DUKE DEPARTS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18586, 21 December 1934, Page 4

DUKE DEPARTS

TOUR RESUMED

CHEERING CROWDS

DEPARTURE ON SCHEDULE

JOURNEY TO ROTORUA

Crowds thronged the streets again this morning to witness the departure from Gisborne of the Duke of Gloucester, after his brief stay in the town, and the Royal visitor reeved on to the' next stage of his arduous tour of New Zealand to the accompaniment of round upon round of cheers, launched at the moment of his departure from the Masonic Hotel, and continued until he was well clear of the business area. At various points ons the route out of Gisborne, there were gatherings of adults and children, and His Royal Highness must have carried away a happy impression of the enthusiasm shown in connection with his visit here. ; , i

The departure of the Royal' party for Rotorua was' made promptly to' the scheduled minute, the Duke giving a further evidence of his wish to maintain the appointments made in advance. An interesting exchange 1 of compliments preceded his entry into his car, ah opeti, one, from which he was plainly visible to everyone gathered in the streets. The cheering was much more vociferous than on the arrival of his Royal Highness in Gisborne yesterday, the. public having ai better opportunity of distinguishing tho Royal member of the party, who yesterday entered the town in a closed car, contrary to the expectations of the en-, tlmsiastic. crowds.

DEVOID OF FORMALITY Farewelled. by the Mayor and town clerk, Messrs. John Jackson and W. M. Jenkins, and other prominent citizens, the Duke spent a few moments in the vestibule of the Masonic Hotel in conversation with the Mayor, taking the opportunity of expressing his personal thanks for the manner in .which arrangements in connection with his visit had been carried out. Members of the Duke’s staff also exchanged farewells with those who, in an official or private capacity, had contributed to the convenience and entertainment of the party. The actual departure of the entourage was devoid of formality, and the arrangements! for keeping Lowe street clear of the public were not rigidly carried out, the crowds being allowed to approach to within a yard or two of the Royal visitor’s car and to get a “close-up” of the Duke such as few could have expected. , The cheering which broke out on the appearance of His Royal Highness was of remarkable volume, and it was adequately demonstrated that Gisborne had awakened very thoroughly frpm its accustomed reserve. The Duke smilingly acknowledged the salutes from all sides, and waved back as he drove off slowly through the throng, the car gradually picking up speed as it turned into Gladstone road, but slowing down again as the crowds were seen to be of undiminished density in the main business avenue. .

At every intersection in the business area there were further crowds to be encountered, and in the neighborhood of the Robinson Memorial town clock, the Duke’s car slowed to a snail’s pace again as it passed through an area of unusual congestion. Knots of people were gathered all along the road out of town, and at each of the townships on the route of the Royal party over the Poverty Bay flats. The police supervision of traffic had established a clear road for His Royal Highness, and the periods of slow running called for bv the Duke’s wish to see and be seen by the gatherings of settlers were easily " compensated for by other periods of fast travel, the schedule of the day being kept to the'minute. . At Te Karaka the Duke’s party was sighted shortly after 10.50 a.m., and a crowd of people gathered at the turn in the main highway at the township greeted His Royal Highness with cheers and the waving of flags, the Royal narty once more slowing down as the Duke acknowledged tho demonstration of loyalty and enthusiasm.

THE MOUNTAIN JOURNEY

NORTHWARD PROGRESS

GREETINGS FROM SETTLERS

(►Special to the Herald.) MATAWAI, this day. The progress ot the Royal party northward through the Poverty Bay fiats and on to Matawai was in the nature of a triumphal procession. Everywhere groups hi people were assembled to watch tne passage of the Duke ot Gloucester and his entourage, and at the larger townships the route of the procession was lined on both sides with crowds of adults and children.

At Te Karaka the Royal visitor drove through a cheering) throng, and tuo. the party was uuaole to halt there, His Royal Highnoss won the hearts of the people by his cheery and informal salute in acknowledgment of the enthusiastic tributes paid to him. !

By leaving at 10 o’clock, the official party was able to cover the hottest section of the journey before the fierce midday temperature made conditions extremely trying for travelling. Several of the official cars left Gisborne n. advance of the Duke, to make the necessary arrangements along the route, amt all bridges, railway crossings, and crossroads were guarded by volunteer officei Once the cars reached the summit of Otoko Hill, a cool breeze tempered the beat of the sun, and though the Duke and his suite continued to travel in shirt-sleeves, the heat was less oppressive at the higher altitudes. Some members of the party were displaying signs of mild distress when Matawai was reached, but His Royal Highness still appeared cool and at ease, CHOKING DUST CLOUDS Thick clouds of dust made travelling conditions very difficult and uncomfortable oil the earlier stage of the journey, and it was necessary to allow fairly wide gaps between the cars for the rnemofli's of the party to avoid being blinded and choked with dust. The alternative of closing all windows to keep out the dust was one that nobody would have chpsen in such hot weather as was experienced to-day. The different class of road metal usecl beyond Otoko, however, minimised the dust nuisance, and from there on to Matawai- the cars were able to make more comfortable progress.

A.s was the case on the south road, the surface throughout the entire route from Gisborne to Matawai was better than it had ever been before. The grading of the road and improvements jn alignment and' curvature had effected n remarkable change for the better, and the Royal procession was able tq make excellent time.,'

Although beginning to show signs . of tho severe effect of tho prolonged period of dry weather, the Poverty Bay flats yet presented a picture of fertility this morning, and the Duke displayed a lively interest in the dis- g trict’s farming operations, keenly observing the line specimens of livestock in the fields adjacent to the highway. Harvesting operations were in progress at one w two points along the route, and large stands of maize, well gro\yn, provided refreshing patches of green, while horses, cattle and sheep sheltering from the hot sun under the cool green, willows, mado a charming picture of rural peace. Many fine homesteads along the route, especially that of Mr. B. J. Holdswofth, were admired by the Duke, who throughout the journey showed his deep interest in the Dominion’s, principal industry. SHORT STAY AT MATAWAI

Matawai, the first stopping-place oil the northward journey, was colorful with flags and other decorations, and the Post Office carried a liberal display of bunting. Hours before the Duko was due at Matawai, settlers from all parts of the district and the children of the Matawai and neighboring schools began to assemble at tho townsliip, and when the Royal car drew to a standstill, in front of the hotel, where a brief and informal reception was held, many hundreds of people were there to welcome the Royal visitors. Between 150 and 200 children *c paraded to welcome the Duke, Ape pupils of the Matawai, Motu, Mfltuliakauroa, Karetu, Otoko, Homebrook, Koranga and Wkakarau schools attending in full force. Successful arrangements were made for the transportation of the 1 children, those from utoko being conveyed by train, while from the remaining schools the children. were transported by motor lorries and cars. A rope was stretched across the road from tho diamond-shaped island in front of tho hotel to tho Post . Office, and bohind it the public gathered for the welcome, the children being drawn up in line on the side of the road nearest to the hotel, and on the opposite side of the lane loft for the passage of tho Duke's car. THE MATAWAI RECEPTION

The district nurse, Sister Pritchard, who was herself a war nurse, and lb members of the Matawai-Motu Returned Soldiers’ Association, paraded before the hotel, wearing the medals and decorations. Major H. Riddick was in charge of tho parade, and the president of the branch, Mr. N. G. Harding, acted as marshal. The Duke arrived at Matawai at 11.50 a.m., and was greeted by a spontaneous burst of cheering as ho alighted from the car. The Duke was received by Major Riddick, who escorted him.down the line of ex-service meu and through the ranks of school children. His Royal Highness spoke a few words to each man, inquiring as to his regiment and the venue of his war service.

The Duke did not address the children, but spoke a few words to some of them, and as he rejoined his car, turned to the children and expressed the hope that they would be granted a holiday as the result of his representations on jtoeir behalf. "He concluded his remarks frith his .best wishes for a happy Christmas and a happy New Year. “The same to you,” was chorused by the children, iii reply to the Royal visitor’s expression of seasonal wishes. The National Anthem was sung by the gathering, and the Duke waved a cheery farewell as his car drove off.

There was a renewed burst of cheering, which Was continued until the car was out of sight, and a delightful touch was an impromptu haka performed by a number of Maoris on the outskirts .){ the throng. The journey from Gisborne to Matawai was completed without untoward incident, and the Royal party eommoneed its journey through tho Waioeka valley road in good "order.

BRIEF STAY AT OPOTIKI

RECEPTION ARRANGEMENTS

The Duke of Gloucester was expected to arrive at Upotiki at 1.26 p.m. to-day, and at 2.15 p.m., in the grounds of the Opotiki School, an official welcome was to be tendered by the Mayor, Air. G. S. Moody. The Mayoress, Mrs. A. Young, a niece of the Mayor, and about 50leading residents, including members ot district local bodies and their wives, were to be presented. r A guard of honor formed by returned soldiers was to be at the school gates and the school children drawn up in| front of the platform. After the cP r f j mony the Royal party wRI leave foil Rotorua, via Whakatane. 'The weather at Opotiki to-day. was cloudy, but hot.

STOP AT WHAKATANE

BUSY FEW MINUTES

In spite of the short time to be spent by the Duke in Whakatane to-day, there is every indication that there will be a record gathering to greet him. Arriving at 3.45 p.m., he leaves again at 4.5, and into that short period has to be crammed his reception, hakas by Maoris, laying the foundation stone of the Maori shelter at Pohaturoa Rock and the inspection of returned soldiers and nurses. A special train will convey 500 children and residents from as far as Tauranga. The reception is to be held a*the Domain, and all school children wilt be provided with a meal prior to leaving by train.