THE ROYAL TOUR.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3613, 15 March 1927, Page 2

THE ROYAL TOUR.

DUCHESS RETURNS TO WELLINGTON. SOUTH ISLAND TOUR ABANDONED Wellington, Sunday. Thq Renown returned to Wellington to-day at 6 p.m. with the Duchess of York on board, and the following bulletin was issued: “Her Royal Highness the Duchess of York, stood the journey well and her condition is quite satisfactory. The tonsilitis from which she has 'been suffering has nearly subsided but complete rest is essential to re-establish her health. She may now be regarded as convalescent and no further bulletins will be issued.’’ The Duchess, proceeded to Government House, where it is probable she will stay until the completion of the tour by the Duke.of York. The following official statement has been issued l :— “Her Royal Highness, the Duchess of York,,acting on medical advice has been very regretfully compelled to abandon the remainder of the South Island tour. She has been ordered complete rest and is going to Government House, Wellington, to convalesce. The Duke will complete the tour alone.” Christchurch, Sunday. For the Duke's visit the decorations in Greyinouth were some of the best seen on the New Zealand tour, the streets being lined with greenery, while magnificent arches in which forest foliage and tree ferns were a great feature spanned the streets. This morning in pouring rain, immediately after breakfast, the Duke was on his way to James State Coal mine. He just entered the mine as there Was not'time to explore it more fully,, tint he was keen to see for himself the conditions under which the miners and their families lived. At the mine lie inspected the bathing accommodation and arrangement for clothe, s-drying. Lie then passed on to Runanga, where most of the miners and! their families live, and there saw the conditions of their houses. On the journey to Canterbury the mountain tops remained!shrouded in clouds but fine effects were produced and the- swollen waterfalls

added to the grandeur of-the scene. At Otira the Duke spent some time with the young children of the railwayman. Here the electric locomotive was switched on to the train. The Duke mounted the footplate, and under the tuition of the senior elec trio engineer, he took a hand in driving through the tunnel. ' On the other side of the Pass, the Duke again mounted: the ppotplatc of the famous war memorial locomotive “Paschendaele.” The Duke succeeded in switching the locomotive on to the train successfully and remained on the footplate till Cass was reached. Here the people were expecting to see him in the Royal car at the end of the train, and were surprised to notice him waving his hand; with a lump of greasy tow in it from the engine. Once the train was over the main divide there was a clear sky, and the sun shone warmly. RECEPTION IN CHRISTCHURCH. Arrived at Christchurch,the Duke drove through the- streets which were densely thronged with men, women, and ehild'ren who gave him a rousing reception. The crowd appeared to be larger than that which assembled either in Auckland or Wellington, and the people displayed unbounded enthusiasm. Several seemed perilously perched on roofs and parapets of high buildings. . As the Duke reached the vicinity of Cathedral Square, a unique touch for New Zealand was given to the welcome by the joyful pealing of the Cathedral bells. Thence the route look the procession of cars back through the centre of the city and across the Avon to the Drill Hall near the Bridge of Remembrance. Here there was an inordinately 1 eligibly musical performance, more especially by the band but the assemblage of live thousand gave the Duke a rousing welcome and one that he is not likely to for(ioiis especially was in Cathedral local notabilities were presented to him at the close of this ceremony. Another point in wlnkfli Christchurch excelled with the illuminations especially in Cathedral Square. The spire of the Cathedral dominating the Square, shining in the dim light added a line effect to the entrancing scene. To-day the Duke attended morning service at the Cathedral.