DUKE OF GLOUCESTER

Southland Times, Issue 22473, 8 November 1934, Page 7

DUKE OF GLOUCESTER

GUEST AT BRILLIANT BALL, (United Press Assn—Telegraph Copyright.) Melbourne, November 7. Two thousand guests witnessed brilliant pageantry at Lord and Lady Huntingfield’s ball at Government House in honour of the Duke of Gloucester. The crush was so great that some of the guests had to be admitted by the side doors. The Duke received the debutantes and opened the dance with the Governor’s daughter. DEGREE CONFERRED VISIT TO MELBOURNE UNIVERSITY. (United Press Assn.— Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 11.15 p.m.) Melbourne, Nov. 7. There was an impressive ceremony when the degree of doctor of laws was conferred on the Duke of Gloucester at Melbourne University to-day. The Duke is the fifth member of the Royal Family so honoured. The University Rifles formed a guard of honour. The Duke was robed in the gown of doctor of laws of Cambridge University. An extraordinarily strong police guard was present, apparently to prevent ragging, as occurred when the degree was. similarly conferred on the Duke of York in 1927, when he was lifted shoulder high, placed on a table and induced to make a speech after the degree had been conferred. The Duke said that apart from the stores of knowledge which a University offered it pointed the way and guided the footsteps of many who halted uncertainly on the threshold of life. Such training bred not only deep thinkers, but broadminded men of the world. Of such the Empire was never in more need. The Duke also attended the Empire blinded soldiers’ congress when for the first time during his tour he posed for a special photograph. VISIT TO NEW ZEALAND WELCOME BY SCHOOL CHILDREN. (Per United Press Association.) Wellington, November 7. A massed demonstration at Newtown Park by nearly 14,000 school pupils on the morning of Tuesday, December 18, will give his Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester his first close-up impression of the youth of New Zealand. The Royal visitor is to arrive at Wellington on the Saturday for his six weeks’ tour of the Dominion. The children will be drawn from schools within a radius of 40 miles of the city, and the display will take the form of evolutions by the various schools, and a grand march past.