DUKE’S BIG DAY

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 85, 4 January 1935, Page 10

DUKE’S BIG DAY

Taranaki, Wanganui and Manawatu LONG TRAIN JOURNEY Enthusiastic Welcomes By Large Crowds WAYSIDE GREETINGS Dominion Special Service. Hawera, January 3. The Duke of Gloucester arrived at New Plymouth from Hunterville by the Royal train yesterday morning, after a night journey via the new trunk railway between Okaliukura and Stratford. Torrential rain fell lor most of the journey. On account of the excessive overflows of water the lino was patrolled throughout tho night ahead of the train. From New Plymouth the Duke proceeded to Hawera. Later in the day he visited Wanganui and Flock House at Bulls, arriving at Palmerston North early last evening.

In proportion to its population, the crowd which assembled this morning to greet the Duke of Gloucester on his visit to New Plymouth was as large | as that which welcomed him in any ’ other city, despite the heavy rain and . thunderstorm which ranged over the . whole of Taranaki last night and in . the early hours of to-day. The Duke was given a cordial reception in the streets and at Pukekura Park, where the official reception took place against a background of beautiful bush, the charm of which was not lost upon his Royal Highness. Last night the weather was on its worst behaviour, conditions promising ill for the tour of the province. The countryside is urgently in need of a soaking, and this found the people in two minds—first, whether to be pleased with the downpour, or sorry that their province should turn it on wet for the Duke’s fleeting look. Shortly after midnight the storm was at its height, lightning playing round shrouded Mount Egmont. Rain burst from the skies in proverbial bucketsful. ; Train in Blinding Storm. The wisdom of sending the Royal train round by the new route via Okahukura was questioned in wellinformed circles because of the unconsolidated state of the cuttings and fillings on comparatively recent formations. In the small hours the train ran into a blinding storm, and it is reported a small washout occurred soon after the train passed over a treacherous point of the route. This, however, is not officially confirmed. It is also stated that the engines slackened speed to negotiate water over the rails. From the time of its departure from National Park to the arrival at Waiongona at breakfast time the train was-not once pulled up, except for the service stop at Tangarakau for water. The train drew into New Plymouth at 9.45 a.m., punctually on time. The Duke, who brought fine weather with him, was received by the Mayor, Mr. E. R. C. Gilmour, at the beflagged and fern-decorated station in momentary sunshine. Prince Henry, who was in a lounge suit and brown felt hat, was met also by the Minister of Education. Hon. S. G. Smith, and the Hon. J. McLeod, M.L.C. On the platform, too, were Mr. S. Vickers, chairman of the Taranaki County Council; Mr. C. E. Bellringer, chairman of the Harbour Board; Mr. P. E. Stainton, chairman of the Hospital Board; Mr. W. C. Weston, president of the Chamber of Commerce. , Women and Children Cheer. At the station and its environs a small crowd, mainly women and children, cheered. Smiling, the Duke and his party drove to Pukekura Park without ceremony. The dressing of the buildings was confined chiefly to the j>osf office, the weather being against au attempt at decoration. The track into the park, with ts overhanging ferns, was a bower of loveliness, which opened on to an amphitheatre, whose terraces were splashed by the colours of summer frocks, which presented a picturesque spectacle. As Hie Royal car swept on to the sward the 4000 gathered there accorded the Duke a hearty reception. Before advancing to the dais, done in punga fronds, his Royal Highness inspected the guard of 100 territorials under Captain P. IV. Wright and Lieutenants Hartnell and Leach, and the .Mayor, Mr. Gilmour, read a model address of welcome, ami his Royyl Highness, in happy vein, infused more than ordinary colour into his reply, every word being clearly heard through the amplifiers. Mount Egmont Admired. “I thank you for the cordial greetings with which you welcome me to New Plymouth, which is so closely associated in name and stock witli the west country of England,” said the Duke, responding. “It gives me great pleasure to travel through the important dairying district of Taranaki, and see your beautiful city and far-famed Mount Egmont, which I have already admired from afar.” After shaking hands with prominent people, his Royal Highness inspected the parade of ex-servicemen. When he paused to talk with a little group of crippled children from the hospital, and the nurses with them, the Duke was applauded for ills gesture of sympathy, A new departure for the tour was the presentation to the Duke of a number of parents, widows aud children of soldiers who gave their lives in the war. Eight hundred children, including scouts, guides and cubs, many of whom had been brought long distances, were reviewed by the Duke, who honoured the veteran Scoutmaster, Major F. W. Sandford, who is more than 80 years of age, with a few kindly words. Mr. J. W. Foreman, a Maori war veteran, who, too, has achieved upwards of

fourscore years, was likewise presented to the King’s son. Inspection of Brooklantls. Before tiie ceremony concluded rain I sprinkled Hie park, and the Duke put . on a mackintosh. Tints protected, he wtts conducted through Brooklands, Hie late Mr. Newton King’s estate, now part of Pukekura Park. In heavy rain be was shown floral treasures and a. chestnut tree, claimed to be one of the world’s largest. On the way to Hawera, the next stop, every vantage point on the line was occupied by groups, eager to catch a glimpse of the Duke. A short way out of New Plymouth the Sisters of the Roman Catholic Mission with their small scholars, waved to Hie Prince

standing in the observation ear. At the wayside stations of Inglewood, Stratford and Bitham, crowds cheeped the train on, while the Duke acknowledged the salutations with frequent smiles. An Incident which must have taken the Duke's fancy was the sight of a typical young outdoor girl on a horse, galloping like the wind on a bitumen road beside the track, keeping pace for a quarter of a mile with the fast-mov-ing Iloyal compartment at the rear of the train. As the train sped over a crossing with carriage after carriage flying by, a workman, becoming impatient with the long train, yelled "Where's the Duke?” A pathetic aside was the momentary vision of a youth recumbent in an invalid wicker bed drawn close to the line, in the hope that the Duke would see him.

On the occasion a few years ago when his Royal Highness visited Japan for an investiture, one of the .sights shown him was Fujiyama Mountain To-day he mentioned he had seen Mount Eginont from afar. The mountains are often compared by travellers, but Taranaki’s pride refused to bare its splendours, even for the Royal gaze. Heavily mantled in clouds, the mountain hid itself shy for the day of close inspection or contrast with Japan's Fuji. By Hie time Hawera was reached at 12.30, sunshine was on the side of its large welcoming crowd. High Street was gaily alight with bunting, but the Duke did not drive that way. Because of the earlier threat of a wet day, the reception was held in the Winter Show building. Down the undeeorated thoroughfares to the largq hall was thronged for a red-letter function, several hundreds being unable to get in. Replying to a joint Pakeha and Maori welcome at Hawera his Royal Highness said: “It is a great pleasure to find members of two races at one time enemies living together in harmony and friendship. This is a striking instance of the blessings the Empire confers and the spirit of loyalty and unity it inspires. I hope your com rndes'hip may result in increased prosperity for all.”