HEREMAI! HAEREMAI!

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 160641, 3 May 1920, Page 5

HEREMAI! HAEREMAI!

WANGANUI WELCOMES THE PRINCE.

LOIAL AND ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTION

TOWN AND COUNTRY GREET OUR FUTURE KING.

The keenest pleasure was felt throughout town and district yesterday when it became known that the interruption to the Prince’s tour was happily ended, and that Wanganui was to have, after all, the opportunity of joining in New Zealand’s chorus of welcome to the Heir to the Throne.

Whatever echoes of strife there might he in the workaday world, there could be no doubt of the heartiness and genuineness of the wave of loyal enthusiasm now beginning to roll trom end to end of the Dominion, and which has already swelled from continent to island thonighout the whole of our Empire. Blood tells always, but none the less it requires it? symbol, some visible sign of the tie which binds the peoples o! the Blood together. Hi at symbol is found in the person of the King, loyalty to whom typifies the common bond of brotherhood which unites all Britons. And to the Prince of Wales that same loyalty goes out, for as representing the King, and as our King in _ the future, he, too, furnishes a visible symbol of that Kinship which has been proved so well throughout the British Empire’s history, and never more proved than during the dark years now happily ever when Britain and her Dominions stood shoulder to shoulder in hearing their part in the fight for the v.orld 3 freedom.

THE PRINCE AS A MAN.

But the affection which the Prince has won from the hearts of his future subjects is based on something else also. His high state commands our but it is his own qualitijs as a man which have stirred us most, and which have made Briton s loyalty to him taka on that character of affection which marks it. It is his human side more than any other which has ensured his ]K>pularity. By reason of his war gxperience, he has learned, perhaps more than any other Eoyal personage has ever learned, that while the guinea etamp of rank may carry its own recommendation, it is the gold of the man beneath that counts most. And very thoroughly has he applied what he nas learned. It is in the commonalty that ho recognises the true strength of the Umpire lies, and it is the commonalty that he seeks to see and know and understand. It is the realisation of this that is so powerful a factor in the loyalty of his future subjects, and which is, and is going to be, such a marked motive in the joyous enthusiasm of his receptions throughout this Britain of the South.

CONTRAST WITH FORMER ROYAL

VISITS.

Just here it may be recalled that this is the third Roval visit to NeW Zealand. The first was in 1870. when the Luke of Edinburgh, brother of King Edward the Seventh, and grand-uncle of the present Prince of Wales, included New Zealand in the course of a world tour. He only visited the chief centres aud Rotorua, and as com mutiicacions were few in those days, practicallv only those in the cities saW him. In* 1901, the present King, then Duke of Cornwall ar.d York, and the Queen, spent seventeen days in New Zealand. They, too, only called at the cities, except for a visit to Rotorua, but in their case, opportunity was given to the people of the provinces to sea them, and from all parts of the Do minion people flocked to see and cheer the Eoyal Duke and Duchess. In the present instance, another step forward is made in the acquaintance between the Eoyal Family and the people ot New Zealand. Not only is the country seeing the Prince, but he, at the saimi time, is seeing the c-yantry, and the feet of Eoyalty are now treading tins streets of the” smaller towns for the first time, and receiving perhaps an even more vociferous welcome in appre ciation of the compliment so paid. Per haps no part of the Prince’s programme has pleased the New Zealand people more than this. Centres which in oldet lands would rank as mere villages and obscure townships, and which, in such circumstances, would probably never be singled out for Eoyal visits, are being looked in on, and while the people are thus enabled to see their Sovereign to be in his own person, he, on his part, is enabled to catch a glimpse, even if only a fleeting one, of the conditions under which thev live and the kind of people thev are. That this will eventual! v lend to an improved understand ing is undoubted, and it cannot be gainsaid that, in his expressed desire to see all the people possible, ana all of their country that is possible, the Prince has shown not the least of hia qualifications for the high place ho bolds.

ARRIVAL AT WANGANUI

WANGANUI'S WELCOHE-

To-day it was Wanganui’s turn, and Wanganui rose to the occasion in its shout of “Haeremai.” Heedless to say, both town and country united in making the event memorable and their wel iome one of loyal heartiness. Prom fearly morning everyone was on tip-toe; no one wanted to work, and though business was carried on till midday, the noon hour was impatiently awaited. During the forenoon the country poured into town, and when, after the lunch hour, the town folk joined the crowds of visitors, it was evident that all were out to make the most of the oppor trinity to demonstrate their attachment to the House which symbolises the Empire’s unity, and their appreciation of the manly traits which have so endeared the Prince himself to the hearts of his future subjects. The latter consideration was heightened by the fact that the Prince had had such dispositions made as would enable mm |o carry the programme which was interrupted by the railway strike. There the keenest disappointment, particularly among the young folk, when, e few days ago, it appeared as if His Roval Highness would not be able no visit this part of the Dominion, and the gratification felt by all when the Prince stated his desire to keep the track laid down was heightened by the fact that he had willingly offered to forego that portion of the programme JSh had been arranged for his own purely personal pleasure, and the rev funding cheers which greeted his arrival this afternoon toon on greater heartiness, if such were possible, as a consequence.

STREETS TO BE CLOSED,

THREE GENERATIONS OF SOLDIERS.

Arrangements for the reception worked with the utmost smoothness, -nd while the oval in Cook’s Gardens .*as fiißug with the public, many of

RECEPTION AT COOK’S GARDENS.

COLOURFUL SCENE,

COMING OF THE PRINCE.

whom had gone there at an early hour in order to secure a good vantage point, the military parade fell in at headquarters alb the appointed hour; and marched to the reception ground, with the exception of the gallant old veterans of the Maori War, who paraded at the ground itself. The parade marched via Museum Street, to Taupo Quay, where the South African Veterans and the Returned Soldiers took their places at the head of the column, which then marched through Victoria Avenue to Cook’s Gardens, where it was drawn up in line in the following order: Maori War Veterans’ Association, under Major H. A. Lomax, president. South African Veterans’ Association, under Mr G. G. Bullock, president. Returned Soldiers’ Association, under Mr N. G. Woods, president. Army Nursing Sisters. A Squadron, Second Mounted Rifles (Queen Alexandra’s, Down), under Lieutenant A. Symes. Detachment of N.Z. Railway Engineers, under Lieutenant Setter. Detachment of Poab and Telegraph Engineers, under Lieutenant T. M. Cotter.

A HANDSOME PORTFOLIO,

A and B Companies and Signallers of 7th (West Coast) Territorial Regiment, under Lieutenant-Colonel E. K. Turnbull, D.5.0., M.C.

No. 4 Company, N.Z. Army Service Corps, under Sergeant-Major Whitehead.

No. 1 Section, No. 4 Field Ambulance, under Sergeant McDonald. Senior "Cadets, Companies 2, 6 and 13 as A Company, 60 and 61 as B Company, 10 and 62 as C Company, 109 as D Company; the -whole organised as a battalion under Lieutenant J. W. Crampton. _ The bands on parade -will be the 7th Regiment Band and the Wanganui Highland Pipe Band. The whole of the parade was commandtd by Lieutenant-Colonel W. H. Cunningham, D.5.0., with Lieutenant J. G. C. Wales, M.C., N.Z. Staff. Corps, as Staff Officer.

His Royal Highness will leave the Royal train at Wanganui station and will drive to Cook’s Gardens via Taupo Quay, the Avenue and Guyton street. Whilst His Royal Highness and party are passing through the streets to the various functions those streets will he closed to vehicular traffic. A notice in another part of this issue indicates the streets that will require to be closed this evening and to-morrow morning.

PRINCE RECEIVES HEARTY WELCOME, LOYAL ANiTbNTHUSIASTIC DEMONSTRATION. Of the many notable and historic functions that have taken place in Cook’s Gardens the one which took place this afternoon will go down in local history as the premier of them all, for at it the townspeople were given the rare privilege and honour of welcoming to Wanganui their future King. Wanganui, since its birth eighty years ago, has always manifested a staunch spirit of loyalty; its record of service during the Maori wars, the South African war and the last Great War are eloquent testimonies_ to that strong and constant spirit. This afternoon the townpeople, in the presence of their future King, demonstrated, in no unmistakeahle manner, their deep and abiding loyalty to their King and Country.

The scene in the picturesque ampitheatre, which reminds one of the ancient Roman arenas, presented a brilliant and animated spectacle. The terraced slopes of the natural ampitheatre were thickly lined with people eager to get the first glimpse of the young Prince, of whom they have heard so much, whose character and actions have appealed to their democratic instincts and have endeared him to them. They remembered, and it increased their iespect and admiration for him, that he had offered to forego his own pleasure that he might have an opportunity of seeing and being seen by them. This afternoon from quite an early hour, all roads led to Cook’s Gardens, and by the time the Prince was due to arrive, there was gathered a large concourse of people, the largest ever gathered on those well known slopes.

Upon the emerald green grass carpeted oval gathered in soldierly array were Wanganui’s quota of the Dominion’s defenders—past, present and future. The past were represented by the veterans of the Maori and South African Wars, the present by the recently returned heroes of the late war. All displaying medals and ribbons won in the service of their country, many also wearing special decorations for gallantry. The future was represented by long lines of khaki clad territorials and senior cadets, who, should the call come, in their turn will uphold the best traditions of their race. Contrast and colour was added to the scene on the oval by a little group of nurses and war workers, many of whom had seen service beyond the seas, faithfully and patiently attending to wounded and war-scarred soldiers.

Flags and hunting flew everywhere, adding colour and effect to the already striking scene, which will live long in the memories, of those who were present.

Everything was now in readiness for the Prince’s coming and all were anxiously waiting. Suddenly an electric whisper, “Here he comes,” buzzed through the crowd. As the Royal party appeared at the Guyton Street entrance cheer after, cheer broke forth from the welcoming crowd, the distant hills catching the echoes and

casion to assure you of our deep and unalterable loyalty to our King and devotion to our country. Your visit to this Dominion and other portions of our Empire will hind still closer the ties that have so long attached us to your Eoyal House, under whose benign rule we have enjoyed for so many years freedom, happiness and prosperity. “It is our earnest prayer that your voyage, so auspiciously begun, may be as happily concluded, that it may result in a wider knowledge and a more complete understanding of 'every part of onr great Empire, and that yon may be spared for many years to be onr leader in all those beneficent activities which, under God, our Empire owes its greatness. Dated at Wanganui this 30th day of April, 1920."

throwing them bach again. Wanganui people cheered as they never cheered before. It was a hearty, enthusiastic and loyal demonstration, as spontaneous as it was hearty. The cheering died away and was followed by the strains of the National Anthem, the words and sentiments of the song finding an answering response in the hearts of all those present. Smiling his acknowledgements the Prince, escorted by his staff, proceeded to the dias which had been erected for him in the centre of the oval near the racing track. Here the Mayor was presented to him, and his Worship in turn presented members of the Borough Council and other civic dignatories. This over the Mayor presented to His Royal Highness Wanganui’s address of welcome. Though a simple formal proceeding, it was no mere formality, for the brief but eloquent words of welcome and assurance of abiding loyalty were the whole hearted expression of the sentiments of those represented in the address.

THE ADDRESS OF WELCOME

Encased in its rich leather binding, the portfolio which contains Wanganui's address of welcome to the Prince is indeed a work of art. It was designed and executed entirely by local artists, and is a work of which the city may well be proud. Interspersed throughout the portfolio are views of local beauty spots and places of interest, water-colours by local artists. The local bodies and other societies, representatives of which have signed the address, are grouped, organisations with similar aims and objects being grouped as near as possible together. Each page of signatures is illustrated by typical views an? emblamatical figures. Therq are also profuse views of native and New Zealand scenes, while figures emblamatical of the British Empire form a prominent part of the scheme of illustration. There are over sixty local bodies and organisations represented in the signatories to the address, and the signatures covet many pages. The text of the address is as follows; “May it please your Royal Highness on behalf of the Citizens of Wanganui we beg to tender you our heartfelt welcome to our town. We take this oc-

Then followed the signatures of the Mayor and of the member of the district, members of the Borough Coun oil and presidents and chairmen of local bodies and societies controlling the city’s activities.

There were twelve water colours in the illuminated address from the Wanganui citizens to the Prince. These were painted by Messrs L, Watkin, D. Seaward and Hay Campbell. Mr Watkins is responsible for paintings of Moutoa Gardens and a view of the Town Bridge from the North. Mr Seaward contributes fine sketches, his subjects being “Town Bridge from Hotel Braeburn,” “Sarjeant Gallery,” “Mount Egmont from Castlecliff,” “Wanganui River,” and “Racecourse Gardens.” Mr Hay Campbell also contributes fine water colours, his subjects being “Town Bridge from Putiki,” “Dublin Street Bridge,” “Virginia Lake,” “Part of Collegiate School,” and “Kai Iwi Beach.” Mr T. W. Downes carried out the letterpress and the illustrations in his usual high-class and artistic style, while the binding was the work of Messrs H. I. Jones and Sons.

rendered it impossible for you to visit our town.

“We desire, however, to assure you of our continuous and unfailing patriotism, love of Empire, and loyalty to our King. “We feel that your gracious visit to this outlying portion of your future realm can but result, as did the visit of your royal parents, in a lasting benefit to your future subjects. “We trust that your sojourn in our country may be a happy one, that you may be granted a safe return to the Motherland, and that you may long be spared ultimately to lead, guide, and rule us with that judgment and understanding with which fyour Royal House has ever been endowed, and which has laid so firmly the foundations of our mighty Empire.”

TAIHAPE’S WELCOME

The following is the text of the address presented to His Royal Highness by the Mayor of Taihape on behalf of the citizens of that loyal and progressive town;— May it please your Royal Highness ; “We, the inhabitants of Taihape, loyal subjects of His Majesty, regret exceedingly the necessity which