A STRENUOUS TIME.

Otago Witness, Issue 3808, 8 March 1927, Page 18

A STRENUOUS TIME.

BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY TRAVERSED. PALMERSTON N„ March 3. The past 24 hours have been a strenuous time for the Royal tourists, carrying them over 400 miles on the railway journey, sleeping and having meals in the train on top of the morning’s fishing and the long drive across upland and plain to 'VVaimarino to join the train. Though the weather was inclement when the station was reached this did not deter the Duke and Duchess from coming out after they had got settled in their coach, and the Duke addressed a few words to those gathered around the platform, thanking them for the warmth of their reception and expressing the hope that the days ahead would be full of prosperity and happiness for them. The night was dark and drizzly, but by the morning’s dawn in the Patea dist. let it was beautifully fine and clear, ■ giving a fine view of Egmont. Everything but a few hundred feet of the top was plainly visible, the great cone standing out cameo-like from the light clouds.

The summit was capped by mist, and •■'those acquainted with the signs were pessimistic as to the prospect of the weather holding fine- Their foreboding proved well founded, for as soon as Stratford was passed the train ran into a thick drizzle, and the mountain was hidden; not to be seen again. A halt was made at Waiongona, a siding out in the quiet countryside, away from any settlement, and here breakfast was served in the dining car. A few settlers’ families were waiting on the chance of getting a glance at the Royal visitors. New Plymouth was reached on time, and the cars in waiting took the Royal party to Pukekura Park, where the presentation of the citizens’ address of welcome was made by the Mayor and a suitable - reply was handed to him. Similar incidents marked the subsequent calls at Stratford, Wanganui, Feilding, and just before 6 o’clock the train arrived at Palmerston North, where the Mayor -and other local leading - men were formally introduced to their Highnesses. The Earl of Cavan to-day stated that the Duke was extremely pleased with the manner the several towns visited had laid themselves out to make their brief visit interesting and. enjoyable. Nothing could be better than the care taken and enthusiasm of the spectators in regard to himself and the Duchess. NEW PLYMOUTH’S WELCOME. Ndw Plymouth’s welcome to the Royal guests was characteristic of the warmhearted descendants of the sturdy men >nd -women of the South of England who ioionised the place. The route from the

station to Pukekura Park was lined by cheering, flag-waving thousands, while the park itself was a wondrous picture. The terraces on three sides were covered with people, while the flat recreation area was crowded with school children, Boy Scouts, Girl Guides, and their junior brothers and sisters of the “wolf” clubs and ’brownies.” The soldiers of Maori, South African, and Great Wars were on parade, besides a detachment of territorials furnishing a guard of honour. After an inspection of the guard, an address of welcome was read, and the Duke’s reply was given to the Mayor.

One striking feature was the word “Welcome” formed on the terraces on one side of the ground by the girls dressed in blue and white, and the general effect of the whole animated gathering, with its varied colour schemes, "was very fine indeed. When the Duke and Duchess stepped down from the dais eventually and made a tour afoot among the massed children, the latter’s delight knew no bounds. A surging mass of little ones pressed round the Royal couple, who seemed to enter into the enjoyment of the moment as much a.s the cheering youngsters. The air was full of caps and any other article that could be detached and sent flying. , Even moments of joy have their endings, however, and the inexorable schedule for the day soon put a finish to this one. The Royal pair entered their car to the sound of a wild acclamation and made their way back to the station with cheers ringing in their ears from thousands who still lined the route reinforced by many more who hurried out to the park to get a last view of the Duchess whose praises could be heard on every hand. As the train steamed out from the town crowds were gathered at every crossing and the hill beside the line, ’waving and cheering goodwill to the departing