VISIT TO FLOCK HOUSE

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

VISIT TO FLOCK HOUSE

Palmerston Reached Ahead of Schedule HELD UP BY ROYAL TRAIN Dominion Special Service. Palmerston North, January 3. The Wanganui ceremonies concluded rather earlier than the scheduled time, the finale to a memorable event being provided by veteran soldiers, whose full-throated cheer when the Duke of Gloucester stepped with a wave of farewell into his car was taken up iby the populace. Departure was then made by motor-car for Flock House, while the Royal train, with only its staff on board and a squad of police, left for Palmerston North, flags and the arms of the Duke of Gloucester being removed iu accordance with custom from the front leading engine. A stream of fast-moving cars ate up the distance to the famous farm training school. At many points along the route groups had stationed themselves to see the Duke go by. He returned salute for salute, to the joy of country children, who had waited patiently on the roadside to catch a sight of a prince of England. Halt at Bulls. At Bulls a halt was made for a moment. Mr. C. L. Bull, the owner of Black Mau, was the leader of the welcome. The township had done its bit with bunting, and seemed to have a special place in their hearts for the man who had ridden well the horse from their district. "Thank you for the ride,” was the Duke's -parting word to Mr. Bull. A turn-off was made here for the remaining few miles to Flock House. On arrival ahead of time the Duke was welcomed by Colonel C. G. Bowles, principal of Flock House, Mr. J. Linklater, M.P. for Manawatu, and the trustees, and entertained at afternoon tea. Pending the arrival of Mr. E. Newman, the father of the scheme, the opportunity was taken to present an old West Coast Maori, Mr. A. Tohu, one of the few survivors of a party of 33 Natives sent from New Zealand in 1902 to take part in the Coronation of King Edward. Interest in Pedigree Stock.

His’ Royal Highness was conducted on a visit of inspection of the trainees’ activities, an exhibition of mustering sheep and cattle being given by the boys on horseback. He showed a keen interest in pedigree stock, aud iu the fine house with Its Virginia creeper giving a touch of an old-world mansion. Thirty boys in neat khaki riding breeches and shirts, and a troup of scouts, paraded for the Duke. Mr. Newman described the founding of the scheme, its aspirations and present day difficulties. The Duke, iu an extempore address, told of the Prince of Wales’s interest iu Flock House, apd how he had already acquainted the speaker with .its objectives. The Duke said he could see that from the look of their faces the boys were enjoying farm life, and concluded by wishing them success in their chosen career. As the cars resumed, the journey to Palmerston North, the Duke was given a spirited send-off the party. Ahead of Schedule.

Still in front of the planned schedule, the quarter of an hour gained at Wanganui had increased to 25 minutes when good-bye was said' to Flock House. The last lap of 25 miles was fast going, and Palmerston was entered at 6,25, with 65 minutes in hand, the entourage being originally due at 7.30 p.m. An amusing situation developed out. of the Duke’s early arrival. After negotiating Rangitikei Street the procession of cars was circling the Square on its way to the Duke’s hotel when it was halted by the rail-way-crossing keeper outside the Post Office for the train steaming into Pal; merston North. This proved none other than the Royal train just arriving from Wanganui with a section of the police party still on board, their smiling faces looking out from the windows. Thus the Duke was held up by his own Royal train. His Royal Righness, on reaching his hotel; entered immediately. By 7.30, however, crowds had lined the streets in . the hope of seeing the Royal visitor come to Palmerston on schedule, the fact not being generally known that he was already here. On learning of this the Duke, to avoid disappointing them, arranged for his car to be brought to the hotel. He drove round the Square, where the crowd was greatest, and back to the hotel. After dinner his Royal Highness paid a visit to the Manawatu Club, where he spent the remainder of the evening informally with members. / TO-DAY’S ARRANGEMENTS J Presentation of Air Race Medals Dominion Special Service. Palmerston North, January 3. With coloured lights and bunting displayed from the streets and important buildings in honour of the Duke of Gloucester the city has taken on a carnival appearance. In the event of the weather being wee to-morrow morning Hie civic welcome to his Highness will be held at the Opera House instead of at the band rotunda in the Square. It is expected that over 2000 pupils from schools in Palmerston North and the surrounding country will parade for inspection by the Duke. Local and public body representatives and their wives, numbering in all 134, are to be presented to his Royal Highness at the civic welcome. The guard of honour is being provided by members of the Second Field Brigade of the New Zealand Artillery, who will parade under Captain W. D. Philp. A magnificently bound illuminated address of welcome expressing the loyalty of the citizens of Palmerston North and the settlers of the Kairanga county is to be presented to the Duke of’Gloucester at the civic welcome. The address, is contained in a black Morocco leather album and is addressed in gold letters to “His Royal Highness, the

Duke of Gloucester, K.G., P.C., K.T., G.C.V.0.” It contains views of the Square and the coat of arms of the Palmerston North City Council.

At the conclusion of the civic welcome his Royal Highness will leave by the Royal train for Woodville, where speeches of welcome will lie presented and local body representatives introduced to him. Fifteen minutes later the Royal train will leave for Masterton.

When at Palmerston North his Royal Highness will present to Squadron Leader M. C. McGregor and Mr. H. C.

Walker the Sir Macpherson Robertson medals which they won by completing the centenary air race in under 16 days. INFORMAL GREETING Genial Limbless Soldier Dominion Special Service. Wanganui, January 3. “A happy New Year, your Honour; give us your flip.” This was the manner of the welcome extended to the Duke by an ex-serviceman in a parade inspected by his Royal Highness at Wanganui this afternoon. The Duke was walking slowly along the ranks, when he came to a middleaged num, brave with medals, jand supporting himself on crutches, for he had lost a leg ou active service. This former soldier, a New Zealander, who had served in the iVustralian Infantry Forces, was addressed by the Duke, who asked him a few questions about his experiences. As his Royal Highness turned to move on the ex-Austra-lian made the foregoing observation. The Duke rose to the occasion and, laughing heartily, shook hands with the geuial soldier to the great delight of his comrades, who had heard this informal and unrehearsed monologue. Many among the crowd also heard, and the Duke's action was warmly anplauded. CHILDREN FROM LEVIN Dominion Special Service. Levin, January 3. Children of the Levin school wilt be conveyed to Palmerston North to-mor-row by a special train for the occasion of the reception to H.R.H. the Duke of Gloucester. The train will carry children from Otaki also, aud will leave Levin at approximately 8 : 30 a.m. Local children will assemble at the Levin station at 8.30, where they will be marshalled by Mr. F. H. Clift. After the review the children will be marched to the railway station refreshment rooms, where the meal will be provided free of change. The homeward journey will commence at .1.10 p.m.