DRASTIC CUT.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18906, 22 January 1927, Page 14

DRASTIC CUT.

* ROYAL VISIT PROGRAMME. CHRISTCHURCH ARRANGEMENTS. A drastic cut has been proposed in the- Christchurch arrangements for the entertainment of the Duke and Duchess of York. Advice of the proposed curtailment was received yesterday by the officials of the Royal Reception Committeee, and the matter being an urgent one, the chairman of the Finance Committee Councillor C. P. Agar, the Tiwn Clerk (Mr J. S. Neville) and the general secretary of the committee (Mr W. E. Leadley) met last evening to discuss the matter. The Mayor (Mr J. K. Archer), who is at present in Kaikoura, was communicated with by telephone last night and informed of the new development, and the result was a decision to send an urgent message to the Minister for Internal Affairs and endeavour to negotiate for an arrangement to suit all concerned as far as possible. The exact nature of the change in the arrangements is not being made public for the present as it is considered that publication may _ jeopardise the success of the negotiations. As soon as a definite conclusion is reached the full entertainment programmo will be released for publication. The committee hopes to bo ablo to make an announcement early nest week. „* * Main Items to Stand.

The Mayor (Mr J. K. Archer), when approached by the Kaikoura correspondent of The Press last night, said that the Governor-General had advised him that the original arrangements submitted from Christchurch were rather elaborate and overcrowded. The main features of the programme, including the reception at. the Railway Station, the Hagley Park assembly, and the Amberley reception were, however, to stand. It was not desired that_ luncheons and dinners should be given, as the Duke wished 1,0 have as much time as possible to spend, in moving informally among the people. The length of tho Royal visit to Christchurch, added the Mayor, will not be curtailed, but the Duke and Duchess will, by a reduction in the official programme, have more time for recreation and for meeting citizens. The amended programme would be de-. finitely settled in a few days.