ROYAL TOUR.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20503, 3 January 1935, Page 7

ROYAL TOUR.

Anxious Time for Railway Officials. TORRENTIAL RAINFALL. Per Press Association. NEW PLYMOUTH, This Day. With the arrival of the Royal train at Waiongona at 8.40 o’clock this morning a period of some anxiety for- the railway authorities ended. Torrential rain fell from the time that the train left Hunterville until Stratford was passed this morning and there was some apprehension as to whether the train would be able to negotiate the new trunk line between Okahukura and New Plymouth on account, of the excessive overflows of water. The line was patrolled for the entire length throughout the night ahead of the passage of the Royal train and from the time of the departure from National Park to the arrival at Waiongona for breakfast the train was not once pulled up, except for the service stop at Tangarakau for water. After negotiating two sections at a low speed the train pulled in at Waiongona as the minute hand of the clock touched 8.40. The performance was a notable one for Mr 11. 11. Sterling and his train staff. Expressions of Loyalty. Early risers on the Royal train saw two touching evidences of loyalty to the Throne. One was on the outskirts of Stratford when an unknown working man crouched under the meagre shelter of a hedge doffed his cap in drenching rain as the train rushed past. The other incident occurred on the fringe of the Stratford station where an elderly woman, smiling in the rain held a cat above her shoulder and waved greetings with it. As has been the case in other centres the sun shone on the visit of the Duke of Gloucester to Taranaki. The rain ceased at 8.30 and w’hen his Royal Highness stepped from the station platform at New Plymouth the weather had regained its warm brilliance. The main welcome took place in beautiful Pukekura Park, where his Royal Highness expressed his pleasure at travelling through so important a dair} r ing centre. “ 1 am pleased to see your beautiful city,” he added, “ and the far famed Mount Egmont. which I have already admired from afar.” Rain set in during the latter part of the proceedings at New Plymouth, but this did not dampen the ardour of the reception, which was one of the most distinctive of the tour. There w T as much cheering when the Duke of Gloucester, donning a raincoat, walked the ranks of the children, a practice which he has been able to resume since the injury to his foot has healed. Reception at Hawera. Although conditions were threatening, rain held off at Hawera, where another rousing welcome was given the Royal visitor, who had journeyed by train from New Ptymouth. As has been the case in other parts of New Zealand, he received innumerable expressions of goodwill from wavsiders, who watched the passage of his train at stations and crossings between New Plymouth and Hawera, determined to catch a glimpse of the Duke. A girl rider galloped abreast of the Royal train for the length of a field adjacent to the railway line between Eltham and Hawera. A cheer from some passengers rewarded her effort. In replying to a joint pakeha and Maori welcome at Hawera. his Royal Highness said: ‘‘lt is a great pleasure to find the members of two races at one time enemies living together in harmony and friendship. This is a striking instance of the blessings the Empire confers and the spirit of loyalty and unity it inspires. I hope the comradeship may result in the increased prosperity of all.” From Hawera the Duke of Gloucester proceeds by train to Wanganui, where he is due at 3 p.m.

Wanganui Plans May Be Changed. WANGAN'II, This Day. Heavy rain set in at midday and in all probability the reception to the Duke of Gloucester will have to be held in the Opera House instead of in Cook’s Gardens.