THE ROYAL VISITOR

Waikato Times, Volume 92, Issue 14360, 11 May 1920, Page 5

THE ROYAL VISITOR

AT PICTON AND BLENHEIM, ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTIONS. i | . " BEST WEATHER OF TOUR. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) PIGTON, Monday. The Renown reached Picton after a smooth run across the Strait just after 10 o'clock. She dropped anchor off Mabel Island, and the Prince of Wales left the ship at 10.20 a.m., the." Royal salute announcing his landing to a large assemblage of townspeople at the railway station. The -weather was beautifully line: In fact. It was the best yet experienced on the tour. The Prince, landed in a steam pinnace, and proceeded lo a dais where he was received by the Mayor (Mr Ridd.ell) and Mr MeCallum, M.P. After the usual address of welcome had been presented and (ho returned soldiers and children Inspected, the Prince boarded the train for Blenheim amidst cheering, his arrival in Blenheim being greeted by a loyal and enthusiastic crowd. The Prince was driven to the college grounds where there was a large gathering of school children, returned soldiers and veterans. A civic address was presented, after which the Prince reviewed the guard of honour, comirised of senior cadets and boy . scouts, and the returned soldiers, speaking here and there lo those whose faces he recognised, or who displayed special decorations or showed signs of war wounds. The children were most, enthusiastic, cheering and flag-waving, 'the Maoris, under the Chief' Tiore, sang and danced a whapori welcome. After conferring war decorations the Prince departed for Nelson. NELSON, Monday. The Royal party set out in motor cars for Nelson, 80 miles, distant. The road led through the fertile upper valley of the Wairau, every homestead passed putting out its bit of bunting lo welcome the Prince; and then the mountainous region on the boarders of Marlborough and Nelson provinces was entered. Favoured by fine weather the loads were in v good order, though rather dusty. * , Havclock, at the head of Pclorous Sound, assembled* all Ms people opposite the post office, the roadway being spanned hy flags and welcoming streamer's. An address of welcome was and the children cheered their future King right lustily. Then the journey was 'resumed, the road following the windings of the Pclorous river through little patches of native bush, past isolated homes of backblocks settlers and across streams still innocent of bridges. The long procession of motors foun*4t sometimes astonishing to come upon a small cabin by the roadside with flags flying and little •children by the roadside' waiting to wave and cheer. A Halt for Lunch. Beyond the Pclorous bridge the party halted for luncheon in a sequestred spot with grassy cleared slopes ofl one side and on the other native bush with the river flowing down over a rocky 'bed. Here half a dozen residents of a hamlet a little way off came on the scene, and His Royal Highness held an impromptu reception. A couple of infants in arms were among ihe party and two proud mothers wended homeward a little later, for Royalty had taken special notice of their offspring. The cinema man got a picture of the Prince chucking the first youngster under the chin and displaying keen •Interest in the family's life and doings, the whole making up a charming little snapshot. Luncheon over a start was made lo cross the steep saddle, the long tortuous ascent and the.even steeper and more crooked descent affording plenty of momentary thrills.' A stretch of level and then -another Bill, and ftie Whangamoa had to be negotiated, which was done safely 'though, a couple of cars were dielayed by 'punctures. These were the only casualties of the trip, and as the roads in the hills cannot be described as good, the record is a creditable one. Arrival in Nelson. At Canvastown, Wakapuaku, everyone turned out to see the Prince go by. On approaching Nelson the people began to line the road in knots, and carloads of people cheered and welcomed the Prince. The city boundary was crossed under arches of flags and* greenery. '■ Then the post office bells pealed the welcome as the Prince entered Trafalgar street (which was attractively decorated and'was filled with cheering crowd's) and ,the guns boomed out the Royal Salute. The primary school children and college girls were lined up along the street and the cadets furnished a guard of honour. During his inspection of 'this, the Prince was cheered again and again. He then mounted the dais at the steps to the Cathedral, where the civic address was presented. The {Prince lhen inspected the returned soldiers and pinned decorations on the breast of two or three. Cheer after cheer burst forth, and as it was taken up by the crowd along the street, it resembled a billow of sound rolling along.' When the Prince moved to the School of Music, where a brief reception was held, the enthusiasm reached a high pitch and the cheering was continuous, so that eventually the Prince came out on the balcony and acknowledged the acclamation, which was redoubled in fervour for some minutes. Nelson's welcome to her future sovereign was one lo he proud of. Revelry by Night, The Prince attended a citizens' ball this evening In the Provincial Hall, which was tastefully decorated, and presented a brilliant spectacle. Trafalgar street had been transformed irto a glimpse of fairyland, the decoralions consisting of columns draped with fags ajid greenery and flags strung between them and Chinese lanterns slrumr along the lines. The effect when these were lighted was enchanting, Willi vivacious crowds of merrymakers out. lo enjoy themselves. A fireworks display added lo Ihe light "and colour of the scene. A Princely Action. A touching incident was witnessed just before the Royal car reached the city boundary this evening. A very old lady strewed the roadway will) flowers, and as,the Prince drove past ?he endeavoured lo throw a bouquet into his car. It foil short, and Ihe Prince, observing this, ordered the chaffeur to stop and drive back. His Royal Highness accepted the bouquet from the old lady's hands and spoke a few words of kindly appreciation, whereupon the dame, in an ecstasy of Joy burst into tears for his manly pool nature and gentlemanly consideration. The view along Trafalgar street filled with its cheering thousands and ending with packed, terraces at the Cathedral steps in Selwyn place, was one to linger in the memory. Those who have followed the tour right through are agreed that no place In proportion lo ils population has done heller than Nelson in honouring the Prince. «