THE DUKE AT WELLINGTON

Waikato Times, Volume 116, Issue 19453, 18 December 1934, Page 8

THE DUKE AT WELLINGTON

(By Telegraph.

■ress Association.)

WELLINGTON, Tuesday.

Ten thousand sturdy young New Zealanders, drawn from schools and different organisations In Wellington city, united' at Newtown Park to-day to extend to the Duke of Gloucester such a welcome as can come only from the throats of a rising generation. It was a remarkable demonstration and a colourful, moving plo-

ture of young New Zealand' at Its

enthusiastic best.

Great thoughtfulness was .shown by His Royal Highness in appearing in the distinctive uniform of a colonel ot the Tenth Hussars, and for seventyfive m'inutes every eye was fixed on him.

He took the march past from the foot of the steps of the Royal enclosure, and saluted each leader as the division passed him. The marching was first rate, and in harmony with the kaleidoscope variety of the school and organisation uniforms. Acting strictly to whistled signals the children carried out the programme with exactitude, but this 'did not restrain the river of enthusiasm which was subsequently displayed.

In accordance with his usual practice the Duke found time to chait with several cot cases 'from the Wellington Hospital, who were sufferers from infantile paralysis and belonged to a special class conducted at the institution by the Education Board.

Thrill of a Lifetime.

One little boy, Abie Eyles, who was able to walk, received the thrill of a lifetime when the Duke shook him by the hand.

A brief address was delivered to Ihe children by the Duke, who made his first public extempore speech in New Zealand.

“Boys and girls of Wellington,” he said, “I thank you for giving me this opportunity of seeing you this morning. I know some of you have had to start very early In order to be here, and I appreciate that very much. I know also that you have just finished your examinations. I hope you have all been successful in .defeating the examiners. (Loud laughter). Now, boys and girls, I .take this opportunity of wishing you a happy Christmas, and I hope you will enjoy your holidays."

A Popular Announcement.

The Duke then paused for a few seconds, adding: “I have succeeded in getting an extra day’s holiday for you at the end of your Christmas vacation.’

The announcement was received with unbounded enthusiasm, the children firing- their hats into the air, waving their arms, and shouting with delight. The hills girdling Newtown Park will long echo the cheering His Royal Highness was given at the conclusion of the function. Op foot he had inspected each division in the vast group,' and at the finish circled the ground by car. Inevitably the previously-staid ranks were broken, the youngsters swarming to both sides to give the Royal visitor a final cheer. A Free AfternoonThe remainder of tihe afternoon is at the own disposal, and arrangements have been made for him to have a swim at a secluded beach twenty miles out of Wellington. YESTERDAY’S FUNCTIONS. LUSTY CHEERB GIVEN. SOLDIERS' ROUSING RECEPTION. "HE’S A JOLLY GOOD FELLOW.”.. WELLINGTON, Monday. A rousing reception was accorded the Duke at the Returned Soldiers' Club, ex-servicemen who were standing on the steps of the Farmers’ Institute lustily cheering him.« At the four clubs he visited, in addition to cheering His Royal Highness, members sang "For he’s a jolly good fellow.”

At the State luncheon at Parliament House there were most . impressive decorations, which were purely floral and were exceedingly beautiful.

Manipulated Soda Siphon.

When the Duke met the ex-service-men those present prepared to drink his health and when the Royal visitor realised that the Hon. W. Perry, M.L.C., the president, was likely to have difficulty in manipulating the soda siphxm with one arm, His Royal Highness immediately -went to his assistance. Later he helped Mr. Perry to light a cigarette. v

“Good-bye and good luck to you all. I am very glad I was able look In this morning," said the Duke In acknowledging cheers from the exsoidlers.

The entire gathering followed the Prince to the entrance of the building and cheered him again as his car departed. As a memento of the visit, the Duke accepted and placed in the lapel of his coat a tiny tiki from the Wellington Association. Life Membership Badge. At the Commercial Travellers’ Club the Duke was presented with a life membership badge and a ticket of.the New Zealand Association. He was cheered 'to the echo as he addressed a few words to members. “ I have learned in the last few months,” he said, “what the advantages of commercial travellers are, and I am looking forward to carrying the same advantages in this Dominion as 1 did in the last.” AN UNREHEARSED INCIDENT. DUKE APPEARS ON BALCONY. GIVEN TUMULTUOUS GREETING. WELLINGTON, Monday. Further evidence of the -democratic tendencies of the Duke was provided in an unrehearsed incident at the Town Hail to-night. In anticipation of the arrival of Hla

MORNING WITH THE CHILDREN

SCENES OF TREMENDOUS ENTHUSIASM

DUKE A GOOD SAILOR.

■Royal Highness at the Mayor’s charity ball, a large crowd assembled in the vicinity of the civic centre, and it grew rather than diminished in size as the arrival time approached, At round about 10 o’clock, the Royal suite appeared and at once there was cheering, but there was more to come. Having ascertained that the Town Hall had a balcony, the Duke climbed ■the stairs , and appeared before the crowd. There was a tumultuous acclamation, and in the excitement of the moment, the rope barriers sagged before the rush from the side streets and the crowd in its happy enthusiasm ■converged on the entrance steps. The police, who entered into the spirit of this unofficial reception, 'formed a cordon, while the people vociferously acknowledged the hand waves from the Prince on both sides of the balcony.

Inside the hall, which was brilliantly decorated and crowded to the limits of comfort, the Duke was given another rousing reception. His first dance was a waltz, which appears to be his favouriLe measure.

QUARTERS ON THE WARSHIP. MADE VERY COMFORTABLE. WELLINGTON, Monday. A heavy swell, although not accompanied by other unpleasant weather conditions, made the trip of H.M.A.S. Australia from Brisbane to Wellington rather uncomfortable at times. Brisbane was left In torrential rain, which not' only drenched the Duke and all officials concerned, but also resulted in practically every member of the Australia’s complement being soared to the skin. Overcast conditions were mainly the rule, on the voyage across the Tasman, and the heavy swell caused the warship to roll considerably at times.

The Duke of Gloucester, however, proved that he was an excellent sea traveller, ,and although it is stated that he nearly fell several times owing to the rolling he was frequently about the decks.

The Duke’s quarters fin the afterpart of the Australia were specially redecorated for him, many new fittings being added to his suite. As he will be with the vessel for three months everything possible to secure his comfort has 'been included. He will be leaving for the South Island on January 5 and will rejoin the vessel at Lytteltoli, from where he will proceed to the Bay of Islands, then to Great Britain, via Pacific Islands, Panama, and Jamaica. The Australia Is scheduled to reach Britain on March 28. VISIT TO CAMBRIDGE. AMENDED ARRANGEMENTS. INSPECTION OP RUAKURA FARM. (Special to Times.) CAMBRIDGE, Tuesday. Plans in •connection with the visit •of His Royal Highness, the Duke of Gloucester, to Cambridge, on Saturday, December 29, , have been slightly altered. The amended arrangements, which have been confirmed by the Mayor of Cambridge, Mr C. H. Priestley,' fix the time of the Duke’s arrival at Cambridge at 10.45 a.m. As a result' of this arrangement the official reception at Cambridge will be held at the Town Hall steps immediately after 'His Royal Highness’ arrival, and he will have the afternoon free to play polo. The Duke will arrive by car from Frankt.on. The Ruakura Farm of Instruction will be inspected from the car and the drive will be continued past •the Matangi dried milk factory. A MAN’S MAN. QUEEN MARY’S FAVOURITE SON. HIS MILITARY CAREER. It is said that the Duke of Gloucester is Queen Mary’s favourite son. The Duke has never been a “mother’s boy.” Ear from it. He is above everything a man’.s man. But the Queen, a strong-minded woman herself, has always had a soft spot for this stalwart soldier son of hers. And the Duke has a deep affection for his mother. Neither Is demonstrative, but the bond is very strong. The Duke and his three brothers have always been great friends, but he spends more of his time with the Prince of Wales than the others. He has been told jokingly that the Prince of Wales is a bad example for him, because neither has shown any inclination to marry. Rumour has coupled the name of the Prince ol Wales with that of many eligible girls, to his great annoyance. Nor has the Duke, who is now 34, been left alone bv wagging tongues. He likes the company of girls; but he has never been in any danger of losing his bachelor freedom. “I doubt if Henry will ever marry," a brilliant London hostess, who knew him well, once said of him. If he does he will marry late.” So far she has proved right. A good dancer and a good talker, he is very popular in society, and much in demand by hostesses. But he really prefers sport to social life. Takes Military Duties Seriously. He takes his military duties very seriously, and they occupy much of his time. Public duties, too, make many claims upon him, and these he never neglects. The serious side of bis nature has become more prominent in recent years, and he takes a deep interest in social questions. The Duke is a captain and has had 1G years’ service. He should soon gel his majority. He does his work like any other cavalry officer—goes (Continued lr« next column.).

through the usual routine of duties, attends parades, and gets the same leave as his brother officers. Only when lie lias gone on overseas missions, representing the King, has lie had special leave. Though a cavalry officer, he realises that the machine is now the dominant factor in warfare, and has undergone intensive training in an armoured car regiment to which he was temporarily transferred. Interest In Country Pursuits. His Interest in country pursuits is not confined to horses and Hunting. In 1930 lie was president of the British Dairy Farmers’ Association, and he is a frequent visitor at agricultural shows, where he sizes up the points of a prize-winning beast with a practised eye. He is an honorary associate of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. lie let his hunting establishment at Hamilton Drive, Melton Mowbray, for Die 1932 season, and three of his hunters were sold at Leicester in the autumn. But the next season found him sharing a new establishment at Mellon Mowbray with the Prince of Wales