ROYAL PROCESSION

Taranaki Daily News, 4 January 1935, Page 5

ROYAL PROCESSION

ENTHUSIASM ON ROUTE CROWDS LINE RAILWAY INCIDENTS BY WAYSIDE

The enthusiasm displayed all along the route of the railway from New Plymouth to Wanganui furnished evidence of the very keen interest that was taken in the Royal visit—enthusiasm that it would take more than heavy showers to dampen. The heavy rain of the early morning had prevented many, particularly the younger children, making the trip by train either to New Plymouth or to Hawera to take their part in either of Taranaki’s two receptions. Some were subsequently motored to those centres, but the great bulk found their way to some vantage point near the railway line, where if they could not obtain a glimpse of the Royal visitor, of which they were hopeful,, they could at least view 'the trains. Very many of those who made the journey to greet the Duke had their wish gratiiied, for seated in the observation car at the rear of the train His Royal Highness acknowledged their greetings by waving. A considerable section of the crowd that had assembled outside the railway station at New. Plymouth to greet the arrival of the trains remained to farewell them. The high banks overlooking the station yard in Molesworth Street were lined with people, whilst at other points in the town from which the railway could be seen people had assembled. At the Waiwakaiho numerous car loads had assembled to view the trains speeding over the bridge. Between those dnd Lepper ton at roadsides, or elevated positions in paddocks, on fence posts even or from the sheltered seclusion of verandahs and hedges, were to be seen groups doing honour to the Royal visitor.

BIG CROWD AT LEPPERTON. A big crowd assembled outside the Lepperton station which, in common with all stations, had been closed to the public while the three trains were passing through. Elaborate precautions had been taken by the Railway Department to ensure safety, including the spiking of all 'main line points and the guarding of all .facing points, important railway bridges, and all crossings, both level and overhead, no vehicle being allowed to cross over the railway line from five minutes before the first train was due until after the Royal train had cleared the crossing. That was Responsible for some of the cars that were parked at the main road level crossings, but it did not account for the . .jority of them, nor for the numerous cars and lorries that

were to be seen at various points along the road, a few of them decorated with flags, and crowded with enthusiasts, who stood in the lorries and cheered. One car even had some enthusiasts standingon its hood!. Inglewood residents assembled in strong force alongside the main street crossing and under shop verandahs. Past Durham Road ensilage making was in full swing. Nevertheless the en-silage-makers found time to pause and wave their greeting. There were crov. is at Durham Road, Norfolk Road, Rugby Road, Tariki, Waipuku, Midhirst, Stratford, Ngaere and Eltham. At Nonnanby the bulk of the residents had gone to Hawera, but there was still a good muster, including a number of. Maoris. There was a huge crowd at Hawera, where the Duke arrived in fine weather. MAORIS’ BRAVE SHOWING. It was the same along the line between Hawera and Wanganui. People had assembled at every point of vantage. The Maoris at Pariroa Pa made a brave showing lined alongside the fence with some of the smaller fry standing on the fencing, posts. There was a good muster near the Patea station, despite its distance from the town. ' It was left, however, to two small girls in a paddock near Rangikura to devise a unique and picturesque, greeting. Mounted respectively on a black and a white pony, they carried between them a flag, making a striking picture. Near Waverley racecourse a covered lorry was the base for a happy party, who had made the occasion a picnic as well as a tribute of greeting to the Duke. Waverley residents had assembled in strong force near xhe railway crossing, whilst the stacks of timber at the sawmill alongside the station were improvised by many into very acceptable grandstands, from which they were able to cheer the Royal visitor in comparative comfort, Waitotara and Kai Iwi both made a good showing. At' the latter place as the pilot train went by one group added a touch of colour by showing a piece of red. It was apparent, however, that it was only the work of a humorist. Wanganui gave the Royal visitor a most enthusiastic reception. From Aramoho into the Wanganui station there were cheering groups everywhere, while outside the station itself a very large crowd had gathered. Heavy rain had necessitated the reception being transferred from an open air function at Cook’s Gardens to indoors. It was raining heavily as the pilot train arrived, but the weather had cleared and the sun shone when the Duke alighted. In tiie guard’s van of the pilot train were four powerful motor-cycles for the use of four policemen who act as patrols ahead of the Royal motor-cars when the Duke travels by road. Yesterday afternoon after the welcome at Wanganui the Duke was to journey to Palmerston by car.

ROYAL TRAIN CREWS THREE RELAYS PROVIDED ALL EXPERIENCED MEN The crews for the Royal trains are selected from among the senior and most efficient members of the respective branches in the various districts that are being travelled over, the idea being to have on the trains men who are thoroughly familiar with the road, as there are so many men who have all the necessary qualifications, including general efficiently, reliability and alertness to cope with any contingency that might arise, the task of selection could not have been easy. In all 42 men, 27 on the engine and 15 guards, were required to run the pilot, Royal and emergency trains from the time they left Hunterville on Wednesday night until they arrived at Wanganui yesterday afternoon. The crews were divided into three relays. The first crews, which comprised men from the Taihape and Main Trunk districts, who left Hunterville on Wednesday at 8.40 p.m., 9 p.m. and 9.20 p.m. respectively and carried the trains to Taumarunui. They were relieved there by crews from the Taumarunui district, who left Taumarunui at 3.9 a.m.. 3.31 a.m. and 3.52 a.m. respectively and reached New Plymouth at 9.20 a.m., 9.40 a.m. and 10 a.m. These crews finished their task on arrival at New Plymouth, where they will remain until to-night, returning to Taumarunui by to-night’s express. At New Plymouth nine men who arrived from Wanganui the previous evening, five from New Plymouth (four locomotive and one guard) took over and ran the trains to Wanganui.

On the Royal train coming to New

Plymouth the guards were M. O’Neill and W. Thornton, the engine-drivers were P. Doyle on the leading engine, and F. Cox on the assisting engine, with W. C. Holden and L. Crompton, tne respective firemen. H. Pee was relief driver. Going out the guards were G. E. B. Westwood and W. G. N. Walton, the drivers being P. M. Phelan and J. F. Vincent, with F. W. Scott as relief driver, W. W. N. Work and H. L. Moles being the firemen. Tire other crews were: Pilot train: In, Guards Kearns ’ and Arrowsmith, Driver C. L. Faire and Fireman S. McIvor; out, Guards W. G. Muirhead and J. Hancock, Driver W. A. Hunter and Fireman J. V. Paynter. Emergency train: In, Guard A. Hutchens, Driver J. M. Somerville, Fireman B. R. Ferguson: out, Guard A. B. Radford, Driver L. W. Veale and Fireman E. C. Butler. The driver and fireman of the pilot train and the crew of the emergency train from New Plymouth to Wanganui were members of the New Plymouth staff.'