THE PRINCE OF WALES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17940, 20 May 1920, Page 5

THE PRINCE OF WALES.

SCHOOL CHILDREN'S DEMONSTRATION

Never before in the history of Dnnedin has a bettor arranged or a moro loyally enthusiastic children's demonstration been hold than that which took place at Tahuna Park yesterday morning, when the school children of Otago assembled en/ masse to acclaim their future King. It was ft wonderful gathering, and worthy in every way of the important occasion which it marked in tho minds of all who took part in it. Although the ceremonial had been carefully rehearsed there was an air of spontaneity about the whole proceedings which was moat refreshing and whioh imparted a pleasing touch of naturalness to everything that was done. This effect was further heightened by the fact that the marching and tho various m6vements which were carried out were- simply a representation of the ordinary physical work which is daily carried out in the schools.. Tho scholars, too, were for tho moat part dressed in their ordinary clothes, but they also wore as distinguishing marks the colours of tho respective schools. A great many of tho girls, of course, appeared in white dresses, and this contributed to a very pleasing general effect. Tho steadiness of the children on parado and their splendid behaviour during the whole course of the proceedings commanded admiration alike from the visitors and from the general public, and this approval was expressed on not a few occasions by the warmly appreciative outbursts of applause which recognised some especially neatly executed movement. The children's part in connection with tho celebrations marking the Prince's visit to Dimedin undoubtedly achieved a wonderful degree of success, was merely stating the obvious to say that vivid recollections of the occasion will be retained during the rest of their lives by all tho young folk who participated. The Prince and the Children.

The Prinoo takes a. special delight in meeting- the children of the Empire, and wherever he lias gone the demonstrations arranged by the young- folk have been an outstanding feature of the rejoicings. There is a peculiar appropriateness in bringing the children as closely as possible into contact with their future King, for no better means can be devisod of fostering that spirit of loyalty to the throne, which is one of tho most powerful factors in strengthening tho bonds of Empire and in Welding- together into one common bond ttie colonies and the Motherland. In its Imperial significance tho gathering was unique. It was not only a striking expression on the part of the future citizens of this dominion of their intense loyalty to tho throne, but it afforded an eloquent testimony of tho devotion of the young people of the dominion to the person of tho Princo himself. The Attendance. The morning broke a trifle dubiously 'with a cold wind blowing from the south-west and a hint o£ rain in the air,- which materialised in a slight shower between 9 and 10 o'clock. However, the sky cleared before 11, and although the wind continued to. blow rather coldly from the south., making tho carrying of overcoats a necessity, the sun shone forth with a genial, if not very warm radiance, and imparted an, air of brightness to the proceedings. The weather remained fine during the whole progress of tho demonstration, and was one of the chief factors in its undoubted success. Long before the time set down for the commencement of the proceedings people commenced to wend their way to Tahuna Park, and by half-past 11 tho ground and its _ vicinity held one of the largest assemblies that has ever been gathered together in this city. The inside portion of the enclosed area and the stands were thronged with a dense mass of humanity* and -evs-ry point of vantage in the neighbourhood of the park, such as tho shrub-planted sandhills and the roofs of the cattle pens, was crowded with spectators. It is estimated that tho attendance was in the vicinity of 20,000 persons, and there is no reason to doubt the approximate accuracy of that estimate, for there must havo been several thousands on tho sandhills alone. Seats on the Royal dais were reserved for a number of civio unci educational efficials, and two units of the St. John Ambulance Association, under tho charge of Nurse Mackersy, were also on the ground.

TM Number on Parade. Tho central enclosure was allotted to tho children themselves, and a wonderful sight they presested. "bplendid types of heaitny young Britons," they were aa lino a body of children as could bo found in any part of the- world—clean-limbed, iresh-compisxionod and clear-eyed'—and they looked their Prince in tho face with calm frankness and steady directness of the free-born young colonial. It was an impressive speotacie, and one which caused young and old to thrill with a sense of pleasure. When on the march, the children moved freely and, confidently, with their heads held erect, and with a promise of doyolopiug that lithesome gracefulness of carriage which was frequently referred to during the wax aa one of the outstanding characteristics of the New Zealand troops. There were clow on 7000 children in the great massed parade, representing -the whole of tho city and suburban primary and secondary and private schools, and the country schools from Flag Swamp in the north to Otokia in tho south, and from as far inland aa the rugged hills around Cromwell, in Central Otago. The wholo parade, which was under tho command of Mr A. P. Roydhouso (physical instructor to the Otago schools), was arranged in two divisions—tho "right and tho left—with a marshal in charge of each. Colonel W. J. Strong had charge of theright division, and Colonel G. W. C. Mao donald was in command of tho left. Each division consisted of 11 lines of companies in 'fours, and each line contained an avera«o of 300 children. The lines were under the individual command of a senior head master, the complete list being as follows:—'Right division—Mr W. C. Allnutt, Mr H. M'Millan, Mr C. Rawlinson, Mr J. W. Smith Air R. J. Barrett, Mr T. Coutts, Mr Alex M'Lean, Mr C. 8011, Brother Bowlc-r, Mr G. Swan, and Mr T. B. Hamilton. The left division leaders were:—Mr 11. S. Jones, Mr W. Eudey, Mr J. B. Grant (Ravensbourne), Mr T. Stewart, Mr J. B. Grant (North-Ea.it Vallev). Mr Kennedy, Mr James Jack, Mr T. Hubbard, Brother Hipgins, Mr P. G. Stewart, and Mr W. Alexander. The Prince and a SsHor. The Prince arrivtjdi at tho park wit>h that punctuality which has chfiracfcorirt.'d the keeping of all his engagements in Duncdin, and as h<? reached tho outskirts of the park tho children removed tho coats which they had been wearing to protect them against tho cold wind during the period of waiting. A wave of expnetanev spread over tho ground. The children were at last to obtain a close view of tho Prince whom thoy were all so anxious to seo. But just as his Royal Highness was passing across the crowded lawn his quick eye caught sight of tho wearer of a naval uniform among, tho crowd. Calling the man over, thfl Prince shook hands with him, and askc-d with great interest to wh'.ch branch of the service ho belonged. The sailor said ho was a New Zealander who had served on a submarine and wishing him "Good luck," thij Prince passedi on to tho dais. Tho arrival of the Prince and tho Royal party at this point waa announced by a fanfare of trumpets, whereupon tho easembled scholars stood ready to spring to

A WONDEBFUL SPECTACLE UNBOUNDED ENTHUSIASM OF YOUNG FOLK THE MILITARY REVIEW AN. IMPOSING PAGEANT

" attention." His Royal Highness was met by the Mayor, who presented the chairman of tho Demonstration Committee (Cr Clark), Mr J. Wallace (chairman of tho Otago Education Board), Dr R. V. Fulton (chairman of tho High Schools Board of Governors), Mr T. It. Fleming (swiiur inspector of schools), and Mr J. 11. Moir (chairman of tho Headmasters' Association). Tho Prince, accompanied by Admiral Halsey, then advanced to tho front of tho dais, tho St. Kilda Band playing six bars of tho National Anthem, and tho Royal Standard being broken out on the breeze. The Dunedin Highland Pipe Band was also in attendance. Tho children presented a magnificent spectacle as they stood up smartly to attention, and the Prince acknowledged the greeting iby raising his hat. A Pretty Ceremony. An interesting ceremony which followed was tho presentation to the Prince of a beautiful greenstone- and silver inkstand, mounted on a pedestal of Maori carving, and also a handsomely bound copy of tho Peaco Booklet. Tho presenting party, consisting of 18 girls chosen by ballot from tho city nnd suburban primary, secondary, and private schools; and, dressed in puro white, they mode an exceedingly pretty sight aa they advanced between tho two divisions and approached tho dais, where they halted in front of tho Royal Standard and curtseyed to tho ground. Miss Rita Boyd, of Cohimba College, and Miss Dorecn Hayward, of the Normal School, then ascended the dais and made tho actual presentations. Miss Boyd accompanied her gift of tho inkstand with these words: "By your presence horo to-day, your Royal Highness, yon havo won tho unswerving loyalty of all the children of Otago. Will you honour us by accepting this memento of your visit as a token of our love and loyalty to our Sovereign and to you, his representative." Miss Doreon Hayward, in handing tho Prince tho Poace Booklet, addressed him as follows:—"Your Royal Highness, the children of Otago will all their lives retain a happy remembrance of this day. ' Will you honour us by accepting this little booklet as a token of our appreciation of your presence hero amongst us." Mr Clark also presented the Prince and Admiral Halsoy with beautifully bound souvenir copies of the programme. His Royal Highness accepted the various gifts with a. brief and cordial acknowledgment. The inspection. Tho Prince next proceeded to inspect the lines of assembled a task which ho performed with great thoroughness and to tho accompaniment of a constant clicking of camera stops. As ho stepped from tho dais Messrs A. P. Roydhouse, J. Rennie (musical director), Colonel Strong, and Colonel Macdonald were presented, and the various line commanders v;ero also presented as tho Princo made his tour of inspection. In order to expedite this procedure the 'odd-numbered lines from the front were turned about so that his Royal Highness could view two lin.es at tho same time. Each of the teachers who was wearing a returned soldiers' badge received special attention at the hands of the Princo, and early in the inspection ho caused a returned teacher who was standing in the background to be brought forward and formally presented. During his tour around the ground tho Prince was loudly cheered by the different 'sections of the crowd. He was snapshotted by a groat many of the children, who broko the lino in order to obtain a tangible memente of the occasion. During tho actual inspection the ranks preserved tho greatest steadiness and orderliness, and the Prince made many flattering comments on what he termed " the soldierly bearing of the children." After posing for a moment to bo photographed by a group of press photographers the Prince passed between the loudly cheering divisions to inspect the children of the Third Standard, who were drawn up on the ■ right of the dais, and were not renuirpd for the march past. He, also carried out this duty with a remarkable detrreo of thoroughness, nnd expressed himself as greatly pleased with the bearing of the younger children. The March Past.

A whistle blast from the Chief Marshal turned the odd-numbered ranks about, and all was in readiness for the march past. Again the factor of saving time was taken into consideration, and the movement was carried out by each of tho two divisions advancing simultaneously. The same numbered line in each division turned inwards, and, wheeling round together, moved off at tho quick march, towards the Royal dais. The Royal Standard marked tho dividing point, and here the line of the Right Division wheeled to tho right, and that of the Left Division to the left, so that every scholar on parade passed in front of his Royal Highness. The Prince requested the Mayor to take his station beside him on the dais, and Admiral HalBey was also in attendance. The whole manoeuvres, which were executed without the slightest hitch, .occupied about 15 minutes, tho spectacular effect being very , striking as the 6000 children filed past tho Prince. An Amusing Bncident. An amusing incident which occurred early in tho march past lent a relieving touch ,to tho rather sombre formality of the ceremony. As the boys from one of the hill schools were passing the Prince a diminutive lad armed with a. very small camera broke from the ranks just in front of the Royal dais, and, with a degree of temerity which left tho bystanders breathless, lio endeavoured to snapshot tho Prince. At the critical moment, however, the boy appeared to be smitten with a sense of his wrongdoing, for, try as ho might,, ho could not hold the camera steady, and as ho snapped the slide his hands trembled like a leaf. The resulting negative will probably prove something of a disappointment. The Prince's ThougihtfuJness. Last of all in tho march ipast came the 18 girls who 'tad mode tho presentation, and as they approached, his Royal Highness requested that they should bo etopped in irout of tho dais. When they camo to u halt ho descended from \tho "platform and slwok hands with each one. It waa only a small thing, of course, but it was a further illustration of the kindly tlioughtfulness of the Prince. The Closing Ceremony. When all tho lines hud resumed their original positions the divisions wero first closed on the leading lino and then towards tho centre." The whole parade then moved forward towards tho Royal dais in a compact mass, (.he effect achieved being a most umposiiig one, and calling forth loud apptauso from tlio spectators. Under tho baton of Mr Rennic. the massedi scholars sing two verses of tho National Anftiem, the band giving them tho note. The effect was most impressivo as the fresh youngvoices of "the children filled the air with tousic, and it will not soon bo forgotten by those who heard it. Throo cheers for tho King followed, and then the children sang a vera© of tho Now Zealand National Anthem, but this rather failed in its intended cft'<;ct by being sung in two sections instead Jfcf simultaneously by the wholo giatheringfe.A Spectacular Effect Then camo one of tho most striking and spectacular effects of frh-3 whole function. Mr Hc'.uiir called for three oheors for tho Prince of Wales, and every child responded to this request most enthusiastically, at tho samo timo producing»a small flag, which woa waved about with tho greatest rigjaux.

Tsio effect was at once peasing and picturesque, and it was a unique and striking sight to seo such a fore6t of flags waving in the air as though blown upon by some mighty wind. It provided an extraordinarily appropriate climax to the demonstration. The Princo then made his way through tho cheering crowds back to bis car and left tho ground. Th« Prince's Congratulations. Boforo leavuig tho ground tho Princo warmly congratulated Mr Clark on tho fine appearance of tho children and their accurato marching. "I am very delighted with your channiiiff display," ho said. "It has boon most excellent in every way. I will be glad if you will congratulate all those concerned, and tell them that I am very grateful to them. Will you eeo tliat all the children have a special holiday granted to them noit term to show how muoli I appreciate what they have done? That is my personal rcjucbt." Admiral Halsey Delighted. Admiral HaJsey, tho Prince's Chief of Staff, also expressed himself as highly dclighbod with the children's display, and also with their diaoipline and marching. Their bearing, ho said, reflected great credit on tho province, and spoke well for tho work of the teachers and for tho attention given to physical training. He expressed great gratification at the attention which was given to tho training and' development of tho children in New Zealand, and stated that ne had not seen better physical specimens of the rising generation in any part of the world. Admiral Halsoy also congratulated Mr Clark very heartily on the excellent arrangements which had been made for the day's worlc. Work of the Committee. It only needs to bo added that the work of tho Demonstration Committee is worthy of sill prafee. Much labour had been devoted to tho preparation of tho programme, afld the comrniitteo has every for satisfaction with tho thoroughness of its arrangements and with the successful manner in which they worked oat. It was a day which made history for the school children of Otago, and it was marred by no hitch anywhere. At the closo of the demonstration Mr A. Marshall, who had charge of the ground arrangements, made provision for supplying those country children who wero returning to their homes in the afternoon with a meal in the lunchoon room of the grand stand. Messrs Hudson and Co. and the Phoenix Company thoughtfully provided sweets for a .'arge number of tne children.