MASTERTON’S PART

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

MASTERTON’S PART

Royal Oak Planted in Park

GIFT OF NATIVE TIAHA

(By Telegraph—Special Reporter.)

Mastertoil, January 4.

Masterton’s welcome to the Duke of Gloucester was an excellent testimonial to the popularity which had preceded him into the Wairarapa. The city ami territory round about united to show him what manner of welcome was considered fitting for the King’s son and personal convoy. The cordiality witii which he was. received has not been surpassed in New Zealand, citizens of all sections joining whole-heartedly in a tribute of esteem. The Duke stepped from the Royal train at about 3 p.m., his arrival being the signal for an ovation. The Mayor, Mr. T. Jordan, in morning dress, and the town clerk, Mr. T. T. Denbee, met him at the station. The circuitous mile route to the Memorial Park, the place of the civic ceremony, was lined by applauding people, many'of whom had displayed flags from their homes. In the town itself th<? crowds were very large and their excitement unmistakable. At the park gates the Duke inspected a. parade of ex-servicemen under Lieutenant W. R. Burch, many of whom had come from distant parts. The ranks included a section of South African war veterans. Avenue of People. Walking slowly on the broad path through an avenue of people of all ages, whose greetings he returned, the Duke was escorted to the prettilydecorated grandstand. The well-cut lawns, the background of fine trees ami the atmosphere of repose invested the locality with a charin that must have reminded the Royal guest of a wooded English estate. Before him, the crowd, again including a large proportion of children occupying the favoured positions, formed a wide arc of several thousands on the grass. Six boroughs and seven counties were joint signatories to the address of welcome read by the Mayor in their behalf. The Duke, in reply, said: —

“Gentlemen, —I have much pleasure in acknowledging your address, in which. Ou behalf of the people of the Wairarapa, you express your loyalty to the King, my father, and-extend a cordial welcome to me. lam glad to follow their Majestifcs and the other members of my family who have been fortunate enough to visit the people of New Zealand, and I look forward to travelling through this fertile district; I hope that our visits will bring home to ail New Zealandens the personal feelings of kinship and of affection with which they are regarded by the members of my family and by the people at Home. I thank you for your expressions of goodwill and I wish you every happiness in this New Year.”

- After the addresses prominent Mastertoil people were presented to his Royal Highness. This done, he planted a young oak iu a part of the park at the rear of the'stand, so following his brothers’ precedent. ' • , A young woman lying ill in a cot at the side of a path traversed by the Duke was noticed by him- as he returned from the ceremony of the tree. He paused at her side to extend a few Words of sympathy and good wishes. His gracious thoughtfulness deeply impressed all who saw the action. Princess Arapera Hawea, of Gladstone, Wairarapa, presented his Royal Highness with a native tiaha on behalf of the sub-tribe, Ngaituhu, of the Ngatikahungunus Named Makuhea, the tiaha belonged to the princess’s great-great-grandfather, and it had been used in the Maori wars, and had never been out of her family since those times.

WEDDING OF BROTHERS

Special Screening of Film

The only brother of the Duke of Kent who was not at his wedding in London on November 29 was able last night on the other side of the world, thanks to modern science, to imagine himself there. This happened., when on board H.M.A.S. Australia, which he had rejoined earlier in the evening after the completion of his tour of the North Island,.the Duke of Gloucester was present at a special screening of ,(he Paramount film of the marriage of ips brother with Princess Marina of Greece.

The film was specially rushed by air mail from England to connect with the Marama leaving Sydney, so that it might lie here as soon as possible to be seen by the Duke. Last night, as he and his suite watched the crowds and the figures of his relatives and other royalty shown on (he screen, a running fire of cpmment escaped him as he recognised one after the other. “She certainly looks a beautiful bride," was what he said when tiie figure of his new sister-in-law came on the screen. Later, when the film showed the bridal couple and tiie chief guests on a balcony pf Buckingham Palace, waving to the sea of faces below, his Royal Highness turned to some of his staff near by with appreciative comment, as lie saw his father, King George, stoop io lift little Princess Elizabeth to the rail so that she also might wave. Ar the end his Royal Highness expressed pleasure at having been able to see the film.

The occasion actually was -the first time,, apart from experimental screenings, that the H.M.A.S. Australia’s new talking picture equipment has been used, it was purchased, in Australia for the entertainment of the seamen, they themselves paying for it out of their common fund. The ship’s were last, night also entertained at the first New Zealand screening of the Paramount production, “Cleopatra." at a private theatre in Wellington More than forty-live were present In the party. The arrival in New Zealand from Sydney of this film was especially expedited for the occasion.