PRINCE OF WALES’ TOUR.

Hokitika Guardian, 1 May 1920, Page 1

PRINCE OF WALES’ TOUR.

(Per Press Association.) PRINCE AT AUCKLAND. AUCKLAND, April 30. By tile irony of fate tlio Prince of Wales, after having the visit to Rotorua spoiled by rain, on wliat should have been a big day, and clouded yesfccrlay, by the uncertainty arising out of the Railway strike position, found himself practical.v at a loose end in. Auckland to-day, with clear skies overhead. Reaching Auckland at eight o’clock he walked out of the station quietly with his staff. Ho proceeded to quarters aboard the Renown.

Though the hour was early a crowd quickly gathered and as the Prince cu ssed Queen’s Wharf to the ship, the watersklers received him with cheers. Later in the day lie went out to the golf links at One Tree Hill and enjoyed a round with officers «f the Renown. In the evening ho attended a pri mte dance on board. ROYAL TOUR DELAYED. AUCKLAND, April HOSir Win. Eraser (Minister in charge .of the tour) with Mr McVilly (General Manager of Railways) were u close touch with Wellington during the day. When news came in the morning that the strike was settled, the aimedn nement was made that the Royal train would start South at 3.45 and that +ho programme fo r Taranaki and Hawke’s Bay would be completed as originally arranged," except that it would he a day late all along tho line. Then it was found the reported .-ettlenient only applied to a portion of the strikers. Tho hour of departure was postponed till 5 o’clock.

Finally it was stated that no start could be made till the morning. The Governor-General had a conference with Sir W. Fraser.

Finally tlic following official rtatement was issued : “The Government desire to make public the fact that tho Prince of Wales wishes to carry out the whole of his tour in the North D’and if this can he done without- prejudice to his programme. If the strike is settled by to-morrow he will leave Auckland by train on Sunday afternoon to -••wry out the whole of the North Island programme, making up two days which

will havb bheiri lost on arrival at Wellington by giving up his dccr-staik-ing at the end of next week. “If the strike is not settled to-mor-row he will proceed t-o Wellington in H.M.S. Renown, so ns to carry‘cut the programme prepared for him in that city on the date originally intended.”