THE ROYAL TOUR.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 16724, 27 April 1920, Page 3

THE ROYAL TOUR.

NEW PLYMOUTH VISIT. CURTAILMENT THREATENED, STRONG FORWARDED. His Worship the Mayor (Mr. Jas. Clarke), received advice from the Railway Department this morning that the Royal train will reach New Plymouth on Friday at 10 a.m. and leave at 11 a.m., thus curtailing tho stay of the Prince in New Plymouth by one 1 half. A strong effort to induce the Government to adhere to tho original programme providing for a stay of two hours was decided upon, both tho Mayor and Mr. S. G. Smith, M.P., communicating with the Government departments concerned.

'The Mayor telegraphed as follows to the Prime Minister, Sir Wm. Fraser (Minister in Charge of the Royal Tout), the Department of Internal Affairs and the Government representative on the Royal train;—

“Railway Department have advised local stationmustcr that Royal train roaches Now Plymouth on Friday at 10 a.m. instead of 9 a.m., and departs at 11 a.m. as originally arranged, thus making the stay in New Plymouth ono hour instead of two hours. All arrangements havo been made for two-hour programme. Considerable inconvenience and irritation would be caused if altered at this late hour. Suggest that two two-hour stay at New Plymouth be adhered to and Royal train arrive ono hour late at Wanganui, where no inconvenience would be caused as Prince stays there overnight and Wanganui programme could bo carried out in its entirety.”

If the saving of an hour is necessary the alteration at AVanganui would certainly be tho most reasonable to make. The original programme' provides for tho Royal train, after leaving New Plymouth, to stop at Stratford (arrive 12.8 and depart 12.23), Hawera (arrive 12.55 and depart 1.20), Patca (arrive 1.58 and depart 2.8), and Wanganui, arriving at the last-named place at 3.45 p.m. ' The Wanganui programma provides for a reception and the presentation of a civic address and tho inspection of returned soldiers at Cooks’ Gardens, after which the Prince is free until 8 o’clock. As this portion of the programme need occupy only a short time, tho arrival of the Prince an hour later would not seriously interfere with it. The curtailment proposed at New Plymouth would mean the enforced deletion of a considerable portion of the programme for which very extensive preparations have been made.

ADVICE TO STATIONMASTER. LOCAL TRAIN ARRANGEMENTS

Mr. J. O’,Shea, stationmaster at New Plymouth, was advised by the district traffic manager from 1 Wanganui this morning that the Royal train will not reach New Plymouth until 10 on Friday morning, departing again at 11 a.m. The train arriving from Waitara at 7.40 will run’as already arranged, hut the ordinary 7.40 a.m. train from New Plymouth to Inglewood will not run, and arrangements have therefor© been made for tho mail train to stop at Waiongona in order to convey the children from that district to Stratford. Inglewood children, too, will travel to. Stratford, it having been found impossible to convey them by train to New Plymouth as had boon hoped.

IF DAY (IS WET. ALTERNATIVE PROGRAMME. It is announced that in tho event of Friday being a wot day the programme will bo as follows: The invited guests and the general public, will ho asked to gather at tho Coronation Hall, whore the civic reception will take place and tho address from the municipality will he presented to tho Prince.

At Everybody’s Theatre the returned soldiers, veterans, and nurses will be assembled, and his Royal Highness will present war decorations. The children of tho primary schools will assemble at the Central School and be received there by tho Prince. The arrangements made for functions at tho Boys’ High School will remain as originally planned. Arrangements have, also been made for the children to receive refreshments at tlie Workers’ Social Hall (late Good Templar Hall).

Tho borough will distribute greenery on Wednesday afternoon or Thursday morning for uso by tho occupiers of shops and business premises in decorating. It is desired also that lines of flags shall be .suspended across the streets.

Tho Pukokuva Park Board has appointed the chairman IMr. O. E. Bellringer), Mrs. C. H. Burgess and the curator (Mr. AV. AAL Smith) to conduct tho Prince through the Park from tho sports ground to tho racecourse exit. Yesterday afternoon, the massed choir which is to sing tho Prince of Wales’ Anthem, and the chorus of “Land of Hope and Glory,” had a very successful rehearsal at the Empire Theatre, under the direction of Mr, M’Leod. There was a very much larger attendance than on the first occasion, and thp singing is expected to bo very effective on Friday.

The music will be provided by Mrs. George’s orchestra of 10 players, and also some Highland pipers. There will be no charge for admission to the grounds.

TH| PRINCE IN AUCKLAND.

AFTERNOON AT RLLERSLIE, CIVIC RECEPTION IN EVENING. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, April 26. In the afternoon the Prince was the guest of tho Auckland Racing Club, The Ellorslio course was looking at its best. The lawns were filled wjth visitors, and tho ladies’ dresses, the uniforms of tho officers from the warship, and the coloufs of the flowers made up a kaleidoscopic effect not easily forgotten.

Thc Prince’s arrival was the signal for a groat outburst of cheering, which continued almost all the time while he was received by the president and stewards of the club, and conducted to the space reserved for the Royal party

on the stand. The Prince did not remain there, however, but after watch- 1 ing a race ho made a tour of inspection of tiio paddock, stables, and appointments generally, also taking great interest in the working of the totalisator.

Returning from the races to tho city the Royal car was still a magnet that drew all eyes till it turned into Government House gates, to issuo again afterdinner as he went off to tho civic reception at tho Town Hall. Fully four- thousand people were present at the reception tendered the Prince this evening in tho Town Hall. There was a brilliant gathering,, despite tho fact that heavy rain had come on at dusk, making the conditions outside unpleasant. The Prince arrived at tho hall shortly after nine o’clock, with Admiral Halsey and officers of the Renown. He was received by the Mayor (Mr. Gunson) and escorted in through the waiting throng to the foot of the stairs, whore the Premier and other Ministers, with local civic dignitaries, Sir Joseph and Lady 'Ward, the Hon. W. D. S. MacDonald wobo also present. The Prince of Wales stood and shook hands with the people as they passed by, this task proving a Herculean ono, lasting over an hour.

Early this evening tho Prince paid a short visit to the Northern Club, where he was toasted enthusiastically. Tho call was an impromptu one, his Royal Highness having remembered that the club had placed the building at the disposal of his father’s staff in 1901, and he felt he should express personal appreciation, of tho fact. * The Prince leaves at 10 o’clock tomorrow morning for Rotorua. DEPARTS FOR, ROTORUA. GREAT POPULAR SEND OFF. AUCKLAND, April, 27. Tltc departure of tho Prince, of Wales for Rotorua by train this morning was a scene of wild enthusiasm. The enormous crowd displayed in every possible way their pleasure and appreciation of H.B.H.

Before leaving the Prince gave the Mayor' the following message: “I have had a perfectly glorious time. Unfortunately my stay in your beautiful city has been all too short. I have been greatly impressed by the spontanity of tho welcome accorded me, as evidenced by the enthusiasm of people l on all occasions. That has pleased mo very much. I can assure you I have had an extraordinarily good time here and all arrangements have been highly satisfactory.” Then from tho train he said; “My visit has been a perfectly delightful one. 1 desire you to thank the citizens for me.” MR. MASSEY’S PLEASURE. AT RECEPTION OF PRINCE. WELLINGTON, April 27. Before leaving by the Royal train this morning for Rotorua the Prime Minister expressed his pleasure and grtification at tho unqualified success of the visit of the Prince of Wales to Auckland. The enthusiasm of the citizens and visitors from the country had been something wonderful. There had not been a hitch from the beginning to tho end.

The Prince expressed complete surrender to the charm of Auckland’s natural beauties and tho warm-hearted character of his reception by the people. The spontaneity and enthusiasm of his welcome have made an impression upon him, ho declares, which can never he effaced, but will always remain in his memory as the happiest token of the sentiments of patriotism and loyalty for which tho people of New Zealand have ever been famed. The unfeigned and outspoken pleasure of His Royal Highness with the entertainment lie has received nt'the hands of Auckland and her citizens is indeed a happy augury of the thoughts which he will carry back to the Motherland with him respecting this land of the Southern Cross and her loyal-hearted ‘people.

As to the demonstration in the Domain yesterday the Prince told me he ■was surprised and delighed both with the appearance and performance of tho children. It was an outburst that clearly appealed with peculiar force to the heart of the Prince.

Speaking personally, that demonstration of school children exceeded anything of the kind I have ever seen in my life. “It was simply magnificent,” exclaimed' the Prime Minister, with genuine pride in his voice.

ADDRESS PROM MAORIS

One of the features in the proceedings attendant upon the Prince’s visit to Rotorua will be the presentation to his Royal Highness of a loyal address from the Maori race. The address itself is a very fine product of tho illuminator’s handicraft, the lettering' being enclosed in a rich red and brown border, the design being a reproduction of the traditional Maori carvings, with a three-lingered God appearing frequently among tho intertwining scroll work. Inserted in this border are water colours of Mount F.gmont, Huka, Falls, Wairoa Geyser, and Lake Taupo. The text of the address is as follows; “Haeromai to Kotuku Rercnga Tahi; To Manuhiri Taurangi,— “To his Royal Highness Edward, Prince of Wales. “Ye, who bo in the dark chambers of death, come forth and harken! Yo, who sleep the long last sleep" arise, stand forth and give welcome, for, 10, tho first bom of tho lino draws near, eldest of him whoso face ye saw on this twice honoured ground. “Sou, Lord, Welcome! Majesty, return once more, following the way yduiwfather trod. Least among tho people that acclaim his mana, we give place to none in service and loyalty, and thus we greet thee. “AVolcorao to these the furthest Isles of tho Southern Seas. Welcome to Ao-tca-Roa. Welcome to Te Waipounamu. Our hearts are full of gladness.

“Your father came to us after a war that added a bright jewel—the diamond of Africa—to the Imperial Crown. You come, a soldier Prince, the embodiment of a greater victory, won over forces of oppression anti lawlessness. The world has been

saved for freedom, wherein the peoples, great and small, may grow side by side without fear. You bring witli you memories of our beloved dead. They live again, who strove with you on tho fields of Tu in many lands beyond the seas. Your presence there endeared you to the hearts of our warriors. Your brief sojourn hero will soften the sorrows of those dear ones who followed tho setting sun.

“Royal son of an illustrious lino! King that is to bo! We are proud that you should carry on the traditions of your raco and House. Walk,, therefore, among your peoples, sure of their hearts fostering therein the love they bore Queen Victoria and those who came after her. Welcome and farewell! Return in peace with-

out misgiving, bearing to his Majesty the King, and to her Majesty the Queen, the renewal of the oath we swore to-them on this ground a generation ago—an oath rooted in the Treaty of Waitangi—thrice hallowed by time and manifold trials. The Maori people will be true till death, and so farewell.” CORRESPONDENTS’ COMPLAINTS.

By Telegraph—Press Assp.—Copyright,. LONDON, April 26. t Private advices from correspondents on board the Renown, expressing dissatisfaction at the press arrangements, have reached London.

The Times, commenting on the splendid welcome given the Prince, while expressing ■ the hope that the Prince’s visit to the Dominion will result in far-reaching benefit to Imperial relations, warns those responsible for the tour that publicity is the essence of success. Every facility must be given to correspondents to carry out their duties, and any failures in this respect and any inclination to think lightly of their work, would be a foolish and fatal mistake.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. A .VISIT TO INDIA. LONDON, April 26. The Daily Express states that the Pi'ince of Wales journeys to India in tlie battleship Malaya, which is leaving England in the middle of November.—United Service.