RELAXATION AT BANFF

Southland Times, Issue 23829, 29 May 1939, Page 7

RELAXATION AT BANFF

THE KING “SHOOTS” A BEAR FREEDOM FROM OFFICIAL DUTIES (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) (Received May 28, 7.30 p.m.) BANFF, May 27. The King and Queen are enjoying their first freedom from official duties since they arrived in Canada at the luxurious Banff Springs Hotel, with its 600 rooms closed to all but the official party and accredited journalists who are covering the tour. This evening the King and Queen took a walk alone along a mountain trail. A “Mountie” followed them at a discreet distance but the King, noticing him, turned and asked if they might be left alone. The King and Queen later dined alone, While the King and Queen were climbing the Rockies today they were confronted by a bear, standing squarely across the trail. The King immediately shot him—with a cine-camera. The brown bears : n Banff National Park are accustomed to human contacts, so the King and Queen were in no danger. The King also secured fine “shots” of moose, deer, elks and beavers in their natural habitat, • '

The King wore a tweed jacket, a shirt open at the neck and flannel slacks and the Queen was in a tweed costume. Both carried alpine crooks and obviously enjoyed the relaxation from official duties. They chatted informally with the journalists accredited to the Royal train. A message from Washington says that the British Ambassador (Sir Ronald Lindsay) held a second Press conference about the King’s official birthday on June 6 when Sir Ronald explained the difference between that and the actual birthday in December. “Will he have a cake here?” asked one reporter. Sir Ronald: No, no celebration here at all. Another reporter asked what would be the King’s attitude when he placed a wreath on George Washington’s tomb. Sir Ronald; I do not think there is anything I can saj about that. The conference was very friendly. The only awkward moment was when a photographer started taking > photographs. Sir Ronald held un his hand and said: “Please don’t,” The photographer complied.

THE WILD WEST’S GREETING COWBOYS AND INDIANS AT CALGARY (Received May 28, 6.30 p.m.) CALGARY, May 27. Calgary’s cowboys, including those from the Edward P. ranch (the Duke of Windsor’s) rode into town today and gave their King and Queen a rousing Western welcome, says the special correspondent of the Australian Associated Press, Two thousand Blackfeet, Stoneys, Bloods, Pegans and Sarcees, who came in by train from distant reservations a week ago, lent a finishing touch. ; ■ Unlike the American Indians, the Canadian Indians have been carefully preserved, so the King and Queen saw a read slice of the old West. Haidriding cowboys whirling ten-gallon hats thundered by their carriage in a cloud of dust as they approached the Indian encampment, where whooping braves added to the din. Squaws dragged from the tppees piles of buffalo robes and flung them down in front of the carriage as an invitation, The King and Queen obviously enjoying the experience, then met chiefs rejoicing in the names of Percy Little Dog, Yellow Horn, Shop-on-Both-Sides Jacob, Two Young Men, David Bear Spoor, Teddy Yellow Fly and Moses Demi-John, They then received gifts of a beaded bag and a tobacco pouch from Little Audrey, a half-caste child. The Queen was a little startled by Chief Running Water, hideous in yellow paint, who persisted in whooping close to her ear to draw attention to his head-dress, which he explained was the result of a dream. The King inspected a photograph of Queen Victoria with a ceremonial staff given to her when the Indian Treaty was signed in 1877. The King and Queen left to a mingled din of cheering, whooping, “yip-pee” -ing and singing of the National Anthem. QUEEN MARY MAKING PROGRESS (Received May 28, 6.30 p.m.) LONDON, May 27. Queen Mary is progressing satisfactorily. Her eye has made a marked improvement.