WARM WELCOME AT CHRISTCHURCH.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17935, 14 May 1920, Page 5

WARM WELCOME AT CHRISTCHURCH.

BRELISANT ILLUMINATIONS,

ENTHUSIASTIC CROWDS.

PRINCE'S PROGRESS A VERI

TABLE TRIUMPH.

(Pen United Phess Association,.) CHRISTCHURCH, May 13. Hats off to Christchurch for its welcome to the I'rinco of Wales to-night, must be the verdict of anyone who has seen ' tho Royal visit celebrations in New Zealand, centres touched at up to the present. Tho night was fine, though the cloude' threatened to release the pent-up moisture any moment, This was surprising to tho travellers, who enjoyed such glorious weather all the time since they landed in the South Island at Picton on Monday morning, and to-day had been perhaps the best of all. Bonfires at hamlets and homesteads all along the line lit up the scene momentarily after darkness fell, and at Rolleston, 14 miles away, lights on the Port Hills, besides Christchurch, began to appear, and by tho time' tho city station was reached it seemed as if the flames of a vast bush on fire were ascending skyward. The railway station was tastefully decorated. When tho Prince stepped on to the platform the Mayor (Dγ Thaoker) was formally presented, also members of the City Council. Tho Territorials' guard of nonc!ur was inspected, then the Royal party entered a long lino of motor cars aricl began the drive to tho Christchurch Club, where the Prince resides during his stay here. Passing fhrough tho gates in the barricade fronting the station tho eye encountered a seemingly endless throng of people. In Moorhouse avenue aad Manchester street, which were spanned at. short intervals by strings of coloured eleotrio lights,' giving them the appearance of a long tunnel with a fancifully illuminated roof, the procession made its way slowly through cheering , crowds, his Royal' Highness constantly acknowledging the .acclamation, and frequently standing up in his °oar to lot the people see him bettor. When u turn was made into High street, past the clock tower, in the glory of the bright lights, a gorgeous sight burst upon tho vieiv. Two castellated archways in imitation of', wliite marble, beautifully lighted up by electrio bulbs" of soft spanned the pathway of tho Prince through Cathedral square. Tho Bank of New Zealand, tho Post-Office, thi! Government Buildings, the newspaper and other buildings* surrounding or' near th& square were all decked with flags and lighted, bearing various patriotic designs,} and the crowds grew thicker as the square was approached, till finally the Royal car was held, up and the people surged.around it in a riotously' enthusiastic mass. ".After making a partial circuit of the Sauare, as quickly as the dense body of people would permit, the Prince's car turned into Worcester street; and at last reached the entrance to the Christchurch Club. Here thu .patriotic enthusiasm of the crowd reached the pinnacle of its fervour. Even when his ttoyal Highness had entered the club the people remained in front cheering and waving flags until the Prince came to an upstairs window and once more acknowledged tho plaudits of the crowd. During the whole progress from the sta-, tion the Cathedral bells chimed out a welcome, which," "added ,to the glad huzzas of the multitude in the streets below, made the« Prince's coming to tho capital of Canterbury a veritable triumph. Christchuroll li*d accorded the future.King a fitting welcome, and at the same time done, herself great credit ■; MESSAGE TO RETURNED SOLDIERS. THE PRINCE'S APPRECIATION. (Pee United Priss AbsociatjoS.) CHRISTCHURCH, May 13.. The following official statement issued by Colonel Grigg, secretary to tho Prince of Wales, explains iteelf:—"The Prince of Wales wishes to thank returned soldiers in all cities and towns which he has visited for coming to meet him in such large- numbers, Ho appreciates this greatly, particularly as many nave come long distances from the country, and ho looks forward to seeing those who belong to the cities and districts which still remain to bo visited. He is particularly anxious to soo returned soldiers at the public receptions and parades arranged for him by the local authorities, because circumstances have necessitated his declininginvitations to function.? given by returned soldiers alone. Hβ has made this decision with great regret, because he would liko nothing better Mian to go wherever possible to returned men's gatherings and clubs. Time,, however, obviously will not permit of, his going to all, and ho feels that it would not be playing tho game to accept some and to turn-others down. Hβ is sure that his old comrades in arms will apprecithis, anr< that those whoso districte ho has" , still to visit will make up for it by giving him tho opportunity of seeing as many n<i possible of them again at official receptions or parades which havo been arranged fbr him." 'WHAT DUNEDIN SHOULD DO. ADVICE TO THE CITIZENS. "Warm as has been tile welcome extended to tho Prince in the north" said .Colonel M Donald, when speaking to a "Daily Times reporter yesterday "there :s a golden opportunity for this Queen City of tho South to even surpass everything in tho north." As for the part over which ho has control—that is tho military eidfe— he says there is an absolute necessity for everyono to stick firmly to tho place idlotted to him, and in no way to enoroach on tho route which is specially reserved for the Prince and party. It was a violation of this arrangement which marred the otherwise excellent arrangements in parts of the north. Cheering should be resorted to and given in a manner befitting the occasion. There should bo no throwing of umbrellas, tfioks, confetti, flowers, or other missiles — Hi's being a stupM as well as a dangerous prao*foo, "Wo want to ehow our en-

thusiasm," said tho colonel, "in a way that will surpass everything in the past." This could bo dono best by shouting, cheering, and standing our ground. Any attompt to encroach on tho Royal party could only mar the arrangements. If the Pence was delayed at tho review it might mean tlmt ho would .not get to the football match and would probably be disappointed. Tho O.C. District and his stall' have left no etono unturned to liihke complete and adequate arrangements, ajid if these are- oarried out tho military portion of the functions will be oarriud out with success and in a manner worthy of a grcut occasion. LOCAL MILITARY ARRANGEMENTS. LNSPJ3OTION A-NU GUARDS OF HONOUR A slight modification of the military arrangemcnU in connection witn Um Prince's visit to Dunodliii has boon rciittcred advisable in viow of expcrieiito gained in the North-Island. Colonel T. M'Lonuld, ollicer commanding tho district, sbated ytster<luy that it hue jiow been decided tliat tins veterans, retumsd -wieners, and nurses, instead of forming up on the right ot the main parade, wnt form up in two lines immediately in irojit and between tho main parado and tho Royal stand. A speoiullyconatructed, small dais, made to accommodate the Prince and Admiral Sir Lionel Halsey, is being erected, with a gradually sloping ramp on either wing, and it is probable tnat tlie returned m«n will h# asked to filo past, and that tho i'rincb will shake hands wih each one. To further taciiitate the inspection, all officers, alter tho Koyal salute nae been given, will form up three paces in front ot tho, right of tho parade, ■fnd it is expected thoy will bo presented to his Royal Highness before the inspection commences. l'Jvory second lino throughout tho partide will be turned about in order to onabi_> fhe Prince, if he desires, to inspect two lines lacing inwards at yio i>amc time. Tho Colonel now lias teams of men at work carrying sand to plJbo it on the [ track which is' to bo tho route reserved for. tho Princo. as it is quite possible that, it tho weather wort wet prior to the function, the motor would not t>6 able to negotiate the track. Tlxe enclosures on oaon, sido of the Royal stand will also be sanded, and ample seating accommodation provided lor the invited gulsts. A special featuro of the military, arrangements will bo the guards of honour supplied by the local Territorials and Cadets. They have been practising energetically tor weeks past, and have readied "a high standard. At Oamaru- tho Princo will bo met by a guard of honour from the Waitaki Boys' Hg-h School. Three guards of •honour will be provided for tho Prince while he is in Dunedin. The osremony of receiving tho Royal visitor and returning tho colours will bo gone through in customary style. All guards of honour, for the city will rendezvous at the Triangle, which has been spacially lighted. On the evening of the 17th, the night of tho arrival oi 11.R.H, the guard of honour of tho 4th (Otago) Regiment will assemble at the Triangle about an hour before the ceremony proper The band of the 4th Regiment, ■under Lieutenant George, and fully dressed, in scarlet, will also bo present, and a rehearsal will be held beforo the guardi and the band march to the station for*the ceremony proper. Colonel M'Donald suggests that the public take a keen interest in these guards, and congregate around the Triangle about 6 o'clock on the evening of tfye 17th, and also an hour before on each occasion when the other guards turn out. At the Octagon on the Tuesday morning tho guard is to bo provided by -the Coast Defence Detachment. On the occasion of the departure of tho Prince the guard will bo supplied! by the Cadets of tho Otago Boys' High School, who will be lined up on tho station platform and give the final Royal salute in Dunodin. The ba»d of the 4th Regiment will bo present on each occasion, and will play six bars of the National Anthem and suitable mueio while the inspection is proceeding. '

CHILDREN'S DEMONSTRATION.

travellinglrrangements,

Tho following are the arrangements foe the transport and boarding of the children who are to take part in the Prince of Wales celebrations, as outlined by the secretary of the Otajro Education Board yesterday:-^ Arrangements have been made for the provision of a meal at Oamaru on May 17, at on May 19, and at Milton and Balclutha on May 20 for the ohildren visits ing these centres, ■ At Dunedin the visiting children, to the number of about 1400, will be given a meal at Tahuna Park immediately after the conolusjjQn, of their demonstration there. The mistresses of the Dunedin schools will have charge of the distribution of tho refreshments.

"The children from Titri and Outram and infermediato stations will detrain at Keneingtoa, and be conveyed.to the park by Those from the Dunedin and' sffl> urban schools and from- Goodwood and intermediate' stations will be conveyed by tram from the Triangle to the- park and returned after the demonstration.

lii all, 737 children will be coming to Dunedin from Central Otago schools, • and 4hey will stay in town for two.days. Billets Ifor about lifl, .-who are not staying with friends, liaye i been generously provided by Dunedin' citizens. These children will •be allotted their billets at the Early Settlers' Hall as soon as they arrive, in Dunedin on Tuesday evening, May 18. Hampers of refreshments will be sent to Ranfurly by tho early morning goods train on that day for the children travelling to Dunedin, and similar hamper's \*ill be proviHe'd for them on the return journey on May 20. . ..- • . • t Messrs ft. Hudson and Co. have generously promised to supply 14Q0 bags of sweets for the children visiting Dunedin for the day from outside schools. . ? •

THE BOY SCOUTS. TO THE EDITOE.

SiK,—"Black Eagle" asks what tho Boy Sooute. are to do during tho visit of hia Royal Highness tho Prince* of W.alss. By kind permission of the Mayor and tho Reception Committee, a post of honour has boen given them—to line both sides of the streets from the Fombill Club gates to. Manor place, and from thenco to march to, and lino both &i<foa ofFrodeiapk Goorge street. His Royal Highness will thus pass through the rante of tho Scouts twice, first tho club to attend the oivic reception tho,< Octagon, and secondly as ho departs from tho Hospital en routo- ior Port Chalmers, •■ Unfortunately, tho military authorities have thought fit to hold a practice purede on tie Tuesday morning, and unlesa tho Cadots who are also Scouts «re dismissed early, I am afraid tho Scouts' parado will be spmewhat spoilt This is a great pity, because, ae "Blade Eagle" eays, hk Highness is Chief Scout of Wales. I understand that no parade of Scouts is ever colled a when the Cadets jhavo to parade, this occasion it was given to bo understood that'jio parade §f Cadets would bo. told on the Tuesday. —I am, 0t0.,Gbat Duck. . Dunedin, May 13.'