THE ROYAL VISIT

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3610, 8 March 1927, Page 3

THE ROYAL VISIT

The Royal journey on Saurday from Hawke’s Bay to the capital city was made in ideal weather conditions except that in the Wnirarnpa the* beat was intense. WOODVILLE’S WELCOME. Wloodville was reached seven minutes behind schedule time. The Boroughs of Woodville and Paliiatua made a combined display to welcome the Duke and Duchess of York and a very enthusiastic greet ing it was that the visitors received. The usual round of addresses, presentation of local notables, inspection. of returned soldiers, Scouts, Girl Guides and school children followed. Sergeant David Bennett, late of the Royal Highlanders (Black Watch), was presented specially to the Duchess. He Avas brought up on her father’s Strathmore Estate Avhere Bennett’s mother has resided over eighty years. In the course of a brief chat Avith the ex-soldier the DUchess recalled a visit to his mother in 1925. Her Royal Highness’s brother, Hon. Fergus Bowes-Lyon, was captain of Bennett’s battalion and the soldier Avas present Avhen. that officer Avas killed in action at Loos in 1915. Just before noon the journey Avas resumed. At Opaki the train stopped and the party transferred to Avaiting motor-cars to complete the run in to Masterton. MASTERTON EN FETE. Masterton Avelcomcd the Ducal visitors in a very warm-hearted manner. Thousands of people lined the streets and the beautiful park AA n as filled Avith children, veterans of several campaigns dating back to Crimea, and unending waves of people, who acclaimed the Duke and 1 Duchess of York as they walked to the dais where addresses from the Borough and neighbouring towns Averc presented to the Duke and Duchess. The Duke planted a commemorative oak tree at the back of the pavilion. At Crossereek four Fell locomotives took over the draught of six coaches and one baggage van, with three brake vans bringing up the rear, and the stiff climb to the summit Arii-s accomplished in about twenty minutes. The run down to Wellington was neclomplisliod without incident. But the Ilntt Valley bad its quotas of people at stations and crossings, while Lower Hutt and Petone wenall gay with bunting mil cheering crowds. WELLINGTON. Wellington station avus a mass of greenery opposite the Royal coach. Here the Mayor (Air. J. B. Norwood:), and the City-Council-lors AA"e.re presented and a procession formed following a route nearly two miles to the Government, House. Enormous crowds (considered the largest vet seen on this trip except on the day of the children’s demonstration in Auckland Domain) watched the procession. The streets were effectively decorated with flags and greenery here and there, while pylons at regular intervals lent a touch of sober dignity to the scene.

At night, the city was illuminated, all the main streets being transformed, into avenues of luminous colours, Avhile the Parliamentary and Government buildings, as well as many other public and privatebuildings, Avcre transformed into incandescent designs, the keynote of which.was the expression “Loyal welcome to distinguished ‘visitors.”

On Sunday morning the Royal party attended divine (service in St. Paul’s procathedral, the Bishop of Wellington (Dr. Sprott) being preacher. The remainder of' the day was spent quietly at Government House. Yesterday the Royal visitors opened! the Ivaritane _H!oTne>, /and were also accorded a civic welcome. At Newtown Park there was a brilliant display by 4,000 children. The workers homes in the Hutt Valley were also visited. The Vice-Regal Ball at Government House last night wii/S a brilliant spectacle. Today the 'children from town and counti’y will greet the Royal \isitors at Parliament grounds. The Duke and Duchess will leave Wellington for Picton at, 5 a.m. tomorrow.