IN HINTERLAND

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 105, 28 January 1935, Page 10

IN HINTERLAND

Duke Witnesses Fall of Mighty Tree CHEERS OF SETTLERS Archbishop’s Sermon at Historic Church GOLDEN AGE OF EMPIRE 'i : By Telegraph—Press Association. Russell, January 27. Watching every phase with the closest interest, the Duke of Gloucester, hatless, and wearing a shortsleeved, open neck shirt, spent several pleasurable hours on Saturday afternoon viewing and photographing treefelling and log-hauling operations in the hinterland between Opononi. and Kerikeri. Normally a place of isolation. Omahuta Bush yesterday resembled a thriving village, so great was the attendance of settlers, fully 1500 of whom were present to see the Royal, visitor and express goodwill to him through their lusty cheeiing. The presence of spectators, however, did not vitiate the informality of the Duke’s outing, his Royal Highness and party moving’ as freely through the bush as though they were ordinary' tourists. A Royai salute froma siren greeted the Dukes appearance at the forest flaring where a kahikgtea log containing 13a0 super ficial feet of timber had been hauled with difficulty from the bush. 1b a different part of the reserve, where 50 children holding, ferns provided a fronded arch for him, his Royal Highness saw the mighty kahikatea sjojvly topple into the guhy with a groan and a roar that conjured up visions of a verbal contest of prehistoric monsters. Duke’s Tramp Into Bush. The Duke tramped three-quarters of a mile into the bush along a bullock track to see and photograph various phases of the working of bullock teams. His camera was again in action 'yhen, with the forest and cheering settlers left behind, Prince Henry, who was again driving his car, pulled up at the Mangamuka River bridge to see a log dumped into the river and hit the water with tremendous force, sending vast showers of spray skyward. He arrived at Kerikeri late in the afternoon, via Okaihau and Rangiahua, and had a high tea on the lawn at the home of Mr. E. A. Little, and inspected a citrus plantation. Later he visited the Kerikeri residence of Captain B. Edkins. , Paihia was reached at 8.30 p.m., and his Royal Highness embarked on H.M.A.S. Australia half an hour later. Guests at dinner on the Australia were Lord Bledisloe, Lady Bledisloe and the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates. To-day the Duke of Gloucester bocame the guest of Lord Bledisloe, who, with Lady Bledisloe, arrived at Russell on the Matai yesterday, coinciding with the 9th anniversary of the consecration of the church. . His Royal Highness, in company with their Excellencies, Mr. Coates and Sir Alexander Young, attended Divine service at the Williams Memorial church at Paihia. Large crowds on the wharf watched the arrival of the Royal barge and the Vice-Regal launch, and formed an unofficial procession behind the visitors as they walked a quarter of a mile to the church. Many Worship Outside. Although the church was -filled to capacity, the size of the congregation was eclipsed by that of the worshippers who remained outside and who, through the wide, open windows, followed the service, singing the hymns and joining in the prayers. They participated also in the offertory. The sermon was preached by Archbishop A. W. Averill, Primate of New Zealand, who said the duty of all to the uncertain future was to remember God, who had given a vision of Empire, which must never be allowed to fade. It was a vision, said his Grace, which embraced the pursuit of justice, righteousness, and the fear of God. So long as we realised the real strength of the Empire was the character of its people, and so long as the Empire was served in Church and State by men of the highest character and ideals, we might believe the golden age of the Empire was yet to come. Prince Henry had luncheon on the Matai with their Excellencies. Other guests were: Archbishop and Mrs. Averill, Mr. Coates and Mrs. Coates. Mr. Vernon and Mrs. Reed. HISTORIC WAITANGI Treaty Site Visited By Duke By Telegraph—Press Association. . Russell, January 27. On the grassy slopes of Waitangi where Pakeha and Maori 95 years ago next month were united in a common bond of nationhood, the Duke of Gloucester this afternoon inspected the landmarks of New Zealand’s early history, accompanied by their ' Excellencies, Lord and Lady Bledisloe. The Prince went by launch to Waitangi Falls, and joining the cars at Ti Point, motored to Mount Bledisloe and back to the Treaty House, examined the preserved relics housed in the former residency, and was shown the spot on which the Treaty was signed. His Royal Highness dined aboard the Matai with their Excellencies. There were many excursionists at Russell and Paihia to-day, out the nature of the Duke’s afternoon visit did not bring him in touch with a great number of the public. One of the visitors, an elderly woman, in disembarking from the launch at Paihia, slipped into the water from which she was promptly hauled by a blue jacket from the Australia, apparently none tiie worse for her experience. Lord Bledisloe and Lady Bledisloe arrived at Russell on the Matai yesterday and remain until the departure of the Duke of Gloucester on the cruiser Australia on Tuesday at 9.30. Monday is the Duke of Gloucester’s final day in New Zealand and his intentions tonight were to devote it to a further big game fishing expedition at Deep Water Cove. He breakfasts on the Matai which will take him to the fishing grounds and anchor there while he am ills suite fish from launches. At tin

conclusion of Hie day’s outing tiie Matai will bring his Royal Highness back to Russell. GIFT TO DUKE Racehorse Silent Bill (By "Tiie Watcher.”) The Duke of Gloucester next limiting season in Englaiij will have a New Zealand horse to i'i,le He Ims been presented with Silent Bill by Mr £. A. Duncan, and in due euurse tbe gelding will be shipped Io his Royal Highness. The Duke was the guest of Mr. Dunean at his Huiitervt.le station at the New Year, and in Ino course of bis visit he did a good deal of ridinu. Silent Bill being his inoinit He expressed himself as very pleased with tbe horse, and he has now accepted him as a gift from 1 is host.

Silent Bill is a fnnr-yetir-old chestrut gelding by Nassau from Lady Christina, by Mountain King from the imported mare Cnserra’s Daughter. He was bred in New Soti’b Wales and u is bought by Mr. Duncan as a yearling. He has shown considerable promise, and attained success >v tin racecourse a.s a juniper. No doubt the Duke, who is a keen enthusiast will give him an opportunity to earn distinction in Eng land over obstacles. He has frequently ridden in cross-country events himself.