THE ROYAL VISITORS.

Grey River Argus, 1 March 1927, Page 5

THE ROYAL VISITORS.

MOTOR TO TOKAANU. Long Pleasure Journey. TOKAANU, February 28. The Duke and Duchess of Yorkes journey froni Rotorua to Tokaanu to-day was accomplished under ideal conditions, with bright sunshine and cleai skies in every direction, with just enough of a breeze stirring to temper the heat of the sun most agreeably. Added to this, yesterday’s rain ha-.l praciticaliy eliminated the dust nuisance.. The road for the whole distance wis ill I xcellent Older. Promptly at 2 o ’clock a fleet of fifteen cars filed awav from the Grand iTotel, Rotorua, a. large crowd of people watching to catch a last glimpse of the Duke an J Duchess. Both were clad in serviceable

A police car led, and then canig the ■ Loyal car, followed by tne members ci the suite. The route gave the visitors an interesting example of the afforestation work on a massed scale as miles of planation, containing a million trees, were passed in the Whaka area. Then the Kaingaroa Plain was traversed, oe casional homesteads appearing. At the Reporoa Soldier Settlement nnd at each of the infrequent cross-roads there were little groups of settlers ami their families ,or parties of Maoris, intent upon u passing view of Royalty. The sacreo

mountain of Tauhare, now raised its bulk above the horizon, surmounted by its three cones, enclosing its' volcanic crater, long since discharged’ from active service—possibly since the youthful days of the world, when Te Ika Maui had not yet become accustomed to the alterations of day and night, and was subject to cataclysmic mutations, where tc the many thermal activities of today remain along with fissures ami faults in the earth’s surface, to give evidence. At 4.45 Wairakei was reached and a stay was made for afternoon tea. The Duko ami Duchess visited a big bath in the hotel grounds, but they could noi look round the valley’s natural wonders for lack of time. The road claimed the travellers again at 5.45 for a thirty odd miles’ run, which took them qub k ly away from the drab sameness of the grey plain, with its liackgrbund of grey, bills east ami south, with Mt. T'araw era’s mighty shoulders uplifted to tiie mirth ami the rugged hills shutting out the view to the west. A brief halt was made at Huka Falls where the tourists gazed in wonder upon the turbulent rushing waters crowded into a narrow defile. The green waters were churned into the pool below. Taupo was passed in gathering dust, and the lake shore was skirted for most of the rest of the journey, except where the road followed an eerie, canyon-like cut through a ridge. This was the Earth quake A’alley, so named because it. is particularly always subject to seismic unrest. Mt. Ruapehu and Mt. Ngaruoehoc (with its plume of steam showing cleai against the western sky; hall been in sight for soim; time, and the sunset effects on the mountains would hav<*

made an artist foreswear all urban amenities to stay here and put them on canvas if he could. IN CAMP.

After crossing a bridge over the Tongariri River the procession split up, the ducal car continuing on, and the balance going to the Tokaanu Hotel Camp ;n which the Royai couple quarter with their personal staff. Lt is beautifully situated in a lovely forest glide, on the bank of the Tonganro River. The shelters are all of ’ canvas with wooden floors, and the little encampment is em bodied in the grove of kowhai trees, with a few mighty koahikateas (white pines) rising sentinel-like about them, Kvhile the whole is environed by other native bush. The spot is completely sequestered, and it lies about six miles from the hotel, which is the only one near the settlement.

The sight which met the eyes of the Reval visitors when they reached the camp about S.'-t" p.m. was a welcome one after their strenuous day. In the middle of the glade, opposite the door

of their particular tent, blazed a huge fire of logs, sending out a bright rudd} glare upon the verdure all around, so that it appeared to be a pity the elee trie, light had been installed to spoil the sylvan simplicity of the scene. No time was lost in settling in this temporary home. Dinner was served, and nfter brief contemplation of the peaceful scene, so far removed from the maddening crowd, the visitors retired to rise fresh in the morning for fishing m Abe Tongariro River. ROTORUA FUNCTION. TIIE NATIVE ADDRESS. ROTORUA, Feb. 28. Following is the translation of the address from the Maoris presented to the Duke and Duchess of York at this morning’s ccrcmoninl vfclcome. "Seel: them from the far horizon and draw them hither, llaereiiiai. Haeremni. "May it please Your Ri-yal Highness: Welcome. Welcome. Welcome. Sim Welcome. The second of that name your Royal father bore to this dis-, taut land a generation ago. welcome. Thrice has Royalty deigned to honour our courtyard, io enter our humble house and talk among us. It. is good. Thus is fulfilled that word we spoke on this ground io your elder brother, that those ivlio govern this far-flung Empire should walk and talk with its peoples in all its several parts, and so understand and be uudestood of them. Come, then, in that spirit of trust, wherein England appeals to the hearts of ail races, knitting them surely together ill peace ami goodwill. Welcome the messenger of the era to be when rfpnec and distance .may lie made of small account, when words and works may encircle the globe as does the sun so that no part of the Empire may in-nod in gloom and there conspire in

"Daughter of an honoured house. Welc.oi , welcome. Thus did that first Royal Duke appear before the eyes ot; our fathers with his lady. AVelcumc the second Duchess. Ila! Is it a wo4 man’s peace you bring? Woman’sf hands and woman’s tears have soothed

the wounds of a warirng world. Now woman strives for the peace of God, and enduring peace, the peace which passes all understanding.' Welcome • then embodying the ever-recurring hopes of mankind for a state in which health, happiness and prosperity shall prevail. There are ruined homes to be built again. There arc broken hearts to be mended. There are empty places to be peopled. There are waste places to be turned into gardens. Come, then, with the Empire’s call to all your kind to cement its foundations anew in seriousness, with patience and forbear-

“Welcome, then, Royal son and august lady. We do not need to repeat the vows already made to His Majesty the King and to his eldest son. Loyalty has become a tradition of the Maori tribes of New Zealand, who have come to know and to value the things for which the Crown stands. The generation which welcomed Vour Royal fatlu*) has passed away, and with it have gone, many of the old-time ways and Wisdoms of our people. How'else could it be' Aotearoa and Te Waipounanui have the common inheritance of your people and our people.

“Welcome and farewell. Pass on to that larger land where awaits Voui ultimate duty, the dedication of yet another cornerstone in the proud edifice of the Empire. “ Haere ra. Haere ra. MESSAGE TO RENOWN’S CREW. AUCKLAND, February 28. Before leaving the Renown, the Duke of Y’ork handed the following message to the captain of the warship: “Before leaving the ship to begin our tour of New Zealand, the Duchess and L. wish to express to yourself, the officerSj and ship's coanpany, out grateful thanks for all that has been done to make the journey a pleasant one for us. We have thoroughly enjoyed it, and hope that this feeling is shared by all on board. We realise that hard work has had to be carried out under trying conditions, and wish to assure all.on board that their labours are deeply appreciated by the Duchess, myself apd all those accompanying us.’’ Captain Sullivan read the message to the ship’s company, assembled on the forecastle deck. It was enthusiastic ally received.

Greymouth Visit.

THE ARR.ANGRM'-'NTS. Yesterday was a busy day for those concerned in making arrangements for the coining visit of the Duke and Duchess of York, no fewer than four committee meetings being held as well as a visit to Victoria Park being made for the purpose of making arrangements for Children’s Day, when 3 500 will lie present to receive their Royal Highnesses. At the Park, Mr 11. W. Kitchingham was met by the Mayor, Mr W. IL Parfitt, Mr J. Tennent (Chairman, Children’s Day Committee), Mr E. I. Lord (Organiser). A thorough inspection of the ground was made and arrangements for a general cleaning up and decorations were made. It is hop ed the Duke and Duchess ay ill bot'u plant trees, the sites for which Avere selected. In so doing they will be following the precedent set by the Prince of Wales on his visit to this town. The school children from Kumara to Ikamatua ay ill be brought to town and given a right I’oyal time. CELEBRATION BALL. A meeting of ladies to arrange for th' 1 Celebration Ball Avas held at the Toayu Hall at 4 p.m. Present: Mesdames Parfitt,, Schaef, Seddon, Robertson, Moore, Keating, Doogrn, Kitchingham, Leahy, Leahy senr., Dale, and Messrs W. 11. Parfitt (Mayor), and E. I. Lord (Organiser). After a general discussion it Avas decided that no invitations be issued, biU that the function be a pub lie one, and also that all profits accruing be handed to the local Flunket Society. The Supper Committee, headed by Mesdames Parfitt and Lindop, reported that all arrangements Avere Avell in hand. The Ladies’ Decoration Committee reported they had completed th *, greater part of the spade Avork. The palms, mirrors, flags and electric effects, and would surpass any previous local effort. The Stage and Lounge Committees had their particular portions of the arrangements Avell in hand and both would be special efforts, the stage being set as a draAving room, pot plants, palms, and banks of floAvers predominating. The charges of admission were confirmed as previously announced, and Avill be: 10/- per double ticket, circle 2/6. Tickets to be obtained from the secretaries or members of committees. Everybody’s Orchestra (six instruments) AviH provide the music, Avhich is in itself a guarantee of excellence. Special dressing rooms for the Duke’s party ay ill be provided, and no effort spared to make the fund io the most brilliant of its kind ever held in Greyirouth. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. At the Executive Committee meeting there wree present: — Messrs W. H. Par fitt (Mayor), W. B. Gilbert, M. Keating. G. E. Perkins, F. 11. Denton, T. E. Y. Sedclon, and E. I. Lord (Organiser),

A general discussion showed that all arrangements Avere well in hand, and the details of various functions were discussed at length and finalised, everything pointing to a successful result.

CHILDREN S DAY. The Committee for Children’s Day [ met. Present: Messrs J. Tennent, (chair), W. 11. Parfitt, T. F. Y. SeddonJ Archdeacon Carr, Hutton, ShirlaAv, Mesdames Parfitt and J. Tennent, and Miss Dunn. Mr Tennent stated there wolud be 3,500 children to entertain, and they Avould all be in town by 9.30 a.m., and march to the Park, Avhere they would le placed in their respective positions. The children from the Hokitika end would leave the train at Elmer Lane, and the Kumara children would come to Greymouth, there numbering 120. Flag%» would be provided for all on arrival at the Park. The children will be carried free on the railways' and would be’ provided with one meal at Victoria Park, consisting of fruit, cake, pastry, lollies, t6a, milk, sugar, etc; every child to bring its own drinking i vessel. Mr Hutton offered to provide a , squad of Technical School girls, 30 in all, to assist in getting ready the food. This was accepted with thanks..