DUKE ON COAST

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 88, 8 January 1935, Page 10

DUKE ON COAST

Stimulating Welcomes

From Settlers

DISPLAYS OF LOYALTY] Motor Trip Through Buller; Gorge By Telegraph—Press Association. Greynioutli, January 7. Easily tlie most arduous phase of his tour was completed to-day by tlie Duke of Gloucester, who, between 9.15 tliis morning and 8 o’clock to-night visited Murchison, Inaugahua, Westport, and Greymouth. • The receptions at each township were stimulating, and typical of the hospitality of West Coasters, but even more inspiring, if possible, were the welcomes his Royal Highness received en route.

As lias been the experience throughout, way side salutations to-day were conspicuous. The real significance of them was reflected wheu heavy rain set in late in the afternoon, and hundreds of adults and children on the coastal roads between Westport and Greymouth sacrificed dry clothing for the sight of and a cheer for the prince. There were on this magnificent marine scenic drive many touching evidences of loyalty, and those playing the leading part in the majority of instances were working folk. Miniature Union Jacks, bedraggled but flying, were a common sight, and at some places bunting was stretched across the road on wire. Westport’s welcome, which was rousing, was not completed when rain, which had been errant for several weeks, fell, but all of the proceedings at Greymouth, which was distinctively decorated for the event, had to be carried out in continuous rain. Notwithstanding the unfavourable conditions, thousands of residents were present at the official ceremony, where umbrellas acted as a canopy for but not a brake on the acclamation accorded the Royal visitor. Greymouth’s effort was admirable and capped the demonstrations of the other West Coast and centre Island areas at each of which the children had been transported long distances inland.

The Duke of Gloucester again proved himself an expert driver, being at the wheel for a considerable portion of the journey, including the Bullen Gorge and marine drive from Westport to Greymouth. At one of the stops in ,ithe gorge lie cinematograplied the peculiar mountain formation known as the “Old Man of the Mountains.” “I have greatly enjoyed my drive along the splendid Buller Gorge,” he told the people of Inanfcahua. “I shall not easily forget this part of New Zealand nor the warm-hearted greetings of its people.” In his replies at Westport and Greymouth the Duke made particular mention of the industries in which those districts were interested, and expressed the hope that coal production and mining would long continue to be of value to New Zealand and contribute to the prosperity of the people concerned in them. ' The Duke joined the Royal train at Greymouth and spent the night aboard at South Beach, a few miles distant.

To-morrow he proceeds to Hokitika and Ross, en route to Waiho, where the party is expected to arrive for lunch. They stay overnight at the Glacier Hotel. Up to a late hour to-night heavy rain was still falling and the conditions of the roads to-morrow may slow down travel. His Royal Highness may in the afternoon visit the Fox as well as the Franz Josef Glacier. MAILS FOR ROYAL PARTY Delivery by Aeroplanes By the time they terminate their six weeks’ stay in New Zealand, the Duke of Gloucester and his party will have received a number of dispatches of mail from England, some of which have been forwarded to Australia by air.

When quick delivery cannot be effected by other means, the Post Office is arranging for mails for the Royal party to be transferred from the port of arrival in New Zealand by Air Force aeroplanes. A mail received at Auckland before Christmas was transferred by air to Napier in a flying time of two hours, and yesterday another mail was flown from Wellington to the West Coast in a flying time estimated at four hours Other flights with mails for the Duke are expected to be undertaken between Auckland and Invercargill. between Wellington and Longbeach. Ashburton, between Auckland and Christchurch, and between Wellington and the Bay of Islands. The co-operation of the Air Force authorities and pilots in this matter is much appreciated by the Post Office, as dependable air connections are most necessary. Particularly is this the case in respect of the mail to be flown on January 38 between Wellington and the Bay of Islands, as the Royal patty leaves New Zealand on the following day from the latter point.