THE PRINCE OF WALES

Hokitika Guardian, 11 May 1920, Page 2

THE PRINCE OF WALES

Yesterday preparations for the ad- j vent of the Prince of Wales to-morrow ] went on apace. The town took on a > very festive appearance as the day proceeded, and to-day the preparations are more marked than ever. A large force

of volunteer workers were pressed into service to-day, the scholars from the High School coming to the fore and lending splendid help. The scheme of decoration in the principal streets of the route exceed any- j thing ever attempted previously in Hokitika. A great quantity of fernery has been brought into town, and the scheme as first worked out is being.added to and extended as the work proceeds. Loads of greenery came in yesterday by rail and vehicle, and willing hands were soon at work in all direc- 1 tions preparing for a grand display. I To-day the railway station, the start- | ing point of ,tke Royal route through j the town was taken in hand. Here there will he a brave display of bunting and greenery, the location at night being lit by electric light. From the station, the cars, 17 or 18 in number, will : move to Stafford Street. There si fern grove has been improvised, and a central feature of the decorations is the Red Cross arch, which will be lit by red fire as the Royal party passes through. Groups of nurses and ambulance workers will be stationed at the arch, and join in the royal welcome. The effective appearance of the fern trees yesterday gave some of our public men an idea for a Prince's avenue of elm trees to adorn the whole length of Staffprd Street, and stretch out to the country—but of that mpre anon. When the Royal party turn into Revell Street to-morrow night, the old town will be looking at its best. Revell i Street has been converted into an avenue of greenery set off with hunting, and three brilliantly lit- arches. The electric light was tried on two of the arches just at night fall last night, and presented a very gtrjking appearance—which is heightened of course by the distance, ' Revell Street to put it colloqually, “will not know itself." Mr Langford and his staff have done splendidly. Jjl W(t!d Street, an excellent effect is being obtained by stands of ferns grouped oh the roadside, with a high towering King fern lording it over the smaller ferps, Jdgre also is a novelty in a fernery bijjlt qp entirely of print® of Wales ferns—a very novel design indeed., A fountain plays on the fernery, the whole effect being very pleasing.

Hjimiitpn Street is gdorned by juvo fine arches, a Welsh mqtto oil the Racing C[ub arcli conveying “Good Lucfc to the prince." A good Jack -horse shoe surmounts this-arch, Tho street itself is lined with l'crns which stand out in striking columns, In the vicinity the Government Buildings are b:ing ornamented. A fernery lias sprung / up in the two plots in front of the building, jvhiep itse]f will be gay with hunting. Af,together the fdwn is taking on a very fine appearance. The cif.'Bens are co-operating also,‘and all the premise's are being decorated with greenery and made to look {fright arid spiert, At the buildings where t[ie functions will he held, the 'decorations are going

on npacp under the direction of the ladies, Tjje Tpwn J-lall reception room will look extremely well, while? the Drill Hall will not be recognisable from its old se]f. The bands of lady workers are creating a transformation snenp; and the full effect to-m.qrrow wijl delight all who are privileged to view it. To-day the ladies in charge of the copimisariat departments are preparing for fin; pptt|ng-up, find help wi]l be needed at both the Supreme Hail and the tent annexe in Camp Street to-night and to-morrow. Thorp is a busy time of industry at both places all working with a will to achieve the success the organisation is working for. Yesterday, Mr Brunton inspected the accommodation to bo provided for the visiting school children. The boys will be put up in the court room downstairs, whelp Jff J 3 run ton will be in charge personally,'and the girls will be accom- , modated in blip l/oard room upstairs, where Miss Wilson will bp in charge. There wil| be field beds with ample covering, and the rooms wijl be ligated with hot water pipes. There is convenient lavatory accommodation, and towels etc. will he provided. After the picture entertainment the children to lie billetteil in the Government Building will be marshalled across to their quarters and made comfortable for the night. On Thursday the Town Band proceee'ds to Otira and will take part in the Royal reception there. Mr Bruce,

County Chairman, and members of the Westland' County Council will proceed

to Otira also to take part in-the County reception, and farewell the Prince.

With tips issjjje is (jlreqluted a leaflet giving the programme ijnd tipie-table for the next’two clays. As it will be a useful gukbj to tjic jij'or.'eedings the leaflet sjhould be kept ror general reference, The attention of the country children js specially directed to the arrangements on their helatlf, Country children who r quire information on any point during the day time should enquire at the Supreme Hall.

, The Walaroa children leave homo at an enrjy hour to-morrow morning to connect at Hari Hari at 11 o’clock with the motor lorry for Ross. They will reach here at 5 o’clock to-morrow night which will bp a gpjjd run in the time. On the return journey the Hijri Hari and Wataroa children will spend Thursday night at Rpss, being put up by the local authorities, and will get homo again on Friday. The trips si]mild be an enjo-" able and memorable jaunt for the young-Ptej-s. There will he a great influx of visitors to Hokitika to-morrow and Thursday to witness the Royal reception. The trains are very suitable, and the fame of the decorations have spread both north and south, enticing a large number to make the journey. The hotels will be taxed to their utmost ror .the memorable occasion, practically all sleeping accommodation being booked ahead. Late trains i

The Westland Welcome Great Preparations Hokitika Excels Itself

run north and south again to-morrow night for those desirous of returning home the same evening, and early trains will bring in visitors again for the childrens’ gala on Thursday morning. A space will be reserved in front of Keller’s balcony in Weld Street during the official reception. The guard-of-lionor will number about 100 cadets, and these will form up between Revell Street and principal side entrance to the hotel. The hand will he on the right of the guard, facing the balcony. The Welsh choir will 'muster to the rear of the hand, and the school children, friendly societies, nurses, patriotic workers to the right of the band. A thoroughfare will be required for motor cars .conveying the Royal party, which numbers 51 persons. All other vehicle traffic in tile [ street will be stopped. Vehicle traffic j along the line of the thoroughfare will I he stopped also during the procession of cars from the railway station to the hotel. The station and precincts will be barred to all public traffic at the time of the arrival of the royal train—- - which will be preceded by a pilot train arriving ;i quarter of An hour earlier. The public are invited to light their premises tomorrow evening, and along tlie line of the route it is hoped all business places will be lit up and the whole appearance of the thoroughfares made as bright as possible, {flags should be flown where possible, and all flags hoisted from an early hour or Thursday morning.

Extra police will arrivp to-morrow to assist in controlling traffic. The public can assist by not overcrowding the thoroughfares along the line of route. In Revell Street the public should not enprqach on thp rpadway while the procession is passing. A pilot motor will head, the procession. Next will follow the : Royal ear driven hy Amps Bowidt, an experienced driver who lias •had war experience. He will pse Mr W. Diedrieli’s citr, kindly placed at the disposal of the reception committee. Sixteen motor cars will follow provided very kindly by Hhe - -members of the Aptoniobilfi Association, ‘ Hpkitijjh Branch. This fleet pf cars will assonibjo in the railway station grounds not later than 6.45 p.m., and take their rotation in accordance with the numbers given out. The ua;;s will {{five slowly through the streets sp as to give tlip public Gjp best' possible view. No dopbt {LR.If. will be ovationed all along the route-After-the fojqqal proceedings at thp hotel, the choir and public are asked |q serenade the Prince, rendering the Welsh National Anthem, “Laud pf M? Fathers."

A guard of permanent artillery’ am companes the party, nnd will take up patrol duties during the stay of Mis Highness here, The hotel quarters at Keller’s have been specially .arranged by Mrs Keller. At the Red .Lion Hotel, where the bulk of the Royal party; will lie domiciled, Mrs Mclntosh has made special arrangements for the comfort of the visitors, Sir’ Win Frflspf will' b]iH-lii] Minister in qtteiidanco on'H.R’.H. jsr James Hislop, Under'Secretary "of Internal Affairs, who is in special charge of tlie Dominion -our, will be wit]] the party n|so.