THE PRINCE'S VISIT

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 154, 25 March 1920, Page 5

THE PRINCE'S VISIT

THORNDON TO BE THE TERMINUS

DECISION OF RAILWAY DEPARTMENT

In connection with the Prince's arrival in Wellington on tho ovening of Monday, May 3, it was suggested a few days ago thatas the surroundings at Thorndon Station were very dreary, the Royal train should be brought on to Lambtou Station, in which case an effort could be made to decorate the spacious area in front of the Hotel Cecil. Tlie City Council communicated with the railway authorities, asking whether Lambtou Station could he made the terminus, but yesterday a reply was received from the General Manager of Railways (Mr. R. W. M'Villy) stat'ng that the Cit.v Council s request could not be acceded to. Discussing the matter with a Dominion reporter, the Deputy-Mayor (Councillor G. Fiost) said that the decision of the Railway Department had given great disappointment to the council and himself. "I am sure the citizens will be disappointed,'also," added Councillor Frost, "because there is no doubt that Lambtou Station would have lieen a far better place for His Royal Highness to enter the city. I. don't know anything about railway matters, but I think the'railway authorities could possibly have met us in our reqv-.^." Asked whether, in view of the Railway Department's decision, the City Counc'l would arrange for "Thorndon Ouny to be illuminated, Mr. frost replied that he did not know what would be <lone. The council was handicapped bo far as the supply of electric power Was concerned,.and he did not think that sufficient material would be .available either with which to illuminate Thorndon Quay. The problem was going to be a serious 'one, indeed.

THE PETONE PAGEANT EARLY SETTLERS' PLANS. The historical pageant that is being planned by the Early Settlers' Association in honour of the Prince of Wales was discussed «t a meeting of the association last night. Mr. J. E. Jenkinson presided, and there was a good attendance of members.

A draft programme for the pageant on Petone beach was laid before the meeting by a sub-committee, • It included the following features: (1) Landing of the first Maoris: Two Maori canoes full of Natives land, fall exhausted on the beach, Tecover and disappear up beach. (2) Landing of Captain Cook-. Cutler, with Captain Cook and sailors in correct costume, are rowed to the beach. Maoris advance and show great curiosity. Captain Cook fires pistol in the air; Maoris show fright. Captain Cook throws away pistol and . advances with outstretched arms. He disappears up bench iuto pa. (3). Landing of the first missionaries: Group to represent missionaries to land and greet Maoris, forming a tableau on the beach.

(i) Landing of tho first settlers: Three boats containing early settlers or their descendants to land. One with the older members to land at landing stage. The other two boats to land on the btach, some of the occupants to, be carried ashore. All those in the boats to wear the .dross of 1840. Maoris on ljeach chant a welcome. Colonel Wakefield and party advance to meet the arrivals. All fraternise nnd then enter the pa. The Prince is then to be introduced to a limited number of the oldest settlers, and presented with an address of welcome, sijned by those who actually landed in 184041. '

Maori canoes will escort the three boatloads of early settlers to the beach. Two canoe? can be borrowed from tne Dominion Museum.

The committee which prepared this programme added that invitations to occupy special seats at the jjngeant would he issued to old members of the association, and would be obtainable by any person who arrived in Wellington or was born in Wellington Province before 1860. A short historical account of the landing, would be distributed to the schools in order to interest the children. The use of tho Amokura had been promised tho association for the occasion. The meeting approved of this programme. It also endorsed a suggestion that a scene showing tho binding of the whalers should be. Introduced if pbs6ibl».

Mr. W. A. Edwards, secretary of the association, was appointed master of ceremonies. It was stated that Mr. low (Petone) would organise the (Maori scene. Major Vine had contented to take the parts of Captain Cook and Colonel Wakefield- _ Mr. T. W. Stace would organise the missionary group and Mr. Orumsliin the landing of the set tiers

The chairman asked for volunteers from the members of the association to talcn part in th>. pageant. The first volunteer was Mr. William TJdv, who landed on Petone, Beach as a child in im. Other members offered their (services, and the chairman stated that other offers of assistance would be taken by the secretary.

Arrangements were made for the dressin? of the groups- in the styles proper to their periods.