DUKE AT WAIHO

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 89, 9 January 1935, Page 10

DUKE AT WAIHO

Amid the Foothills of Southern Alps TRAMP TO GLACIER e Enthusiastic West Coast Welcomes By Telegraph.—Press Association. Waiho Gorge, January 8. Along South Westland’s romantie gold coast, and through mountain scenery, which for sheer grandeur and commanding beauty challenged human capacity for appreciation, the Duke of Gloucester to-day continued his tour to Waiho Gorge, where the foothills of the Southern Alps cradle the famous Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers. The 90-uiile motor drive from Ross to Waiho was thoroughly enjoyed by the Duke, who. from his seat at the wheel of his ear, found much to admire in the surroundings along the route. The scenery was but a preliminary to the all-encompassing majesty of the rata-clad pinnacles, raging ice-laden streams and mountain settings which awaited him in the heart of the glacier area. As the Royal visitor saw the rata in all its flowering glory he pro- ’ bably recalled the humble token from an old man at South Beach, .which had provided a floral decoration for the breakfast table on the Royal train. Carrying a freshly-picked bunch of gladioli, the donor had shyly offered it ■ to a member of the official staff, and with the words “Will the Duke accept these from a returned soldier,” had -hurried away. There was a slight break in the weather at Waiho Gorge in the late afternoon, and his Royal Highness, without bothering to accept the services of a guide, tramped with a member of his suite the three miles to the morrain of the Franz Josef Glacier, which is unique in that its tongue is only 600 feet above sea level. The Duke spent some time in admiring the glacier, and traversed the ice on its terminal face, also heaving a stone into the crevasse ahead of him. There were several showers of rain during the outing, but it was an invigorating one for the Duke, who returned to the hotel at nightfall. He had no engagements after dinner. To-morrow’s programme is indefinite, but a trip to the Fox Glacier is planned, and it is not unlikely a second visit s will be paid to the Franz Josef Glacier. The Royal party leaves by car early in the evening for Ross to rejoiu the Royal train and proceed through the Otira tunnel to Timaru, where the civic ceremonies commer> r e at 10 o’clock.

UNITY of empire

Value of Visits by Royalty By Telegraph.—Press Association. Hokitika, January 8. After a night of heavy rainfall the weather is again perfect for continuing the’South Island tour of the Duke of Gloucester. A large percentage ••£ the Greymouth juvenile population congregated at South Beach this morning io witness the departure of the Royal train for Hokitika and cheer the Duue in typical ’West Coast fashion. Hokitika's reception was enthusiastically given. At the railway station hundreds of people were in attendance. “I have already enjoyed a view of your far-fumed mountain scenery,” said his Royal Highness, replying .o the loyal address. “I know I shall greatly enjoy my stay among tlie warmhearted people of the West Coast 03 my pleasure visit to this distant part of the Empire, and I know you consider such Royal visits to be of value to the unity of the Empire. I sincerely trust that the mining and timber industries will long continue to bring prosperity to you all.” Another rousing welcome awaited Ute Duke at Ross. In his acknowledgment here his Royal Highness paid a tribute to the war services of the men of the district, stating that their record was proof that feelings of devotion to the Empire were as strong in the residents of its most distant parts as those at the centre He expressed the hope that the gold production would continue to be of value to the district. The Duke left by motor for Waiho driving the car himself. EXACTING SCHEDULE Adverse Criticism of Tour By Telegraph.—Press Association. Christchurch. January 8. According to the special correspondent of one of the Christchurch morning papers, “the tour of the Duke of Gloucester so far, in the South Island at any rate, may be regarded as a triumph for officialdom. The progress of the Duke has been, from Pieton to Greymouth, a rush that has at all times lieen uncomfortably fast, and often dangerously so. It has allowed nobody but the officials of the towns passed through to see the Duke, and then only in stiffly formal surroundings. “His Highness has managed to inject some human touches into the tour when he has met the children of the towns he has visited, but even here the whole setting has been artificial, and the youngsters have obviously been drilled in their parts. There has been only very occasionally a relieving informal touch in a journey that has been ground painfully out under the urgent compulsion of getting to some place within a time that only most pressing speed can make possible.” The correspondent of the other morning paper, referring to the WestportGreymouth part of the trip, says: “There was something strangely moving in the way these people turned out in the rain and stood there, and it is a pity that the exacting schedule, that made for speeds that would be frowned on if private people attempted them, permitted the people of the townships no better reward than a quick guess as to Which was the Duke as the cars flashed by.”