HIS HIGHNESS ARRIVES TO-NIGHT

Hokitika Guardian, 12 May 1920, Page 2

HIS HIGHNESS ARRIVES TO-NIGHT

The Town En Fete Superb Decorations & illuminations Westland’s Warm Welcome

HIS WOKTH IS WAItJtANT IOR 111 S WiSLCOMIi.”

Tlio eventful day lias arrived, and tonight the people of Westland assembled in Hokitika wifi welcome the Heir Apparent to the Throne of Great Britain and the Overseas Dominion. It will be a proud time for .West Coasters

—yesterday, to-day, and to-morrow —to have amongst them the Prince of Wales. It is a pleasure and a privilege which tili promised so promptly by the authorities was quite undreamt if. In honor of the occasion the people will strive to acknowledge their outward manifestations of loyalty and affection, but within there is a deeper feeling of genuine gratitude, which cannot find expression in words. It is a solid and settled conviction of satisfaction only in the character of the people who by their living make it plain that they fear God and honor the King. That is the true exposition of genuine loyalty, and the history of this town and district records that in all things the people of Westland have been loyal and true. It follows therefore that His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales will to-night have a welcome which comes from the hearts of the people. We are proud of the Empire, and in the personality of ■ the Prince we have an immediate representative of the Ruling House which is the symbol of that great Empire. Heretofore it has been our privilege to welcome Vice-Regal representatives, but to-night there is a more immediately representative who has crossed the great seas to meet us. We are all beholden to His Highness for the great interest and compliment he pays us in seeking out here in far off Hokitika, and the I ppople will try to express their gratification and appreciate the wonderful honor paid our little town by their loyal bearing to our all-important guest. All day yesterday the town was bepluming itself fop the great event about to come to pass. The decorative scheme described in the previous issue was push ed on fo completion. To-day all the filial touches are being added, and the Royal party will find on arrival tonight a scene typical of the bitsli country out of which Hokitika was carved, and Westland came into being. Just before the Great War, Westland celebrated its jubilee year, so compared with the Motherland we are a junior country indeed. But the stock which first peopled Westland came from the Homeland, and those were they who laid the foundations of the. settlement here, and from whom have grown up a loyal, and contented people delighted to honor and revere their noble Brince and future King.

Last night Hokitika turned out, in force to view “the try-out” of the illuminations. The. electric light came on about 7 o’clock am} lit-up brilliantly the railway station, Keller’s Hotel and the three arches in ltevell Street. Spot lights played down Weld Street and Hamilton Street, aprl op flit} lYpnt ol the Town Hail aijd ip the annexe ballroom apd supper room, the apartment? were brilliantly lit. The whole display seemed to make Hokitika very proud of itself. Crowds paraded the streets and, invaded the halls inspecting and 'wondeiing at the wonderful effect produced. The electric light so kindly supplied by the American Company for whom Mr Cranston is actng, has provided the finishing touch to the local preparations, ephapejng the display in a most effective ■ ipanper. The light was intensely brilliant and steady, and untiling could have exceeded the wonderful effect created where the electric lightplayed op the ftfrjxpry i.n Wold Street. There is a bed of Prince of Wales fein? rising ip an pmbankmeiil, from the centre of which a fountain plays. The light rainfiig dowji ojj this jewel covered fern-bed produced a most pleasant effect and supplied a decoration difficult to | equal and impossible to eclipse. Mr I Langford and his staff had the electric light plant in fine running order, and the striking arrangement of the lights was most effective. Altogether the display is to the greatest credit of all concerned, and will lift Hokitika into a foremost position in the completeness of its display in honor of the royal- visit'>f.

The general dgeorpfjvp £c])p!n<. was also greatly admirpd by visitors abroad last night, The town lias taken an unwonted appearance, and the citizens are genuinely proud of the results. The display is a tribute to the resources oi the place, which rank high for general effectiveness. To-day the finishing touch are being added to the street decoartions'. 'J’lie Borough and County staff responsible for the work, embracing also Mp W. Braddori, Chairman of tlie Decoraj:ion "Committee, ' are to he heartily compiimgiifed op their achievement. Their work speaks for itself, and it is sufficient to say that the public arc delighted with the completeness of the very effective result.

Yesterday Air Bruuton brought tin scholars of the State School into town, j and Co ci.ikiioii rehearsed their work for Thursday morning. All school children assemble at the Town Hail and march to Sqwell Street where they take up positions in extended order, lining a route up to Keller’s hotel. The Hokitika State School scholars will line the left hand side of Sewell Street, and the left-hand side of Weld Street. All the other children will form on the right hand-side of the streets, facing opposite the Hokitika scholars. The teachers are requested to be in charge of their respective charges, and are expected (o move the children promptly to their respective places. Members of- the Hokitika School Committee are requested to co-operate with the teachers in placing the children in their assigned positions. The Returned Soldiers wi]l have the privilege to-night of greeting HIT. at the railway station, outside the main j entrance, which will be brilliantly lit. The Railway Station has been gaily decorated, and a striking moth conveys a

v eiconio to Hokitika. When the cars icacu fttaliord Street, the guests wilt outain tile first glimpse of the delations. 'lhe street is gaily decorated. As me leading ear passes under the Keu Cross aroii, the Caledonian Pipe Baud winch will be stationed at the junction with ltevell Street, will play the Regimental march of the Scotch Guards of whom H.R.H. is Colonel. In ltevell Street there will be a blaze of light and color, and no doubt cheering crowds. On arrival at Keller’s hotel, the Prince will be greeted by a massed assemblage. The Guard of Honor, 100 strong, will give the Royal Salute and the band will play the National Anthem. After an inspection of the guard the Prince will retire to the hotel where he will met by Mr Seddon M.P. and escorted to the balcony. The balcony has been brilliantly illuminated and the concourse of people will obtain , a splendid view from all sides. Tile formal introductions will follow. Otily members of the local bodies, the reception committee, and the soldiers to receive war decorations, may take places on the balcony. All entitled to seats must* be on the balcony not later than 7 o’clock. The Town Clerk (Mi Andrewes) will read the public address apd the Mayor will hand the volume to the Prince of Wales. Subsequent to the reply of His Highness, the Westland Acclimatisation Society, (through its President,- Dr Teichelmanp), will hand Prince Edward a specially bound volume of “Beautiful Westland” enclosed in. a handsome casket of Westland woods manufactured by G. Schaef and Spns. and ornamented by Mr J. BrocklehursL Then follows the presentation of war decorations. In addition to those mentioned already the Belgian Crox de Guerre will he’presented also to J. Gpmbrazzi of Goldsboroiigh. This .will conclude the public function, and thp Royal Party will retire for dinner which is to bo served at Keller's Hotel.

The remaining functions for the evening are the free pictures- for the children at the Princess Theatre at 8.15, the reception at the Town Hall where His Highness will meet thp mothers and wives of soldiers, purses and pptrifitjc workers, and filter the citizens’ All the tickets for the two special fiiuctions are sold, and there is sure to be a crowded-attendance in both haljs. At the ball Messrs Joyce, Lawn, Flewellgu, Gibbons and Ross wilj supply the lpusic, and with the Spurs specially prepjjriid votaries of the terpsielipfepn art shopld have an enjoyable night, in fact the evening and the morning will probalfiy be the one (lay to most of tile patrpnS. Tile balls are javislil.y decorated, tlig ladies engaged not only spffrjng any effort, but showing the utmost taste in their labor of love. The result is i(iiother example to what we owe tp tip ladies, and hpw they may bp relied upon on each apd every occasion tp play their > part magnificently! Apother j|ctiye aiuj important committee of ladies Is tliaf. connected with the refreshment department. A busy hive pf wprkers were

“cutting up” far into the nigjit last night, and all day to day, There will be 600 people to eater for to-night, and here again voluntary workers willing and anxious to help in the goad cause of loyalty arc carrying out the task most cheerfully. In another quarter of, the town, there is still another indefatigable committee working for the children. At the Supreme Hall this afternoon the visiting country children who are to be billetted * in the Government Buildings.are to be provided with tea, and breakfast tomorrow. Early lunch starts to-morroiv, when considerably over 1,000 children will have to be fed, and provided latgr with afternoon tea. All the arrangements for tjjis lurge ’ undertaking; qre working most smoothiiy, and from all appearance the functions should pass off most successfully.

Torday, as,a last word to the putilifi, we ‘fire asked specially tp request them not to crush op overcrowd nt any points of vantage. There will he room for all to sen and bo seen. The Royal progress through our town will be at a stately pace, and those lining the streets will get a clear view. Remember also there are nearly a score of motor cars to pass along, and do not rush the roadway, hut keep on the footpath. In front of Keller’s balcony all will got a fine view of our popular fifrince, fihej the Pj'ibljp are requested not to crowd in. Thq public should also assist in the singing. For children's day, remember the cMldren are to be first all the day and every opportunity given to impress on their minds the greatness of the day and the historic interest of this unique occasion in our colonial history. For the rest,* Goo Bless The Prince Of Wales.