THE PRINCE'S TOUR.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XLIV, Issue 14044, 29 April 1920, Page 2

THE PRINCE'S TOUR.

(Per Press Association.) ROTORTJA, April 28. The morning broke wet and bleak, on what would in the ordinary course have been' the ''star" day of the Prince's*, visit. The rain varied from a light drizzle to a steady downpour, but about nine o'clock it lifted somewhat, and a stream of people moved out to the historic Ohinemutu, where the Arawa tribe were, gathered to extend a welcome to the , Prince of Wales.

Accompanied by Admiral Jlalsejv Sir'l AVilliam Herries and r Hon.- Dr, Pomare, and several 'officers ;of the Renown, the Princedrove/puti He was received MabmKustoih by I a single native heralding, the arrival I at the pa. Thence the 'Jnaln body of waiting warriors and -miEuderis escorted the Royal party to v the riiidtile .of the courtyard in front of ing house, Tama te. Kapua? (''Son of the Cloud"). As. he took Tris seat, theassembled throng of -dusky 'natives raised the welcoming shout "Haerie mai," and two Arawa chiefs (R-angi te Aorere and Kiwi e Nohan) then, declaimed the -speeches of "welcome, interpreted by Lieut. Kepa: Ehau. ), The .speeches expressed a hearty welcome to' the pa, where the Prince's father and great uncle were received in. years long past. They- also referred to the consistent loyalty v of.the Ara'was to tjie dynastv to which the': Royal guest'beionged." About 50. warriors then: gave, a war dance, . jnf a mariner so- realistic as to cause bystanders to marvel ia<n-d wonder if the time had not arrived: for incontinent departure. A change fromthe fearsome depiction of war scenes now came. A party of 100 girls and womenv dressed in whit© blouses, with blue scarves and red skirts, draped with: Mabfi mats, occupied the central' space in three lines, the'front tow being young girls, seated on a long mat representing a canoe, and. -they the rowers. A'clear alto voice rose, leading "the poi song, while the women kept time with the poi balls,, and at intervals the warriors behind joined in the refrain; the effect being delightful, and captivating all on the stand,' among whom were Ladv Liverpool;, Sir Joseph and Lady "Ward. ' The color and movement of the dancers ,vwas ; almost, obscured at times by the steam _ rising from the bubbling vent holes in the ground, arid mingling with the thick, drizzling rain. A r glimpse of an old Maori church down toward the beach, and the lake itself behind, made up a picture of peculiar beauty." .... ....... The Maori chiefVWheoro te Pom came forward, and. in a florid Maori speech, brief, but full of poetic references, presented to the Prince a hand,some mat and valuable Huia feather. • The Prince at once had the mat placed on his shoulders, arid' put the leather in his hat. He addressed the Maoris in a few words, expressing appreciation of the Arawas' loyal sentiments and conduct in the past, and thanks for the welcome gifts. The Prince then walked along the lines of girls and women, shaking hands as..he went. One maiden, of prepossessing appearance, varied this procedure by gracefully curtseying and kissing the Prince's hand —an action that evoked warm applause, and caused an extra spurt of activity among the photographers. The warriors in the rear were next inspected. The old church was visited, and a pause made in front oljthe statue of Queen Victoria, where the Prince stood at attention for a few moments, the assemblage waiting in re-, verent silence.

As the Prince left, the Maori girls waved Union Jacks ant 1 : sang the Naliomil Anthem. Tile Prince's party next went to King George Hospital, on Pukewai Hill and made a close inspection of the wards and workshops, the Pnince saying- a lew. words to the various patients. This occupied some time, as the lloyal visitor is most thorough in his methods, and neglected no one in his calls.

The next object was Whakarewarewa, where the Prince was met by boys carrying the Hags presented by Queen Victoria, in 1870, and by King George in 1901, and conducted by Guide_s Bella and Miriani, well-known to tourists, to the bridge over the Putrenga River. Thence the party proceeded to a nearby meeting house, where a .formal welcome was extended the Prince from the Tiuyharetoa and Tuhourangi tribes, the ceremonies being ''similar to those at Ohineniutu, an oration being delivered by Mita Taupopoki, Captain Vercoe- interpreting the speech. Gifts were then handed to His lloyal Highness, including a mat,- tiki and tewha tewha, the latter being a, native weapon of war: Both the tiki and tewha tewha are of great antiquity, and consequently objects of veneration among the tribes. The poi girls and warriors, of course, had a place in the programme, and I when the Prince shook hands with a I number of. them their delight was unj bounded. The Prince then walkec>

through the.pa, taking great interest in | the carvings of the wnares, and. in the boiling springs, and other" features of this striking part of the thermal region. The Pohiitu geyser was not playing, much to the Prince's disappointment when the nature of the geyser's upheaval Was explained to him. A return to the Grand Hotel was made at nearly one o'clock. The last hour br two had seen, rain falling in a steady downpour that gave no promise of breaking, arid it was decided to suspend the programme till to-mor-row morning. In spite of the discomforts of the rain and mud, the streets along the route traversed' were lined with crowds, while at Whaka the press was great. But happy natives ,had seen their Prince and heard his voice, and though the heavens might fall they, cared not. ' ,-.*■■'• As he. passed the gates of the Maori camp the Prince came in for a great ovation on both journeys: to and from Whakarewarewa.

At the request of the Town Clerk, Mr C. "W. Kent, we publish the following letter sent to country schools: — "I have received advice from the Education Board of the number of the school children who are expected to visit Oamaru on tlie 19th prox. the committee .which has the arrangements in hand finds it quite- impossible to cater for the number, as it is expected that the town will be . full of adult visitors and that the local caterers will have their resources taxed to the utmost, especially as the day, will be a public holiday.' The people of Oamaru are most anxiovfc to know that.the visiting children will be all well provided for, and the committee has decided, to ensure the provision of adequate meals, that each school must nrovidc itself with a hamper containing sufficient provisions (ready, for serving out quickly) for two meals, and drinking receptacles for each scholar. By this means, labor will be reduced to a minimum and two good meals will be assured. The local'committee will provide tea and cocoa in one or more of" the local halls; and to obviate overcrowding, the children can-have their first meal on the arrival of the various trains.' To . recompense : .th£ school committees for any trouble they may be put to, it is proposed to hand to them the maximum Government subsidy of 8d per head for each child who attends. Arrangements have been made to give free cinematograph entertainments in both the picture, theatres, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., so that the children may not be overtired when required to parade. The committee trusts _that the school committees will recognise that. the arrangements with regard to meals (which.', have been endorsed by the Education Board) are made in no inhospitable spirit, but,to overcome an unsujrmountable difficulty." INSTANT CME FOR TOOTHACHE.

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