ROYAL VISITOR AT ROTORUA

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 183, 29 April 1920, Page 5

ROYAL VISITOR AT ROTORUA

WELCOMED BY MAORI TRIBES

RAIN MARS PROCEEDINGS

AND PART OF PROGRAMME IS

POSTPONED

Br Telceranh—Press Association. Rotorua, April 28. Tlio morning broke wet and bleak on what would in the ordinary course have been a "star", day of the t'rince's visit. Tho rain varied l'rom a light drizzle to a steady downpour, but about nine it lifted somewhat, nnd a stream of people moved out to historic Ohinemutu, where tho Annva tribe were gathered to extend a welcome to the Prince of Wales.

Accompanicd by Admiral 'Halscy, Sir William Herries, the Hon. Dr. Pomare, and severnl oflicers of the ltenown,' the Prince drove out. He was received'according to Maori custom, a single Native heralding his arrival at the entrance of the pa. Thence the main body of waiting warriors and maidens escorted tins Itoyal party to the marae or courtyard in front 'of the historic meeting-house. As lie took his scat, the assembled throng of Natives raised the welcoming shout: "Eaeremai I"

Two Arawa chiefs—Rangi te Aorere and Kiwi Ainohau—then declaimed the speeches of welcome, interpreted' by Lieutenant Kepa Eliau. About 50 warriors gave a war dance in a manner so realistic as to cause bystanders to wonder if the time had not ariived for incontinent departure. The Chief Whcoro Te Poni came forward, and presented to the Prince a handsome mat and a valuable huia feather.

Thn Prince at once had the mat placed on Lis shoulders, and put the feather in his hat. He addressed the Maoris in a few words, expressing his appreciation of the welcome, and the gifts. He then walked along the lines of girls and women, shaking hands. As ho went by one maiden of prepossessing appearance varied the procedure by gracefully curtseying end kiss:ng the Prince's hand. The action evoked warm applause and caused on extra spurt of activity among the photographers. His Royal Highness visited the old church, and ft'pause was made in front of the statue of Queen Victoria, where the Prince stood at attention for a few moments while the assemblage waited in reverent silence. The lioyal party next went to tho King George Hospital on Pitkewa Hill, and the Prince mado a close inspection of the wards and workshops. The next objective was Whakarewarewa, where the Prince was met by- boys carrying flags presented by Queen 'Victoria in 1870, and by King George in 1901. He was conducted to the bridge over tho Puarenga Kiver. Thence the party proceeded to the nearby meeting house, whore a formal welcome was extended to tho Prince from the Tuwharetoannd Tuhourangi tribes. Gifts were handed to IP's lioyal Highness, including a mat, a tiki, and a tewha tewha, the lastmentioned .being a Native weapon of war. Both the tiki and the tewha tewha are of great antiquity and are consequently objects of veneration among the tribes.

Eain had begun to fall in a steady downpour that gave no promise of breaking, and it was decided to suspend the remainder of the programme till tomorrow morning.

THE "WELLINGTON ARRANGEMENTS PKOGBAMME AMENDED. Telegraphic advice of an alteration'in the Wellington programme for the Prince of Wales was received yesterday afternoon 1» the Mayor (Mr. ,T. I'. Luke) from Sir William Eraser, as follows:— "The Prince must have the morning of Tuesday, May 4, free. It has therefore been decided 1 that the first ceremony that day, the civic reception ,at the Town Hall, shall take place at 12.30 p.m. Practically one hour will be given for. this function, the Prince proceeding from the Town Hall to the Govenunejit luncheon, fixed for 1.45 p.m. in Parliament Buildings. The military review will take'place iu Newtown Park at 3.45 p.m. that day, after which His Poyal Highness will return to Government House. In the evening the Government Hone ball will be held.

"On Wednesday, May 5, the children's demonstration in Parliament Grounds at 12 noon is tweed to. At 12.30 p.m. His ftoyal Highness will attend tho reception bv the Executive of tho New Zenland Returned Soldiers' Association at Parliament Buildings, postponed from the Tuesday. After this- reception tho Prince returns to Government House. The programme for Wednesday afternoon stands."