VISIT OF DUKE

Southland Times, Issue 22457, 18 December 1934, Page 8

VISIT OF DUKE

POPULAR FIGURE INSTANT APPEAL STUDY IN CONTRASTS ACCLAIMED BY SOLDIERS (Per United Press Association.) Wellington, December 17. As warm as was the brilliant sunshine itself were the receptions given the Duke of Gloucester during the third day of his stay in the capital city. Sweltering heat notwithstanding, large crowds were again abroad, eager to wave or cheer the Royal ambassador as he passed in public to his engagements. The main functions provided, however an opportunity for more concentrated demonstrations of loyalty and expressions of goodwill than did the larger and more comprehensive gatherings on Saturday. This circumstance was particularly noticeable at the Soldiers’ Club receptions and State luncheon. His Highness was in excellent form, creating lasting impressions at eacn place he visited. His utterances were again a study in balanced contrasts. His deviation into dry humour when speaking at the ceremony of laying the foundation stone of the new railway station and his choice of figurative language at the Parliamentary function, instantly appealed. Wearing a typical English morning suit of grey, the Duke began his programme for the day with laying the foundation stone of the railway station and was acclaimed by large crowds which had assembled, for the ceremony. Then in turn he visited the Returned Soldiers’ Association headquarters, Commercial Travellers’ Club, United Services Club and Wellington Club These were largely of an informal character and clearly were a source of enjoyment to his Highness. An incident which will live in the memory cf those privileged to witness it took place when the Duke met the ex-servicemen. Those present prepared to drink the health of the Prince and when the Roval visitor realized that the Hon. W. Ferry, M.L.C., the president, was likely to have difficulty in manipulating a soda syphon with one arm, his Highness immediately went to his assistance. Later he helped Mr Perry light a cigarette. In English and Maori the “Diggers” sang “For he’s a jolly good fellow,” his Highness listening with delight to the native version. “Good-bye and good luck to you all. I am very glad I was able to look in this morning,” said the Duke in acknowledging the cheers from the exsoldiers. The entire gathering followed the Prince to the entrance of the building and cheered him again as his car departed. As a memento of his visit I the Duke accepted and placed in the lapel of his coat a tiny tiki from the Wellington Association. At the Commercial Travellers Club, the Duke was presented with a life membership badge and ticket for the New Zealand Association and learnt again that he “was a jolly good fellow.” He was cheered to the echo as I he addressed a few words to the mem“I have learnt in the last few months,” he said, “what the advantages of commercial travellers are, and I am looking forward to carrying the same advantages in this dominion as I did in the last.” . Similarly cordial and enthusiastic welcomes awaited his Highness at the United Services and Wellesley Clubs. The social hall of Parliament House has been the scene of many notable events, but rarely, if ever, of such a great and enthusiastic reception as was given the Duke at the State luncheon. There he met New Zealanders in representative type—members _of the community which holds dear ties which bind the Dominion to the Motherland. So intensified was the volume of the ovation that several minutes elapsed before his Highness was able to reply to the Prime Minister’s toast speech. At the conclusion of his reply there was a second ovation of like calibre. Many guests attended the subsequent garden party at Government House, the scene there being one of colour and life. Those present were in turn presented to his Highness. After being received by their Excellencies, the Duke dined privately at the Wellington Club and at 9.45 p.m. attended the Mayor’s Charity Ball in the Town Hall. Always interested in and immensely popular with children, his Highness will to-morrow meet Wellington’s rising generation in a display at Newtown Park. There will be no engagements in the afternoon and late at night the Prince will leave by train for Hawkes Further evidence of the democratic tendencies of the Duke was provided in an unrehearsed incident at the Town Hall to-night. . . In anticipation of the arrival of his Highness at the Mayor’s Charity Ball large crowds assembled in the vicinity of the civic centre and it grew, rather than diminished, in size as time of his arrival approached. At round about 10 o’clock, the Royal suite appeared and at once there was cheering, but there was more to come. Having ascertained that the Town Hall had a balcony, the Duke climbed the stairs and appeared before the concourse. A thousand throats burst in tumultous acclamation and in the excitement of the moment the rope barriers sagged before the rush from the side streets and the crowd, in its happy enthusiasm, converged on the entrance steps. The police, who entered into the spirit of this unofficial reception, formed a double armed cordon, while people vociferously acknowledged handwaves from the Prince on both sides of the balcony. Inside the Hall, which was brilliantly decorated and crowded to the limits of comfort, the Prince was given another rousing reception. His first dance was a waltz, which appears to be his favourite measure. KEEN MOTORIST TRIP TO FEATHERSTON. (Per United Press Association.) Wellington, December 17. An experienced motorist, the Duke spent yesterday afternoon at the wheel of the motor car which is being used for the road portion of his New Zealand tour. He drove the car to Featherston and back, covering about 90 miles in a journey which was without incident. His destination was the estate of Mr D. H. S. Riddiford, and the Prince found no difficulty in negotiating ■ the Rimutakas both ways. He returned to Government House early in the evening.