HISTORIC EXETER

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVII, Issue 9, 8 December 1926, Page 2

HISTORIC EXETER

VISITED BY MR BRUCE. CONTRAST WITH INDUSTRIAL CENTRES. Received December 7, 12.45 p.m. LONDON, Dec. 6. Mr Bruce wound up his provincial tour in glorious sunshine at Exeter where he turned the first sod of a new university college. He was then entertained at luncheon and became a Freeman of the City in the historic Guildhall lined with beautiful panelling with the Mayors’ coats of arms going back to the thirteenth century. The visit and the functions.markedly contrasted with the rest of the tour among the industrial centres for every corner of this quaint and quiet -old city is teeming with historical associations. Mr Bruce when turning the sod faced a semi-circle of gowned and capped students of both sexes, who after the ceremony with full lungs obeyed the Professors’ appeal to “Let it rip, let them hear it in Australia,” as they shouted the college cry. Even the- room where luncheon was served was a distinguished apartment in one of the most dignified hotel buildings in Britain. Mr and Mrs Bruce then drove through a beflagged, narow, old world street with ancient buildings holding the eye every few yards, cheered by largo crowds. It was not surprising that Mr Bruce was emotionally affected when he took the oath to the Guildhall to “defend the ancient customs and firivileges of this city in every just and awful cause.”

Mr and Mrs Bruce will remain in London until they embark for New York aboard the Majestic on 21st December. —A. and N.Z. cable.