THE DUKE OF GLOUCESTER

Waikato Times, Volume 116, Issue 19452, 17 December 1934, Page 9

THE DUKE OF GLOUCESTER

THIRD DAY IN WELLINGTON

GREETED BY CHEERING CROWDS.

AT WELLINGTON RACES. HAPPY INFORMAL VISIT. GLOUCESTER CUP PRESENTED. WELLINGTON, Saturday. At the Trentham race meeting in the afternoon the Duke, dressed in a flannel suit and a brown felt hat mingled with the crowd, waving his hat in the outer enclosure in response to a call to the Hon. J. A. Young, “ Who’s your cobber,” and following the racing with the keen eye of an experienced rider, through a pair of binoculars.

The Duke presented the Duke of Gloucester Cup to Sir Charles Clifford. The cup had been won in fine style by Cricket Bat. The Duke was sealed in front of the stand. The police opened a space and into it was brought the fyorse. The-owner, one of the trainers, H. Cults, and A. Russell, the juvenile jockey, mounted the steps together and were presented to the Duke, who shook hands with them. He congratulated Sir Charles and had a few moments’ conversation with him. Finally he bent down to speak to young Russell, and in answer to a question as to former important successes heard from the boy that he had ridden Nightly in the New Zealand Derby. Russel received two handshakes from the Duke. Cheers were called for the owner and for the trainer, the Duke joining in, and finally a voice from the crowd behind called, “ And one for the jockey ’’ —it was a rousing one.

The Duke said:—

QUIET SUNDAY SPENT.

ATTENDS CHURCH SERVICE.

WELLINGTON, Sunday.

The Duke spent a quiet Sunday. In ■the morning 'he attended divine service at St. Paul’s Pro-Cathedral, where the lesson was read by L-ord Bledl-sloe and 'the sermon .preached by Bishop Sprott. In his sermon the bishop referred to the vital part the Empire would take in moulding world fellowship. The afternoon was at the Duke’s own disposal, and he made a private trip into the country. .

A WITTY CONVERSATIONALIST. GOVERNMENT HOUSE BALL. WELLINGTON, Saturday. The Duke is a good and witty conversationalist as several fortunate dancing partners found at the Government House hall to-night. The function was a glittering and colourful spectacle and one which His Royal Highness evidently enjoyed. He danced with enthusiasm and with different partners, maintaining an animated conversation in the ballroom and the sitting-out places The Duke had the first dance with Lady Bledisloe, his other partners being Mrs T. C. A. Ilislop, wife of the Mayor of Wellington; Mrs .Brian Trolove, of Marlborough; Miss Jessie Forbes, younger daughter of the Prime Minister; and Miss Sheila Hudson.

APPEAL TO PHOTOGRAPHERS. HON. J. A. YOUNG’S STATEMENT.’ WELLINGTON, Sunday. As a soldier, the Duke -has a dislike of being photographed at close quarters and a recognition of this fact by photographers will be appreciated. The Hon. J. A. Young, Minister In attendance on the Prince, said 'to-day that he was sure the .feelings of His Royal Highness in this direction would in every sense be respected throughout the tour.

ITINERARY FOR THIS WEEK. HAWKE’S BAY ON WEDNESDAY. WE L LIN 0 T ON, Monday. The itinerary of tiie Duke this week will be: — To-day.—ll a.m., laying foundationstone of the new Wellington railway station: 11.45 a.m. Lo 12.45 p.m., visits to tlie New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association, llie United Services Club and the Commercial Travellers’ Club. Then will follow a Stale luncheon at Parliament Building. There will be a garden party at Government House iu the afternoon. His Royal Highness will dine at the Wellington Club and will later attend the Mayor’s ball at the Town Hall. To-morrow. —11 a.m., children’s gathering at Newtown Park. Late at night, leave Wellington for Hastings. Wednesday, December 19. —10 a.m., arrive at Hastings; 11.35 a.m., arrive at Napier. Slay the night at either Napier or Wairoa. Thursday, December 20. —Afternoon, arrive Gisborne.

Friday, December 21.—Motor from Gisborne to Rotorua, via Upuliki and Whakatanc.

Saturday, December 22.- —Morning, Maori welcome and presentation at Rotorua, followed by a civic reception; afternoon, free. Sunday, December 23.—Divine service at Ohinemulu. Monday, December 24, 9.55 a.m., arrive in Auckland .by train. Met at railway station by the Governor-Gen-eral, Lord Bledisloe, and the Mayor of Auckland.

WILL OCCUPY SECOND CAR. MEANS OF IDENTIFICATION. WELLINGTON, Sunday. It is announced that in ail motor processions Prince Henry will occupy the second ear and always sit oil I lie right-hand side. Furl her means of idenl ifying bis car is I lie crown in front of llie cab. An open ear will be used whenever weather eoiKlitions are favourable-

FOUNDATION STONE OF STATION LAID

An Historic Event. >

The contract price for the building was £339,173. This was the largest building contract which had so far been let in the history of the Dominion.

Now Main Line Outlet

(Continued in next column.)

NEW RAILWAY STATION. FOUNDATION STONE LAID. CHEERING CROWDS IN STREETS. (By Telegraph.—Press 'Association.) . WELLINGTON, Monday. The weather was brilliantly fine for the Duke of Gloucester’s third day in Wellington. ’ His first official act of the morning was the laying of the foundation stone of the new Wellington railway station at 11 a.m. In anticipation of the Duke’s passage through the streets crowds, necessarily smaller than those of Saturday, congregated at different points to cheer the occupant of the Royal car as he passed.

There was a dense concourse of people in the vicinity of the railway station site, the crowd extending back into Bunny Street and to the grounds of Parliament House. On his arrival His Royal Highness was given another magnificent reception. .

In the presence of a distinguished gathering the Duke declared the foundations well and truly laid.

“ I am very pleased to have been invited to lay the foundation stone of the new railway -station for the capital city of New Zealand. It is in the .nature of things that a growing population and increasing demands made upon railways by a busy port should have rendered necessary an up-to-date station, with fully-equipped -sidings and yards. 11 After many years of service the old -station is no longer adequate for present day requirements, but sentimental people may well, sigh over the passing of such a landmark in the history of Wellington. The site of this station lias been won from the sea by reclamation, a form of enterprise which has besides added much to the area available for building and has been of great value to this city.

“In these altered circumstances I imagine that the harbour-master may now become the station-master, and pilots become engine-drivers, while it would not have been unfitting if I -had been given a bottle of champagne with which to launch this new concern I

“ But, in any case, I sincerely trust that the skill and enterprise shown in the construction of this station will be rewarded by success, fulfilling the hopes and expectations of the people of Wellington.’’ Feature of Ceremony. . A feature of the ceremony was a presentation on behalf of the Government of an exquisitely executed and designed ink-stand, the fop of greenstone being inset into a stand of New Zealand honeysuckle. On the hack, surmounted by the Royal Arms, is a complete nine-carat gold model to scale of a “K ’’ locomotive. In front of the stand is a gold inkwell. Encasing the stand was a casket of New Zealand woods.

ADDRESS BY PREMIER. VERY MODERN BUILDING. TO 'COST £339,173. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Monday. The Prime Minister, Hon. G. WForbes, stated that the building had been designed on the most modern lines, embodying every feature of railway'station construction that had been developed to facilitate the working of traffic. The building Itself would rest on 1700 concrete piles, of varying length, and would be of steel frame construction, with reinforced concrete floors and brick walls. It would be entirely fireproof and designed to allow a continuous flow of suburban traffic and main line ‘traffic without hindrance to one another.

The re-arrangement of the railway facilities at Wellington had been so 'designed as to bring the station as near the city as possible, and from the location in which the building was being - erected it would be seen that Wellington citizens were to be congratulated on the proximity of this great facility to the centre of the city.

In addition to the building itself 'there would be platforms and verandahs which would cost £30,000.

Mr Forbes mentioned that associated with the erection of the building was Hie construction of a new railway outlet from Wellington, joining up with [he present line at Tawa Flat, and the clecirificalion of the line between Wellington and PaekakarikiWhen I lie whole of the works were ■complcled Wellington would be very favourably situated in regard lo railway facilities. In the construction of I lie building materials of New Zealand manufacture were being used to the greatest possible extent, and where suitable materials of Dominion manufacture were not available Empire l roclmts were being used. The building would he entirely constructed of materials manufactured, within the ■Empire. Besides providing all facilities for a railway station the building would also include new administrative ofliees. Great Development. Mi- Forties referred to the fact that Hie foundation stone of the present adminislralivc ofliees was laid IhirlyIhret* years ago by Ihe Duke of Lornwail and York (now King George). The great development which had laken piaei* in connect ion with railway business since Mini found 1 1 ion slope was reselled in the building becoming

VISITS TO CLUBS.

■totally inadequate for requirements, and opportunity had been taken .of the erection of the station to provide administrative offices which would enable all the branches of the railway administration to be located in one building. ' The present building would be 'taken over by the Government for the housing of other Government departments.

RETURNED SOLDIERS MET. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Monday. Before proceeding to Parliament House for the Slate luncheon, His Royal Highness visited the .■.Returned Soldiers’.Association, 'the United Services’ Club, the Commercial Travellers’ Club and the Wellesley Club. VISIT TO THE COUNTRY. DUKE AT THE WHEEL. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Monday. An experienced motorist, the Duke of Gloucester spent yesterday afternoon at the wheel of the motor-car which is being used for the road portion of his New Zealand tour. He drove the car to Feathers ton and back, covering about 90 miles in the Journey, which was without incident. His destination was the estate of Mr D. H. S. Rlddiford, and the Duke found no difficulty in negotiating the Rimutakas both ways. He returned to Government House early in the evening.

THE PRIME MINISTER.

AT ROTORUA AT WEEK-END

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Monday. The Prime Minister will be in Rotorua at the weelc-end to attend the Maori reception to the Duke of Glou--06 Mr Forbes will not proceed to Auckland, as he has arranged to spend Christmas at his home at Cheviot.

PREMIER’S MISTAKE™

STARTED WRONG ADDRESS. WELLINGTON, Saturday. There was one slight slip at today’s welcome which, although it was of no consequence, had its humorous side. When the Prime Minister rose to read the address from the Legislature lie began “ Greetings and salutations. A perplexed look immediately appeared on many faces, and Mr Forbes caught his breath as lie realised lie had begun lo read Ihe address from the people of ’the Cook Islands. « Amid laughter, he secured the copy of the right address.

POLO AT CAMBRIDGE. ARRANGEMENTS IN HAND. (Special lo Times.) CAMBRIDGE. Monday. Although Ihe visit of the Duke of Gloucester to Cambridge for a game of polo is to he, unoilieial, the Cambridge Polo Club, "ncling on instructions from Ihe Minister ul interna Affairs, (lie lion. .I. A. Young, is making careful arrangements for the control of |ralllc al the racecourse grounds on December '29. A parking space is. being arranged at the ground. The teams will comprise His Royal Highness, Captain A. it. W. Curlis and Lieutenant H. S. Selireiber. of his staff, and live representative Waikato players. Admission to the grounds will lie free, and ii is anlieipaled Dial there will he a large crowd to witness the game.