PRINCE’S VISIT TO AUSTRALIA.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 May 1920, Page 1

PRINCE’S VISIT TO AUSTRALIA.

PEDP AT back-blocks life

Sydney, Api-n 28

The most interesting part of the tour of flic Prince of Wales in Australia will probably prove to be the ten clays’ overland trip from Adelaide to Brisbane. A big staff of officials is hard at work now completing the arrangements for the journey through this difficult country. It is not an easy task. 1 01 the greater portion of the time the big party will be far away from the railways, going from one isolated station to another, and it is no light matter to get over this great expanse of counti v and complete, all the necessary pio-

parations. .Leaving Adelaide on July 16tli, the Royal party will travel along the Murray to Echuca, staying at one station on' route. They will go on to Wanganella station ill New South Wales, bo : tween Dcniliquin and Jerilderie. Here, the' Prince for two days will be the guest of a well-known and wealthy pastoralist, Mr Leigh Fnlkiner. Station life in midwinter is very enjoyable and every effort is being made to make the Prince’s visit something to remember. The Royal party will then go slowly across the back of New South Wales, to join the Queensland railway at Wallangarra, on the New South W alkes border. In the course of this journey the Prince will ho the guest of Briga-dier-General Maekay at Wallendooiv Station near Myngan; and of Mr J. M. Niall on the great Goldsbrough Mort station, near Nvngan. All sorts of typically Australian sights and experiences will greet the Prince at these 'stations. There will be hunting of wallabies and other small game; there | will be an exhibition of yarding and breaking station brumbies; there will be more than one emu hunt. The j Prince, of course, will he introduced to ' station life—he will be' shown Hockriding, mustering, shearing, and all the various activities of Australian sheep- ' stations.

The many stories which have come from New Zealand to indicate the democratic character of the Prince have pleased Australian people mightily, and it is no exaggeration to say that they generally so cynical in these matters, and so ready to sneer at all things per, taiinmr to the aristocracy—are prepared to thoroughly like their future King and give him a warm welcome. Although vc do not hope to “do” tnings quite" so well ns you appear to have done in New Zealand—the correspondents’ description of the procession of special trains going to Rotorua is most impressive—yet Australia’s greeting will not he unworthy. The keenest public interest already is being displayed. It is reported that all accommodationis fully booked in Melbourne. Some optimists are making enquiries in Sydney. It is a matter of difficulty to | act good accommodation in this city |at ordinary times; the crowd will be I something to dread on June 9th. and 110th.' Every corner will fbe occupies | As for nlaces on the route which the I Prince" will take-they are already trading. Balconies and windows are being sold at high prices, a.nd one hears that shrewd traders are already buying i places wherever they can get them m the certainty that they will sell them again at high profit when the imoortant date draws near.