ROYAL TOUR RESUMED

Southland Times, Issue 18811, 3 May 1920, Page 6

ROYAL TOUR RESUMED

PRINCE JOURNEYING SOUTH

WAYSIDE OVATIONS

(Per United Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, May 2

The settlement of the railway strike has resulted in. alterations regarding the Prince of Wales’s tour, the Prince leaving Auckland by rail at 4 o’clock this afternoon on his way south. He will visit Taranaki first, being due at New Plymouth at 10 o’clock on Monday morning. He will also touch at Hawera and Patea, being due at Wanganui in the evening and remaining there for one night. On Tuesday he will go to Hawke’s Bay, calling at Marton and Fcilding en route. He will stay at Napier on Tuesday night, and on Wednesday will come on to Wellington, calling at Hastings, Waipukurau, Dannevirke, Woodvilie, Palmerston North and Otaki, reaching Wellington at 6.50 pun.

DEPARTURE FROM AUCKLAND.

A WARM LEAVE-TAKING, AUCKLAND, May 2. Had a set of circumstances such as have surronndrd the Royal touring party in the last few days been used as the basis of a Gilbertian opera, the result would have been hailed almost as the quintessence of extravagance. Yet truth in these days may assume such strange shapes, and the popular mind become so accustomed to bisarre scenes and happenings, that probably hardly anyone has given a second thought to the wanderings of the Heir to the Throne of an Empire whereon the sun never sets. In this land of sudden changes and contrasts the man who a few days ago occupied the centre of the stage in all minds has been relegated to a position of a spectator in the background, an interested watcher of the contest of wits between the representatives of the people, namely, the Govemmnl, on the one hand, and the people on the other. Hope springs eternal in the human breast, ami in the last day or two it has had much practice in springing almost from hour to hour since word came on Friday morning that the strike was “off,” only to be followed by the announcement that the settlement was merely partial The party travelling with the Prince of Wales has been "set” like a runner about to start a race but ever fated to find that the starting pistol was at half-cock and could not be fired. Various hours were named on Friday and yesterday that the Royal train would resume its journey, “if a complete settlement was reached, which was confidently anticipated.” As the clock hands reached the hours named the orders had to be cancelled and the officials bad to go through all the laborious task of making new arrangements. Finally, when yesterday it appeared hopeless to make the journey by train, the authorities decided to send a portion of the Royal party to Wellington in the Renown, and the baggage was placed on hoard. Some of those concerned were already in their berths to get a few hours’ sleep before turning out to witness the departure at an early hour this morning when the fickle goddess of circumstances waved her wand, arid hey! presto! all was changed once more. The magic words, “strike settled,” flashed from Wellington, and they seemed this time invested with every appearance of fact. Those not already abed on board the Renown returned to shore berths for the night, though the baggage had to remain till to-day. The announcement was made that the Royal train would depart from Auckland at 3.45 this afternoon, reaching New Plymouth at 10 to-morrow morning, and ending the day’s programme at Wanganui, where it would arrive at 3.45 p.m. Napier would be the stopping place on Tuesday night, and Wellington would be reached on Wednesday evening. It is hoped now that the complete itinerary as originally mapped out will be carried through with very slight amendment. This is rendered possible by the cutting out of the days that were assigned for the Prince’s deer stalking expedition in the Wairarapa, and a start on the South Island portion of the tour will be made from Wellington next Sunday. The Renown’s departure for Wellington is now postponed till to-morrow. Last night the Minister in charge of the tour (Sir William Fraser) was in conference with the Governor-General for some time arranging the new programme, along with Messrs James Hislop, Under-Secretary of the Internal Affairs Department and R. W. McVilly, General Manager of Railways, both the hitter having long and anxious horn's of labour to fit in all the details. Their task was really herculean, as the reorganisation and disposition of various railwaymen and line patrols all along the route had to be definitely and finally made before these officers could seek repose. The Royal visit of 1920 will live long in the memories of many New Zealanders, but probably none will retain such lively recollections as the various officials concerned in the conduct of the tour. In the meantime the central figure around whom all their perplexities and anxieties revolve has spent a couple of days in perfect Auckland weather, quietly enjoying himself with golf and sight-seeing in the environs of the city, free from all the pomp and circumstance of his sojourn here a week ago. To-night he will again take up the burden of the Royal progress through the country if the gods and the railwaymen permit.

THE SOUTHWARD JOURNEY,

ENTHUSIASM AT WAYSIDE STATIONS,

TAUMARUNin, May 2. ' The Press Association correspondent with the Royal train supplies the following;— Prompt to time the train pulled out of Auckland station at 3.50 p.m., amid the eh con' ndieux of the people thronging all the adjacent thoroughfares and elevated points from which a view of the Prince’s ear was obtainable. As it passed soon I through the suburbs and wayside stations everywhere were knots of people young and old, all the former and many of the latter carrying flags to wave farewell to the young Prince who had captured all hearts during his stay in Auckland. Even the weather seemed to be affected by the event, for after a week of bright continuous sunshine rain had fallen in the night and at intervals throughout the forenoon. In the waning light of the afternoon Merccr was reached at 5 o’clock, the train making to this point 50 miles an hour. At Iluntly darkness had overspread the scene. At Frankton Junction, which was reached at 6 o’clock, a few minutes were spent in supplying the engine's needs. Quite a crowd collected, and all eyes were turned on the Prince’s car. A railwayman held attention for a few moments, making a speech in which he expressed his comrades’ high appreciation of his Royal Highness’ exhibition of democratic spirit in the past few days. At Te Kuiti, which was readied on fine, a quarter of an hour was spent in formally meeting the local Mayor and other leading residents, who presented an address of welcome. Returned soldiers and children came in for their share of his Royal Highness’ attention, and after more cheering the train steamed out of Te Kuiti. An hour and three-quarters later it was in Taumarunui. Here there was another informal gathering of a quietly enthusiastic character, as was befitting a Sunday evening. Then, at 9.35, the journey was resumed. All now settled down for the night, to be ready for the next official stop at New Plymouth, 300 miles away. The pity of it is that the Prince missed some of the finest scenery along the route of the main trunk line.