ROYAL VISITOR

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 86, 5 January 1935, Page 12

ROYAL VISITOR

Conclusion of North Island Tour

BUSY DAY YESTERDAY Ascent of Rimutakas Makes Novel Climax DEPARTURE FOR PICTON . ■ ■■ j • With his departure early this morning for Picton in H.M.A.S. Australia, the Duke of Gloucester will have concluded Iris tour of the North Island. He arrived in Wellington by the Royal train from the

Wairarapa at 7.15 p.m. last night and immediately went on board the cruiser. His visit to date has occu- -- pied 18 days, and there remain tlu-ee weeks before he finally bids New Zealand farewell. Another strenuous day was filled yesterday by his Royal Highness, who visited the Manawatu and Wairarapa districts, calling at the large centres. Weather that was mainly fair and the happiest receptions everywhere combined to give him pleasant memories of this island and its people. In all the Royal train travelled 946 miles through the island, the daily average having been 45 since the Quite , landed in Wellington from Australia on December. 15. In addition Several hundred miles were covered by motorcar. A spectacular finish to the Duke’s North Island tour was provided for him yesterday afternoon when the Royal train made the ascent of the famous Rimutaka incline. It was the heaviest passenger l “make-up’’ ever to have i undertaken the crossing. No fewer than five of the special Tell locomotives were required for the haul. At Cross Creek station at the foot of the .hills the train was split into three divisions, and reassembled with one engine leading, one at each place where the train was “broken,” and two pushing at the rear immediately behind the Duke’s observation ear. While the train was in process of rearrangement and the two A.B. engines which had drawn the train throughout the islands were being substituted by the others, the chairman of the Railways Board, Mr. H. H. Sterling, C.M.G., explained technical questions to the Duke. He was keenly interested in the curious third rail and the mechanism with which the Fell engines are equipped for adhesion to it on the severe grade of 1 in 14. The Duke’s Australian terriers, Digger and Sally, accompanied him during this inspection, and later enjoyed a brief, exploration of a hillock at the Summit while the Fell engines were replaced by a single’ tank locbmotive of the W.W. class, which brought the train the rest of the way in record time to Pipitea Wharf. The actual ascent over the tortuous three miles to the Summit <was begun at 5.10, and the haul, the major part of which was performed at little more than walking pace, was completed in 35 minutes. It was an experience mew to the Duke, and something even Australia could not show him in curiosity I of railway transport. WELCOMED BY 15,000 Enthusiasm at Palmerston North (By Telegraph—Special Reporter.) Palmerston North, The informal entry of the Duke of Gloucester into Palmerston North'“early on Thursday evening after his tour of the West Coast districts, and the fact that he was staying thq night in their midst, whetted the interest of the city to warm patriotic fervour for the civic welcome this morning. Palmerston North enjoys a reputation for intense civic pride, and what it undertakes it does well. So with the welcome to the Duke. . Early astir, dwellers in the outlying areas commenced to pour into the city on all arterial roads converging upon it. By 11.10 a.m.—the hour when the Royal guest would be present officially at the band rotunda—the resident jxjpulation had been swelled by many hundreds from outside parts. When his Royal Highness arrived punctually to the minute, he saw a crowd which filled the Square and the streets flanking it. It is estimated that between 12,000 and .15,000 people, representative of all sections of the community, had congregated at that point.

Special Trains With Children. It had rained miserably all night, but the skies did the fair thing and conditions were pleasant for the big day. It was to be the children’s ceremony as much as their elders. The youngsters—2ooo of them—were allotted pride of place immediately in front of the gaily beflagged bandstand. Three special trains brought quotas of happy young people from the country. They were assembled at the Showground and played to the Square by the city band. Resident children were led to their appointed place by Highland pipers. A cheer that rose in a long crescendo, signalled the ■ Duke’s _ arrival. A deep hush descended upon the throng with thq first bars of the National Anthem, which the Garrison Band struck up. Prince Henry, in civilian dress, inspected a well-turned-out guard of honour, formed of the 7th and Sth batteries, 2nd Field Brigade, of the New Zealand Field Artillery under the command of Captain W. D. Philp.

Cheering Youngsters.

Bareheaded, his Royal Highness walked leisurely through an avenue of cheering youngsters, wildly waving Union Jacks. He smiled delightedly to them, proud to have made new conquests in their affections. In the rotunda the Duke was received by the Mayor, Mr. A. E. Mansford, whose regalia replete -with cocked hat (a picturesque mayoral attribute rarely seen in wear in this country) had earlier captured the imagination of the crowd. With him was Mrs. Mansford and Mr. D. Collis, chairman of the Kairanga County Council, and Mrs. Collis.

The Duke’s reply to the Mayor’s welcome'was as follows: — . “Mr. Mayor and Mr. Chairman, —I shall have pleasure in conveying to the King, my father, assurances from the people of this city and county of their devotion to him and to the Empire.

I am glad indeed to follow my brothers and sister-in-law in visiting this loyal and beautiful Dominion, and I know that I shall derive an equal enjoyment from my stay in your midst. I thank you for the warmth of your reception, and I sincerely hope that, situated at the junction of so many roads, you may continue to render important service to the community and yourselves secure reward. I wish you all a happy New Year.”

Added lustre to the occasion was lent by a ceremony following his Royal Highness’s speech. At the invitation of Mr. Mansford, Manawatu’s heroes of the centenary air race, Squadron Leader M. C. McGregor and Mr. H. C. Walker, stepped with their characteristic reserve up to the official platform. There the Duke presented each with a gold medal awarded by Sir Macpherson Robertson to competitors who had completed the England-Australia trip within 16 days. The Mayor recalled that the pilots and the plane easily qualified for the award. As they had had to return at once to New Zealand, Mr. McGregor and Mr. Walker had not had an opportunity before of receiving the medals. His Royal Highness, in handing them to the recipients, heartily congratulated the airmen, shook hands, and smiled his appreciation of a gallant flight.

Three Resounding Cheers.

At Mr. Mansford’s call three resounding cheers were given for the Duke, the Square never having echoed to a demonstration more sincere The more precise' aspect concluded, his Royal Highness mingled with 200 R.S.A. men paraded under Lieutenant B. J. Jacobs and 2S South African War veterans with Major J. T. Bosworth at the head, talking as a soldier io soldiers. A page of colonial history was turned back when six Maori War comrades, led by Major F. W. Garner, 87 years old, were introduced to Prince Henry. Stiffly at attention, the aged campaigners signified by their bearing the wordless assurance that having fought for the old Queen they would fight again for the father of the Royal rtsltor, CHEERY 15 MINUTES Unrestrained Reception at i Woodville (Byl Telegraph—Special Reporter.) Woodville, January 4. The fortressed walls of Manawatu Gorge directing the course of the river, with the railway skirting it, provided new scenery for the Duke’s admiration during the easy run by the Royal train from Palmerston North to the Wairarapa. An hour’s travel brought the Royal visitor to Woodville, where a welcome as vivid as it was unrestrained Was accorded him. a stop was made for but 15 minutes, the townspeople made the most of the allotted time. A decorated dais had been established on the platform, and on the tracks below were packed between 3000 and 4000 residents. Way was made for a. close-up view of the Duke for several' hundred children. They took charge of the preliminaries, and how these country youngsters could cheer I The Duke’s characteristic reserve faded forthwith and he was soon smiling happily. Breezy Diversion. A breezy diversion was the contribution of a dozen young fellows who had scrambled on the roof of a train bound for Wellington. It had pulled into a siding at the station to permit the entry of the Royal train. The young men, with one accord, broke into “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow,” with a modified conclusion improvised for the Duke. The burden of it was felt rather than heard ip the general noise, but their enterprise earned its reward. His Royal Highness turned about and smiled his appreciation to them. The singers were Bible class students returning from a camp outing, The Mayor' of Woodville, Mr. J. Elder, voiced his borough’s welcome, his address speaking also for Dannevirke and Pahiatua districts. With him was Mrs. Elder and representatives of the outlying territories. The Minister of Lands. Hou. E. A. Ransom, and Mrs. Ransom were also present. The'Duke feelingly acknowledged the . declaration of loyalty to the Throne and expressed his pleasure .in being able to visit the districts. Interest in Young People. Sustained cheering followed' the Royal reply. The Duke walked about the platform smiling to the assembly, and took particular interest in the children. “Let us see how you can cheer,” called the Hon. J.-A. Young. Minister in Attendance, to the young people. Tliey needed no second bidding, their response delighting the Duke in a way that he took no pains to concea}. ' > An .appealing moment occurred during the presentation of prominent citizens to his Royal Highness. A very old resident whose sight was almost gone was led to the Duke. He was Mr. E. P. Smart, 87 years old, and one of the Canterbury Pilgrims who came to New Zealand in 1850. He has thus lived in this country for 84 years, and 40 years in the Woodville district. The Duke gave him the kindliest attention and shook the old colonist’s hand very warmly.

TALK WITH PATIENTS

Surprise Hospital Visit

By Telegraph.— Special Reporter

Masterton, January 4. An informal and quite unexpectedcall at the public hbspital by the Duke of Gloucester—his first visit of this kind in New Zealand—was one of the high points of his reception at Masterton this afternoon At the conclusion of a splendid civic ceremony in the park, the Duke had time to look about a little. He chose the hospital visit as the way it suited him to occupy r h<‘ ■interval before the Royal train passed on.

It was a surprise call, the matron and the superintendent being with rhe crowd at the park. The Duke .war. therefore received by Sister Paterson, who conducted him over the institr tion. ■ In addition to visiting the main surgical ward, the Duke went into the children’s ward, and spoke to the yovnn patients in simple terms Many among them did not recognise his Royal High ness, but those who did lost no tine 1 in acquainting the others of the ifien tity of the caller.

He subsequently went into the maternity ward, where he saw throe, new infants. A word or two of congratulatory sentiments were received with happiness by the mothers. The impression that remains in the institv tion is that Henry will doubtless lie added to the names of more than one baby boy in memory of the Duke’.-: gracious act.