ROYAL TOURISTS

North Otago Times, Volume CVII, Issue 17748, 10 March 1927, Page 5

ROYAL TOURISTS

Prcs b Association.)

ANOTHER DAY OF TRAVEL.

UNIQUE LUNCHEON PARTY.

NELSON AT ITS GAYEST.

(Per

NELSON Last Night. The short run from Picton to Blenheim was without incident. At the latter town, after the usual address of welcome, the Royal party proceeded to Pollard Park, the splendid gift of the late Mr Pollard, where the whole of the people of the town and surrounding distrieis had assembled. The visitors were struck with the extraordinary number of motor cars parlced in the fields. The Highland pipers, playing the pibroch of Donald Dhq, march- , ed hefore their Royal Highnesses, changing the tune to the "Gock o' the North" as they passed into the enclosure fronting the grandstand which was' crowded with people. Below were the Territorials, Cadets and school children. The Territorials proudly displayed their banner — presented during the visit of the King to New Zealand — on which was inscribed the battle honours gained by the old mounted regiment in the South African war, and to which will now be added the battle honours- of Gallipoli, Egypt and the western front. From Blenheim the rouie was by motor to Havelock which was ■•eached about midday. After the usual welcome the party left on the interesting journey to Nelson, halting in a most beautiful sylvan glade known as the Pelorous Picnic Reserve of five hundred acres. Here, in a charming grove of native forest, a luncheon marquee had been erected for ihe Duke's party, while his entourage was accommodated at iwo long tables in the open. Above were the hills covered with bush and below the crystal clear water j of the Pelorous river flowed in ! ripples and deep pools in a rocky j ! bed. Both the Duke and Duchess ap- | peared to thoroughly enjoy these . novel surroundings and after lun- 1 cheon they descended the steep j path through the forest to get a I near view of the gorge. The Duch- i ess climbed on to a great rock in j I the river b£d and remained for j | some time admiring the scene, j i while the Duke no doubt thought = of his fishing rod and his camp on , the Tongariro river. Afterwards the j Duchess chatted with some of the : | local people. • | There followed a most interesting : ; journey through wild and thinly { ; populated country where fires were j ! burning on steep fern-clad slopes ! pf the mountain "sides. The fleet of j thirty motor cars made a unique j sight as they swung round the steep \ hairpin bends of the Ladd Valley j road caryed out of the mountain j side with the hills above and steep j gulches descending to the stream i hundreds of feet below. ! The day had been overcast and [ sultry and as the Royal car entered Nelson a few drops k)f rain | fell but not enough to damp the j proceedings. Nelson, which from j its . beautiful setting, lends itself to j such demonstrations was bedecked j with flags, and people were most j enthusiastic. The scene in Trafalgar I Square and on the terraces below I the old Cathedral was most pic- ? turesque. The Mayor of the city, I wearing his robes of office, read • an address of welcome. The Duke ] in his reply said he and the Duchr i ess had heard much of the richness • of this beautiful district, of its j fruit, and its famous research in- I stitute. . ; Descending from the terrace the j Duke presented the Nelson College | Cadets with the Eric Riddiford gold ( cup . for the best drill among the [ New Zealand college cadets. The college cadets certainly to-day pre.sented a very smart appearance on parade and. their marching" and that | of the Territorials was especially good. The parade of the Bov Scouts and Girl Guides was particulariy effective. Immediately after these ceremonies the Duke and' Duchess motored to the children's gathering in the botanical reserve situated amidst most picturesque surroundings. Here the rcception of their Royal Highnesses was remarltably enthusiastic. The Duke and Duchess, who are staying at the Commercial Hotel, have the evening free, Among those presented to-day were Bishop Sadlier and Professor Easterfield of the Cawthron Institute.