ROYAL FAMILY

Hokitika Guardian, 7 September 1931, Page 2

ROYAL FAMILY

SOCIAL ACTIVITIES. DUKE AND DUCHESS VISIT PARIS. LONDON, July 23. Truly lias it been said that the marked success of the season this year lias been added to by the large part the King and Queen' have been able to take in its round of social and sporting events. Since the King left Windsor Castle early in'May, alter his attack of sub-acute bronchitis, he lias entered tirelessly into the life of London, never failiug to attend functions wherever his presence might add to the enjoyment of his people and the many visitors from overseas. Moreover, he has himself entertained extensively. The new King George Hospital is the outcome of a suggestion made by the Queen eight years ago. Last Saturday, the King and Queen droVe from Buckingham Palace through the East End to open the institution, and they were accorded a rapturous welcome by tens of thousands of people along the route of their drive, all heedless of the rain. The King had specially ordered that his car should be driven

slowly, so that the people should he able to see himself and the Queen. The two Royal cars passed quietly through the city, the King having given special orders to dispense with the ceremonial attendance of the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs. Addresses of welcome at Barking, Dagenham, and Ilford were presented to the King, who, in his replies, spoke of the “primary necessity of hospital accommodation” and of his pleasure that the local authorities were fully alive to the importance of playing ,fields and open spaces, and that timely steps had heen taken “to provide for these necessities of modern town life.” In the course of his reply to the Ilford address, the Kinn- said that the Queen was “especially interested to learn of the attention which had heen given to the important subject of maternity and child welfare.'’ At the entrance gates to the new . hospital 5000 people on specially ert'c- • tod stands joined in the National Anthem and heartily cheered their ' Majesties .as they walked through the rain to the dais. Mr C. J. Dawson, the architect, presented the King with a gold . key, which his Majesty used to unlock the main door. One section visited was the special ward which was built as Ilford’s War Memorial. Then their Majesties went on to where a couple

of easels held the portraits, signed and beautifully framed in gold, which they have given to the hospital, to hang ill the main entrance hall. The King unveiled his, which was covered with blue silk, , and the Queen hers, which was covered with a golden texture—blue and gold being the hospital’s colours.

THE- PRINCE’S SPEED-BOAT. The Prince of Wales is getting very keen about- the thrill of outboard motor-boating, and at the, present time a new boat is under construction at •Oxford to lps order. This boat, lOtt long, has a slipper type bow, curving upwards like an upturned shoe. It is fitted with 15 h.p. engines, and its speed is about 54 m.p.h. Bods ol diiraliumin are being fixed at the stern to take the thrust of the engines. Ihe boat is being built to tin; specifications of Captain John Palethorpe, who has lent the Prince a racing boat until lus own is finished and has given nim instruction in the art of handling the craft.

It is understood that the Prince will not compete in open races, though he may organise private races among his friends.

The !i Daily Telegraph” states that it was at a house party at Himley Hall, Dudley, the Worcestershire seat of Viscount Edham, that the Prince was converted to the thrills of niotor-

baot racing. He arrived there just as

Captain Palethorpe was demonstrating his boat, Dab HI., on the artificial lake in front of the Hall. With great interest the Prince watched the evolutions of the boat, and when it came ill lie asked Captain Palethorpe to show him the controls. Under Captain Palethorpe’s guidance lie soon gained a knowledge of the craft and of the skilled handling necessary to pilot her. Soon he was able to take the boat out alone and travel round the lake nearly forty miles an hour. He had been warned that an error of judgment when making a fast turn might throw him into the water, but he only laughed. Nevertheless, he wore a lifesaving jacket, as is required by all motor-racing boat clubs.

At Worplesdon on Saturday the senior golfers of America defeat;d the Household Brigade (f.S. in a match by single and foursomes. On the losing side was the Prince of Wales, who was beaten bv the American captain, F. Snare, only on the last green and by 1 he narrowest of margins. But for an unlucky stymie at the 16th hole h s Royal Highness would have halved < his lYiatch. PARIS ACCLAIMS THE DUCHESS. Early on the morning following the Court Ball, the Duke and Duchess of York left for Paris. Needless to say, they were accorded a great welcome by the French people, 011 their first

visit to the capital. There have been receptions, balls, a visit to tile British hospital, excursions round the Exhibition-. Everywhere the happy charm of the Duchess has been appreciated. . A correspondent writes; This, their first visit to France, is, indeed, a landmark .in the history of vhe international friendship which binds the two countries of France and Great Britain. It is by her charm and - simplicity that the Duchess has endeared hersell to the hearts of the French populace, and wherever the Royal couple go they are the subject of the warmest- welcome that the hospitable French people can afford. The visit has been the crowning glory of the British Week at the l iencii colonial Exhibition. First of all, as guests of the “Father of the Exhibition,” Marshal Lvautey, and the French Minister for Colonies, they saw the wonders of the exhibition by night, and the next day were escorted round the pavilions to see its glories by clay. ... The unaffected spontaneous manners' of the Duke and the simple charm and dignity of the Duchess have made an impression which is more valuable and lasting than any international intrigues, and “the ! pretty little brunette,” as the Parisians affectionately call her, has become a very loving personality to the citizens of the most Royal-minded republic in the world.

The most beautiful spectacle of the day awaited their Royal Highnesseswhen they reached the foot of the facade of the Angkor vat, the exact reproduction in size and perfect in architectural detail of the world-famous Temple. Either side of the flight of steps was occupied by Chinese men and young women arrayed in dazzling robes 'and holding aloft gaily-coloured standards. Weird music greeted the Duke and Duchess, who stood for a long while in contemplation of the fascinating scene and expressed to Marshal Lyautey their delighted surprise at the marvel ofAt). Towards dthe end of the tour their Royal Highnesses were presented by the Director of the Mint with'medals specially struck in commemoration of their visit.