ROYALTY ON TOUR

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19773, 22 February 1927, Page 5

ROYALTY ON TOUR

THE DUKE AND DUCHESS ARRANGEMENTS FOR WANGANUI VISIT. The official programme for the visit of the Duke and Duchess of York to Wanganui has now been announced. Their Royal Highnesses will arrive from New Plymouth on Thursday, March 3, and a very comprehensive programme, considering their brief stay here, has been drawn up. The following arrangements have been approved by Mr J. Hislop, Undersecretary to the Department of Internal Affairs:—

1.55 p.m.—The 'Royal visitors will arrive from New Plymouth at the Wanganui (city) station, where they will be met by Mr Hope Gibbons, Mayor of Wanganui, and Mrs Gibbons; Mrs W. A. Veitch, M.P. for Wanganui, and Mrs Veitch; Mr W. S. Glenn, M.P. for Rangitikci, and Mrs Glenn; Mr F. Purnell, Mayor of Marton, and Airs Purnell; a representative of the Maori race and his wife, Air G. Murch, town clerk of Wanganui; and the chairmen of the county councils of Waitotara, Wanganui and Rangitikei. Introductions will be made by the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates.

From the station the Royal party will proceed by car to Cook’s Gardens, via Taupo Quay, Victoria Avenue, and Guyton Street to the NelsOn Street entrance to the gardens. The Mayor and

(party will proceed by the shortest route to Cook’s Gardens in order to be in readiness on the dais to receive the Royal visitors. 2.10 p.m.—The Wellington and the West Coast Regimental Band will play the first six bars of the National Anthem. Tho guard of honour will be inspected by the Duke of York and Their Royal Highnesses will proceed to the dais, where the Duchess of York will receive a bouquet from a girl guide. 2.15 p.m. —The Mayor will present an address of welcome.

2.20 p.m.—The city councillors, chairmen of local bodies, native representative, and prominent citizens and their wives will be presented by the Mayor. 2.40 p.m. —The boys’ bugle bands will play a Royal Salute, and the Duke and Duchess of York will afterwards inspect the school children, Boy Scouts, Girl Guides, veterans, South African War veterans, and returned soldiers. During the inspection, selections will be played by the Wanganui Garrison, Queen Alexandra, Wellington and West Coast Regimental and Wanganui Highland Pipe Bands. 3.5 p.m. —As tho Royal party leaves Cook’s gardens, the Regimental Band will play the National Anthem. The visitors will then drive to St. John’s Hill, preceded by the Deputy-Mayor. In order to give the visitors an enthusiastic send-off, the school children, preceded by the guard of honour (formed of Territorials and police) will leave by the Guyton Street exit from tho gardens and will march to the railway station. The streets will be lined from Guyton Street to the station by children. 3.25 p.m. —The Royal tourists will make their departure from the city station and will be farewelled by tho Mayor and representatives. When the Royal party is driving through the streets on arrival and on departure, the local bands will play at the street intersections.

ARRANGING THE CROWDS A PROPOSAL SUBMITTED. A suggested arrangement of the (various sections of the people on Cook’s Gardens has been submitted by Mr C. Warden, of Wanganui East. It is as under: — 1. The primary schools to represent the white rose of the house of York. ■ 2. Visiting schools to form the inner portion of the crowd. 3. Students from colleges, the Convent, and private schools to form the inner frame. 4. Guard of honour and local bands (if permitted). 5. Girl Guides and Boy Scouts, massed bugle bands. (>. Maori children. 7. Returned soldiers. After the civic reception, Mr Warden suggests that: — (a) The massed bugle bands play the salute as a warning to the children set in the tableaux that their Royal Highnesses are to commence their tour of inspection. (b) That Her Ro>il Highness next inspect the Girl Guides, and His Royal Highness the Boy Scouts. (e) Tho Royal party should then walk through the tableaux to inspect the school children.