The Royal Visitor

Waikato Times, Volume 116, Issue 19459, 26 December 1934, Page 7

The Royal Visitor

DUKE IN AUCKLAND.

CROWDB THRONG STREETS. A SUBDUED WELCOME. (Times Special Reporter.) AUCKLAND, Monday. The visit of the Duke of Gloucester lias brought no rapturous excitement to Auckland. Although His Royal Highness must have tasted 'the sincerity and 'breadth of New Zealand hospitality, Aucklanders were by no means carried away by the occasion, and the welcome that he received was surprisingly subdued. His appearance in the gaily-be-decked streets was always the occasion for a cheer, hut the great majority of citizens and visitors preferred to remain silent and contented themselves with waving handkerchiefs. All, however, were Impressed with the upright hearing, and the democratic spirit of the Royal visitor. To the majority he did not seem a monarch’s son, hut rather an English visitor who could mix easily with the populace. Many waited hours in yesterday’s ■heat to catch a glimpse of the Prince and as early as 8 a.m. a pilgrimage ■had commenced to the gates of Government House. Many were denied the 'privilege, but the majority remained persistent and women in particular were to be seen loitering in the precincts until late in the evening-

A QUIET CHRISTIWAS-DAY. DUKE AT CATHEDRAL. SURFING IN AFTERNOON. (Times Special 'Reporter.) AUCKLAND, Wednesday. After the dense crowds, the hustle, the congestion and the constant applause of Monday It must have been a pleasant contrast for the Duke of Gloucester to spend Christmas Day in an atmosphere of relaxation. After attending Divine Service at St. Mary’s Cathedral in the morning he motored to Pl'ba, a well-known beach on the West Coast, and enjoyed surfing in the afternoon.

The Duke, who was accompanied by Lord and Lady Bledisloe, occupied with his staff the front pew at the 'Cathedral. Christmas hymns were chosen. The service was conducted by Canon Fancourt, while His Excellency, Lord Bledisloe, read the two Scripture lessons. Archbishop's Address.

In 'his address Archbishop Averlll traversed the history of Christianity in New Zealand, and told how, 20 years ago he had 'celebrated Holy Communion at a .temporary altar at the foot of the Marsden Cross erected to commemorate the event. Mars'den’s work had brought forth good fruit and it was an example of the one-ness in Christ which transcended all the limitations of race and colour. The Christmas message, the Archbishop continued, constituted the only real and permanent solution of world problems. It provided a method of unity, peace and concord in a distracted world. National and racial loyalties needed to be overshadowed .by the supreme loyalty to the message of “peace to men of goodwill.” The familiar Christmas greeting was surely more than the survival of an old custom. It was the sign of 'the new spirit which Christmas had brought, of a new relation between man and man on earth. „ “The various parts of our Empire are welded hy an intangible bond, not of legal enactments, but of the stronger and more inspiring strands of love, .sympathy and goodwill which are associated with the person of our beloved King,” said the archbishop.

Enjoyed Burf-bathl,ng,

In the afternoon Prince Henry, accompanied by several members of his staff, enjoyed the .surfing at Piha. The large holiday crowd at the beach was thrilled >to see the arrival of the Royal tourist and all admired the dexterity with which he handled his surf-board. He also showed himself a very proficient swimmer.

' AT ELLERBLIE RACES.

, A RECORD ATTENDANCE. DUKE CHEERED ON ARRIVAL. (Ey Tclcgrwn. — Press Association.) AUCKLAND, Wednesday. , To-day, for the first time since his arrival in New Zealand, the Duke of Gloucester is wearing a bowler hat. He is attending the opening of the summer races of the Auckland Racing Club. The weather is ideal, and there is a record attendance. On the arrival of the Royal party at the racecourse there was much cheering and hand-clapping. The Duke wore a hard hat and a double-breasted grey lounge suit.

FOND OF SWIMMING. BATHE AT MISSION BAY. (Uy Telegraph.—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, We d n cs d a y . At every available opportunity. In I lie breaks between items of . Hie official programme, llie Duke of Gloucester takes a swim. This 'morning lie bathed in the open water at the historic Mission Hay. lie drove the car to the beach and back.

LISTENS TO KING'S SPEECH. RECEPTION NOT VERY GUOI). AUCKLAND, Wednesday. Sitting up until 3 a.m. to-day, the fiuke of Gloucester heard patches of bis Royal father's Empire broadcast speech from Sandringham. The reception on Ilie elaborate receiving set at Government House was on Hip whole, poor, but His Royal Highness was able lo hear some sentences quite distinctly.