THE PRINCE’S TOUR.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 16725, 28 April 1920, Page 3

THE PRINCE’S TOUR.

NEW PLYMOUTH VISIT. # TIME CUT IN HALF. SIR WM. FRASER’S REPLY. ONE GATHERING IN PARK.

The protest of the Mayor of New Plymouth (Mr. J. Clarke) against the curtailment of the Prince’s visit to this town by one half, was replied to on Tuesday night by Sir Win. Fraser. The decision that one hour only shall be spent in Now Plymouth is adhered to, and Sir William has rearranged tie programme. His reply is as. follows : “Regarding His Royal Highness’s visit to New Plymouth, I have now to advise that in view of the amount of travelling involv ed under the programme for the tour, and the strenuousness thereof, it has been found necessary to slightly modify the programme throughout.

“The Royal train will now reach New Plymouth at 10 a.m. on Friday, the 30th inst.

“His Royal Highness, on alighting at tho station, will immediately enter his car and proceed to Pukekura Park by St. Aubyn, Queen, Devon, and Liardet Streets.

“On ((lighting from liis car at Pukekura Park, you and your councillors should be there to receive the Prince. I will present you to His Royal Highness, and you in turn will present the councillors. . “The presentation of the Cine Address is then made from the platform, and His Royal Highness replies. Then follows the presentation of addresses from other local Bodies and institutions and Freemasons. All the addresses, with the exception of your own, will require to ho simply handed to the Prince without being 'road. Each representative, prior to handing his address to the Prince, will he presented to His Royal Highness by yourself. “Then follows the inspection of veterans, returned sailors, soldiers, etc. The walk through the ranks of school children is to be deleted. His Royal Highness specially desires that they should be grouped or massed together. The proposal that the Prince should go to' the High School grounds and there receive a. presentation of an address from Freemasons, and have an inspection of cadets cannot, it is regretted, be adopted. As stated above, the presentation of tho Freemasons’ address and the inspection of cadets will tajte place at tho Park. “His Royal Highness will return to the railway station from Pukekura Park by any route recommended by you. Please submit your suggestions in this latter connection and kindly acknowledge and say if quite clear.” MASONS ABANDON PRBSENTATION. REVISED PROGRAMME UNSUITABLE. The secretary (Mr. F. C. J. Bellringer) stated this morning that' as the permission to hold a Masonic gathering in the assembly hall of the Boys’ High School had been revoked it was impossible to proceed with the matter, as the ceremony could not bo held in Pukekura Park. There was no cours* open in the circumstances but the abandonment of the presentation. It was unfortunate that tliis had come about, as all preparations had been made for tho largest gathering of Freemasons ever held in the Taranaki province. Ihe address to the Prince, tho souvenirs to he given to all who attended, and the scroll to he kept as a historical record would now all bo not required. Captain M’Carroll arrived this morning to represent the District Grand Lodge of Auckland.

ACTION BY MR. SMITH, M.P. STRONGLY AVOHDED PROTESTS. Upon receipt of the news on Tuesday "that the visit to New Plymouth was being curtailed, Mr. S. G. Smith, M.P.,immediately telegraphed to the Prime Minister as follows: “Greatest disappointment expressed at receipt of nows that effort is being made to curtail the visit of the Prince of Wales to New Plymouth by one • hour. Hope ypu will agree to insist on original arrangements for two hour visit to stand. All arrangements have been made and any alteration at this late period will bo absurd, and if persisted in, can- only bring odium aud discredit on the Government throughout the district, aud also tend to militate again,st a successful function. The fact that so short a period was allowed to historical Taranaki caused keen disappointment and the latest news only intensifies the position. If necessary to shorten the time, beg to suggest it can be done at AVa-nganui, where an unduly long time is allowed that town, which is not even the centre of a great province such as Taranaki. _■ All work in connection with the visit is held up pending reply.”

To the Hon. C. J. Parr, Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr. Smith telegraphed; “Strongly urge you to prevent effort now being made to curtail the visit of the Prince of Wales to New Plymouth by one hour. Any alteration for which now all arrangements are completed will bring odium and discredit on your Department, and tend to militate against a successful function. Taranaki unfairly dealt with in original allocation of time, and any further curtailment will react. Awaiting reply.” triumphal progress. ■ON JOURNEY TO ROTORUA. Per Press Association. HAMILTON, April 27. The Princo to-day begins his tour of the 'country. Auckland, which welcomed his arrival so warmly, gave him a cheery God-speed journey south. It was literally a triumphal progress. At every station people gathered to see ihe Royal train go by. children being much in evidence everywhere, waving flags and no doubt lifting their piping voices in words of welcome, but these could not be heard on the train. At Pukokohe the first stop was made, and the Prince stepped on to a decorated dais, with the school children marshalled on one flank. A verse of the National Anthem was sung, and then ! the Mayor, Mr. Lawrie, presented a loval address, to which tho Prince replied in felicitious terms. The children then sang “God Bless the Prince of Wales,” and his Royal Highness shook hands with a number of returned

soldiers. The journey was resumed amidst the cheers of a largo gathering. Mr. Massey joined the train here. When tho train crossed into the Waikato at Ngaruawahia, the Prince had his first Maori welcome. Tho train did not stop, but as it passed slowly by a largo gathering or people, 'mostly Maoris, lined the platform and the vicinity. Two burly Natives, clad in mats, held aloft a placard bearing the word “Haoremai,” and asdiie Koyal car at the end of the train drew near they bent low in token cf'xealty to Te Pirinihi to Wera. A number of Maori women in several rows chanted a song of welcome to the accompaniment of waving greenery. As the tram approached Hamilton light rain came on, making the outlook, which had been bright in the early morning, rather dull and forbidding. Passing Frankton, however, ;the sun came out again. On arrival at Hamilton the Royal party proceeded to the Claudelands racecourse, where a very large crowd had assembled. Addresses of welcome were presented by the Mayors of Hamilton and Cambridge, and the chairman of the Rodney County; also by the League of Frontiersmen. _ The Prince replied to local bodies similarly to Pukekoho, and to the Frontiersmen he expressed appreciation of their war services, and pleasure at the opportunity of meeting them now peace was restored.

In reply tp the Hamilton Boro.ugh address, the Prince referred- to • the fact that this was once a district torn, by war, but it was now thp picture of prosperity and peace. He congratulated tho district on the progress made, and in thanking the people for thenwarm welcome, he expressed best wishes for their future prosperity and happiness. ARRIVAL AT ROTORUA. ROTORUA, April 27. The journey to Rotorua passed without incident, except for cheering welcomes of little knots gathered at various way stations. ' All tho world and his wife in Rotorua seemed to have shut up house and gone into the streets to welcome His Royal Highness. Outside the station, which was decorated with ferns, foliage, and flags, were seated a group of wounded soldiers in blues, with nurses in attendance; two ranks of veterans, many being Maoris wearing mats of great value Horn the Maori point of view; and in front of these agato ' 150 Pakoha and Maori returned soldiop awaited the Prince’s appearanooo, while the guard of honour was formed by 100 members of the Maori Pioneer Battalion. • ‘ i

After a brief inspection of these; the Prince entered hisrear and drove to the Grand Hotel, which is tho Royal residence during his stay here. His appearance at every point evoked a wonderful outburst of enthusiastic cheering, Maori and Pakeha vying with each other in their expression or a hearty welcome to tho wonderland of New Zealand. His Royal Highness’ face was suffused with a flush or pleasure as he kept constantly acknowledging the plaudits of the people. To-morrow’s programme will comprise the official Maori welcome _ and the presentation of gifts to the Prince. SPRINGE AND THE SCOUTS. CHRISTCHURCH, April 27. The following telegram has been received by Colonel Cossgrove from the Prince or Wales in reply to a message of welcome sent on behalf of the Dominion Boy Scouts’ Council and tho boy and girl'scouts of the Dominion: "Please express to the Dominion Boy Scouts my sincere thanks for their message of welcome and good wishes. I am looking forward to seeing many of them during my visit, and I know I shall find among them that y fine spirit and that efficiency from which I have already heard from the Chief Scout.—(Signed) Edward P.”