PRINCE HENRY

Southland Times, Issue 22487, 23 January 1935, Page 8

PRINCE HENRY

REMAINDER OF VISIT. NORTH AUCKLAND ENGAGEMENTS. (Per United Press Association.) Wellington, January 22. Although the Duke of Gloucester’s official tour of the Dominion ended with his departure from Lyttelton in H.M.A.S. Australia last night, it will be another week before his Royal Highness leaves New Zealand for Fiji, en route to England. The cruiser, with Prince Henry on board, is timed to arrive at Russell at seven o’clock on Thursday morning and the programme for the remainder of that day is confined tenatively to a deep-sea fishing expedition by the Duke. . An opportunity for the Royal visitor to see the finest specimens of New Zealand kauri trees will be afforded on Friday, when in the company of the Minister of Finance (the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates) he motors from Pahia through Trounson Park and the Waipoua State forest. The portable cinematograph which his Royal Highness has used during his official tour, will doubtless be frequently in action on Friday. The Duke spends Friday night at Opononi in the Hokianga district and on Saturday proceeds by car and launch to Omahuta to see bush working and bullock teams operating. A visit will be made also to Keri Keri before his Royal Highness re-embarks in the evening on the Australia. With the Governor-General (Lord Bledisloe) the Duke attends divine service at Paihia on Sunday morning and in the afternoon accompanies his Excellency to the historical spots of Waitangi. .... Monday has been set aside provisionally for a big-game fishing excursion. The Australia is scheduled to sail for Fiji at 9.30 on Tuesday morning. With a few exceptions, the members of the New Zealand official party are not accompanying his Royal Highness on his North Auckland engagements, which are purely of a private character. The party returned from Lyttelton by the Wahine to-day and formally disbanded, Sir Alexander Young, who acted as minister in attendance, resuming his ordinary duties and Mr Malcolm Fraser, the Under-Secretary of Internal Affairs, who managed the tour, returning to his Departmental responsibilities. MESSAGES EXCHANGED KING AND GOVERNOR-GENERAL. (Per United Press Association.) Wellington, January 22. On the departure of the Duke of Gloucester from Lyttelton after the completion of the official tour of New Zealand the Governor-General (Lord Bledisloe) despatched the following telegram to the King:—

“I beg with my respectful.duty to inform your Majesty that his Royal Highness completed this evening his official tour of New Zealand, leaving Lyttelton Harbour in the cruiser Australia amid scenes of great enthusiasm. The tour has been most successful and his Royal Highness has won all hearts by his gracious and friendly sympathy with all classes throughout the Dominion and with their various pursuits and in-

terests.” His Majesty has been pleased to send the following reply: “I was very glad to receive your telegram on the departure of my son from New Zealand and to. hear that he is in good health and spirits. The Queen and I warmly appreciate the enthusiastic reception he has received on all occasions and thank you

for the very kind words in which you refer to the large share his personality and efforts had in the pleasure his visit gave all classes throughout the Dominion. At the same time we recognize that much of the success was due to the care and forethought bestowed by you and your Government upon the arrangements. We are most grateful to you and Lady Bledisloe for the kindness and hospitality shown to our son and his staff throughout their stay.” The Duke of Gloucester has signified his intention of sending to the Gover-nor-General a farewell message on his departure from the. shores of New Zealand in H.M.A.S. Australia, which is due to leave the Bay of Islands on January 29.