DUKE AT HAWERA

Taranaki Daily News, 4 January 1935, Page 4

DUKE AT HAWERA

IN-DOORS RECEPTION CROWDED HALF AN HOUR WARM WELCOME GIVEN PEOPLE LINE STREETS LOYAL TERMS OF ADDRESS

Owing to the heavy rain early in the morning the Hawera reception to the Duke of Gloucester at midday was transferred from King Edward Park to the Winter Show Building. In spite of that the reception was an unqualified success. The weather during the visit was fine and the only regret the townspeople could and did have was that the length of the Duke’s stay was not more than the bare 30 minutes allowed by the programme. From start to finish the visit went to schedule with clockwork precision. Yet with it all there was no air of bustle, the programme being carried through with a minimum of delay and yet with full dignity. The great interest aroused in the Royal tour was demonstrated by the large crowds lining the streets from the station to the hall, and the Prince’s progress was marked by successive bursts of spontaneous cheering which left no doubt of affection felt for the Royal Family. '

Even though the journey was non-stop large crowds gathered at every station, siding and level crossing on the route from New Plymouth to Hawera and saluted the Duke with cheers. One farm girl between Eltham and Hawera showed super-enthusiasm by galloping madly on a horse alongside the train as it thundered past her home field. Farmers stopped then- work to wave their hands, and children gathered in little coteries at level crossings to wave the Duke on his way. Preceded by the pilot train, which arrived on schedule, the Royal train arrived at Hawera promptly at 12.30 . p.m., and the Duke stepped smiling from his door on to the carpet. He was met by the stationmaster, Mr. R. S. Allwright, the Mayor, Mr. J. E. Campbell, and the member for the district, Mr. H. G. Dickie, The party immediately transferred to the waiting cars. The appearance of the Duke was the signal for an outburst of applause and cheering from the large crowd waiting near the station. From there the way led along Union Street to High Street, thence to Princes Street and the Winter Show Buildings. Crowds lined the- route and showed enthusiasm' all through. The number of flags was astonishing. EX-SERVICEMEN PARADE.

The first intimation those in the Winter Show Building had of the Duke’s arrival was a loud burst of cheering. Then there was a pause while the party alighted outside the Defence Hall, where ex-ser-vicemen were gathered. Came an automatic stiffening of the ranks, even before Mr. D. McCormick’s “Shun.” The Hawera Municipal Band was stationed at the back of the hall and as the Duke and party approached it played the National Anthem. All eyes were on the Duke, who, accompanied by Major B. W, H, Smart, Mr. Campbell, Mr, McCormick and others, gravely began his inspection. Two wartime nurses were in the parade, and the Duke spoke to them and to others at intervals. Well over 100 paraded. From the parade the Duke proceeded through to the back of the main hall, up which he walked between lanes of cheering children to the dais at the end nearest Princes Street. Under Chief “Scotty” Panenui a group of Maori girls and men. of the Taiporohenui hapu of the Ngati-Ruanui tribe, immediately gave a song “Hui Mai” and haka of welcome, and though some of the effect was lost in the confined space, the haka was nevertheless very fine. It was given with great spirit and rhythm. The Duke and his party were evidently interested and appreciative, for. at the close they applauded heartily. On behalf of the Hawera Borough and County Councils the Mayor, Mr. J. E. Campbell, presented the following address to His Royal Highness:— “On behalf of the people of the town and district of Hawera we desire to express to your Royal Highness the pleasure your visit affords us and the depth of the affection which underlies our welcome to you. We regret that your stay amongst us is so short, for we believe our district—rich as it is in historic association—contains much that would prove of interest to you.

TERMS OF EQUALITY. “Here, as elsewhere in this fair Dominion, Maori, and pakeha share the land in terms of equality, and Your Royal Highness will have ample demonstration of the fervour and sincerity with which a united people join in a message of unswerving loyalty to the Throne and person df His Gracious Majesty the King. That Your Royal Highness may be blessed with health and happiness and that it may please you • again to visit these shores is the heartfelt wish and-hope of the people for whom we have the privilege to speak oh this great occasion.” The Duke’s reply was short and to the point. “I am glad to receive your assurances of loyalty to the King, my father,” he said, “and I am grateful for tire greetings with which you welcome me to Hawera on behalf of the pakehas and Maoris. It is a great pleasure to find members of the two races, at one time enemies, now living together in harmony and friendship, and it is. a striking instance of the blessings which our Empire confers, and of the spirit df loyalty and unity which it inspires. I sincerely hope that this comradeship may result in increased prosperity for all of you.” Before the presentation of prominent citizens the Mayor called for cheers for the Duke, and they were given with fine enthusiasm. Then came the presentation. The finale was the most striking of all. Led by the band, the crowd joined in the singing of “God Save the King.” It was noticeable that the Duke joined in the singing. No time was wasted on the return to the station. A large crowd had gathered there and the numbers were increased in the two minutes or so that elapsed before the train pulled out. A big bus disgorged its load of policemen and on the stroke of one the train pulled out. A handsome and smiling figure, the Duke stood at the end of the train, cheerily waving farewell to Hawera. Hawera borough councillors and their wives presented to the Duke were Mr. and Mrs. W. G. Strange, Mr. and Mrs. W. R. Butler, Mr. and Mrs. E. K. Cameron, Mr. and Mrs. L. H. Clapham. Others presented were the Mayor and Mayoress of Eltham, Mr. and Mrs. I. J. Bridger, the Mayor and Mayoress of Patea, Mr. and Mrs. F. Ramsbottom, the chairman of the Eltham County Council, Mr. A. L. Campbell, and Mrs. Campbell, the chairman of the Patea County

Council, Mi*. W. G. Belton, and Mrs. Belton, Messrs. E. A. Washer and W. Rothery, Hawera county councillors, Miss Edna Washer and Mrs. Rothery, Messrs. A. G. Larcom, J. Lander and A. E. Death (Hawera county councillors), and Mesdames Larcom, Lander and Death, the chairman of the Stratford . County Council, Mr. T. R. Anderson, and Mrs. Anderson, Lieut.-Col. V. L. Gibbs, V.D., and Mrs. Gibbs, the vicepresident of the South Taranaki Returned Soldiers’ Association, Mr. M. C. Crighton, and Mrs. Crighton. Though some regret was felt when the venue for the reception was changed from King Edward Park, the facilities given the 1000 or more children were probably better than they would have been at the park. At 10.5 a.m. a large party of children arrived by special train from the south and at 10.50 a.m. the north special train, brought another large number. The chill dren were marched to the Winter Show Buildings and assembled in the Lloyd 1 George Hall under the supervision of \ Mr. A. E. Stevens. All visitors were provided with the Taranaki ( Education ; Board’s free pass. Also on parade were a large number of Hawera Scouts and Girl Guides. Those present paraded in good style from., the War Memorial to the show buildings, the Guides and Brownies under tlie control of Miss Constance Free, divisional captain, Miss Edna Free, and Mrs. John Houston, ’ district commissioner. The Scouts were controlled by the district group master, the Rev. H; Cottom, Manaia. The children left Hawera in the afternoon, the northern pupils going by the 2 o’clock train and the southern by. the 4.30 train.