DUKE MUCH IMPRESSED

Taranaki Daily News, 14 January 1935, Page 7

DUKE MUCH IMPRESSED

INVERCARGILL’S WARMTH EMPIRE’S SOUTHERNMOST CITY. WREATH LAID ON WAR MEMORIAL. SOUTHLAND DISPLAYS LOYALTY. By Telegraph—Press Association. Invercargill, Last Night. There was an impressive element in the reception accorded the Duke of Gloucester in Southland. From the southernmost part of the. Einpire the Duke received full throated welcomes and gestures Of loyalty and affection which evidently impressed him. Incidentally Invercargill people, about 20,000 of whom participated in the city street and park demonstration, had an exceptional opportunity of seeing His Royal Highness at close range, since his walk to the dais in the gardens where the main function was held was along a pathway fully a quarter of a mile in length. A pipe band acted as pilot to the civic stand. In Settings which wore both colourful »nd picturesque, with the brilliant sunshine brightening the scene, the Prince acknowledged the salutations, while throe aeroplanes flying in formation circled overhead. On his way to the gardens the Duke had deposited a wreath on the base of the war memorial, pausing at the lower step to write and sign a short in memoriam inscription on the accompanying card. The impressiveness of this brief ceremony was accentuated When the Duke walked slowly back to the waiting car. He turned and paused for a moment’s contemplation of the memorial statue. “My brothers have made me familiar with the beauties and fertility of Southland,” said the Duke, replying to the welcome. "I am glad to have this opportunity of admiring them myself and meeting Southland’s people.” Through more lanes of cheering adults and children, His. Royal Highness motored in an open car to Kew, where he laid the foundation stone of a new hospital which, according to the statement of. the Minister of Health, the Hon. J. A. Young, is estimated to cost £ll,OOO. The Minister paid a tribute to New Zealand s hospital system, pointing out its service to poor and rich alike and its high standard of efficiency. Special peals of bells from the Presbyterian Church marked the Duke’s return to the station where he rejoined the Royal train. The journey to Lmnsden was cancelled and the train remained overnight at Waikiwi, a small station three miles outside Invercargill. It will stay there as the Duke’s week-end headquarters. . ' T, , „ Before dining on the tram, the Prince took his dogs Digger and Sally for a brisk walk. In the evening he motored to town and spent an informal quarter of an -hour with the Invercargill. Ret turned Soldiers’ Association. An appropriate prelude to Invercargill’s outstanding welcome was Gores splendid demonstration earlier in the afternoon.