THE DUKE IN PICTON

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18596, 5 January 1935, Page 6

THE DUKE IN PICTON

SOUTH ISLAND TOUR

IMPRESSIVE LANDING

GLORIOUS SETTINGS

(Per Press Association.) PICTON, this day

Like a silvered wraith gliding through the frame of :i fairy picture, the cruiser Australia, with the Duke of Gloucester aboard, entered Queen Charlotte .Sound tiiis morning from Wellington, and, slipping throtigii the. mirrored waters, dropped, anchor off Mabel Island at 8.30 a.m. Elscorting H.M.A.'S. Australia for a portion of the way was the sloop Lcith, \yhich had left l'ictou wharf about half au hour earlier.

In a lake-like sea and fortressed by the majestic hills rising sheer from the water's edge in the bay, the cruiser and sloop presented an attractive spectacle as the smoke from the salvo of the Koyal salute hid the topmasts of the ships in its mantle as does the mist a mountain peak.

The weather and every other circumstance favored the miniature nautical pageant which appropriately started the Prince's .South island tour, as did the larger naval display in the north.'Small craft from Pictoii carrying . holidaymaking sightseers, and with gaily colored bunting flying from every masthead, played their part in enlivening the scene. Launches, yachts, and rowing boats threaded in and out of the procession as the Leitli, to which the Duke of Gloucester had been transferred, moved up to the wharf, leaving the cruiser glistening in the sun lit its anchorage. WARM JIEARTED SO IJ'l'llK UNER S His Royal Highness touched South Island soil at 9.55 a.m., to receive an advance guard of the welcome which awaits him from the warm-hearted southerners.

"This is an historical part of New Zealand," said the Duke in replying to the Picton welcome, "and as we steamed up Queen Charlotte Sound I could not help contrasting the size of the Australia with that of the Endeavour, which Captain Cool,-, so often brought up l the Sound during his voyages of discovery. It must increase our admiration for the heroes of our race, another of whom is commemorated in the name of your town."

The Duke, was received afc Blenheim with equal warmth. He said he would bear away memories of a sunny countryside and kindly people.

. CROWDS AT NELSON

(Per Press Association.)

NELSON, this day. The weather is gloriously line 'and large numbers of people are coming to town from all the country districts" for th 6 reception to the Duke of Gloucester this afternoon. .Owing to (he school holidays the Nelson Children's Gala Committee, an organisation which, entertains all children of the country district in Nelson once a. year, is taking charge. .Some of the children will travel by motor lorry nearly 100 miles.

INFORMAL GREETING

LIMBLESS SOLDIER

"A happy New Year, your Honor; Rive us your flip." This was the manner of the welcome extended to the Duke of Gloucester by an ex-service-man in a parade inspected by His Royal Highness at Wanganui. : Tho Duke was walking slowly along the ranks, when he came to a 'middleaged man, brave with medals, and supporting himself on crutches, for he had lost a leg on active service. This former .soldier, a New Zoalander, who had served in the Australian Infantry Forces, was addressed 'by the Duke, who aske<l him a i'ow questions about his experiences. As His Royal Highness turned to move on the ox-Austra-lian made the foregoing observation. The Duke rose to the occasion' and, laughing heartily, shook hands with the genial soldier to the great delight of his comrades, who had heard this informal and unrehearsed monologue Many among the crowd "also heard, anil the Duke's action was warmly applauded.