ROYAL VISIT TO WESTLAND

Hokitika Guardian, 7 May 1920, Page 4

ROYAL VISIT TO WESTLAND

The Caiedonian Pipe Baud will participate in tlie welcome to H.R.H. tlie Prince of .Wales. Piper Cullen has been invited to supply the music lor one of tho numbers at the citizens’ ball.

The Hokitika railway station will be specially decorated and electrically litup for the occasion of the Prince’s visit. Tho returned soldiers will parade outside the station building, and bo the first to greet the Prince on arrival. The publie will bo excluded from the railway station, and their best vantage points will be along tlie lino of route. Traffic to the railway station will' be barricaded from Weld Street, and inside the motors will be stalled for service in transporting the ltoyal party to Keller’s Hotel, where the first public function takes place. Arriving at the hotel, H.R.H. will in-spect-the Guard of Honour, about 100 strong, and afterwards receive the public address of welcome. Subsequent to his gracious reply, the Prince will present war decorations to three returned soldiers. The liotei balcony will form a well elevated position for tlie public ceremonies. The public will be massed below in Revell and Weld Streets, portion of the area being reserved specially for children. ,

Ah available tickets for the ball are now distributed, and late applications coining in have to be refused. There will be a number of visitors from Greymouth for the function. It should not be forgotten that next in importance to tlie Prince’s, ball on Wednesday night, will be the children’s ball on Thursday night. This is sure to be a delightful function. All children will be admitted free, but a small charge will be made for adults. Many of the young folk arc looking forward to this assemblage in their honor with great pleasure. Two very large annexe tents have been linked on to tlie Drill Slied in Camp Street. One tent is devoted to dancing, a special iloor being laid down. The second tent will provide sitting out quarters and the supper room. The’ commodious arrangements should ensure a jolly time for all patrons. Pour hundred additional flags are being provided by tlie authorities for gifts to the visiting children. These will be distributed at tho Supreme Hall on Wednesday and Thursday. Mr Langford and his staff are busy daily with the electric light installation for the illumination of tho streets and arches. A try-out of tlie plant is to take place to-morrow. Por tlie Royal visit to Hokitika, there will be a number of visiting press correspondents and also newspaper photographers. Government cinematograph operators are with the party also. ft is hoped to secure special pictures of the children’s display on Thursday morn ing.

On arrival here on Wednesday night and subsequent to tile presentation of the public address, H.R.H. will present three war decorations to returned soldiers, Head (KanieiT), and Cherrie and Poster, (Ross). There is every likelihood of a large parade of returned men for the occasion, including many from tlie out districts.

Business people along tlie line of route, and the citizens generally are invited to co-operate in the suitable decoration of the premises and residence on the occasion of the Royal visit. On the night of arrival, also, business people are invited to light up their premises to the fullest extent, and assist in every way to brighten the route which wiil be followed. Greenery etc. will be provided by tlie authorities for exterior decoration.

For tlio billeting of the children in the Government Building, a start will be made to-morrow with the preparation of held beds. The Defence Department is supplying palliases which will be filled with good clean straw. A plentiful supply of blankets will be on hand also, so that “the shake downs” will be made as comfortable as possible. On Monday the Supreme Hall will be put in order as the children’s dining room, and Miss Thompson is seeing to the provisions which will be plain and plentiful. A hot dish will be served for the breakfast on Thursday morning, so that everything is being done to cater as well as possible for the young folk from the country.