15,000 WELCOME DUKE

Taranaki Daily News, 5 January 1935, Page 7

15,000 WELCOME DUKE

PALMERSTON NORTH STAY AIR RACE MEDALS PRESENTATION. BRIEF MOTOR TOUR OF THE CITY. FLYING VISIT TO WOODVILLE.

By Telegraph—Press Association. Palmerston N., Jan .4. Fine conditions prevailed to-day for Palmerston North’s official welcome to th® Duke of Gloucester. Whereas the Square last night was almost deserted when the Duke arrived ahead of time, t -day it was a sea of moving, excited humanity united in determination to show the Royal visitor how warmly the Manqwatu centre could greet him. The inspection of the guard of honour was iriipressive, and there was an interesting interlude later when His Highness presented air race medals to Squadron-Leader M. C. McGregor and Mr. H. C. Walker.

“I am glad to follow my brothers and sister-in-law in visiting this loyal and beautiful Dominion," said the Duke of Gloucester, in replying to the civic address. “I know that I shall derive equal enjoyment from my stay in your midst and I hope that, situated at the junction of so many roads, you may continue to give an important service to the community and yourselves secure the reward."

Fully 15,000 participated in the welcome, a novel feature of which was a flag-waving lane of children, down which His Highness passed to the band rotunda dais. Following the (reception the Duke circled the city in an open car, providing the fullest opportunity for the citizens to see him. The Royal train' left for Woodville gt 12,15. Thousands of people flanked th® railway line fir a considerable distance. Woodville was assembled en masse to express its goodwill. Replying to the welcome the Duke said: “I hop® the tour will result in an even closer bond of sympathy and affection uniting the people of New Zealand and the Mother Country."

PLANES FOR DUKE’S MAIL. SOUTH ISLAND DELIVERIES. Christchurch, Last Night. While the Duke of Gloucester is in the South Island his mail from England will be taken from the port of arrival to wherever he is at the time by aeroplanes of the New Zealand Air Force. The first batch of mail is due on Monday by the Monowai, which is bringing to the Dominion the third EnglandAustralia air mail. . Flight-Lieutentant M. W< Buckley will leave. Wigram' aerodrome to-morrow to fly to Wellington. As soon as the Monowai arrives he will take the Duke’s letters and leave for Hokitika. Later, when the next air mail reaches the Dominion, the Duke will probably be at Mount Cook, and an air force aeroplane will take his letters to the nearest landing ground, probably Simon’s Pass statton, near Lake Tekapo.