ROYAL VISITS

Putaruru Press, Volume XII, Issue 562, 8 March 1934, Page 1

ROYAL VISITS

ARRANGEMENTS FOR SAFETY With the visit to the Dominion by Prince George later in the year, there will have been five visits to New Zealand by a member of the British Royal Family. Three of these previous visits were made this century. The present King and Queen, then the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York, were here in 1901. Nineteen years later New Zealand was honoured with a visit from their eldest son, the Prince of Wales. Their second son, the Duke of York, who was accompanied by his wife, was in the Dominion in 1927.

The first Royal visit was that made in 1869 by Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh, second son of Queen Victoria.

When the last Royal visit was made to New Zealand elaborate arrangements weTe made by the Railway Department to ensure the safety and provide for the comfort of the Duke and Duchess of York. During their tour by rail a pilot train preceded the Royal train everywhere it went, and an emergency train followed it. Besides a rigid system of patrol and guarding of points and crossings, all cross-over points and all points leading to the main line were securely Spiked so as to prevent their opening at least a quarter of an hour before the arrival of the pilot train, which itself preceded the Royal train by a quarter of-an hour. All Tunnels Guarded.

All tunnels were guarded and no animal or vehicle was allowed to pass a crossing within five minutes of the time at which the pilot train was due. Special patrols were provided also at all bridges, tunnels, cuttings and places where slips might occur. Trains which might have to pass the Royal train were examined for any projections, speeds were definitely set for the train at all corners, and arrangements were made so that no train could move in any area in which the Royal train was moving. The Duke and Duchess of York completed their tour without mishap, and before they left New Zealand expressed their appreciation of the Railway Department’s efforts. In addition to the Railway Department,** several other Government departments shared the honour of guarding the safety, of the Duke and Duchess and ensuring their comfort. Special police and detectives were appointed to accompany the Royal visitors on their Dominion tour.

It is not yet known what arrangements will be • made for the visit of Prince George, but no doubt they will be no less thorough than on the occasion of previous Royal visits.