the area. War service women, with each of whom His ltoyal Highness shook hands, were drawn up near the monument. The full trumpet and drum band of the Otago Infantry Territorial Regiment lifted the whole ceremony into the sphere of tense emotion. The Duke was greeted with the Royal Salute as played by the trumpets, and then he laid the wreath of red poppies at the base of the monument. Stepping back, he saluted Otago's dead. The trumpets broke into the inspired dirge of the Army, the Last Post, and then the Reveille. Nothing finer has ever been heard in the Dominion. An Unforgettable Scene A visitor who has seen a number of the Cenotaph ceremonies in London states that never there has he heard anything to equal the trumpets and the drums of the Otago territorials. All the time they sounded His Royal Highness stood at attention. Then he reviewed the returned men, making the long circle through their ranks. When leaving he was given the trumpet Royal Salute again. The fact that he formally inspected the ranks of the band indicates his appreciation of its superb effort. The crowd swarmed about when the Duke went to the Grand Hotel, where he is staying. They gave the police a difficult task in clearing the streets so that the tram service could be resumed, but no demonstration could possibly dim the picture at the memorial — the Duke standing at attention facing his blood red wreath and the trumpets, with the equally artistic drums, calling back the thousands who died so valiantly. They brought tears to rejoicing eyes. ENTHUSIASM AT OAMARU OPEN-AIR GATHERING DEVOTION TO THE EMPIRE [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] OAMARU, Thursday The Oamaru welcome to Prince Henry, held in the .beautiful botanic gardens, was most distinctive. Adults vied with the children in enthusiasm and flag-waving. "I am glad to follow the members of my family who have visited New Zealand, and I have pleasure in meeting its people in such charming surroundings," said the Duke, replying to thrf civic address. " I have your belief that my visit will inspire a greater devotion to tho Empire."

RECEPTION m TIMARU CEREMONY ,AT PARK GATES SILVER KEY PRESENTED [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION*] TIMARU, Thursday Fully 8000 people lined the main streets of Timaru through which, the Royal procession made a circular tour this morning, and several thousands more participated in a reception to thft Duke at Timaru Park. Amid an impressive silence His Royal Highness deposited a wreath of remembrance at the base of the South Canterbury War Memorial. After inspecting a large parade of ex-service-men, he opened, to the accompaniment of deafening cheers, i .he new entrance gates of the park, Yrhich have been named "Gloucester Gates" in honour of the occasion. The Duke accepted a silver key with which the opening ceremony was performed. "I have been received everywhere* with the same cordiality," he said, m acknowledging Timaru's welcome. "X am pleased to think my visit will help to bring the peoples of New Zealand and the Homeland even closer together." The weather is still fine, and Timaru, with its crowded and gaily-decorated streets and park, presented an attractive picture.

EVENING IN CITY GAME OF SQUASH RACKETS QUIET WALK WITH DOGS [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION*] DUNEDIN, Thursday Before dinner to-night the Duke visited the Fernhill Club and spent an hour on the squash racket courts. He played expertly and showed an excellent knowledge of courtcraft. He also officially opened the club's new court. His Royal Highness called at the Otago Officers' Club and talked with members, and from 9 to 11 o'clock was present at the civic At Home in the Town Hall. Before retiring he took his dcgs Digger and Sally for a quiet walk. PRINCE IN NEW ROLE ROYAL TROTTING MEETING The Duke of Gloucester has been seen on several racecourses in the North Island, and on one of them as a competitor, and when he attends, the New Zealand Metropolitan -Trotting Club's Hoyal Meeting in Christchurch on January 19, he will be seen in a new role. He will act as starter for the Sussex Handicap. On the occasion of his visit to Perth, where fields are started with a gun, the Prince officiated at the start of the Glaucester Cup f