ROUND ABOUT WELLINGTON.

Otago Witness, Issue 3808, 8 March 1927, Page 53

ROUND ABOUT WELLINGTON.

By

Pencarrow.

(Specially Whitten for the Witness.) March 3. Wellington is all of a flutter, for within forty-eight hours the Duke and Duchess of York are due to arrive. The weather looks most promising. Preparations are well in hand, and everything is in readiness. A warm and loyal welcome awaits the King’s son and the lady who has won the hearts of all the people in the North Island. There is to be a rehearsal of the illuminations to-morrow night. Our country cousins will surely be impressed, for a rainbow method of colouring the streets is to be used, and those who are “in the know” declare nothing like it has been seen here previously’. Nature herself has lent a hand, and Sunday’s drenching rain has washeu away the dust, freshened up the gardens, and brightened things up generally. Various government offices have received a coat of paint, and the main streets, including those round Parliament Buildings, are neat and clean —some with a coat of bitumen and three tar sealed. “Where to go” on the Saturday aftcr- . jjoon is now the burning question.

People with houses or offices on the route arc finding themselves extremely popular. It was Uncle Romus who said that too many friends spoil the dinner—and certainly too many people in one window are apt to block the view'. The Bishop of London has been here this week, and on Monday night every scat in the Town Hall was occupied by the people, who crowded down bright and early to hear his address on “Immigration and the Church.” He is a delightful speaker, and though his voice is no longer very strong, he held the audience. There was no shuffling and no coughing. People who had gone down to hear the Right Rev. A. F. Winnington-Ingram, D.D., K.C.V.0., knew’ they might never get another chance, and they made the most of it.

With the Bishop of Wellington and the Ma yor, the visitor, wearing his purple robes, come through the body of the hall, and so' approached the platform, the whole audience standing while he did so. The address has been published, but it ° is a very great pity that the people in the country and thousands in the towns could not hear the Bishop speak. It is not only what he says, but how he says it. Here, indeed, is an ambassador of Empire, who is “one of the greatest spiritual forces in England, and whose preaching has a moving power.” His is a lean, spare figure, and the face is an index to the mind. The slender, transparent hands are very noticeable, for he uses them while speaking in a manner which apparently is extremely characteristic. I have seen him several times, met him once, and heard him speak on three occasions, and have come to the conclusion that lie should be described as “brotherly,” but his interest and affection are not parochial, and the whole Empire is his family.

The great man was invitdd to become Bishop of Wellington 34 years ago, when Bishop Hadfield was about to retire, but it was quite impossible for him to leave his work in tondon, work which has >een continuous there for over 40 years. During his stay in Wellington, he has been a guest at Bishopscourt, and in his honour, on Tuesday afternoon, Bishop and Mrs Sprott gave a large party, at which his .Excellency the GovernorGeneral was present. During the week the visiting bishop has addressed the New Zealand Club, which was crowded with business men all of whom are much impressed. On Tuesday, at St. Paul’s Cathedral, he spoke to church people, and those whose privilege it was to hear him will ever remember what be said. The church was crowded, though the service began at 10 o’clock in the morning. The Bishop has been out and about, ori the golf links and the tennis courts, and where men congregate. He is here for information, to get impressions, and to find out for himself what New Zealand has to offer the immigrants he takes so much terest in helping to select. The country, he reminds us, can and should carry 10 million people. He docs not like the word “immigration,” but prefers “migration,” which is a moving of the people from one part of the Empire to another, and there should be the feeling that wherever they go within the Empire they will be respected and welcomed as fellow citizens. Unfortunately, the Navy League sc* lected Tuesday night for the lecture which Commander Marsden gave on “The Navy and the Empire.” This also was at the Town Hall, but in the Concert Chamber. Sir Alexander Roberts, formerly of Dunedin, pr ided. This scribe was in time for the last ten minutes. The Commander possesses a splendid voice, and is an excellent speaker. During the evening he dwelt on events relating to the Great War, and gave a brief and interesting account of the Battle of Jutland, in which he served on the destroyer Ardent, sunk by the Germans in the action. He alone survived, and was picked up next morning by another ship. He spoke in highest praise of the courage, strength, and resource of the British merchant service and of the fishermen during the war, and in conclusion reminded his very attentive audience that British ships and troops have now been sent to China only to defend British interests, British lives, and British honour.

Among those present was Sir Douglas Maclean, whose interest in the Navy League has always been extremely keen, and who will be among those who are to receive their decorations from the Duke of York nt the Investiture next week. To the infinite regret of the whole community, it is announced that though her Excellency Lady Alice Fergnsson is very much better, she is still unable to take part in any public functions. She arrived here from Auckland on Wednesday. Efforts for the various queen candidates are still being made, and the searchlight tattoo and military tournament is now about to begin. On Monday the living flag will be one item on the pror gramme, and in this all the school children of Wellington will take part. The children’s official public welcome to their Royal Highnesses takes place on Tuesday morning in the Parliamentary grounds. No adults will be admitted. The city's traffic manager has so decreed. He urges the people to distribute themselves on all occasions, and so avoid the uncomfortable crushes which have taken place in Auckland. Very careful arrangements have been made, and explicit directions have been given to the drivers of vehicles. It is reported that the Duke and Duchess will be going to the eleven o’clock service (unofficially) at St. Paul’s pro-cathedral on Sunday morning. It is anticipated that there will be a religious revival about the same time. We are but human,