ROYAL VISIT

Hokitika Guardian, 19 February 1930, Page 5

ROYAL VISIT

TO EMPIRE INDUSTRIES FAIR

[United Press Association--By Electric f Telegraph—Copyright.]

(Received this day at 10 a.m.) LONDON. Feb. 18.

Through an unusual lapse on the pa.rt of the organisers, the Queen. .Prance;** Alary afiul Duke of York almost missed seeing the whole of tlie British Industries Fair at Olympia, namely the Empire Marketing Board's hall in which is the most impressive, display of wealth and variety of the Empire’s products. Tlie Queen was strikingly garbed in a purple emit. hat. grey shoes and gloves. Although the visit was semi-private the public sensed the occasion and the Royalties wore frequently held up by crowds.

The Empire ball was at last reached There was some uneasiness amongst the bodyguard, who conferred aside. Lord Passficld was obviously perturbed.

The Queen, momentarily unattached, quietly asked her escort, “Where do we go next? I will go on.” Tlie bodyguard hastened the Royalties forward without mentioning the Empire displays. There were immediate protests from Empire exhibitors, and it is .understood when informed that the Empire Hall had been passed over, the Queen expressed a desire to revisit it. much to the delight of the exhibitors and Dominions' spectators, who caustically criticised the oversight. The party first inspected the New Zealand section, mainly consisting of butter lamb and honey. The Queen remarked : “What lovely butter. Tt is of fine quality.” Her Majesty noticed the carcases of lamb and recalled her visit to the Dunedin freezing works, saying: “It was then as cold as it is here to-day.” AUDIENCE WITH KING. LONDON, Feb. 18. The King gave an audience to Hon T. Wilford for 25 minutes.