MR. BRUCE’S TOUR

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 63, 8 December 1926, Page 11

MR. BRUCE’S TOUR

FULL DAY AT EXETER A QUAINT OLD CITY London, December 6. Mr. Bruce wound up bis provincial tour in glorious sunshine at Exeter. Within three hours he cut the first sod for the new University College, was entertained at luncheon, and became a Freeman of the City in the historic Guildhall, lined with beautiful panelling, with the Mayors’ coats of arms back to the thirteenth century. The visit and its functions were in contrast with the rest of the tour among industrial centres, for every, corner, of this quaint, quiet old city is teeming with historic associations. Mr. Bruce, when turning the sod, faced a semicircle of, gowned and capped students of both sexes, who, after the ceremony, with full lungs, obeyed the professor’s appeal to “let it rip; let them hear it in Australia,” as they shouted the college cry. Even the room where the luncheon was served was a distinguished apartment in one of the most dignified hotel buildings in Britain. Mr. and Mrs. Bruce then drove through a beflagged, narrow Old World street, with ancient buildings holding the eye every few vards, cheered bv large crowds. It was not surprising that Mr. Bruce was affected emotionally when he took the path to the Guildball to “defend the ancient customs and privileges of this citv in everv just and lawful cause. . Mr. and Mrs. Bruce will remain tn London until they embark for New York aboard the Majestic on December 21. • (Rec. December 7, 5.5 p.m.) London, December 7.

Mr. Bruce declines to comment on Mr Larkin’s resignation of the chairmanship of the Commonwealth Shipping Board.