THE DUKE’S VISIT

Waikato Times, Volume 116, Issue 19455, 20 December 1934, Page 6

THE DUKE’S VISIT

RECEPTION IN HAMILTON

jSEDDON PARK ARRANGEMENTS

, HOSPITAL VISIT PLANNED. * ' With little more than a week remaining before the arrival of His Royal Highness, the Duke of 'Gloucester, and his party, in Hamilton, 'interest in the coming of the Royal visitor ha 6 quickened, and it is anticipated that a very large crowd will assemble to welcome him. Arrangements for the town’s reception to the Duke have reached a forward stage, and . the Mayor, Mr J. R. Fow, and the Borough 'Council and staff, have mapped out a comprehensive programme for his . 'brief sojourn in Hamilton.

The Royal party will arrive at the Hamilton station on Friday, December 28, at 4.20 p.m., and will be met there by the Mayor, and town clerk (Mr Wl U. Waddel), and 'Major Potter, officer ,in charge of the Defence Department, Hamilton district. They will then leave immediately by car for Seddon Park, travelling by way of Ward Street, and Seddon Road to the Somerset Street entrance. The cars will drive in, and drop passengers by steps leading to a temporary platform to be erected in front of the grand stand, and then move on round the building ready to move off at conclusion. 1 .

Sedtdon Park Reception. When His Royal Highness alights from his car the 'band will play the first six bars of the National Anthem. The Duke will be taken by the town clerk to inspect the guard of honour of returned soldiers, boy scouts, and girl guides. Other members of the party will take their seats on the temporary platform, while the inspection is in progress and will await the return of the Duke who will mount to the platform . followed by the mayor, and the town cleric. During this period the band will play a short selection. The Mayor will .then read and present to His Royal Highness the address of Welcome, following which he will present the Mayoress of Hamilton, Mrs Fow, and the Mayors and Mayoresses of Morrinsville, Cambridge, Te Awamutu and Ngaruawahia, the chairman of the Waikato County 'Council, Mr J, A. Sampson, the chairman of the Waipa County Council, Mr S. C. Macky, and Mrs Macky, the Rishop of Waikato and Mrs 'Gherrington, and Mr Philip Le Quesne, Hamilton's oldest resident. ' •'

Visit To Hospital. After the reception the party will enter their ears and proceed through the park, via London Street, slowly through Victoria Street, as far as Hood Street, then via Hood Street and Anglesea Street, Palmerston Street and

Ohaupo Road to the Waikato Hospital. They will spend approximately 10 minutes there and then, via Ohaupo Road, will move round the Lake and down Tainui 'Street and Ward Street to the station, whence the train is due to depart at 5.20 p.m. The fact that the Duke will visit the hospital has aroused much eulogistic comment, and his arrival is being eagerly awaited at the institution.

During the afternoon of the reception at -Seddon Park vehicular traffic will be restricted in the streets adjacent to the park, and the Hamilton railway station. From 4.1-5 p.m. to 4.40 p.m. no vehicles other than those specially authorised will be permitted to travel on Ward Street, from the railway gates to Seddon Road, while from 4.40 to '5 p.m., or 5 minutes after the Royal party has passed, no vehicles will be allowed to proceed along London Street, Victoria Street from London Street to Hood Street, Hood Street and Anglesea Street_from 'Hood Street to Palmerston Street, Palmerston Street and Ohaupo Road from Palmerston Street to the hospital similarly, from 5.5 p.m. to 5.20 p.m., or 5 minutes after the Royal party has passed, no vehicles will be permitted to use Ohaupo Road from the hospital to the Lake gates, the Lako Domain Drive, Tainui Street and Ward Street to the railway station. A number of temporary inspectors will enforce the traffic restrictions.

Controlling the Crowds

The police, apart from their special tasks, will control the Hamilton railway station and approaches and take charge of the parking of cars at Seddon Park and at the Hamilton railway station . By courtesy of the officer in charge, in addition to the staff-sergeant-ma'jors, who will act as marshals, a number of volunteers will he made available at Seddon Park. These will be used to line the ropes round the enclosure ,and to keep the general public clear of the enclosed spaces. The officer jn oharge of • the area has offered to supply a Royal Standard to be flown on the flag pole of the grandstand. The hand will Parade at the Park from 4 p.m. The borough engineer, Mr R. Worley, will be Jn general control at Seddon Parle. -Chief-Inspector J. W. Lewis will be in charge of the traffic arrangements and the detailing of men for this work. The cars of the Royal party, numbering 25, will be marked by distinctive 'badges on the wind screens.

Sohool Children’s Visit. After consideration of the position, the 'Borough Council Committee, in conference with representatives of the Headmasters’ Association, came to the conclusion, that owing to the absence of neariy all the teachers on holiday, it would not be possible to organise a children’s gathering at Seddon Park on the occasion of the visit of the Duke. However, a space will he allotted for children from country schools, and they must be in position on the park not later than 4.10 p.m.. 1 It is expected that nearly 1000 children and their teaohers, from schools as far afield as Thames, Huntly, Te Kulti, and Matamata, will arrive in Hamilton for the reception. Space has been -provided in Hlnemoa 'Street from Bryce Street to London Street as an assembling ground for country scholars who should meet there not later than 3.30 p.m. It is suggested that as soon as the scholars have fallen In' on their assembly points they should march on to their positions on the ground. The route will be along Hinemoa Street to the bitumen entrance to the Park opposite London Street. A representative of the Defence Department will be in charge of the reserved space and parties should .report to him on arrival at Hinemoa Street.

A Dangerous Praotlo®.

Attention is particularly drawn to the danger of permitting people to stand on shop verandahs. These have not been designed to carry such loads and there is every possibility that they may collapse if people arc allowed to congregate on them. On Saturday, December 29, the Duke will go to .Cambridge from Frankton, instead 'of 'from Ohaupo, as was formerly intended. He will inspeot the Ruakura 'Stale Farm from his car on the way and will drive past the Matangi dried milk factory. On the arrival of Ilis Royal Highness at 'Cambridge a civic reception will be held, and at 3 p.m. the Puke and 'Captain A. 'Curtis and Lieutenant D. Schreiber, of his staff, will take part in a game of polo arranged by the Cambridge Polo Club at the Show Grounds. ____