THE PRINCE OF WALES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17936, 15 May 1920, Page 9

THE PRINCE OF WALES

FIRST DAY IN CHRIST-

CHURCH.

WEATHER NOT IDEAL.

FREEDOM OF CITY CONFERRED.

PRINCE LOUDLY CHEERED.

(Pm United PEKes Association.) di-RISTt/ii(JItOJi, May 14. "Prince's weather," that tnarkuti tlic lioyal tour etvcr smco iiotorim waa left, broke to-day. Tim momuig was wet arid uri/izly, but the afternoon saw the sun maiung feoblo efforts to break into smiles as the Prijicc walked from the Chris toburc.fi Club to Latimer Square, wiioro a formal presentation of ail address from the citizens was mode by the Mayor. Many thousands of people were present, una heartily eheercd the Princo's coming and going. A feature of tliis function waa the presence of members of the Christcluurch Cambrian Society, the women being dressed in thear quaint Welsh national garb. Mrs Hudson made the presentation, and " God Bless the Prinoo of Walea" waa then siing in English and Celtic. His Royal Highness, in acknowledging the address said he was always glad to meet Welshmen anywhere in the Jijnpire. Addresses were also presented from the Lyttelton Harbour Board, the Methodist Church, and the British Israel Association. At tie conclusion of thiß ceremony the Freedom of the City of Chiristchuroh was conferred upon the Prince by virtue of a document handed by the Mayor' (Dr Thacktf). This is the first case of the freedom of a city being conferred on anyone in Ohristhureh, or indeed, in New Zealand, and it was decided upon at a incct:ng of City Councillors while Waiting for tlia Prince's arrival on the railway station last evening. It is not clear whether tho idea can be given proper effect without special legislation, but that phase of the matter will be inquired into later. In the meantime tho idea, which originatod with tho Citizens' Association, has been carried out, and his Royal Highness is enrolled as the first honorary freeman of the City of Christcfouroh— a unique distinction far both city and man. The beautiful casket of gold, platinum, and silver to contain tho Aucldand city address was not completed when his Royal Highness was in tho north, but. it has now reached Christclwrch and has been handed over. After the Latimer Square function tho Prince drove to liagley Park, the route being lined by thousands, and thousands more stood on all " sides; of the parade ground in tho park. The inspection ol veterans and Territorials took some time, and tho Prince's frequent stoppages to speak to men wearing special ribbons or to wounded men earned liia Royal Highness frequent oheeiß and applause, The troops made a fine display, and a large number of returned soldiers and nurses filed past the Tprince. Tho drone of an aeroplane overhead added a touch to the scene reminiscent in many ears of dreadful days not long past, when such sounds meant much to the auditors. Rain kept off, but the ground was damp underfoot, and a ohill southerly wind made thingß unoomfortable. The streets are brilliantly illuminated again to-night, and are packed with sightseers. At tile civio reception in Latimer Square this afternoon the addresses presented to the Prinoo included one from the Returned Soldiers' Association. On the way to tile Square his Royal Highness passed through the ranks of the Boy and Girl Soouts lining the- entrance, who gave a dominion haka as a marie o honour to his rank as Chief Scout of Britain. Among those who' came in for special notice was a man wearing a Scott Antarctic Medal. To-night the Prinoe attended the citizens' ball, given in his honour in the Drill Hall, Cashel stroet Giant crowds watched his progress to the hall, and inside the soene was one of splendour, the decoration being carried out on a lavish scale, and the bright dresses of the ladies, made up -with the naval and military uniforms, a.nd the saber civilian evening' apparel, a oharming kaleidoscope of lifo and colour. To-morirow evening a second ball . ■ be given, the Navy League and the Refwrned Soldiers' Association being the joint hosts. The Prinoe is expected to attend this. In the afternoon he will bo tho guest of jthe Canterbury Jockey Club at a special meeting at Ricoarton. The pilot train from Arthur's Pass evening found the patrolman at Darfield collapsed owing to influenza. He was lying alongside the line. The man was picked up and brought in to the Ohristchurch Hospital.

HOKOTKA, May 14. • The jollifications covering the Prince's visit concluded last night with a children's ball, which proved a record gathering for th© town. Several hundred children and a great gathering of adults were present. Tho proceedings were marked by great heartiness. During the evening the following resolution was carried by tho children amid 'cheering and musical honoutre: —"That the Mayor be aeked to convey through the authorities to the Prinoe of Wales the grateful thanks of the children of West.]and for tho visit of bis Royal Highness to Hokitika, a visit which will b held in the kindest memory." " To-day Mr G. A. Perry (Mayor) and Mr T. W. Bruce (county chairman) telegraphed to tile Governor-general respectfully asking his Excellency to convey to their Majesties the King and Queen the grateful thanks of the people of Weßtland for tho opportunity afforded by the visit of his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales of expressing their affection to the throne. ACCOMPANYING THE PRINCE. Sir William Fraser (Mimeter ol Internal Affairs), who is reeponsable for the arrangements of the Royal tour, will arrive in Dunedin along with the Prince. Major-general Robin, Major-general Cliaytor, Brigadier-general Rjohordson, and lirigadier-lonerai M'G&vin axe also coming to Lkinodm, as well as Colonol Si&exnan and Captain Taiiu Rhodes. Among tli3 offioials of th© public service who afe accompanying the Priuoo are Mr J. Ilislop (Under-secretary, Department of Internal Allaire), Commissioner O'Donovan (Jr'olice Department), Meaars R. W. M'Villy, I<\ W. M'Jjoan., K. E. Gallon, and Grant (Railway Department), Mr Andrews (Postal Department). The following journalists are aooompauying tho Princo on liis tour:—Mr Keith Murdoch (representing The Tinws and tho Sydney Sun), Mr Bverard Cotos (representing Router's Agoncy), Mr Victor Marsden (representing the Morning Post), and Mr John Sandes (representing the Australian Press Association). Among the other visitors are Captain Barker (from 11.M.5. Renown), Mr Brooks (photographer), and the Hon. IS. P. Lee (Minister of Justice). CHILDREN'S DEMONSTRATION. A rehearsal of the children's demonstration took place at Tahuna Park yesterday afternoon. Tho children of th© various city and suburban schools, who are/ entering thoroughly into tho spirit of an occasion which should prove a remarkable one for them, were conveyad to and from the ground in special cars. On Wednesday the children from Titri and Outnun and intermediate stations will detrain at Kensington, and will walk to Taiiuna Park, 'lhoso from tho Dunedin and suburban sohools and from Goodvpood and intermediate stations will be coifvoyed by tram from tho Triangle to tho pork, and will bo brought back after the demonstration. The Phoenix Company and Messrs J. Romison and Co. have dont-od 500 and 350 bajjs of sweets respectively for tho Central Otago children visiting Dunedin far their return journey on Thursday morning. VISIT TO THE HOSPITAL. Tho Princo is to pay a visit to tho soldiers who are still inmates of the Dunedin Hospital on Tuesday afternoon. On that occason tho medical students will form a guard 'of honour at tie gate._ Tho Royal party will bo mot by tho chairman of the board (Mr Knight) and the secretary (Mr Jacobs), and will be conducted to th© door, whero they will be met bv the chairman of tho hon. medical staff, the modical superintendent, and tho matron. The chairman will conduct the Prinoe to the entrance of tfio Kin- Edward paivilion, and at tho ontranoo "to the Batcbslor Ward tho party will be met by tho D.G.M.S. (Brigadier M'&avin), who, in association with the medical superintendent (Dr Falconer), will' prrecnt Lioutenantoolonol Piokerill. Colonel Picknrill will then presont the returned modioal officers of the staff, and will conduct tho Princo round the ward. Hie 'visiting pajefcy will

consist of the Prince and his personal escort, tho Mayor and escort, tlio chairman and escort, the medical superintendent and tho matron, the D.G.M.S. and personal escort, tho O.C. district (Colonel M'Donald) and his personal escort. FIRST-AID STATIONS. In the event of any accident occurring during tho demonstrations iirst-aid stations aro to bo c&tablishcd at various paints by tho St. John Airjbulanco Association, where anyone who may be injured will receive preliminary attention. Til! 1 ) CHILDREN'S PRESENT. A HANDSOME GIFT. The school children's present to the Prince of Wales is a handsome carved of cedar, greenstone ,aud silver. Tho bos® is a choice piece of Now Zealand "oedar '■ wood, shaped and carved to represent tho front of a Maori wliare, with side and top d pieces of Australian blackwood. There aro u carved tikis at the corners, and others, in<s laid in greenstone, at tho top and sides. Tho fi two solid silver wells are flanked by greend stone pen-racks and paper cutters, and i- uudernc'/ith are a greenstone paper-weight y and tray. Above tho wells, at either skis, 1 is an untarnished solid silver kiwi, and at d the top of these aro the Prince of Wales a feathers in brilliant silver. At-the foot of t- tho stand is a polished silver shield with g tho following inscription"Presented by >. the pupils of tho Otago primary, secondary, d and private schools to H.R.11, the Prinoo a of Wales on the occasion of his visit to s Dunedin, New Zealand, May, 1920. [. Tho stand is an artistic ajid beautifully 4 executed piece of workmanship, with its polished cedar base and shining silver, the e greenstone lending a relieving noto of it colour, and reflects credit on the makers, i. Messrs Dawson (Ltd.). It is a present o of which the school children of Otago may 6 justly feel proud. r THE STREET DECORATIONS, e Tho work of decorating tho stfeeta is - being rapidly advanced towards completion, v and in the opinion of many persons they a exceed in spectacular effect those of the ? peace celebrations. Last evening tho illluy niinations in the main streets were lighted r 'up for a brief period, and the crowds which r thronged the streets 'to do their Friday t night's shopping walked in a veritable 0 fairyland of green foliage and coloured: (i lights. TJte two decorative arches in Princes street —one at the corner of Moray place and tho other at the old Post Office— i- looked very well, and the Octagon with its e festoons of greenery .and multi-coloured lights also presented a very attractive ap- , pearance. The illuminations on the Town y Hall and also those on the railway station 1 are similar to the decorations which wero 9 seen during the peace celebrations arid im- ! part to both buildings a very striking appearance. Largo numbers of private firms s aro decorating tho front portion of their -> promises and these will enhance the general s effectf. 1 FIRE BRIGADE'S DISPLAY. ' The Dunedin City Firo Brigade, together, 5 with representatives 'from the suburban bri--3 gades and the various brigades .associated 3 with the Southern Districts Fire Brigades'/ ! Association, will take a prominent part, in ' tho celebrations in connection with the visit. ? of the Prince of Wales. It has boen de- ■ cided that the extension ladders from tho t Central Station be erected, illuminated, and ' decorated at 'he intersection of Stuart street s and Cumberland street, and also that a guard of approximately 160 firemen lino > the intersection of these on either : side. _ Another most effective display wjjl bo given by the firemen on the Thursday 1 morning, when the Prince takes his departure from'Dunedin. The City Brigade will crect a decorated ladder arch in Anzao ■ square. Here ail tho motors will be as- ) somblcd, together with every available fire--1 mail._ As the Prince passes under this arch on his way to tho station the united sirens 1 of tho assembled motors will sound a fare- > well call. ; TRAMWAY TRAFFIC. During tho progress of the celebrations . in Dunedin an ondeavour will be made to maintain the usual tramway service except ! on several occasions when, it is considered, , it would be inadvisable to ran tho caw owing to the largo crowds which will be 1 in tho The service will be sus- ! ponded from 6.30 on Monday evening from J the tram sheds to % Frederick street until ' the procession has passed out of tho main street. Similarly on the Tuesday tho cars J will not be run from 1.15, when the Princo ; proceeds to the Octagon to receive ad- ' dresses, until after he has left tho Hospital, where he will go on tho completion of this ceremony. , [ Members of the nursing division of the St. John Ambulance Association aro re- ■ quested to* meet at headquarters, Octagon, to-morrow at 7 p.m., in order to make arrangements for establishing firat-aid stations i during the visit of the Prince. Intimation has been received by tho Mayor from Sir William Frajser that his Royal Highness will be pleased to attend tho Overseas Club's dance in tho Art Gallory next Wednesday ijight. Tho Phoenix Company (Ltd.) and Messrs J. Romison and Co. have - generously donated 500 and 350 bags of sweets respectively for the Otago Central school ohfldrpn visiting Dunedin. These gifts will bo distributed to tho children on their return on Thursday morning. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. SYDNEY, May 14. The Prince of Wales- has ocoepted the honorary rank of captain in the Australian navy. DECORATIONS FOR THE "PRINCE'S VISIT. TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —One hears much of what Dimedia - is going to do in reference to decorations on the occasion of the visit of the Prince of Wales next, week, and about how this city is going to outshine oil other oentrei in this respect. It appears to mo that we shall iieed to w bestir ourselves rapidly if we are to make a showing at all comparable with ■ thia northern towns. A walk from. tho Octagon < southward will show prominent buildings, such as Hallenstein Bros., tho Brisfol, tho Savoy, the A.M.P..! the National Bank, tho Bank of New Zealand, and tho Government Life Insuranoe with nothing done ,in the way of decorations. Are all these buildings to be left -Blank? At Custom House Square there iB still no sign of docorations. There is a small aroh opposite the old Post Office, and then another long blank. Surely on this_ great occasion tho City Council and tho citizens of Dunedin can realise the importance of tho visit, and not have the parrot cry of " Wake up, Dunedin," shouted at us afterwards by the northern towns through our apparent selfcomplacency—or, shall I say, lack of interest or reluctance to spend a few pounds to -welcome our future ruler? Tho mere presentation of addresses, or the singing of a " Hallelujah " chorus does not appeal to mo as a fitting welooine. Let the city bo bright, both through the people and' by way of decorations. In my opinion the present showing of decoratkma ; is discreditable to wealthy institutions and a slur on a beautiful city. What_ we re- - quired was a representative committor of : the citinens to run things, such as we had at the time of the coronation of his Majesty. —I am, etc., A Dtjnkdinite, THE PRINCE AND RETURNED SOLDIERS. TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—As a member of tho executive of , : the N.Z.R.S.A., I had the honour of being present at tho initiation ceremony of his Royal Highness as the life patron of the / N.Z.R.S.A. _ The president (Dr Boxer, of. IlfiEtings) pinned the association badge to the Prince's coat, and numbers of the R SA. may feel highly honoured to know i that the Prince wa3 wearing the badge nest day. His Royal Highness, when addressing (he "hoys,. «aid he was extremely pleaa*a and gratified to note the large numbers of icturned toldiers who had in the north turned out to see him, and he sincerely ii üßted as many returned soldiers as poe- * sible would do likewise in the south. As i,i the Prince •» taking a big interest in the 1: soldiers, the exocutivo of the N.Z.R.S.A. • appeals to all returned mon, wherever possblc- to parade, to do honour to his Royal Highness. It was estimated that 2000 soldiers paraded in 'Wellington—the best so far. Can Otago beat this? Tho Prince was unable to shake hands with the right hand in Wellington owing to the strain causcd hy the frequent use of it in Auckland Should he shake hands with returned m?n in Dunedin it would be a graoious act on tho part of the men , to remember that while a hearty-handshake is an estimable outward sign of friendshin r.nd loyalty between a less Vigorous one is appreciated when one pair of hands is asked to perform a continuous I'i'iidshake of tlKMisands. Trusting we sh-ill hove a bumper parade of returned sokliors tt> give o'ir "Digger Prince" a Royal welcome jn Ota/go,—l Bm, etc., Thomas Mixi.fr, Otago Member N.2.R.5.A. Eaecutwa. May 12.