WITH THE ROYAL TRAIN

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 187, 4 May 1920, Page 8

WITH THE ROYAL TRAIN

SCENES AT NEw'pLYMOUTH. ,By Teloerfwh— Association." Wanganui, May 3. Now Plymouth was reached at 10 a.m., and as the Prince stepped off the train and entered his car to drive to Pukektira Park a great crowd outside the station raised a shout of welcome. The Prince was received and welcomed 'by the Mayor (Mr. Clarke), and pureented with an address. The Prince's reply contained touching references to the early history nM vicissitudes of tsie district. The. sports ground, on which the reception took place, presented an animated picture. The terraces were packed with people. On one side girls dressed in blue wore- so disposed as to form the word "Welcome," and on the side adjoining appeared "H.R.H." similarly depicted, jn the centre of the parade was assemIriod a large body of (school children bearing raupo plumes, the whole representing the Prince of Wales's feathers. To the left of the flower-decked dais on which the official party at first, stood were grouped aged veterans of the Maori war with men who served in South Africa or in the Great War. Further bank avere Boy Scouts standing by a bridge, which they had constructed, and which the Prince, later tested by walking across it, to the hugo delight of the boys and the'spectators.. After making his llttlo speinh. the Prince walked amongst the children and iuspectfd the Toturned soldiers, Territorials and Cadets, the High School Corps eoming in for snecial notice. "Land of Hope' and Glory" was sting by a massed choir led by bands, and the procession wounil its way again through, the beautiful driveway in the lower portion of Ae park'. Stratford, Hawera, and Patea gave rettctitions of the New Plymouth celebrations, but on a smaller scale. The weather had threatened rain about midday, but the clouds passed and the afternoon was fine, if breezy, as Hie train ran on towards Wanganui. WELCOME TO WANGANUI. .By TeleEranri-Press Association.. Wanganui, May 3. When the Prince reached Wanganui, his welcome was- such as would have stirred a heart of stone, and although His Royal Highness must be accustomed to hearty demonstrations, his pleased smile betokened the very keenest appreciation of this latest exhibition of pood will Territorials and Boy Scouts formed a. guard of honour, and the streets were lined by thousands of people as t,ho procession set out for Cook's Gardens, where the main ceremonVl was held. Here were gathered probably another 10,000 people on terraces flanking the snorts ground, while on the level were drawn, lip returned soldiers, nurses and sailoTs> Territorials, and the Wanganui. College Cadets. The Mayor (Mr. Mackay) read an address of welcome, and the Prince in replying paid a tribute to the courage of the pioneers in- overcoming difficulties and leaving fitjeh a splendid land as a heritago for their children, _ The Prince presented a, number of decorations for gallantry on. the field. After making a round of the grounds, be en-' tered his car and soldiers drew . the vehicle once round the ground, _ His Royal Highness standing and ocknow ledging the people's applause during the whole circuit. To-night tho Prince attends n, soldiers' entertainment at 9 o'clock, a concert at A.30. and supper in the Sargent Art Gallery at 10. To-morrow at !U5 ho will leave for Marton on route to Napier. MOTHER OF A BRAVE SOLDIER HONOURED BY THE PRINCE. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wanganui, May 3. The Prince to-night caused to he presented to him Mrs. Rowse, mother of the late Lieutenant-Oolonel Cecil Humphries, one of New Zealand's most illustrious soldiers. Colonel Humnhries, who was holidnyini in England when war broke out, enlisted immediately and went to .Franw as a sergeant in the A.S.C. A week or two later ho resigned his stripes and was transferred to the Manchesters as n private. that point his rise was moteoric. Ho was given a commission and was awarded the TJ.C.M., being the first New 7icalander to gain that decoration on the field. Subsequently he won the Military Cross and bar and ths D.5.0., the latter being earned at Achiet le Petit on the day of Irs death. He was recommended for the V.C., and his general declared that he was the bravest man lie had ever known.

Several of the decorations presented tin's afternoon wore given to next-of-kin, and each time there was an impressive hush and many eyes were dimmed with tears at the remembrance of a, brave life laid down. a labouTmanifesto APPEAL TO "LOVTORR OP SOCIAL JUSTICE." Bt Telißr&oh—Prem Aiioolatlnn. Christchurch. May 3. An appeal to "class conscience workers and all lovers of social justice" not to take any part in officially welcoming the Prince of Wales has been issued by the Christchurch Labour Representation Committee. The appeal takes the form of a lengthy manifesto.