PRINCE OF WALES’ TOUR.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 May 1920, Page 2

PRINCE OF WALES’ TOUR.

‘ (Per Press Association.) ’! CHRISTCHURCH’S WELCOME. ’ CHRISTCHURCH, May 16. ’ ' Following upon a da y of drabness , that marred the real impressiveness of ' Friday’s ceremonial parades “Prince’s ’ weather” prevailed yesterday, for the I Canterbury tJockey Club in honour of - the Prince of Wales’s visit. Tb.J . grounds and course at Riccarton looked well, and the large crowd present gavb His Royal Highness a warm ant enthusiastic reception. The Prince 1 ar- ; rived alter the first race had been , mn and exhibited a close interest in tl-e appointments and manner of conducting tlio events. He witnessed the next race from a special enclosure in the stand. Luncheon with Mr A. Boyle, chairman of , the Stewards, and Mrs Boyle followed. Then the Prince mounted a smart hack (Mr Hugh McCarthy s Gaiety, a well-known prize-winner ,v. agricultural shows) and rode round th° course with Mr Bbyle and Admiral Halsey. The Prince’s appearance on horseback roused the spectators to a great pitch of .enthusiasm. 'Round at the ,back of the course the horses were preparing to start in the . Marlboroilgh Stakes, and the Prince dismounted, had was shown how the barrier worked. He was invited to dispatch the field of fom" and after one false breakaway,, got the horses going, though Right and Left had a bulge on the rest, but could not maintain the pace. It was a good '‘ace hetween the other three. After th's race the Prince and his companion went on to make a circuit of the course Opposite the carriage paddock, His Royal Highness put his mount at the steeplechase fence and got over in great style. At Cutt’s however, Gaiety didn’t seem.to fancy the brush obstacle and baulked and the Royal rider slid to the ground suddenly without ceremony. Ho was soon ahorse aga ; n and completed the circuit of the courre. His reappearance on the course in front of the stands was the signal for continued cheering. He congratulated tee owner and trainer of Amythas, winner of the Marlborough Stakes, and was snapshotted by Admiral Halsey as he stood patting Amythas. The Prince displayed a renewed intel-est in the totalisator and tried'his luck as a punter on the machine, but his luck was out

During the afternoon His Royal Highness mingled several times with the animated throng; befopc the totalisator house, his movements being immediately noticeable by irenson of the surging mass of people pressing forward to ree the Prince enjoying himself as one < f themselves, without fuss or show of pomp usually associated with 'Royalty. In the evening the Prince attended hall- tendered to the men of the Renown (by the citizens and Returned Soldiers Association in the Drill Hall. This, though less formal than Friday’s ball, was very largely attended and proved most enjoyable.

His Royal Highness again we it through the ordeal of shaking hands with r. grw-t "miry, of .those present. Tn- h'.y he and his staff attended Divine Service at the Anglican Cathedral, which was filled to overflowing. The service was very simple, hut impressive. The sermon, preached by Dean Carrington, was based on the con ■ ception of Pence and concord, and mankind’s duty to render, a grateful service to God, as outlined in the Second and Third Collects for the day. 'The hyfnns included “0 God Our Help in Ages Past,” and “AH People that on Elar'li Do Dwell.”

lii the afternoon, lie paid visits to Christ’s College, the Soldiers’ Sanatorium at Cashmere Hills, and the Orthopaedic Hospital, in which lie expressed a great admiration of the work being done. The patients at; each place gave tlie visitor a cordial welcome.