PRINCE HENRY IN THE WAIKATO

Waikato Times, Volume 116, Issue 19462, 29 December 1934, Page 6

PRINCE HENRY IN THE WAIKATO

ARRIVAL AT HAMILTON

ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTION BY LARGE CROWDS

BRILLIANT SCENE AT TOWN’S LOYAL WELCOME

' CAMBRIDGE EN FETE FOR ROYAL VISITOR

Interest in the tour of Prince Henry, Duke of Glouces-ier, which has been at a high pitch since His Royal Highness arrived In New Zealand on December 15, was consummated, so far as Hamilton was concerned, to-day when the tall, soldierly figure of the King’s third son stepped off his carriage at the Hamilton Railway Station. Though 35 minutes were all that could be spared In Hamilton Itself on account of the unfortunate foot Injury which compelled His Royal Highness to take all the rest possible, It was a memorable time In the minds of thousands of Waikato men, women and children who experienced the delight and privilege of coming In close contact with the personality of whom the whole of the Dominion Is now talking.

HAMILTON’S RECEPTION

OFFICIAL WELCOME. CROWDS AT RAILWAY STATION. SEDDON PARK RECEPTION. THOUSANDS ACCLAIM THE DUKE. Town and country united in a warm welcome to His Royal Highness on his arrival in Hamilton 'this afternoon. Long before the R,oyal train was due to arrive at the Hamilton station the approaches were thronged with an expectant crowd, which was swelled rapidly as the time for the Duke’s arrival drew near. When the pilot train, bearing its complement of police officers and others attaohed to the Royal party pulled into the station beside the Rotorua-Auckland express, shortly after 1 o’clock, over a thousand people were assembled beyond the barriers in the station grounds in Ward Street. Keen interest was evinced in the Royal car, a. long low English tourer, enamelled in light shades, which was drawn up at the foot of the stairway from the platform.

INTEREST IN VISITOR. TOWN GAILY DECORATED. Widspread concern and sympathy <vas felt everywhere when it was heard that the Duke’s mishap had re-sulted-in a disability which, while hot serious, was likely to cause him considerable discomfort when a round of public engagements has to be observed. It takes no great imagination to realise the fatigue and soreness concomitant with such an injury when the Royal guest is required so often to stand and to walk.

The fact that the Royal visit to the Waikato was not cancelled altogether, an action which might have been in the best interests -of the Duke’s health, was warmly appreciated, for It is well known that His Royal Highness has ever been opposed to creating disappointment through unavoidable inability to keep faith with the public. It says much for Prince Henry’s thoughtfulness and consideration that the original itinerary has been adhered to as closely as possible and that the arrangements of especial moment to the public and the children were not. eliminated.

Arrival at Hamilton.

Walkgto Pastures Viewed.

The arrival of the Royal train a few minutes after 1.15 p.m. was signalled by an outburst of cheering from the passengers on the Auckland express. The train was drawn by t>vo locomotives, the first hearing a Marge coat of arms, and crossed flags. As it pulled up the Minister of Internal Affairs,,the Hon. J. A. Young, who has charge of, the tour arrangements, stepped from' the Royal carriage, at the rear of the train, and was met by the Mayor of Hamilton, Mr J. R. Fow, the town clerk, Mr W. L. Waddel, and Major Potter, of thfe Defence Department at Hamilton.

Hamilton has! the distinction of being the first dairying centre of the Dominion to be honoured by the

T- Prince. Incidentally, if is the centre > of the largest dairying district in the world, and Its importance in this respect was not lost sight of by those who mapped out the itinerary. Special provision was made for the Duke to 1 view the productive >side of dairying In the form of rich pastures and heavy-yielding dairy herds and the manufacturing side exemplified in the well-equipped and modern factories whi'ch are dotted all over the fertile Waikato Valley. Under the circumstances Waikato people will feel disappointed in some respects that features of the industry which have made it world-famous will not be presented comprehensively to the Royal visitor. Coupled with such a sentiment, however, will be the realisation that in the

interests of i:he Duke’s health it was necessary for him -to walk about as little as possible. As a matter of fact, when passing through the Ruakura Farm of Instruction this afternoon His Royal Highness, was given an opportunity of viewing first-hand the type of land and stock which has spelt ever-lnoreasing progress for the Waikato. Here he saw the wonders which had been worked with fertilisers and th.e application of scientific principles to farming. A Memorable Welcome. The business area of the town was gay with bunting. Many firms co-operated with the Borough Council and the Government departments in providing a gala atmosphere to the' main thoroughfare, while the fairy-like appearance of the coloured electric lights at night was the subject of much favourable comment from strangers. In the least expected places about the town Union Jacks —some admittedly faded and torn —had been extricated from dusty corners to flutter their recognition and welcome. Most of the public buildings were gay with colours, the. General Post Office presenting a particularly impressive sight. Kindly weather and the mamnatural beauties of the Waikato business centre served only to enhance tho spirit of genuine enthusiasm and loyalty displayed by waving flags and cheering crowds. 411 tlm morning large parties of school-children from remote country districts arrived to swell the hundreds of visitors who journeyed especially to Hamilton to see the Duke. Soon after noon they wended their way to Seddon Park, a tree-surrounded oasis which was an ideal spot for the official function. An air of expectancy denoted by the hundreds of craning necks and straining eyes pervaded the masses assembled at the grounds. Suddenly there was a movement near the gates and a score of voices whispered: “Here he conies!” Brilliant Scene. Then the civic reception, the preliminary formalities, the hc-medalled returned soldiers, khaki-clad territorials at “ the present," high military officials in ornate uniforms, the sparkle and ring of accoutrements, the distinguished assembly of public men, and, most prominent of all, the bowing and smiling figure of the King’s son—ail made a picture which must be stamped indelibly on the memory of the onlooker. Cambridge, with its charming old- > world atmosphere and abundance of summer flowers and foliage, was en fete when the Royal procession drove up before the stately pile that is t lie Town Hall. Here there was no slackening of enthusiasm and delight, in the welcome, am! every vantage point in the vicinity was taken up which would yield, a good view of the guest-of-honour.. If ,nothing else has done, the tail poplars, .dowering hedgerows, and peaceful country lanes of the environs of Cambridge must have vividly reminded Die Prince of his own homeland. It was a day of days in which nothing was omitted to impress on the Rovnl visitor the warmth, loyalty and es t.c»m in which he and his illustrious family are held by Waikato residents.

A few seconds later His Royal Highness appeared and was introduced to the Mayoral party. The Duke, Who was limping slightly, wore a grey lounge suit, brown hat turned down all round, and a regimental tie. On his injured left foot he wore a leather slipper, and in his buttonhole, a pink carnation.

He was accompanied by Captain A. Curtis, private secretary, Captain Derek Scheirber and' Captain \V. Tweedic, equerries, while the New Zealand official party, in addition to Mr Young, included Mr Malcolm Fraser, Under-Secretary of the Department of Internal Affairs.

After being introduced to the official welcoming party His Royal Highness left the platform and entered his car. On leaving the station he was greeted with cheers from the crowd, which lie acknowledged by waving his hand. The procession of cars along Ward Street was followed by a large crowd, who made their way to Seddon Park to swell the assemblage of several thousands already there. Seddon Park Reoeption. At Seddon Park returned soldiers and veterans were drawn up before the grandstand, while ranks of Boy Scouts and Girl Guides, and country school children Hanked the eastern side of the dais upon which (lie Royal visitor was received. The Duke entered the park through the Seddon Road gates, and was agaiji accorded a warm reception. Many of the children carried Hags, which were waved in welcome. On the dais were the Mayoress of Hamilton, Mrs .1. R. Fow, members of the- Hamilton Borough Council and their wives, tlie Mayors and Mayoresses of Morrinsville, To Awnmutu and Ngarunwahia, Ihe chairman of the Wnipa County Council, Mr S. C. Macky and Mrs Macky, the Bishop of Waikato and Mrs Cherringlon, ami Mr Philip l.e Quesnc and Miss Co Ouesne. Ollier representative citizens occupied the grandstand. Addross of Welcome. On behalf .of the townspeople the

Mayor then read, and presented to His Royal Highness, the following address:

To His Royal Highness, the Duke of Gloucester, K.G., P.C., K.T., G.C.V.0.,

May it please Your Royal Highness. We, the people of Hamilton and the Waikato, convey to you our deep appreciation of the high honour which is conferred on our town by your, presence amongst us. We have very happy memories of the visit of Their Gracious Majesties ’the King and Queen and Their. Royal Highnesses, the Prince of Wales and the Duke and Duchess of York, and we trust that your Royal Highness will find much to interest you- in the course of your travels, and that you may long be spared to look back with kindly feelings upon your all too brief sojourn amongst us. . We pray that your Royal father may long continue to reign over "us, .and that the love and esteem in which he and all the members of the R.oyal family are 'held may be considerably strengthened by your toyr. . . Signed and sealed for, and on behalf of. the Mayor, Councillors, and Burgesses of the Borough of Hamilton, New Zealand, this 29th. day of December, 1934. -The address bore the signatures of the Mayor and the Town Clerk. The Duke’s Reply. On rising to reply the Duke was greeted with prolonged applause and cheers. In a clear, pleasant voice, he thanked the penile of Hamilton and Waikato for the warmth of their, welcome. . „ “ I am pleased to receive tne loyal assurances Which you give me on behalf of the people of Hamilton and the Waikato, he said, in' thanking, the Mayor for his welcome. “The King and Queen, and members of their family who have already visited New Zealand, often speak of its beauties and of the affectionate welconie which they received throughout the Dominion. “ You have received me , to-day with the same enthusiasm, and I am most grateful for your welcome. I assure you of the pleasure which I feel in visiting this important and historic district of New Zealand,, and I hope that its people win enjoy a very happy New Year.” The local bodies’ representatives and others on the dais were then presented' to His Royal Highness, and at the conclusion of this ceremony the returned soldiers and veterans filed past.' At other functions the Duke had walked along the ranks of the exservicemen, but his foot injury prevented him from doing this to-day. After the reception he entered his car and-drove sJowly along the front rank of the children, and, turning, left the park, passing through a cheering crowd to London Street, and thence along Victoria Street to the Ruakura Farm of Instruction.

A Brief Visit.

The Duke’s stay in Hamilton occupied less than half an nour, but that bis visit was was evidenced by the large crowd which assembled to greet him. From an early hour there was a steady influx of visitors into Hamilton, and every Uain added its complement of passengers to swell their numbers. Many country schoolchildren came to town, and combined with the Boy Scouts and Girl Guides in giving his Royal Highness a rousing reception. A feature was the organisation of the reception and the traffic arrangements. Members of the police force and defence staff, and temporary inspectors combined in handling the crowds,' and it was a tribute to their efforts that no congestion occurred.

The Waikato Regimental and Hamilton M'unicipa l Band, under the baton of Lieutenant A. E. Savage, was on parade, and ban charge of the musical side of the reception. ;

DUKE AT CAMBRIDGE

ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTION. WELCOME ! BY MAYOR. TOWN GAILY DECORATED. (Times Special Reporter.) CAMBRIDGE, Saturday. The peaceful beauty of 'Cambridge partook of an unwonted gaiety and animation this afternoon, where the arrival of the Royal party was awaited with the keenest Interest,, since, it marked the first visit of a member of the British Royal Family to the town. The streets and buildings were much beflagged, particularly the Post Office, the Town Hall, Jubilee Gardens, and the principal business premises. The crowds were swelled by the presence of .arse numbers of country residents, and a considerable party of Australian tourists. The rally of retuipied soldiers under the command of Lieut. F. R. Swayne, was one of the largest ever mustered at. Cambridge. On arrival the Duke was greeted with three hearty cheers. The town itself was a riot of leafage and could not have looked prettier nor more reminiscent of the Duke's native land. , '' I ' CllPj® The Royal party entered the town via the racecourse and proceeded to the Town Hall where a speciallyprepared dais had been erected. His Roval Highness was met by the Mayor, Mr C. 11. Priestley, and the Town Clerk, Mr F. T. Ray, following the playing of the National Anthem. Prince Henry was introduced by the Hon. J- A. Young, and immediately afterwards the member for the district, Mr F. Lye, and Mrs Lye, were presented. The Prince then inspected the guard of honour, which was formed of returned soldiers of the district. At the dais the Mayoress, Mrs Priestley, was presented to the Duke. The Loyal Address. In an address of welcome to Prince Henry, the Mayor said: “ May it please Your Royal Highness, On behalf of the Mayoress, Councillors and Citizens, i have great pleasure, -as Mayor of Cam-' bridge, in extending to Your Royal Highness a loyal and very hearty welcome lo our town and dislriet. “ Your Royal Highness is tlie first member of the Royal Family to visit Cambridge since it was founded as a military oOlttemenL in the year 18'66. “The town was named a Tier the ancient university town of Cambridge. from which some of our early settlors had come. " Our main street was named, when first laid out, Victoria Street, in honour of Queen Victoria, and the open space fronting Ihe Town Hall Is called Jubilee Garden to rc-

mind us of Her Majesty’s long and glorious reign. “ Our early settlers, some of whom are still alive, adorned Victoria Street with trees to make their newly laid out town more like a bit of the Homeland, and these trees have growd, as Yo'ur Royal Highness will see as you drive out of the town, into a picturesque avenue ol which the citizens are justly proud. “The town,* as your Royal Highness now sees it, has been built within the span of a man’s life, and the countryside has been brought in from a wilderness of scrub and fern ■and developed into a highly productive dairying and sheepfarming district within the memory of some who are present to-day to join in this welcome to Your Royal Highness.

"We would ask Your Royal Highness to accept our thanks for the honour you have done ns by coming here to-day, and though your visit is necessarily a brief one, we trust it will prove enjoyable to yourself and that you will carry away a pleasant memory of Cambridge in New Zealand. We also desire to take this opportunity to express to Your Royal Highness an assurance : of the loyalty of the citizens of Cambridge to the Crown of Great Britain, and express the belief 'that your tour of the Dominion will confirm and strengthen the ties of affection which have always existed between the people of this Dominion and the Homeland. “In conclusion we trust Your Royal Highness’ tour of New Zealand will be in every way a pleasant one, and that It will provide you with- happy memories of this Britain of the Far South, and we wish you Godspeed on your travels and a safe return home.”

The Duke’s Reply.

In',reply to the Mayoral weloome the Duke said:

“Mr Mayor.—l receive with gratitude the assurances of loyalty which you give me on behalf of the people of Cambridge, and I deeply appreciate the warmth of your welcome to me to-day. I am especially pleased to visit this town, since you tell me that I am the first member of my family to have come here. I hope that my visit may serve as a link between this town and the Homeland, as I was educated at Cambridge University, and I know that many New Zealanders have also received their education there. I thank you for your good wishes and I hope that you will all prosper In the delightful surroundings of this new Cambridge.” Citizens Presented. 'Following the reply of His Royal Highness, the following were presented to the Royal visitor:—The deputydMayor, Mr G. Calvept, and Mrs 'Calvert; and Councillors: Mr M. Wells and Mrs Wells; Mr W. Moore; Mr C. Boyce and Mrs Boyce; Mr and Mrs A. Nicoll; Mr and Mrs Edgar James; Mrs F„ T. Ray; the chairman of the Leamington Town 'Board, Mr F. Mack, and Mrs Mack; the deputy-chairman of the 'Cambridge Domain Board, Mr J. Hooker and Mrs Hooker; the president of the Cambridge Returned Soldiers’ Association, Mr D. Ariel!, and Mrs Ariell; the Master of the Waikato Hunt, Mr Wynn Brown, and Miss Brown.

After the civic welcome the Duke descended the dais, while troops of Boy Scouts and Girl Guides marched past him. He then reviewed the exservicemen who gave three enthusiastic cheers before the Royal visitor departed in his car for the polo grounds.

RUAKURA INSPECTED.

DUSTINESS OF ROADS.

A NON-STOP JOURNF/i r . (Times Special Reporter.) CAMBRIDGE, Saturday. Though the pastures were not looking their best owing to the dry spell, the Government experimental farm at Ruakura represented dairying par excellence when the Duke of Gloucester paused for a short time there this afternoon on his journey from Hamilton to Cambridge. The Duke drove past the Ruakura homestead and was introduced to the manager, Mr T. Rodda, but he did not alight from his car. He was then driven over the paddocks and joined a by-road to Cambridge. At Matangi several score of people gave him a rousing reception as he passed through. Haymakers’ Greeting. Smiling faces and waving flags greeted the ' Duke on his trip from Hamilton to Cambridge. The only factor which marred the journey was clouds of dust which arose on the country roads and which necessitated His Royal Highness. changing from an open tourer to a closed Pullman. There was an amusing incident when the Prince passed through Bruntwood. A dozen young haymakers, bronzed and stripped to the waist all armed with pitch-forks, waved a cheery welcome and were rewarded when the Duke raised 'his hand in salute.

NOT A PARTICIPANT.

DUKE WATCHES POLO. CROWDS THRONG FIELD. KEENEST INTEREST DISPLAYED. (Times Special Reporter.) CAMBRIDGE, Saturday. Hamilton saw the Duke as a civilian ; Cambridge saw him as a sportsman. Although his foot injury prevented him from participating in the game, as had been his intention, he was an enthu-siast.ic spectator at a p.olo match arranged in his honour by ihe Cambridge Polo Club at the racecourse to-day. Two members of His Bnyal Highness’s staff. Captain Derek Schreiher and Captain A. R. W. Curtis took the field. Tire match consisted of six chukkas. There wa.s a huge crowd in attendance. As early ns an hour before the niaicli Ihe principal roads leading to the racecourse were black with traffic. Row after row of cars were assembled on the ground before 2.30 o'clock, and each minute brought a further long stream of vehicles to the ground) It was a gala day for Cambridge. The Duke, wearing an open blue shirt, a double-breasted grey coal and light sports trousers, accompanied by Ihe- 11011. J. A. Young, arrived at the polo grounds at 3.30 p.ni. and was (Continued in next culumu.)

met by Mr F, Lye, M.P., Mr W. A. Fisher, president of the Cambridge Polo Club and Mr E J. F. Kennedy. His Royal Highness watched the play with Keen interest and expressed regret that he could not participate. The teams for the first chukka were as follows: White. —Captain Curtis, Ned Brown, G. E. Vosper, Captain Schreiber. .Blue. —A. M. Fisher, fl. Nolan, Iv. Peake, R. Speake. The Whites were first to attack and after close play around the Blues’ goal. Schreiber connected with a sitter from well out and scored.

THE AMENDED PROGRAMME. OVERTAKING DAY'S DELAY. AUCKLAND, Saturday. The amended programme of the Duke's North Island tour was announced last night. The one day s delay at Auckland will be overtaken in that period, and the original itinerary will be resumed at New Plymouth next Thursday. The Royal party is due to arrive at the Chateau from National Park station at 10.-15 to-night. The Duke will remain at the Chateau until mid-day on Monday, and will leave in the afternoon by road for'a private visit to the homestead of Mr T. A. Duncan at Ilunlerville.

On New Year’s Day he will attend the races at Marten. Whether it is likely that he will be able to ride in the Ladies’ Bracelet, as previously arranged, lias not yet been indicated. No engagements for Wednesday have heo.li announced, hut it is possible. that the Duke will attend the second day’s racing at Marlon. In the evening he will hoard the Boval Irain. reaching Ohaknno al I l.<lo and New Plymouth ut 0.45 a.m. ou.'lhurs.dax.