HISTORIC CITY

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LII, Issue 16210, 7 December 1926, Page 9

HISTORIC CITY

MR. BRUCE AT EXETER (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Received Dec. 7, 3 p.m.) LONDON, Dec. 0. Mr. >S. M. Bruce wound up his provincial tour in glorious sunshine at Exeter, where lie turned the- first sod of tho new university college. He was then entertained at luncheon and became a. freeman of the city in the historic. Guildhall lined with beautiful panelling with the Mayor's coat of arms, going back to the thirteenth century. The visit and functions markedly contrasted with the rest of the tour among the industrial centres, for every comer of this quaint quiet old city is teeming with historical associations.

Mr. Bruce, when turning the iod, faced a semi-circle of gowned am! capped students of both sexes, who, after the ceremony, with full lungs obeyed a professor's appeal to "let it rip; let them hear it in Australia" as they shouted the college cry. Even tho room where luncheon av.is served was a distinguished apartment in one of the most dignified hotel buildings in Britain. Air. and Mrs. Bruce then drove through a beilagged narrow old world street with ancient buildings holding the eye every few yards, being cheered by tho large crowd. It was not surprising that he was emotionally affected when he took the path to the Guildhall to "defend the ancient customs and privileges of this city in every just lawful cause." Mr. and Mrs. Bruce remain in London until they embark for New York aboard the Majestic on December 21.