THE ROYAL TOUR

Hokitika Guardian, 25 February 1927, Page 1

THE ROYAL TOUR

AUCKLAND INCIDENTS

AUCKLAND, Feb. 13

Few fairer sights could he possible than that which greeted the smiling eyes of the Duke and Duchess of York when they drove in an open touring ear into the Auckland Domain this

morning. „ TX ,„ THE DUCHESS IN I’INK. The Duchess, who has conquered all hearts, looked more distractingly"beautiful than ever. Everybody said yesterday that blue was the Duchess’s colour, dephininm blue for choice. But they were utterly confounded this morning when she appeared in a dross of the palest pink, with a semi-trans-parent toque to match, trimmed to one side with a tuft of pink feathers. Her engaging simplicity, tier absence of pose,"her evident delight and interest in all that takes place, adds to her cl,arm. more especially as the Duke’s ireiieral exnressiou suggests something akin to austerity in one so young. Ho is „ot really austere; lie is charming overvone ho meets in the social way. A DOLL FOR BABY.

Just before action manifested itself out in the suTilloodcd field, a pleasing little incident took place. Aliss Burns, daughter of the chairman of the Education Board, presented the Duchess with an exquisite bouquet and a little girl handed the Duchess a large box enveloped in pleated pink silk, containing a fully dressed doll—a present for the infant Princess Elizabeth, in England. far over the sea. It was with moistened eyes and blinking eyelids that the Duchess returned thanks ever so prettily for this altogether unexpected recollection of tier precious baby, from whom she was by duty divided by half a world. Only a few who were, in or near the grand stand grasped the inclining of the little scene, for many as they left the ground, were discussing the magnitude, of the box of chocolates tlie sweet Duchess had received. MASSED YOUTH IN ACTION.

The, real business of the morning then began with a parade Of some OCX) Boy Scouts, led off by several troops of “Cubs” with their wolf’s head totems bobbing proudly overhead. Then came the husky Calliope Sea Scouts, and a succession of Boy Scout troops from all parts of the City and suburbs, marching smartly to a lively quickstep. The Stout Division took- fifteen minutes to pass the Duke, who gravely returned tlie salute of every leader. The sight of massed youth in action is always inspiring, but there were positive shrieks of ecstatic delight as several 1 mops of tiny “Brownies” (Girl Guide under-graduates) came prancing past the saluting base at the trot, and all in beautiful time. These dear little brown tots somehow reminded one of Peter Pan and Wendy, and Peter alio the House in the Wood, so perfectly were they in tune with Nature. .Mamhad to swallow an involuntary rump in the throat as Hie “Brownies” skipped by. Each troop were held in position by traces of ribbon, the reins being held by the leader at the rear. Each company had a different colour, and as all tripped along gaily to the jollicst music, the effect was magical. The real Girl Guides, in dark navy blue, to the number of about five hundred, concluded the march past. A LIVING WELCOME PICTURE.

When this pageantry passed a whistle blew, and this army of school girts, either in white or red. dressed with corresponding head-dresses (as a protection against the sun) became animate. At a signal each group shouted oul the letter it stood for “IT-A-E-R-E-M-A-T.” Then all together shouted the word of Maori welcome to the Royal visitors, accompanying the shout with a flutter of little flags. Tt, was a thrilling and original sight, and the Duchess signified her approval by clapping with great vigour. After the animated “TTaoremni” bad moved off. enter quietly from one side two lines of Maori girls from Victoria College, each with a pair of pois, and in school dress. They seated themselves on the ground, and before those of the outer crowds could guess what was happening, the great multitude was stilled by the magic of sweet maidens’ voices singing

a- rhythmical refrain. And as the bodies swayed backwards and forwards the pois twirled and tapped to the lieal of the music. These girls urged the canoe up the river—it was one of tho anoient canoe pois perfectly done. Then followed the canoe’s welcome homo, with one half of the girls on the imaginary bank of the river, and the rest in the canoe below sung and pnied with that grace and rhythm so inherent in a race we all hope is not a vanishing one. DRILL, A HAK.A AND A FLAG. Some two thousand hoys in white shirts and blue shorts then gave a surprisingly alert and precise exhibition of physical drill, led by a diminutive youngster, and guided by a police whistle. To see a thousand lads acting as one afforded a spectacle in unanimity of action that induced billows of applause. Before, this phalanx of youth retired they gave three mighty cheers, and they made way for a small contingent of Maori lads from St. Stephen’s School, who, to the immense amusement of the crowd, gave a

vigorous haka, which concluded with a grotesquely comic incident which gave everyone, including the Duke and Duchess, a hearty laugh. Blessed are the uses of humour. As tlie laughter died away the junior girls, to the music of a merry quickstep, deployed into such a position that they formed a living flag representing the cross of St. George—a red cross on a while hack-ground—and made it actually live by fluttering their little flags a( a. given signal. Afore cheers followed. after which the Duke and Duchess, in the face of a battalion of camera men re-entered tlioir car, and proceeding at a. walking pace, followed l»y six sturdy policemen, inspected the school children at close quarters. It was perhaps only human to see them break away from their lines here and there to get a close-up view of Royalty. Towards the end of the inspection the motor-car had to almost force its way through the mass of children, whoso exuberance was repaid by tlie everwinning smiles of the Duchess who gave every evidence of her enjoyment of tlio experience. Tlie drive back to Government House was another remarkable demonstration of the interest that everybody is taking in (lie Royal gifcsts.

DUKE CATCHES SHARK. AUCKLAND, Fob. 24. The Royal party were favoured with fine weather to-day for their fishing off Cape Brett, and though no details have yet been received, it is reported that the Duke of York caught at least one fish, a Reremni shark, weighing 130 pounds. The .Mayor to-day received a message from His Royal Highness expressing his and the Duchess’s appreciation of the welcome accorded them by the citizens of Auckland. The Chairman of the Education Board lias also received a message stating their Royal Highnesses had greatly enjoyed the splendid display made by the children in the Domain yesterday. THE ROYAL BABY. LONDON, Feb. 23. The Duke and Duchess of York’s baby is thriving at Buckingham Palace nursery. She is taken to the Queen’* room daily from 9.30 to 11 a.m. After that she is given an airing in the Park. She also spends tea time with the Queen, who wirelesses the Duchess daily, wording the messages herself.