A ROYAL VISIT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXX, Issue 37, 3 May 1920, Page 5

A ROYAL VISIT.

THE PRINCE IN STRATFORD. —. % Great Loyal Gathering. Now the King’s Sea was Seeeifid. Stratford may congratulate itself upon due honor being done to her most distinguished visitor to-day The scene on the arrival of the Royal train was a distinctly loyal one, people gathering from all parts of the district, including many from wayback, and the platforms and every point of vantage oh the buildings in the vicinity of Broadway, where the reception 'j)'c wire crowJji with interested spectators. ‘ Cheers greeted the Prince and party as they stepped from the railway platform, where special arrangements had been made by the authorities.': Evergreens decorated the surroundings and platform on which were ihe Mayor (Mr J. W. McMillan), Mr E. Waller (chairman of the Stratford County Council), Mr N. R. Cleland (chairman of the W^ngiampmpn^, County,, Council), Mr J. T. Belcher .(cnairmanjof the;Elhtam Countv Council),Mr G. W. Tayler Ellhaiin), Mr W. P. Kirkwood (chairman of the Thradhki Relief Association); Mr R, Masters (chairman ; pf t)le Taranaki Education Board), Mr J. B. Hine, an d all members of the Stratford Borough Council. On the Mayor being presented to His Royal Highness, Mr McMillan in turn introduced the individual members of the party. Councillor T. Lawson’s South African war medal was quickly noticed by the Prince, who briefly congratulated him. •' Rounds of cheers accompanied the procession from the station to the dais in front of the Bank of New Zealand, and the enthusiasm had risen to a great .pitch as the Prince mounted the steps, and stood bowing his l acknoy/ledgments to' the crowd. j4eTooked upon aipret'ty l^ 'scene 'expressing the . loyalty of our people which could pd,t iq;ileci ,' 7 ~ Nearly 1 thousand , childrept were..'., marshalled , ip,( "apd ( thejr young, vpipesj I mangled * with ! thp yroars >of l-V< ! oLrEieir! seniors;- the:'whilis ! 'eve)ry hatldI’Waved-flag. 1 ’Waved- flag. | ■Miftere wasta spectaclei that will live' iQnjg in their ' memories! The' f4 heir tP''the ’Byhish Throne smiled down upon them With beaming countenance, the young open, manly features winning favour with all. His appearance ; was the embodiment of what Britishers alway admire. Dressed in mufti, in a grey check tweed and soft felt hat, he was really one of themselves. The Prince bore himself naturally, and at once nwofc.his way .tQ.iall hearts; -j [0 n.r,atu<Ji u- i The Mayoress (Mrs |McMlllan) bowed low as the Prince shook hands on reaching the dais, where Admiral , Halsey (of H.M S. Renown); Sir William Fraser (representing the Government) and other members of the Royal party were gathered. Sir William Fraser, espying the Hon. Z&'bffa’ Carncrpss . (Speajker- of" the Legislative' Council) ; ; •/[spficiaUy dnvited ia seal 1 on the dafs 1 and l> ’ thePririce, f, TheNational being atcb mpamfeds by the combined anq ;sv .s «C. H. Fox, and also the Salvation Army Boys’ Band from Eltham. !X .\ l T 1 • IkUmiii -ITVy '.r.'n- 0 „■! j .■> 1 If- lit JXjOrif .Jil.iJl j IJ.; li- ’vj J 1! r .

THE PRESENTATION ALBUM. Stratford’s address to the Prince was bound in a handsome volume, which alio included a number of photographic views of local interest, the whole ibeing leather-bound and finish, ed >in blue and' gold. The (Borough coat of arms and the words, “Stratford, New’ Zealand,” surmounted the Tlie j .first .pagje ,wag illustrative of the various industries of New ZetilShih, V?ith h map of the Domin--d hi y\ ,m'« ,;>inooQ • v ; ■ ion a s ,q centre piece, the design hay-, ,ing a special oirection as to the locali y of Stratford. The munic.pal page icoutained views of Bioadway from either .end, the Diesel Station, the sitting Council, and also those who occupied office during the previous term, the Library, Public Hospital (including the new wards), Fire Brigade, and the hydro weir. Picturesque views of King Edward Park were contained in another section, and a further interesting collection was the Mountain views, depicting Egmont in its different aspects at variou s seasons, and also a topographical scene, the town wUh-the mountain in the distance. The Peace Celebrations were given a place, and snaps of scenes in various parts of the town assisted in making a comprehensive collection. The album • wohld not have been complete without reference to the first industry of the province, and a dairy page thoughtfully,' arranged, contained scenic con- , tyasta of • the, old-fashioned milking shed and . .thatch construction, .and. of one ,of the moT modern" buildings. A photograph ijof-' the Abutter-ropm at the Stratford Factory showed boxes of the finished product,- bearing the “Good-Luck” jLrapd.; An exterior view of the fac--1 picture of a farmer driving hi s Cowl), and 1 suppliers delivering the milk, were also appropriately included. In.all forty-three photographs were used in the six composite pages. The Album was the joint production of Mr J. R. Wall, of the Carlton Studio, Stratford, and Messrs McLeod and Slade (New Plymouth) and through, qut., gave evidence of careful and artistic,'workmanship.

ixm-.i olßjivin \ ' ?ivjf THE ADDRESS. The text of the address wag as follows: TO HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS, EDWARD ALBERT CHRISTIAN GEORGE ANDREW PATRICK DAVID, PRINCE OF WALES, Etc. ; ■ •

“We the undersigned, on behalf of the Mayor, Councillors and Burgesses of Stratford, and the Chairmen, Councillors and Inhabitants of : the Counties of Stratford and Whangamomona humbly beg, to express to you the loyalty to the Crown of the subjects of these portions of His Majesty’s Dominions, and also the deep affection and respc:'!, for y our Royal Highness -j.vsouully. '• Wf sincerely approbate ■he honour of the visit you are paying to the Dominion and ; articularly to our town of Stratford, so named after Stratford-on. Avon, the birthplace of the famous William Shakespeare, and we extend to your Royal Highness a most hearty welcome. “W e desire you to accept this album with the views of local interest contained there in remembrance of your visit aere “We pray that the blessing of Almighty God may rest upon yon,, both now and hereafter, i n bearng the responsibility of your high calling for the best welfare of our Em. , pire. “We have the honor to bo Your Highnoss’s most obedient servants. JAMES WATSON McMILLAM, (Mayor of Stratford). EDWARD WALTER, (Chairman Stratford County Council). NORMAN ROBERT CLELAND, (Chairman Whangamornona County Council.) In. presenting the Prince with the album as above His Worship the Mayor addressed His Royal Highness as follows: “It is with pride and pleasure that we of Stratford and surrounding districts welcome you here to-day and our only regret is that your stay with us is so very short. New Zealand prides herself on being the most British of all the Dominions, of the Empire and the people before you and the child-

ren are good samples of her citizens. From, them I beg your Royal Highness to accept this album as a token of our love and loyalty—and as a little memento of your kind visit.” THE REPLY. His Royal Highness replied as follows ; •» MR MAYOR AND GENTLEMEN, I thank you most sincerely for the terms of the address: which you have just read to me and 1 am very glad to have had this opportunity of coming to Stratford. Although I am unfortunately unable to pay a visit to the neighbourhood, the album of viewg which you have so kindly presented to me will enable me to form some idea of its natural beauties, and it will always serve as a pleasant recollection of my visit. I am very grateful to you all for this gift. I will not fail, when I return home, to convey to my father, the King,, your -expression of loyalty and devotion, and I wish all success and happiness to the inhabitants of Stratford and the surrounding districts.” Following the ceremony a pleasing incident occurred when, on behalf of the children, the Prince was handed a beautiful button-hole, by Miss Molly McMillan, the three-year-old daughter of the Mayor and Mayoress.

workers had maay tasks. 'J lie station entrance was transformed with fernery and fla an.J the vai''en plots looking fre-li and ittHen tfter the rains made an appropriate background. Along the route the barricades were also relieved by a touch of Native flora, and at the platform erected in front of the Bank of New Zealand patriotic colors and greenery were again prominent, also about the rotunda and staging. Strings of bunting stretched from several points, and one or two business people took occasion to deck out their premises, the whole giving a brighter aspect to a rather bleak morning. In the corridor of the Municipal Buildings, beautiful wreaths surmounted the 801 lof Honor and ornamented the surroundings, the work having been carried out by a ladies’ committee on the previous day.

FLAGS. FOR KiAWHIA. Mrs Green, wife of the chairman of the Kinohaku School Committee, Kawhia, happened to be in Stratford yesterday, having been held up on a voyage to Christchurch, and in order to secure for the children of the children of the two Kinohaku schools some memorial of the Prince’s visit she made application to the Town Clerk and was supplied with two of the flags used in decorating the stage used by the Prince of Wales. These two flags, therefore, will be sent to Kowhia* to hang on the walls of the Kinohaku schools, the principal schools on the south side of Kawhia harbor.

Passing on to the Municipal Buildings the Prince unveiled the Roll of Honor of the fallen. He then shook hands with the returned soldiers and South African veterans, who were drawn up at this point, and as the soldiei si filed round, His Royal Highness greeted them all; while in cases a conspicuous medal or mained limb were the subject of particular enquiry. The mothers of soldiers were also met in the Municipal Chambers. During his walk through, occasion was taken to get the Prince’s signature for a Visitor’s book, and is as follows: “Edward, P.”; others who signed were Admiral Halsey and members of the Staff.

THE GOOD-BYES. On the,., .return to, the station the Boy Scouts and the school children of whom there ..were iaboutc,l3Gft?“^ W ; addictions toi lithe r of onlopkerg. V' : ho thronged* .;th» . station precincts for another glimpse of the Prince. His Royal Highness had specially ; rfeqilOfetod that the,f platform he thrown open after the cei’emony on Broadway so that , the departure could be witnessed by those who wished to do so. As the train drew out about twenty-minutes to one His Royal Highness stood on the platform of the last car bowing his acknowledgments crowded assemblage which cheered and waved with wild enthusiasm. The high note of all the proceedings was the excellence of the arrangements, which were carried thi’ough without a single hitch. The bulk of the work of direction fell xipon the shoulders of Mr Philip Skogliipd ,Clerk), axid , ; while preserving ..courtesy’’ to all he regret-. Jted *.tjmt he firmly' had to refuse' re(jpes|ta from ' all sorts' and “conditions of men and women for seats on the dais and other favors entirely out of his power to grant. To their credit, be it stated, everyone accepted the position in the best possible spirit. All the other members of the committee were energetic in fulfilling their parts on this important occasion.

The weather was anything but of the holiday order, drizzling rain threatening throughout, but fortunately it held off until the departure of the Prince, and did not spoil the proceedings. In view of the interrupted notice and the duration of the visit, Stratford’s Welcome to the Prince of Wales was a fine one and the expression of loyalty splendidly sincere. THE CHILDREN.

It was a notable event for the children, who gathered from everywhere to see their Prince. Special train arrangements for their conveyance were made. From the South the scholars from the Eltham school and district , and Ngaere arrived about 9.30, and were afterwards provided with refreshments at the Town Hall. Later, the North train brought pupils from Waiongona,, Inglewood, Midhirst and intermediate districts. Owing to the blockage at the Whangamornona Tunnel there was no communication by rail beyond Pohokura, and children from further East were thus unfortunately debarred from attending the celebration. The special, ■ Pohokura-Stratford, brought a large number of passengers. During his conversation with the Headmaster of the Stratford School (Air F. Tyrer) His Royal Highness announced his pleasure at having the opportunity of walking through the ranks of the assembled children. The entertainment of the children later in the day was not forgotten, by the Committee and sports were also held in the Park.

THE PREPARATIONS. Plans for -he carrying out of preparations, already half-c.mpleted, were again set hi motion by the Pecept'on Committee and bands of

AT NEW PLYMOUTH. A TUMULTUOUS WELCOMb. CURIOUS LADY’S ADVENTURE. Per Press Association. ' New Plymouth, May 3. Early though the hour was as the Royal train passed through Raw era, Eltham, Stratford and Inglewood, en route to New Plymouth, considerable crowds, children predominating, gathered at the railway stations, evidently intent n pn ■ getting. at least one good view of the Royal equipage, mindful' of | thq/ /danger; that, , at the . big demonstration later, in the day they might get shut out from the picture. One .unrehearsed incident had its beginning injHawera, and in that deeprooted curiosity which femininity has always been supposed to possess in such marked degree. A lady got on a carriage :just to have a look at the quarters provided for the travellers in the Royal train. She became so interested that she did not notice Che train■•jnnying, and when at last she realised , the fact alarm took possession of her. However, the officials soothed her, and pointed out that not everyone got a ride through the country with a real live Prince. The lady soon calmed down, and accepted the' position^,. She left, the . train at Stratford bp; await . one that would take her hotoe again.' The Royal tram made a halt at Waiongona for breakfast, specialjjdining cars., having been sent out from New Plymouth last .night, so that the meal caul 1 he prepared with, the, minimum of delay and inconvenience. It was' a happy thought that prompted thi s step. The cars standing in the midst of green fields dotted with plantations, and Egmont pushing hi s snow-clad cone up above the undulations of the land to the left, made up a scene of al fresco beauty which elicited the warm commendations of the visitors. Breakfast was finished, and the train drew out to make New Plymouth on schedule time, and begin, the real programme of the day. The weather was dull on arrival at New Pymouth at 10 a.rn., but Mount Egmont had cleared. The Prince was received by a guard of honor of High School cadets, and drove immediately to Pukekura Park, where the official reception took place. Afterwards medals were presented by the Prince, who also inspected the returned soldiers, South African and Maori War veterans, cadets and scouts, amid great enthusiasm. The sun shone forth as the party left the park to rejoin the train at eleven o’clock, leaving amid tumultuous cheering.

THE ALTERED PROGRAMME WELLINGTON'S TROUBLES Per Press Association. Weliirgton May 't Wellington seems likely'to be the chief sufferer by the alteration of the Prince’s programme. Rain anj w iml are playing havoc with the decorations, and the greenery will be faded before his arrival. The catering for halls and the children will be much embarrassed, and much of the provisions prepared will he spoiled RENOWN OFF TO WELLINGTON. Per Press Assent at; on Auckland, May h. H.M.R. Renown left for Wellington at 7 o’clock this morning.

THE PRINCE’S ITINERARY. ter Press Association. , Wellington, May 2. The settlement of the railway strike ha s resulted 1 in alterations t 0 the Prince’s tour, the Prince leaving Auckland by rail at four o’clock this afternoon. On his way south he will visit Taranaki first, Wanganui in the evening, and is remaining there for the night. On Tuesday he will go to Hawke’s Bay, calling at Marton ana Feilding en route. He will stay at Napier on Tuesday night, and on Wednesday he will come on to Wellington. calling at Hastings, Waipukurau, Dannevirke, Woodville, Palmerston North, and Otaki, and reaching Wellington at 6.50 p.m.

FROM CRAVE TO CAY. ALTERED ARRANGEMENTS. Per Press Association. Auckland, May 2. Yesterday it appeared hopeless that the Prince could make the journey by train, and the authorities decided to send a portion of the Royal Party to Wellington in the Renown. The baggage was placed aboard, and some of those concerned were already in their berths to get a few hours’ sleep, when the fickle goddess of circumstances waved a wand, and bey presto! all was changed once more. The magicwords “strike settled” flashed from Wellington. Those nofc already in bed on hoard the Renown returned to their shore herth s for the night, though the baggage had to remain, tiß to-day. It i. s hoped now that the complete itinerary as originally mapped out will be carried through with very slight amendment. This is rendered possible by the cutting out of the days that were assigned for the Prince’f deer-stalking expedition in the Wairarapa, and the start on the South Island portion of the tour mil be made from Wellington next Sunday. The Renown’s departure for Wellington is now postponed till to-morrow. : Meantime, i,’ the ceutfab (figured has 1 spent' a couple of days in " perfect Auckland weather, quietly enjoying himself with golf and sight-seeing iii the. envirqiis of the' city,' free from all pomp find circumstance.