THE COMING OF THE PRINCE.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 May 1920, Page 2

THE COMING OF THE PRINCE.

RIVALS IN LOYALTY. “Another explosion in Grey mouth, said Brown to Jones as he read Thursday’s Grey Star. “My word,” replied Jones, “No. wonder the authorities won’t allow the Prince to pass a night there 1” “Oh, no,” said the smiling Brown, “this is only an editorial explosion,. Thfe 4 -ISW” man (that’s a happy phrase) is incensed at the Prince patronising old Hokitika for a night while he has time only for one hour in rejuvenated Coalopolis.” .“By George (should it ngt be Edward?) that will be an hour too long if the gorgeous Barber is blowing,” ehjmed in Jones who smiled at his own pun. Then Brown began to enlighten Jones as to the intent and meaning of the wrathful Editor, hut Jones dozed and in his dreams he read a great writing which he interpreted afterwards to the accepting Brown. This was his dream vision:

“‘Now when it was noised abroad that my liege the Prince was nigh unto these shores,, the twang of the wireless heralded the joyful news to my Lord Mayor of Greyinouth and great was the rejoicing thereat in the city by the sea where there is no deep sea harbor. Then did the 'Lord 1 Mayor bestir himself, and lie said peradventure we shall gather together all tlie peoples of this West Const and they shall come to our wonderful town and make their obeisance to their future King and Governour. And lie did issue a command that all those in authority over tens and hundreds should gather and hear what he who ruled over thousands might say and do. And it came to pass that they who commanded tens and hundreds did not appear and then did interest flag and almost fail in the coming of the Prince in Coalopolis.

“But they who rided over tens and hundreds said though we be smaller in numbers, yet are, we not beholden to our liege lord, and shall we not hail the Royal Prince in our own poor and humble way. So once again, the wireless twanged and then from him that hath was taken and to him that hath not was given. And the captains of tens and hundreds were told to prepare for the coming of Prince and right royally did they bestir themselves.

“Then did the loyal preparations go on apace, when, behold, there was a great noise like a mighty explosion heard afar off, but it was but wind,and then great groaning was heard. And it came to pass that the men of medicine went forth to see what hprm was done and to heal the broken. But it did appear upon examination that all . was well and then when the Prince came he did capture the disgruntled with his smiles and his golden speech made glad the hearts of those bent down wjth a sorrow which was all make believe. For with princely action he did open to all the world the

place where his “Digger” comrades might congregate, and handled a cue as to the manner horn, for is there not, mirabile visa, a table whereon billiards are played on the great ship yclept Renown, on which the Royal Prince crossed the great waters to meet the people awaiting him in the distant lands to acclaim him with hand and heart whether he is with us in the flesh a day or an hour for as the Representative of Royalty he is' with us always in spirit, the shadowy 'link (invisible jet unbreakable) which holds us to Great Britain and keeps the great Empire on which Old Sol can never set one great undivided whole.”

When Jones had finished the interpretation of his dream, Browni sagely remarked: “I have a clear and definite vision that “God Bless the Prince of Wales” will be sung no less heartily in Greymouth than in Hokitika,” “By jove”, concluded Jones, “what a vol Time there would be if the two towns would sing in unison—and why not ? ’