INSPECTING THE TROOPS

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

INSPECTING THE TROOPS

After receiving a loyal address ot welcome from the Mayor of Taihape, his Royal Highness proceeded to inspect the troops on parade. The Prince displayed apparent interest in the Territorials and Senior Cadets, and was particularly interested in the “Diggers,” laro-e numbers of whom had served with his° Royal Highness in France. He stopped now and then to have a briei chat with a “Digger.”

PRESENTATION OF DECORATIONS.

Returning to the dais, his Royal Highness proceeded to present decoraticnb for bravery won by Wanganui and district soldiers. Each man as he came forward to receive his medal from the hands of the Prince, was heartily cheered and applauded by the crowd. The presentations over, his Royal Highness proceeded to drive, round the oval, his progress being accompanied by i rounds of cheering and applause from the speoators. This oyer, his Royal Highness drove to the Collegiate School, where he met with a rousing and enthusiastic reception.

VISIT TO COLLEGIATE SCHOOL,

Hie ceremony in Cook’s Gardens was in progress as we went to press, after which His Royal Highness was to visit the Collegiate School, in pnrsuance_ of a wish previously expressed by him. The visit was arranged to be quite of an informal nature, with nothing of a

“set” character about it, and there is little doubt of the vociferous welcome he will receive from the boys from the moment he enters the entrance to the school gates.

THE DECORATIONS

Owing to the uncertainty of the date of arrival of the Prince in Wanganui, the decorations on the local business premises were not so elaborate as had been the case on various previous occasions. Several days ago preparations had'been made by several Anns to make extensive individual displays, but naturally operations had to be considerably curtailed. The whole of the decorations were not marked by a comprehensive scheme, otherwise the effect would have been much mere attractive than by the individual , effort. For instance. t very fev> of the premises, with the exception of the Imperial and Chavannes’ Hotels, Borough Council Chambers and Opera House, His Majesty’s, and a few of the shops could boast of extensive display of greenery. Had an organised scheme been adopted, the Avenue would have presented a picture calculated to leave a lasting impression on the minds of all those who assembled to do honour to the Prince. However, in the limited time at the disposal of business men today, a great transformation scene took place, the majority of the shops being decked with bunting and streamers of red, white, and blue. Along Taupo Quay there is a fair display of flags, and at the approach to the bridge the effect was more pleasing, a large number of evergreens having been used and suspended over the dridge and across the Quay. On Dury Hill Signal Station the disply of flags showed out to advantage. In addition to those already mentioned, a number of streamers were added to the Post Office this morning, and when the lights are switched on this evening the colour effect should be pleasing. At the entrance to Cook’s Gardens where the Prince will enter, decorations of flags and greenery have been, earned out, and over the gate is the word ‘Welcome.’ 1 A number of evergreens have also been utilised to decorate the entrance at Maria Place. After the welcome at Cook’s Gardens this afternoon the Prince will visit the Wanganui Boys’ College, where the students have erected a large arch of evergreens in honour of the distinguished visitor.

PREPARATIONS FOR THE SHEER

* AT THE SARJBANT ART GALLERY.

The ■whole of the decorative arrangements at the Sai'jeant Art Gallery and supper marquee were under the able direction of Mrs J. Wallace, who was assisted by a number 'of willing workers, including Borough employees. To collect and arrange all the autumn flowers and evergreens was a stupendous task against time, but with an experienced lady at the helm, it was marvellous the transformation scene that took place within the space of a few hours. Bare poles were clothed in evergreens, and autumn flowers intermingled here and there with flags or coloured lights, giving a glorious effect. The whole scheme was carried out on a pre-arranged plan, the predominating colours being chocolate and gold, and red, white and blue. At tbe side of the steps leading up to the Gallery 12 poles for the electric lights had been erected, and each of these was clothed with evergreens. In the Gallery the main decorations were largo pot plants—blended with shades of chrysanthemums giving, a pleasing effect to the interior of the building. Entering tbe large marquee at the rear of the Gallery, tbe lavishness of the decorations were at once apparent. The spectacle was, indeed, brilliant. Extending well down the centre of the marquee was a long table for the public. The centre poles were decorated with evergreens anjjl autumn flowers, with floral streamers. In order to make the scene more effective, frosting had been sprayed on to the foliage. On the tables were bowls of choice flowers, all beautifully arranged. Along the sides of the marquee other small tables had been set aside for the public, and the decorations on these were in harmony with those of the long table. Bunting had also been used to make the effect more pleasing,, and a large number of native ferns and cabbage trees. The platform for the Royal Party was situate between the portion allotted to the public and the special table set aside for the Prince. The latter table was most beautifully decorated with the Royal colours—silver vases of cut flowers and autumn -tints of chocolate and gold. Messrs Dustin's, Ltd., in addition to the catering far the supper, supplied three large decorated cakes for centra pieces for (the tables. Two of the cakes were circular in shape and one a large ■oblong, and all three were of a distinctly ornamental nature. In the centre ot one of the circular cakes v/as a photo of (the Prince and the lettering “H.R.H. the Prince of Wales.” The effect of the galeaux work was all the more striking ,n account of the harmonious blending of the red, white, and blue. The other circular cake contained the words “Welcome to Wanganui,” with the phoito of tbe Prince set in a horseshoe design bearing the inscription “Good Luck.” Adjacent 'to the photo was a neat design of the Prince of Wales’ Feathers. In the centre was a panorama view of Wanganui and the river, and underneath the lettering “H.R.H. the Prince of Wales.” A number of flags of the allied nations wero also included in the designing. The surface of the large cake provided more scope for detail, and, in addition to the Prince’s photo, a mirror had been set in to represent a river in which were three models of battleships. The red, white, and blue had been introduced to good effect, and there was also special trimming around the cake, which added ito the artistic appearance.

lIS MAJESTY’S,

Ait His Majesty’s Theatre, where the Prince is to attend the concert this evening, a staff, under the direction of Mr T. H. Battle, carried out the exterior and interior decorations. A special arch, covered with evergreens, was erected at the main entrance, containing the word “Welcome,” and at the entrance was the Prince of Wales’ Feathers. Along the balcony were festoons of red, white, and blue and evergreens. In the interior the decorations were on a much more pretentious scale. Festoons of purple and gold ribbon were suspended from the stage to the circle. On the stage a large number of decorations had been carried out around the enclosure set aside for the performers, and suspended overhead were a number of festoons, intermingled with coloured lights. Surmounting these were the Prince of Wales’ Feathers in a setting of greenery, also blended with electric lights. Immediately underneath a streamer bore the inscription “Long Live the Prince.”

THE OPERA HOUSE. The “Diggers” spared no effort and al considerable amount of time in order to make the interior of the Opera House attractive for their distinguished visitor. The decorations were neat and effective, without a .great splash of colour. The predominating feature was a large shield badge over the stage, with the inscription “Returned Soldiers' Association welcomes the ‘Digger’ Prince.” Adjacent to the stage on either side of the balcony were the Prince of Wales’ Feathers, supported by tbe Prince’s Crown. Around the balcony a number of flags of the Allies were suspended, while greenery at the entrance and exit doors gave a finished appearance to the whole decorative scheme.