TOURIST AND TRAVELLER.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1553, 29 January 1920, Page 43

TOURIST AND TRAVELLER.

It is stated in official circles that the Prince of Wales will visit New Zealand before going to Australia. He intends that the arrangements shall be as simple as possible, and he will travel with a small suite, wearing the uniforms of a naval captain or colonel of the Welsh Guards. Otherwise he will wear mufti.

Dr. Mackin, of Wellington, expects to leave about January 29th on an extended tour occupying about twelve months. He proceeds to Sydney, and there joins the Houtman for Java. After visiting Singapore, Siam, Japan, and China, Dr. Mackin will go to England, via Canada. He will be accompanied by Mrs. Mackin.

Lieutenant-Colonel C. E. Hercus, D. 5.0., 0.8. E. (Mil.), has returned to his home in Opawa. Dr. Hercus, who was A.D.M.G. to the Anzac Mounted Division, went to the war with the Main Body in 1914, and remained on continuous active service in Egypt, Gallipoli, and Palestine right up to the close of the Egyptian rebellion.

Prior to the opening of the matinee performance of Wirth’s circus in Dunedin a presentation of a handsomelyworked wallet was made to Mr. G'eo. Wirth on behalf of the soldier patients at the Dunedin Hospital. The Rev. V. G. Bryan King made the presentation, and referred to the generous manner in which Mr. Wirth had treated “the boys” while in Dunedin and how that treatment had added to their enjoyment. Mr. Wirth, in his reply, said that he was always glad to do his best for those who had made such sacrifices as our sick and wounded soldiers had done.

The Prince of Wales, it is said, will, “when he wears uniform during his Australasian visit, appear either in that of a naval officer or of a colonel of the Welsh Guards. This, as the Sydney “Sun” points out, is because the Prince is not an officer of the Australian Army, and it adds “Why not?” We in New Zealand may ask the same question. Two Territorial regiments in the • Dominion —the Ist (Canterbury) Infantry Regiment, and the 3rd (Auckland) Mounted Rifles — have His Majesty the King as Colonel-

in-Chief, so it is out of our power or j that of Auckland to invite the Prince ' to accept the position. But either the Wellington or Otago regiments | might well secure the distinction of ! having the heir to the throne as its i honorary commander during his tour i of the Dominion. Considering that Otago is the home of the Minister of Defence it would be a gracious recognition of Sir James Allen’s services during the war if the honour went to his province. i