ROYAL INFORMALITY

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18586, 21 December 1934, Page 8

ROYAL INFORMALITY

SURFING AT WAINUT

DUKE’S GISBORNE STAY

NEW SOUTH ROAD RECORD

More than any of the members of his official party, the Duke of Gloucester on the journey from Napier to Gisborne yesterday* showed his hardiness in what could well be described as tropical heat. The temperature throughout. the 160-mile journey was abnormal, but. nevertheless His Royal Highness withstood the arduous journey—-suffici-ently trying for the New Zealand-born o\en in a more temperate season—with no apparent discomfort. A delightful atmosphere of informality pervaded the whole journey, due largely to the fact, that extreme heat breaks down- the- barriers of reserve more probably than any other agency. His Royal Highness quickly divested himself 'of bis coat, whop tiie heat of the journey became oppressive, anc! though he donned it again, of course, for the. receptions , en, -route, .the. remainder of the, journey WAS; fnade by the Duke in his' shil-tslw*yss. At luncheon at the Morefe Hotel; His Royal Highness sat clown coat. Jess, and partook of the meal as any ordinary traveller would. VISIT TO POHO-O-EAWIRI

Once the-formal reception .at Gi.s borne was over, the Duke delighted the Afnoris of the community bv paying an informal visit to '.Pojuv.o Ra.wiri. There he saw for the first time, and admired to the I'ulJ, Maori carving in its relevant setting, and’ lie displayed n lively interest in native craftsmanship. Aecompancid by Major-General Howard-Vyse and Captains Curtis, Kerr, -Schreiber, and Tweedio, the Prince motored out to Wninui after his visit to Poho-o-Rawiri, and there enjoyed an hour on the beach. Him self an enthusiastic surfer, the Duke spent nearly the whole of that, time in the water, and enjoyed the long-range surf riding which the absence of undertow made possible. The Duke abandoned himself to the pleasure of the ocean beach, much to the enjoyment of a number of children who were bathing at the same time, and one young man secured for himself the unforgettable distinction of carrying back the Duke’s stiff - boardt All members of the party were impressed with the facilities for surf bathing, and it was with reluctance that the Duke left the water. Mr. G. A. Nigholls’ cottage was placed at the disposal of the Duke and his party, and there His Royal Highness took a shower bath before dressing for his return to town.

INFORMAL VISIT TO POVERTY BAY CLUB

In the evening His Royal Highness dined at the Masonic Hotel with the members of his suite and the Hon. J. A. Young, Minister in attendance. Later he paid an informal visit to the Poverty Bay Club, and a large crowd which had assembled outside the hotel was well rewarded for its two hours’ wait, for the Duke reappeared as a pedestrian, and walked the entire distance to the club, accompanied by Captains Curtis and Kerr. His unofficial retinue, which grew rapidly, cheered his progress, and the Duke responded with 'his ready and charming smile and nonchalant handwave.

En route from Napier to Gisborne, Wairoa was the only stopping place at -which the Duke received a formal welcome, but demonstrations took place throughout the journey, and His Royal Highness received many wayside greetings, which included concentrated efforts at Mohaka and N-uhaka, a spirited haka in costume boing performed at the latter township. TRIUMPH OF ORGANISATION

The North Island tour of the Duke of Gloucester has so far been a triumph of organisation resulting from effective staff work under the supervision of the manager, Mi-. Malcolm Fraser. In spite of the exceptionally heavy programme which has been mapped out, the schedule is being strictly adhered to, and unofficial receptions, which had not been provided for in edvance, have been taken in the stride of the tour without dislocation.

The organisation was put to its severe est test yesterday in the journey from Napier to Gisborne. Incidentally, a record for the trip was established. Leaving Napier at 9.30 a.m., the Royal procession reached Wairoa five minutes ahead of the scheduled time, and was in Gisborne on the tick of 4 p.m. as planned. The stop at Wairoa lasted 20 minutes and that, at Morere for lunch 50 minutes, in addition to which brief calls were made at Moliaka and Nuhaka. One official car which left earlier received a damaged mudguard and axle through being forced into loose metal by oncoming traffic.