VENICE OF DOMINION

Taranaki Daily News, 21 January 1935, Page 7

VENICE OF DOMINION

SPECTACULAR GREETING CHRISTCHURCH WELCOMES DUKE. NIGHT SCENE ON RIVER AVON. ADDINGTON MEETING ATTENDED. By Telegraph—Press Association. Christchurch, Last Night. Surrendering itself to the spell of King Carnival and casting its traditional restraint to the winds, Christchurch with its illuminated riverside and displays of fireworks provided last night the most spectacular and demonstrative reception the Duke of Gloucester has been accorded during his tour of the Dominion. For several hours the River Avon became the Venice of New Zealand with gaily decorated and lighted river craft of every description bobbing and twinkling like gondolas on the still water of the carnival course. The darkness accentuated the impression that the scene was one from a fairy picture book. Across the water floated the melody of Maori voices harmonising with the gentle swish of the skiffs as they passed in procession and attuning with the romantic atmosphere of the moment. Lining the banks was a crowd estimated by the authorities at 40,000, which, carried along by a great wave of enthusiasm, showed its Royal guest how completely he had won the heart of the city. In some places sightseers stood 20 deep on each bank but in spite of this concentration the ranks were preserved in a most orderly manner, and the spirit of jollity and fun-making was not destroyed. The cheering for the Duke was unprecedented. Immediately His Royal Highness, escorted overhead by an illuminated aeroplane, arrived at the riverside thousands of throats burst into thunderous acclamation. As each successive cheer was raised the volume of sound increased. Nothing approaching such a tumultuous expression of affection had been experienced on the tour previously and it is doubtful whether any of the Australian demonstrations eclipsed it. Christchurch. had found an appropriate method of giving full vent in dignified fashion to its emotions. A STRIKING FIGURE. Seated in his floodlit launch, His Royal Highness presented a striking figure visible to all. Every eye rested on him as he traversed the course before mounting the dais to watch the pro Cession and subsequent display of fireworks and the fire brigade exhibition. There were many novelties in the fireworks display, one of the most vivid being the development as the sparks spread of a full face portrait of the Prince himself against the inky blackness. The cumulative effect of the carnival, fireworks and demonstration was not lost on His Royal Highness, Who with the members of his suite was obviously impressed with and delighted by the performance. . . .

Saturday afternoon gave the citizens several opportunities to see the Duke of Gloucester other than in the role of a soldier in which he met them in the morning. Outside his hotel and along the route to Addington large crowds assembled to cheer him and at the trotting course he received a magnificent welcome. The Duke watched with interest Indianapolis. clip a second off the New Zealand and Australian mile record. Nonchalantly mounting the starter’s stand, he released the tapes for the start of the Sussex Handicap and remained on the rostrum during tire running of the event. There were 15 horses in the race and His Royal Highness set them off from a perfect start. - Although in recent years interest in polo at Christchurch had languished, several thousand persons assembled in Hagley Park to watch the Duke and members of his staff play five chukkas against local sides. His Royal Highness again displayed dashing horsemanship, initiative in attack and anticipation in defence. He scored several goals, each winning shot being a signal for excited cheering from the spectators.

IN POLO UNIFORM. The waiting crowd outside the hotel received a thrill when His Royal Highness alighted from his car still wearing his polo uniform. The size of the assemblage grew when the news spread that the Duke would be reappearing to attend a dinner at the Christchurch Club and the cheering was renewed when the Prince left the hotel to begin his evening engagements. Following Saturday’s unsettled conditions the weather was fine to-day for the second day of the Duke of Gloucester s visit to Christchurch. In the morning His Royal Highness attended the service at the Cathedral. The Governor-General, Lord Bledisloe, read the lessons and the sermon was preached by Bishop WestWatson. . Driving his car himself, the Duke visited the home of Sir R. Heaton Rhodes at Tai Tapu and lunched there with the Governor-General. Later he visited the home of Major G. F. Hutton at Homebush and spent the balance of the afternoon playing tennis. Crowds again congregated in the Square to witness every arrival and departure of the Duke at his hotel. ' . , To-morrow, which marks the end oi the tour officially, contains a heavy list of public engagements.