ROYAL TRAIN ARRIVES

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 189, 6 May 1920, Page 5

ROYAL TRAIN ARRIVES

WELCOMED BY THE MAYOR

Tho Eoyal train steamed into Lambton Station at 7.30 p.m. sharp on tinio. The Mayor of Wellington (Mr. J. P. Luke, M.P.), in his robo of office, was On the platform with the members of tho City Council and the Town Clerk. Tuc Prime Minister (Eight Hon. W. l'\ Massvy), who was accompanied by Mrs. Massey and Miss Ma3sey, was tliero as representing the Government. The chairman of tho Harbour Board (Mr. J. 6. Harkncss) <uid the, secretary (Mr. H. E. Nicholls) were also present officially. Mrs. Luke was one of the few ladies on the platform. _ Police and railway officers had been instructed to keep unauthorised persons off the platform, and only a small group received tho Prince within the station.

Tho Prince alighted promptly, Tho Mayor was presented to him by Sir William' Fraser, tho representative of the Government with the Boynl party. Ths Prince_ then shook hands with the Prime Minister and exchanged a few words with lum.. Tho chairman of f.lio HaTbour Board was also presented. Tho official programme did not provide for any further introductions, but tho Princo indicated that he wished to meet the other _ gentlemen present, and tho city councillors were presented by tho Mayor. Tho stay on tho platform was very brief, and the party then moved out to tho front of the station, where ft roped enclosure, surrounded by a dense crowd, contained the official motorears. The charm of manner of tho Princa has not been exaggerated. At ease himself, lie places ether neople_at their easo without effort cr formality, He mentioned to tho group on the platform that ho had been pleased with what ho had seen of the country districts, and ho made a smiling reference to tho high winds that ho had oncountered as ho approached Wellington. He shook hands withMiis loft hand. His right hand was temporarily disabled in Auckland, where he shook hands with somo 3(HK) citizens in ono day. The Princo likes to shako hands with the people lie meets, but ho has had to admit that unlimited hand-shaking, particularly of the hearty colonial variety, is impracticable from his point of .view.