THE DUKE’S TOUR

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3612, 12 March 1927, Page 3

THE DUKE’S TOUR

ENTHUSIASTIC WELCOMES ON WEST COAST. Westport, March 10. Last evening must have been rather a depressing one for the Duke of York, because of the. illness of the Duchess, and the fact that the doctor forbade her continuing the tour this morning. Under the circumstances his Royal Highness might well have been pardoned if he had decided to abandon the West Coast tour, arrange for the Renown to come over to Nelson, and as soon as it was safe for the Duchess to leave her room, rejoin the Renown and resume the tour at Christchurch. On the contrary, however, he promptly resolved to carry on alone, ' and to-day everyone is singing his praises for the attitude he has adopted. The Duke left Nelson this morning, making the journey to Glenhope in the train. All along the line he was greeted by little groups of settlers and their wives and children, who waved and cheered as the train went past. At Murchison the people were enthusiastic, and every man, woman and child' turned out. The Mayor, in welcoming the Duke, referred with great regret to the illness of the Duchess. A feature of proceedings here was the introduction to the Duke of several old pioneers, mostly grey bearded veterans of the early digging days. As the Duke left Murchison the children sang the National Anthem and he departed amidst cheering. Westport, which was gaily decoroted and illuminated, turned out in force. There was the usual reception, after which leading citizens were presented, among them Mr. 11. E. Holland, Leader of the Labour Opposition in the House ol Representatives, and Miss Holland. The Duke remained for a while chatting with Mr. Holland, who with Miss Holland, dined with him at his hotel that evening. There was the usual large gathering of child,real, who received special attention from the Duke, who walked along their ranks and acknowledged their cheers. THE DUCHESS. Nelson, March 10. The Duchess of York passed as comforable .a day as could be expected, and obtained a good sleep this afternoon, but it is not thought desirable that she should travel to Lyttelton to-morrow. The attack of tonsolitis is only a slight one. H.M.S. RENOWN ORDERED TO NELSON. Blenheim, March 10. The H.M.S. Renown at Picton received a wireless message at 1.30 - this morning stating that thei Duchess of York had taken ill at Nelson. The vessel was ordered to proceed immediately to Nelson to pick up the Duchess. The crew were got together, the vessel leaving at nine o'clock this morning. The Renown will take the Duchess to Lyttelton, where the Duke will join her. • / DUKE COMPLETES WEST COAST TOUR. DUCHESS’S CONDITION improved. Greymouth, Last Night. Heavy rain before dawn threatened! to spoil to-day for the various functions connected with the Royal tour from W.'estport to Gveymouth. But it cleared by breakfast time. At the children’s gathering some of the children had come from distant Karamea, having started at 3 o’clock in the morning in order to be in town by 8.30. The children gave the Duke a very cordial greeting. Afterwards the long procession of cars started once more on the final stage of the Wiest Coast tour. At Inangahua the Royal train for the South Island was waiting at the station which was bedecked with flags and greenery from the i forest. Only a few minutes was spent here, the country reception taking place at Reefton further on. Then the train sped on past Brunner, passed through Greymouth and pulled up at Hokitika. Here the Duke left the train to receive the usual Mayoral address and meet Councillors and pioneers and their wives. There was also a parade of Girl Guides, Boy Scouts and children. Each child had been given a ferntree frond and at the approach of the Duke a very beautiful effect was produced by the sudden holding aloft and waving of the frond's in the air. That part of Cass Square where the children w'ere grouped suddenly became a moving forest of green. At Greymouth there was a large turnout of people and the Duke was heartily cheered. DUCHESS' MAY EMBARK TO-DAY. Nelson, Last Night. According to an official bulletin issued at 6 pan, the Duchess has passed a very comfortable day. i throat affection has not yet subsided hut it is still hoped her condition will he so much h> the morning that she will he able to embark on the Renown during the course of the day.