ROYALTY’S ARRIVAL

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3603, 24 February 1927, Page 1

ROYALTY’S ARRIVAL

DUKE AND DUCHESS IN AUCKLAND. NORTHERNERS’ WELCOME. AUCKLAND, Feb. 22. Auckland was early astir to find leaden skies and rain-charged clouds over the city, but between sevon and eight o’clock the sun made some show through a haze. Before nine o’clock, however, when the Renown came round North Hoad with the escorting Diomede, Veronica and Laburnum, rain was falling in heavy showers. The Fort Cautley battery fired a salute as the battle cruiser came to anchorage in the stream opposite the Central and Queen’s wharves. The Governor-General immediately went out to pay an official call. TJie Prime Minister and members of the Cabinot followed a little later, and after formal introductions Mr Coates read the Government address, to which the Duke replied as follows: DUKE’S REPLY TO WELCOME. “The Prime Minister and gentlemen: The Duchess and 1 sincerely thank you for your address, and I will not fail to convey to His Majesty the King the sentiment of loyalty to the Throne, which you have just expressed. The day to which Ave have long been looking forward has at last arrived, and we shall very soon find ourselves for the first time in our lives on the soil of New Zealand and able to meet vour people in their own country. Nothing could give us more pleasure than to make the acquaintance of those of whose hospitality and friendship we have heard so much. For our part we are anxious to learn something of the conditions under which they live and the problems they have to face, so that if at any time we should be given the opportunity of furthering their interests we shall be found ready and willing to play our part and thus unite still more closely the ties whiclj bind together New Zealand and the Mother Country. “We deeply appreciate your welcome and good'wishes for the success of our visit to the Dominion, and we feel sure that when we have to leave this beautiful country we shall carry away the happiest memories of our stay among you.” After a few minutes’ conversation the Ministerial party left for the shore and a quarter of an hour later Their Royal Highnesses put off in the Royal barge, Royal salutes being fired by tho ship and the saluting battery in Albert Park.

ANIMATED SCENE

The scene Avas very animated, but at this moment the rain had lifted and a great number of yachts, launches and other small craft Avere manoeuvring around the Avarship. Oil arrival ut the Avharf, where the naval guard of honour waited, the party proceeded to a dais inside the main gates. Here an address of welcome from the Harbour Board Avas read by the chairman, Mr H. It. McKenzie, to Avhich the Duke replied briefly. Then followed tlie formal presentation of the Mayor and the members of the City Council. The Royal party motored to (Joverainent House for a brief rest and then proceeded to the Town Hall Avhsre Samoan and Cook Islands delegation occupied front seats in the audienoe. While the Ministerial party were on the RonoAvn a light shoAver fell, but it cleared mid as the Duke and Duchess Avere going ashore the sun came through the clouds in fitful gleams and the Aveather gradually improved. THEHt MAJESTIES SEND A MESSAGB.

The Duke of York, ia reply to a civic address, said that the Duchess and himself Avere much touched by the wonderful kindness of the welcome received and Avere delighted to have the opportunity of meeting the citizens of Auckland.

Continuing, the Duke said that he would like on this his first day in New Zealand to address a few AAurds, not only to the citizens of Auckland, but also to the people of the Dominion. The King Avished him to assure the people of the proud recollections he and the Queen had of their visit 26 years ago. They would never forget those happy days and the loyalty amd affectionate welcome accorded them in all the parts of NeAV Zealand they visited. It Ava& a source of pride, the Duke said, that the Duchess and himself were following in their footsteps. “The Throne is a great bond of union between all parts of the Empire, and I know that there are no moro loyal people anywhere than those of New Zealand, who are so nobly knoAyn by their gallant services and heroic devotion in the Avar.” , The Duke added that he and the Duchess specially desired to see as much as possible of the children in the course of their tour. His remarks several times evoked Avarm bursts of applause, especially Avlien early in his speech he made reference to the visit of the Prince of Wales. The illuminations m the city and around the waterfront attracted many thousands of people into the streets to-night. One of the most attractive features was the lighting at Queen’s Wharf entrance, where a model lighthouse was erected on a high bridgelike erection over the gates. The Post Office also made a brilliant spectacle with its coloured light effects. DUCHESS’S POPULARITY. The Duohoss achieved wonderful popularity instantly on every hand through her gracious, winning smile. The moment she appeared at the rail as the RenoAvn was moving to anchorage this morning there arose from those in nearby launches the involuntary tribute—“lsn’t she lovely.” No fawning adulation this, but just a natural outpouring of Hie heart at a vision of a charming woman, natural, unaffected, and smiling as one avlio feels glad and Avould all others so. It was the same wherever and whenever she appeared. This smiling, happy woman’s approach seemed to bring gladness upon the faces of all who came within focus of her glance. The memory of her smile wiH live for many a day in the hearts of those who have watched her dainty presence pass.

SEEING THE BEAUTY SPOTS. During a motor drive this afternoon 1 which coverecTa distance of twenty-five milos through several suburbs, tho

Duke and Duchess visited tho principal beauty spots. They were taken to the top of Mount Eden and were fortunate in that tho weather had cleared and a very fino panoramic view of the city and harbour was obtained. They then proceeded to One Tree Hill, where another striking view was presented to the visitors’ eyes, tho Duke anjl Duchess being particularly impressed by the panorama embracing the two harbours of Manukau and Auckland. INTEREST IN HOME INMATES. In the course of tho tour Their Royal Highnesses found time to visit thb home for the aged at tho Auckland infirinary and tho Evelyn Firth Home for ox-soldiers. At the former, Mrs Mclntosh, aged 85, presented a bouquet to the Duchess. At both homes the Duke and Duchess evinced • a very kindly interest in the inmates, chatting freely with a number of them. The Quke was particularly concerned with the ex-soldiers, inquiring as to their service and experiences in the Avar. In addition to the address of Aveleome from the citizens of Auckland at the ToAvn Hall in the morning, addresses Avere presented by the Archbishop (Dr AA-erill) on behalf of the Church of England; by the Moderator (Rev. G. N. McNeur), on behalf of the Presbyterian Church; by Rev. H. G. Hercus on behalf of the Baptists; by the Rev. E. Drake on helm If of the Methodi«ts; and by Mr N. j A. Nathan and the Rev. S. Goldstein on behalf of the HebreAV community.

The proceedings throughput at the welcomo Avere most enthusiastic. Mr J. Campbell, the Mayoress, presented the Duchess Avitli a beautiful bouquet.

EL A BORATE ILLUMINATIONS. It ,is estimated that there Avere from seventy to eighty thousand people in Queen Street to-night to Avitness the magnificent street illuminations. The illuminations are said to be even more elaborate than on the occasion of the visit of the Prince of Wales, owing to the greater facilities and freedom of ideas in the use of olectricity as an illuminant.

The Post Office presents a striking colour scheme on unique lines, and the Harbour Board’s device makes a rare blaze of glittering colour. The Renown shoAved amidships a great circular device in electric lights, representing the rose emblem ’of the House of \ r ork, and the Diomede, the Laburnum and Veronica were so completely outlined in electric lights that they resembled unique specimens of the jewellers’ art. PRESENTATION OF ALBUM. After the formal Avelcome had been extended by the Prime Minister to the Duke and Duchess on the Renown this morning, Their Royal Highnesses engaged the Ministers in informal conversation for a feAV minutes. During this period Mr Coates presented a beautifully bound and ornamented album of NeAV Zealand A'ieAvs, containing charmingly coloured photographs of the scenery by lake, sea and mountain. HARBOUR BOARD ADDRESS. Accepting a presentation album and an illuminated address from the Auckland Harbour Board, the Duke delivered the following reply of thanks and appreciation:— “I warmly thank you for your address and expressions of loyalty to His Majesty the King, which I Ayill convey to him without delay. On behalf of the Duchess and myself I wish to say how grateful we are for your good wishes and for the warm welcome you have extended to us. Referring to the associations of my family Avith New Zealand, and with Auckland particularly, I Avisli to say that my father and brother have told me of the generous manner in Avhich they Avere received and entertained, and we have long looked forward to the time when avo Avould be able to A'isit you ourselves. We have often heard of the beauty of Auckland and its harbour, but our expectations have been more than fulfilled. We are indeed fortunate to begin our stay in the Dominion amid such entrancing scenery, and when Ave are met Avitli friendship such as you have shown as this morning Ave cannot but feel that our visit lias begun under the happiest conditions. In conclusion, I must once more thank you, and Avisli you all prosperity and happiness.” Cheers Avent up for the Royal guests as the Duke resumed his seat. MESSAGE TO GIRL GUIDES. In response to a message of Avelcome, addressed to her by the Girl Guidtp of the Dominion, the Duchess of York has forwarded the following reply to the Chief Commissioner of the Girl Guidos’ Association (Mrs W. R. Wilson): —“Sincere thanks to the Guides of the Dominion for their greetings. I am much looking forward to meeting them.—Elizabeth.”

H.M.S. Renown will leave Auckland at 11 o’clock to-night for Russell, where the Duke and Duchess of York al'o to spend a day aAvord-fishing. The cruiser is duo baek in Auckland at 8.30 a.m. on Saturday and will sail again an Thursday, March 3, arriving at Wellington on Saturday, March 5. The Renown will berth at Pipitea Wharf for her three days’ stay in Wellington. Leaving there at 5 a.m. on March 9, with the Royal party on board, the ship will arrive at Picton at 8.30 a.m., and Avill remain m Queen Charlotte Sound for ten days. She Avill sail again on Saturday, March 19, for Paterson’s Inlet, Steivart Island, arriving tliore on the morning of March 21 and sailing in the afternoon of March 22 for Melbourne. POLICE CORDON BREAKS. INVASION OF SPECTATORS. ROYAL CAR SURROUNDED. NUMBER OF WOMEN CRUSHED.

AUCKLAND, Feb. 22. The breaking of the police cordou round the Town Hall entrance created an unforseen situation at the moment Their Royal Highnesses Avere taking their departure at the close of the cVic reception to-day. For a feAV minutes the surging of 400 or 500 people round the Royal car took on a serious aspect, numbers of Avomen being crushed in the melee, Avhich the thirty constables present Avere powerless to preA'ent. Three women and a child Avere carried out of the stampeding crowd in a fainting condition, and were attended by St. John Ambulance officers and nurses avlio Avere on duty m the hall. Beyond a feAV bruises received in the crush, hoAvever, no one Avas much the Avorse for the experience. The most serious case was that of a woman who received slight abdominal injuries as the result of her umbrella breaking agaiust her body.

DUKE AND DUCHESS IN

AUCKLAND.

THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE. The first hint of trouble occurred while the civic reception was in progress. About 200 people were gathered outside the main doors of the Town Hall waiting for the Duke and Duchess to emerge on their return to Government House. There was an air of expectancy about the waiting crowds, and at this stage their behaviour was strictly orderly, the peopje standing patiently behind the rope barriers. In addition to the police, two lines of armed sailors from the warships of the New Zealand squadron were stationed at this spot. Within a space of twenty minutes, however, the crowd round the doors was almost trebled in size by the invasion of thousands of people from the lower end of Queen Street. These newcomers, eager to see what was taking place round the doors, pressed heavily on those in front and pushed back the row of "constables guarding the rope barriers. ROPE BARRIER BREAKS.

The worst crush occurred on the footpath outside the offices of the Mayor and Town Clerk. Here the front rows of spectators had been pushed and bullied by those at the back until it had been necessary to summon police re? serves to strengthen the cordon. To make matters worse, the rope barrier came down, and for twenty minutes a score of burly policemen, their arms linked together, strained against the mighty pressure of the crowd behind. When, a few minutes later, a St. John Ambulance officer hastened forward and carried a prostrate woman into the Town Hall, the good humour and lightheartedness of the crowd suddenly became tempered with concern, and the police took immediate steps to get some of the women and children to a place of safety. The people at the rear, however, unaware of the distress they were causing those in front, continued to press forward. CROWD POUR OVER ROADWAY. The break through occurred just as Their Royal Highnesses wore leaving the Town Hall to enter their car. In spite of frantic efforts to keep the crowd steady, tho police barrier was pressed back along the line ol the footpath, and simultaneously tho crowd from tlie opposite side of the street and from Alexandra Street poured over the roadway, pushing aside the sailors who tried to stem the crush. PEOPLE’S GOOD INTENTIONS. In what was described by many women as a disgraceful scone, people were jostled and children were knocked over as the crowd surged round the Royal car. Numbers of women had their shoes and stockings cut and soiled by the trampling of heavy feet and few escaped without bruises. Although the behaviour of the crowd was at times fay from gentle, its intentions were always of the best, ami the final rush upon the Royal car was made to the accompaniment of cheers and cries, of welcome. Their Royal Highnesses, who were shown into the closed car which had been substituted for tho open car owing to the downpour of rain, bowed graciously to the people, who pressed upon them and cheered loudly. • INCIDENT AT THE TOWN HALL. With half-a-dozen constables riding on the dashboard, the car. wedged its way slowly through the concourse and •proceeded to Government House between dense lines of cheering people. Owing to the crowds, which still pressed round The Town Hall doors, it was some miAtes later before the Prime Minister and his party could follow. To still further complicate matters, numbers of people attending the civic reception ignored tho Mayor’s appeal to wait until the Duke and Duchess had left tho hall, and, crowding into tho lobby, blocked the departure of .nine of the official guests.