ROYAL TOUR.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 19 March 1927, Page 8

ROYAL TOUR.

INTERESTING DAY IN DUNEDIN,

' HEAVY “CASUALTY’I LIST.

By Telegraph—Press Association.

DUNEDIN, March 18. To-day’s round in the Ducal programme was one largely of local interest, the main feature being a children's demonstration.. In connection with this gathering, rather a sad feature was the number of boys and girls who fainted, or almost fainted, and had, to be carried, or assisted from the ranks. On such occasions there are alw«ys some children who" faint. Many have come long distances, and the fatigue of the jouiQey, combined with the excitement and cheering at the .Duke’s! arrival; brings them to.the breaking point. Once the fainting starts, it usually continues for a little while, but| in the case of Dunedin, the children went down in greater numbers than anywhere else. For about a quarter of an hour, teachers and Boy Scouts were busy carrying or helping along boys and girls who had actually collapsed, or were, on the verge of collapsing, to the first aid station. In all, there must have been about 40 or 50 cases.

The children, who had been standing in the sun for some time, were then asked to. sit. down.

After the Duke had walked through their ranks, which took him a long time, the children inarched past thb Duke, some of the girl pupils acquitting themselves very well. They then sang the National Anthem, but not altogether in unison, the section on the right in several beats ahead of the other section.

PRESENTS FROM CHILDREN,

A charming little ceremony was enacted by eleven girls dressed in white, who came very slowly forward, making obeissance to the Duke, and presenting him with a very fine travelling rug, arid also a tray of mottled kauri with the City’s arms inset in gold. The inscription on the tray conveyed greetings from Otago Schr .' children,, to. the Duke and Duchess. ~,,i it was a. rough slab of greenstone, and small models of two lciwis in. solid silver, supporting a book (also in silver) symbolical of education. The rug apparently was for the baby princess, and an address mentioned that it was a token of the warm love that all the children have in their hearts for the baby of the Duke and: Duchess. There were about 9000 children assembled. AT EARLY SETTLERS’ HALL. previous to this, the Duke spem a fascinating half-hour in the Early Settlers’ Hall, where there is an extraordinarily interesting collection or pictures, pnotograptis, and relics of the early days. There he made himself quite at home with the old men and women, some of whom had arrived m the early immigrant ships. Mrs n oolsey, who arrived in the ship Jlii,. . oti years ago,: was presented a,,ii ..uu a short chat with tue Duke. • i tin lilt he is a very fine boy,” sue said afterwards. The Duke was very interested in the old church organ of the barrel vype, and he took the handle.and ground oiit “Come All Ye Faithful.” Major Nugent also had a go at the organ, which was the first one imported for the English Church. It was capable of playing a number of sacred melodies, and appeared to be stall in good order. The Duke signed his name, “Albert, in the register. He also inspected a very old sewing machine on which sewing had been done for Queen Alexandra, and sqw a grandfather clock with only an hour hand on it. The case was made by John Hall, who came out in the ship Blundell in 1848. The clock was made to chime again in honour off the Duke. TTire was a formal ceremony at the Art Gallery at Logan Bark, which the Duke declared open. This is the Exhibition gallery, which was presented to the city by Mr P. R. Sargood. The gallery contains what is claimed to be the finest collection in New Zealand, and in their new home the pictures are displayed to great advantage. . . Mr Beale, Trade Commissioner, on behalf of the British Government, handed over a status of St. George for presentation by the Duke to the city. . The Duke next visited the “Diggers” in the Monteeillo Convalescent Hofne, cordially shaking hands with, all, and chatting cheerily to them, at . theifi request. He also spent some minutes with a patient who l was in bed im the sun room. He was loudly cheered on. leaving. , During the day, the Duke fouiid time to see some of Dunedin’s industries, and also to see a dying paralysed soldier who had expressed a Wish to be put in a place where he could see the Duke. On hearing this, the Duke at once said he would go and see the soldier, and did' so. This evening the Duke attendee a civic reception. , . , To-morrow, he enters upon the lastlap of his New Zealand journey, .going through Central Otago to Wanaka, and thence on Monday to Queenstown.. On Tuesday he will leave for Blull, and embark in the Renown’ off Stewart Island. -

DUCHESS SAILS SUNDAY -NIGHT,

J», - Telegrapu —Press Association. WELLINGTON, March, 18. It is officially announced to-day that the Duchess will embark on the Renown late on Sunday night, and ceed direct to Stewart Island, wnere the Duke will join the shipmn the completion of the New Zealand tour. Owing to her recent illness it is desired that the embarkation of the Duchess at Wellington should be quite Pl The e wharf will therefore be closed to the public, and Her Highness will embark privately. FINAL EVENT TN DUNEDIN. By- Telegraph —Press Association. DUNEDIN, March 18. Fully 6000 people gathered in the Australian Court at Logan Park toi! jo-ht, to attend a public reception which formed the final event in the Duke’s Dunedin visit. ' , The programme took the form ot a popular concert. , ts i On arrival with his party the Duke received a tremendous ovation. He created an admirable impression Wittt a lengthy and' thoughtful farewell speech, expressing his keen appreciatioii of all the, kindness shown h-i n. His expression of a hope- that visit would not be hiß last to Ne™* Zealand was received with great •* plause. HONOURS DISTRIBUTED. By Telegraph—Press Association. DUNEDIN, March 18. This afternoon Hiu Royal Highne the Duke of York held a private in. vestiture ceremony at the, Fernhiu Club, when the following gentlemen were invested : _ _ _ « Sir R. Heaton Rhodes. K.C.V.O. Mr J. S. Hislop, C.V.O. Captain Boyle, .M.V.0.. 4th. class. Mr F J. Jones (railways), M.V.0.. 4th class. Superintendent Mclllveney (police), M.V.0., 4th claBS. ' Superintendent Broberg, MAX) sth class. Mr Lander, R.V.M. Mr Holmie (chaufleur to Duke). R.V.M. Mr Strong (head waiter on Roy a car), R.V.M