INTERESTED CROWD

Taranaki Daily News, 4 January 1935, Page 4

INTERESTED CROWD

RAIN AND SUN AT PARK WARMTH AT RECEPTION feeling among people INFECTIOUS GENIALITY

Quiet in the early morning, New Plymouth woke to unusual activity about 8 o’clock, when uniformed figures were seen walking briskly in the streets. Along Liardet Street the first-comers to Pukekura Park wandered along in pouring rain. They stood at odd comers and watched yellow-ticketed officials in serious conversation or the children running two steps at a time up the steps to the technical school. Most of them had evidently studied the scheduled programme very carefully for on all sides gratuitous explanations of minor details were being given. Several of the informers even showed signs of active unhappiness when arrangements they, had expected apparently were not carried out. From 9 o’clock onwards people streamed through the main gates of the park, where they were entertained by music from a loud-speaker service on the Western terrace. The rain cleared and a scorching sun made the atmosphere moist and oppressive, “What does for the rain does for the sun," said one person, and led the fashion of using umbrellas as parasols. With the utmost good humour 5000 people waited and watched. The marshalling of thg school children and Scout troops upon the oval and the marching of the guard of honour , and the returned soldiers provided a picture show and a subject for desultory conversation. About 10 o’clock the air . grew tense with anticipation, the khaki, figures of the guard of honour were seen to stiffen to attention and a sudden burst of cheering rang out as the arrival of a police car heralded the Royal approach. A few seconds later the Duke himself was on the ground.

BONDS OF AFFECTION. Every eye was fixed upon the tall figure of .the visitor as he alighted from fixe car and stood with bared head during the playing of the National Anthem. When he looked up and smiled at the people on the west bank something of his quietly genial personality won its effect on the crowd. The restraint of the New Zealand public is almost proverbial, but its loyalty has survived time and distance and varying outlooks The impression made by the King’s third son yesterday in his short half-hour visit served to strengthen even more the bonds of affection and admiration that bind the hearts of colonials to the English ruling House, With ready appreciation the prowd acknowledged by applause the easy courtesy and charm of the Duke as he. stopped to chat informally with a Maori War veteran and other old identities. Some purprise was expressed when he shook hands with everyone to whom he was introduced. One tender-hearted woman seeing him receive a particularly hearty clasp from a burly councillor cried out in pity, “The poor fellow! I do wislu they would not squeeze him so hard.’’ As soon as the ceremony was over and the Royal car had disappeared people flocked down from the terraces, many of them hoping to gain a last glimpse of the Duke as he drove back to the station. Everywhere were heard comments upon the reception and praise for the central figure. Perhaps the most comprehensive criticism was given by a small child, who said, “I only saw his head and his face. I would like to have seen all of him but he’s a nice Duke.”

DUKE’S GUARD OF HONOUR PRAISE FROM COL, SYMON, TERRITORIALS AND CADETS. Complimentary references to the deportment and general appearance of the Guard of Honour for the Duke at New Plymouth were made yesterday by Colonel F. Symon, C.M.G., D 5.0., R.N.Z.A., A.D.C., officer commanding the Central Command. The guard comprised two divisions representing respectively the First Battalion of the Taranaki Regiment and the Cadet Battalion attached to the regiment from the New Plymouth Boys’ High School. Colonel Symon told Major A, E. Conway that he was very pleased with the men. * . ’" “