DUKE SAILS

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 100, 22 January 1935, Page 10

DUKE SAILS

Memorable Scenes at Lyttelton PEOPLE’S FAREWELL Australia Departs For Russell “SORRY VISIT ENDED” By Telegraph—Press Association. Christchurch, January 21. Amid scenes of intense enthusiasm, the cruiser Australia, with the Duke of Gloucester aboard, left Lyttelton for Russell at 7.30 o’clock to-night. The Duke had spent most of the afternoon at Christchurch, Engagements, apart from visits to public and private hospitals, included the ceremony of laying the foundation-stone of the Sandilands returned soldiers’ 'settlement administration block. The progress of the Royal car front Christchurch to Lyttelton was followed with keen public interest, groups of people lining the route like trees growing by the wayside. The demonstration at Lyttelton Wharf was inspiring. Thousands packed the approaches and the wharf railway platform and gave his Highness a memorable farewell. ■ “I am very sorry my .visit to New Zealand has come to an end,” said the Duke when replying to the farewell by the chairman cf the Harbour Board. “I have enjoyed myself very much indeed.” HONOUR & PLEASURE Statement by Prime Minister NEW ZEALAND’S WELCOME By Telegraph.—Press Association. Christchurch, January 21. The following statement was made by the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hou. G. W. Forbes, this evening. “It has been a great honour and pleasure to the people of New Zealand to have had this visit of his Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester. Spontaneous enthusiasm and warm and sincere expressions of loyalty have been the keynotes of the welcome which has been accorded to his Royal Highness from one end of the Dominion to the other. We fully realise the strain which must have been imposed upon his Royal Highness in carrying out his duties and in the continuous travelling which the tour entailed Civic and. local authorities have earned the highest commendation for the part they have played in receiving and entertaining our royal guest, anfi I take this opportunity of acknowledging the valuable assistance thus rendered. The officials connected with the arrangements of the tour have performed their work well and are to be complimented upon their efiiciency. “The Minister in attendance, the Hon. J. A. Young, has reason to feel gratified with the manner in which his responsibilities have been discharged. In a sentence, a remarkable success in every way has attended the tour. The people of New Zealand will retain lasting impressions of this royal visit, which has afforded them further opportunity of showing their intense loyalty and devotion to the throne.” • GOVERNMENT’S THANKS Woxk of New Zealand Officials By Telegraph.—Press Association. Christchurch, January 21. With the conclusion to-day of the official section of the New Zealand tour of the Duke of Gloucester, opportunity was taken by Sir Alexander Young, Minister in attendance on the Duke, to express the thanks of the Government to the members of the New Zealand official party who accompanied his Highness. Addressing a parade of the special police and detective detachment under Commissioner W. G. Wohlmann, the Minister said the work of all ranks had been magnificent and had won the warm-hearted appreciation of the Government. The duties of some of the men had been particularly arduous, especially those who were responsible. The motor-cycle work and the detective branch; too, required special mention, because its members had been bn duty without let-up in order to provide the necessary service throughout the tour for the protection of the person of his Highness. The general rank and file, Sir Alexander Young added, had discharged their duties ■with skill and tact, their work in controlling crowds and regulating all forms of traffic being particularly commendable. “New Zealand is to be congratulated in having such a fine force imbued with a right sense of duty to the community.” The Minister communicated to the official chaffeurs the Government’s thanks for their loyal and efficient services. It was not generally realised that, apart from ceremonial occasions, the drivers had been at call continuously and at times had to travel all night between railway engagements to ensure adherence to the following day’s schedule. The character of the men was most exemplary and their work had been efficient to the highest degree. Sir Alexander Young similarly adidressed the baggage officers, whose work had been most exacting. It was a matter for congratulation and satisfaction that out of the 350 packages handled daily during, the tour not one had been lost. GALLOPS ON TRACK Duke Pays Visit to Riccarton Dominion Special Service. Christchurch, January 21. Training operations at Riccarton, usually dull on a Monday morning, were enlivened to-day by a visit paid te the tracks by the Duke of Gloucester, who rode three horses in their work during his stay. The visit was a private one, but there was a large gathering of residents of the district,

and Riccarton trainers and riders were in full force. His Royal Highness’s first mount was Doiran, and G. Humphries, on a maiden from 11. Nurse’s stable, was his companion in an easy task with a sprint down tlie straight. Gay Crest, who Ims done duty as a hack since last raced, was tlie Duke’s next mount, and Captain Curtis, private secretary, rode ('.old Dress, while A. E. Ellis, on Starlight, made up a trio that travelled at a strong pace for a few furlongs with another sprint down the straight. Gold Dress finishing in front of Gay Crest. For the third and last spin the Duke rode Grand Review, and lie was accompanied on tliis occasion by L. J. Ellis on Patrole and by 11. Turner on Rebel Chief. Grand Review lias a tendency to pull very hard, but the Duke did not have much difficulty in handling her, although he admitted later that she had kept him busy. Tlie trio covered about seven furlongs al a sound pace. Patrole finishing in front of Grand Review. All three workouts were executed on Ihe course proper.