ROYAL VISITOR

Southland Times, Issue 22491, 28 January 1935, Page 8

ROYAL VISITOR

TOUR THROUGH BUSH TIMBER MILLING OPERATIONS UNORTHODOX ATTIRE (Per United Press Association.) Russell, January 27. Watching every phase with the closest interest, the Duke of Gloucester, hatless and wearing a short-sleeved open-neck shirt, spent several pleasurable hours on Saturday afternoon viewing and photographing tree-felling and loghauling operations in the hinterland between Opononi and Keri Keri. Normally a place of isolation in the heart of the “never-never,” Omahuta Bush yesterday resembled a thriving village, so great was the attendance of settlers, fully 1500 of whom were present to see the Royal visitor and express goodwill to him through lusty cheering. The presence of the spectators, however, did not vitiate the informality of the Duke’s outing, his Royal Highness and his party moving freely through the bush, as though ordinary tourists. The Royal salute from a siren greeted the Duke’s appearance in a forest clearing where a kahikatea log containing 1350 superficial feet of timber was hauled with difficulty from the bush. In a different part of the reserve, where 50 children were holding ferns, they provided a fronded arch for him. His Highness saw the mighty kahikatea slowly topple into a gully with a groan and a roar that conjured visions of a verbal contest among prehistoric monsters. The Duke tramped threequarters of a mile into the bush along a bullock track to see and photograph various phases of the working bullock teams. The camera was again in action when, with the forest and the cheering settlers left behind, Prince Henry, who was again driving his car, pulled up at the Mangamuka River bridge to see a log dumped into the river and hit the water with tremendous force, sending vast sprays skywards. High Tea on Lawn.

The Duke arrived at Keri Keri late in the afternoon, by way of Okaihau and Rangiahua, and had high tea on the lawn of the home of Mr E. A. Little and inspected the citrus plantation. Later he visited the Keri Keri residence of Captain B. Edkins. Paihia was reached at 8.30 and his Royal Highness embarked on the Australia half an hour later. Guests at dinner on the Australia were the Governor-General (Lord Bledisloe) and Lady Bledisloe and the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates. To-day the Duke of Gloucester became the guest of Lord Bledisloe, who with Lady Bledisloe, arrived at Russell on the Matai yesterday. Coinciding with the ninth anniversary of the consecration of the church his Royal Highness, in company with their Excellencies, Mr Coates, and Sir Alexander Young, attended Divine service at the Williams Memorial Church at Paihia. Large crowds on the wharf watched the arrival of the Royal barge and the Vice-Regal launch and formed an unofficial procession behind the visitors as they walked a quarter of a mile to the church. Although the church was filled to capacity, the size of the congregation was eclipsed by that of the worshippers who remained outside, and who, through the wide-open windows, followed the service, singing the hymns and joining in the prayers. They participated also in the Offertory. The sermon was nreached by Archbishop Averill, who said the duty of all to the uncertain future was to remember that God had given a vision to the Empire, which must never be allowed to fade it. “A vision,” said his Grace, “which embraces the pursuit of justice, righteousness and the fear of God. So long as we realize that the real strength of the Empire is the character of its people, and so long as the Empire is served in Church and State by men of the highest character and ideals, we may believe that the Golden Age of Empire is yet to come.” Prince Henry had luncheon on the Matai with their Excellencies. Other guests were Archbishop and Mrs Averill, and Mr Coates and Mrs Coates. A Punctured Tyre. Within two days of establishing a flawless motoring record on his New Zealand tour, the Duke yesterday had the misfortune to encounter his first puncture on a Dominion road. The car at the time was climbing a hill leading to Omahuta Bush and the pace was slow. In record time the tyre—a front offside one—was changed by the Post and Telegraph Department’s chauffeurs and his Royal Highness was again at the wheel. He completed the day’s journey without further tyre trouble. The Duke has driven over every class of road in New Zealand and has covered a total distance according to the dailykept records, of 2500 miles. The behaviour of the country people, who, during the past few days have assembled at the places in North Auckland visited by the Duke, was highly commended to-night by the Commissioner of Police, Mr W. G. Wohlmann. To ensure a clear passage for the cars and effective control of traffic, people had long periods to wait, said the Commissioner, but with the greatest readiness they had complied with every request. A striking example was provided yesterday. At one corner a number of cars were held up at least half an hour. The occupants were desirous of returning home to milk their herds, yet they were cheerful and happy and willing to do anything to facilitate the progress of his Royal Highness. The spirit shown by the country people was most exemplary and greatly appreciated by the authorities. FINAL DAY DEPARTURE TO-MORROW. (Per United Press Association.) Russell, January 27. The Governor-General (Lord Bledisloe) and Lady Bledisloe arrived at Russell on the Matai yesterday and remain until the departure of the Duke on the cruiser Australia on Tuesday at 9.30 in the morning. To-morrow is the Duke’s final day in New Zealand and his intentions tonight were to devote it to a further big game fishing expedition at Deep Water Cove. He breakfasts on the Matai, which will take him to the fishing grounds, anchoring there while he and his suite fish from launches. At the conclusion of the day’s outing the Matai will bring his Royal Highness back to Russell. At Waitangi. On the grassy slopes of Waitangi, where pakehas and Maoris 95 years ago next week were united in a common bond of nationhood, the Duke on Sunday inspected the landmarks of New Zealand’s early history. Accompanied by their Excellencies, the Prince went by launch to the Waitangi Falls, and joining the cars at Ti Point, motored to Mount Bledisloe and back to the Treaty .House. He examined the preserved relics housed in the former Residency and was shown the spot on which the Treaty of Waitangi was signed. His Royal Highness dined aboard the Matai with their Excellencies.

There were many excursionists at Russell and Piahia, but the nature of the Duke’s afternoon visit did not bring him in touch with' a great number

of the public. One of the visitors, an elderly woman, in disembarking from a launch at Paihia, slipped into the water, from which she was promptly hauled by a bluejacket from the Australia, apparently none the worse for her experience.