THE PRINCE'S TOUR

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 202, 21 May 1920, Page 8

THE PRINCE'S TOUR

PRACTICALLY FINISHED LAST NIGHT A VISIT TO SOUTHLAND WINTRY CONDITIONS EXPERIENCED By Telegraph—Press Association.

Dunedin, May 20. The Prince of Wales had a great Bei:<i-oif this morning. Tho weather changed iu the -night, turning very cold, but though this morning there wan u light covering oi snow on the high hills, the sun Bhono brilliantly from a clear blue, sky. There was a big gathering outside Fernhill Club, and whea the. Prince drove off, shortly' before 10 o'clock, the route along Princes Street was lined With cheering people. From Customhouse Square to Anzao Square- there was a. lingo crowd, it being estimated that in Anzae Square alone, which is just outside the railway stasia i, about 1)000 people were congregated. The City Fire Brigade made an effentivo disalay at the entrance to the station, where extension ladders were raised in the form of a pyramid, under which tho Prince rmssed. As the train steamed eoutn at 10.U a.m., with the Prince waving farewells from the platform of the last car, the sirens from tho brigade's seven machines sounded farewells, but could not drown the tumultous sheers of the people. The Prince's parting words to the Mayor were: "Good-bye, sir. Thanks very much for your entertainment in D.unedin. I am so delighted; it Ins beon a great pleasure to me, ] thank you sincerely for tho arrangements, and for the whole organisation." INVERCARGILL'S WELCOME RAIN AND SNOW FAIL TO DAMP ENTHUSIASM. By TeHemoh—PrsKß Apsoolation." Invercargill, May 20. The tour of New Zealand t by the Prince of Wales was practically concluded to-day so far as official engagement -were concerned. It was a pity that tho visit to Southland, whoso eapital has the honour of bidding His Royal Highness a public farewell, should be marred by rain in the final stages. The journey south from Dunedin was marked by changes of climate of a remarkable character. ' As soon as ths train was clear of the city environs evidence of a cold snap became increasingly apparent. Little i.atches of snow lay near tho line and the hills renral white heads to the sky. Milton .was tlia first stop, the people turning out in force to participate in welcoming tlu> Prince. A few. flakes of snow 'now began to fall, and along by Stirling developed into quite a storm, a strong southerly wind driving a flurry' of whire before it in real winter fashion. At Stirling andm the small wayside stations people turned out unmindful of the snow to cheer tho King's son on lrj way. As Balclutha came in sight tho sun asserted himself and tiio grey pall of cloud lifted. Balclutha addei its quota to the expressions of loyalty and homage that have been showered upon the Royal visitor wherever ha has appeared, and tho train proceeded. As the train left tho neighbourhood of the sea and the higher levels about Clinton were traversed, a wonderful panorama of rolling uplands thickly carpeted with snow, with hills on either hand completely mantled in white,' spread out before the travellers' gaze, givi.ig a reminder of familiar winter 6cenes in the Homeland. The sun still smiled down warmly, but his rays could not banish the crisp tang of cold from the atmosphere. 'It was still fine when Gore was reached, but before the people's welcome to the Prince, was completed flakes of snow» began to fall agai.i. There had been a lot.of Tain< in tho morning and conditions underfoot were very sloppy, but this did not damp the patriotic fervour of the people, who gave His Royal Highness a cordial Teception and parting eheers. At Mataura snow began to fall anew, but a little further on the train ran into green fields again, though all 6oddei by rain that fell some liours previously. The sun struggled through the clouds fitfully for awhile; then the clouds conquered again and the landscape became blurred with mist. At 3 o'clock tho train nulled into Invercargill, which lay all wet and muddy underfoot. The town's chief thoroughfare, Dee Street, was very creditably decorated with lines of greenery strung across its great width. Midway along the thoroughfare was a very fine fern arch, in which numbers of coloured electrio lights were disposed liko hngc glow wormß, giving a particularly pleasing effect when darkness fell later on. The street was lined with cheering thousands as the Eoyal party drow to the Show Ground, where agreat concourse gathered to see the first member of the British reigning house to honour the district 'with a visit. Several thousand school children were massed in front of a huge stand, which was packed with spectators. A large number of Territorials and Cadets were on parade, also a long lino of returned men and nurses, who came in for hearty individual greetings and handshakes which the Prince never omits iu the case of those who served in the forces oversea. Then followed a progress through the ranks of the children, who forgot tho discomforts of wet muddy ground in the joy of having a real Prince, their own Prince, in such close personal touch. Littlo faces that a moment before looked pinched with cold, became wreathed in smiles and young voices made the air resound with glad cries of welcome. It was a wonderful illustration of the power of this young "man from a far country, yet of their own kith and ltin, to reach the hearts of those with whom he comes in contact. After returning to tho Grand Hotel, where tho party was quartered, the Prince visited soldier patients in the- Southland Hospital. He spoke a few cheery words to the men, shook hands with them all, and received from the a a present of a leather bag worked with tikis for Queen Alexandra. Before dinner he went for a stroll with some of his staff, the party's appearance in such an informal and familiar manner among them arousing the people's enthusiasm to the highest pitch.

CITIZENS' RECEPTION Invercargill, May 20. A citizens' reception was held in the. Drill Hall to-night. It is estimated that about 7000 people were present, including several hundred returned soldiers. The Prince arrived at 9, accompanied by the Mayor, Mr. John Stead. As the Trince entered the building he was heartily cheered, the demonstration continuing for some time, and being renewed after the National Anthem. In the course of a short speech His Royal Highness expressed regret that his stay in Invercaritill was so brief, and he was therefore unable to come into as close contact with tho people as ho would have wished. At the conclusion of the function those present filed past the Royal dais, and were greeted by the Prince, to whom were presented tho conductors of the Hibernian Band, the Mn'.c Choir, and Orphans' Olub orchestra, which supplied the niusical programme, upon which tho Prince congratulated them. The Eoyal train left shortly after 10 o'clock for Lyttelton. amid an enthusiastic demonstration. The Prince to-night presented to each member of the quarter guard which has accompanied him a tobacco pouch bearing his monogram, and to i\\e sergeant of Iha guard a pouch and pipe. A farewell message to New Zealand will bo handed to Mr. Massey on the Renown.