THE ROYAL TOUR

Hokitika Guardian, 22 March 1920, Page 2

THE ROYAL TOUR

HOKITIKA INCLUDED. PRINCE STAYS OVERNIGHT, MAY 12th. The. rumours current for some days past that Hokitika would be included in the Royal tour of H.lt.H. the Prince of Wales, are now confirmed by official intimation. Mr Seddon M.P., has been advised by Sir F. D. Bell, Iv.C.M.G., K.C., Minister of Internal Affairs, that His Royal Highness during his tour of the Coast, will reach Hokitika at 6.30 o’clock on the evening of Wednesday, 12th May, stay the niglit, and depart the next morning at 9.30 o’clock for Greymouth, Otira and Christchurch. It is under-

stood that to permit of this arrangement, ' one day has been deducted from the Royal stay in Christchurch. The people of the district will be grateful to the Go-vernor-General and his Ministeis for making the visit to Hokitika possible, and a special measure of thanks should ! he extended to Mr Seddon for being able j to secure this concession to this importI ant part of the \Yestland constituency. It is certain that nowhere in the. Dominion will a more loyal and cordial welcome be extended to Prince Edward of Wales than in this corner of the Dominion of New Zealand where loyalty has been ever the guiding spirit in all public acts of citizenship. It will be for the local authorities now, backed by the general public of town and country, to organise a reception and entertainment which will fit so august a visit, and showin the right way how much the people appreciate the consideration extended, to them by making the special arrangements necessary to ensure Hokitika being included in the Royal itinerary.

OFFICIAL NOTIFICATION. Hon Minister of Internal Affairs to Mr Seddon M.P., dated March 16, Wellington. Dear Sir.—With reference to our conversation of a few i.ays ago regarding the visit of His Royal Highness to the West Coast, I have now to inform you that is has been decided to give the Prince an extra day there. It is proposed that His Royal Highness shall arrive in Hokitika about 6.30 o’clock on the evening of Wednesday, , 12th May, stay «ne' night there and depart next niorning at 9.30 o’clock.. As far (is tin: entertainment of His Royal Highness is concerned, a reception in the evening as suggested at our interview, will be approved.. The Prince, as ypu are aware, has expressed a wish to meet as many of the Returned Solchers piul schpol children as possible. His Royal Highness can of

course, meet the returned men in the evening. [n regard to the jSchpu] Children they can, if desired, be drawn up to receive His Royal Highness on bis way to the railway station in the morning. Official notice of the visit has been sent also to the Mayor (Mr G. A. Perry). GENERAL ARRANGEMENTS. The local bodies aiu} the public are expected to meet on the 30ph jnst to prepare a programme for the visit. The idea of a reception in the evening is generally approved, anil 5Jr Sec}dpn has askpd for plan's to give if effect. Tiiis is being attended to, and a draft proposal .vill be sent forward for approval by the authorities, which can then he adopted and given effect to here. A draft of the loyal address to H.R.H. was prepared last week, and the copy for approval has been sent already to the Hoii fdlhiajdr of Tnterial Affairs at Wellington.'

The school children will be kept in the forefront in connection with the Prince’s visit. It, is proposed tq ascertain the number of country children who can at. tend and arrange tor them to be billetted Most at till? country children will require to be accommodate?} in Jsojd{;ika overnight. The Canterbury Education Board hag been asked to contribute towards the cost, this invoicing a bpfj and at least two meals After’the departure of the Royal paity on fhe Thursday morning, it is proposed t° hflW a Children’s Gala for the ont.ortniiimenp of the visiting children.

It is said that Messrs Newman Bros, will provide a fleet of about twenty motor cars to tninsort .the Royal < party from Marlborough via Nelson and Westport to the West' Coast rail head.