CIVIC RECEPTION

Taranaki Daily News, 4 January 1935, Page 4

CIVIC RECEPTION

THOUSANDS AT PARK LOYAL WELCOME GIVEN THE ADDRESS AND REPLY FORMER VISITS RECALLED IMPERIAL SIGNIFICANCE

Five thousand people acknowledged the arrival of the Royal Party at Pukekura Park by bursts of applause and scattered cheering, and listened intently to the civic welcome and the Duke s reply. Rather than enthusiastic, the demonstration impressed one as a gravely sincere tribute of interest in the Royal visitor and recognition of the Imperial significance of his tour. There were few, however, who did not respond to the charm of his personality and the compliment of his evident interest in every detail of proceedings. At the conclusion of the official ceremonies of inspection the crowd had lost something of its earlier restraint. With the passing of the spick and span retinue through the Gilbert Street gates and to the oval entrance by the densely crowded western terrace, .the first flicker of excitement showed, culminating in reneweu applause as the Duke emerged from his car at the gates, where he was met by Colonel F. Symon, C.M.G., D. 5.0., Major A. E. Conway, N.Z.S.C., Major F. S. Vamham, M.C., Major G. M. Thomson, M.C., and Captain F. L. Hunt, N.Z.S.C. Official inspection of the Guard of Honour was then made, the guard comprising 100 office's and men of the Taranaki Regiment militia and the Taranaki Regimental-Municipal Band. In full ceremonial dress the detachment was drawn up on the western margin of the field. At the conclusion of the inspection, His Royal Highness was conducted to the dais, erected facing south at the extreme northern end of the ground, and the official address of welcome was delivered by the Mayor.

CIVIC ADDRESS. “We, the Mayor, councillors and burgesses of the borough of New Plymouth, respectfully t*nder to you a most sincere and cordial welcome to our borough, and to the provincial district of Taranaki,” said the Mayor. “We embrace this opportunity to express our continued loyalty to the Throne, to the persons of Their. Gracious .Majesties the King and Queen, and to our great Empire, in the binding together of which in amity and strength the Crown is the most essential link. “We recall with pride and pleasure the remarkable demonstrations of welcome and goodwill accorded to your Royal parents, to your brother, His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, and to Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess, of York, during their respective visits to this Dominion, and we have viewed with deep satisfaction the enthusiastic welcomes which you personally have received in such other parts of the Empire as you have already visited. “We realise to the full the inspiring influence of visits of members of the Royal Family to the component parts of the British Commonwealth of Nations, and the beneficent effect of such visits in uniting British subjects throughout the world in a common loyalty to the Crown, and to those great Imperial ideals upon which our Empire is based. “We earnestly trust that your visit to this Dominion may be in every way enjoyable and satisfactory, and that when the time arrives for you to leave our shores you will carry away most pleasant recollections of our land and of its loyal and devoted people. “Finally, in wishing you God speed on the remainder of your journey, and a safe and happy return to the Homeland, we pray that your future may be attended with every happiness and prosperity.”

THE DUKE’S REPLY. “I 'thank you for the sentiments of loyalty to the King and Queen which you express on behalf of the people of Taranaki and for the cordial greetings with which you welcome me to New Plymouth, which is so closely associated in name and stock with the West Country of England,” said the Duke in reply. “Their Majesties, together with my brothers and the Duchess of York, often recall their visits, to New Zealand and have made -ne familiar with its activities and attractions.

“It gives me great pleasure therefore to travel through the important dairying district of Taranaki and to see your beautiful city and far-famed Mount Egmont, which I hope to see. I am sincerely grateful for your good wishes and I hope that this New Year will bring prosperity to the people of this favoured province,” On the platform were accommodated mayors and chairmen of local ment bodies with their wives, and. the chairmen of public service organisations, including the New Plymouth Harbour Board, the Taranaki Hospital Board and Education Board. Other official guests were accommodated in a block of seats facing the dais, and there were special reservations for widows and relatives of service men.

A contingent of more than a hundred ex-servicemen in charge of Captain F, L. Hartnell and Colonel G. Home, C.V., and 30 South African War veterans under Major W. T. Joll, were inspected immediately official presentations had been made after the ceremony of welcome. The Duke displayed the keenest interest in the parade, halting frequently for a moment of conversation with some ex-serviceman whose decorations showed that he had taken par in some outstanding engagements, or that meritorious service had been officially recognised in the war years. In addition to his inspection of this century’s war veterans, the Duke encountered and chatted with several old soldiers who saw service in the Maori Wars. Following a presentation of war service nurses a few minutes were occupied in conversation with children from the hospital and a bus-load of veterans from the Rangiatea Home who displayed the liveliest interest and keenest pleasure in the informal little encounter. In scudding showers the Duke then returned to inspect a contingent of more than 100 Scouts and Cubs in charge ,of Commissioner D. E. Brown and Major F. W. Sandford. Eight hundred school children, including 350 children who had arrived by special train from country districts during the morning, were drawn up at the centre of the ground and the Duke, acknowledging greetings with a cheerful smile, passed slowly through the lines. Careful planning by those responsible for the organisation of the visit assured the brevity of the more formal part of the visit and inspections and presenta-

tions were dischax.ed speedily. Indeed, the programme was remarkable for its Lack of tedious formality. His Royal Highness wore a mid-grey flannel suit, soft collar, Drown shoes and felt hat, occasionally making use of a light waterproof overcoat when the showers became particularly heavy. None of the suite or the party of- reception was attired formally. Enthusiastic cheers by the school children and Scouts and a thunder of applause from the terraces marked the conclusion of the programme at the park. With the guard of honour at the present, the National Anthem was played both on arrival and immediately before the departure of the Royal party by way of the park drive to the Gilbert Street gates! whence the official party went by way of Victoria Road to Brooklands.