THE UBIQUITOUS DUKE.

North Otago Times, Volume CVII, Issue 17748, 16 March 1927, Page 5

THE UBIQUITOUS DUKE.

Press Association.)

CHRISTCHURCH KEEPS HIM BUSY. GREETS THE PIONEERS. STARTS A TROTTING RACE. _____ £?

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CHRISTCHURCH, Last Night. To-day the Duke of York seemed to live in a whirlwind of engagements, and his lightning changes from mufti to uniform- and from uniform to mufti were somewhat remarkable. The University College students greeted him with a haka, and excited girl students broke their formation to get a nearer view. He departed1 amidst cheering j and the singing of "For He's a Jolly j Good Fellow." At the Christchurch hospital | nurses .acted similarly and some anxious to get a good snap shot-| cried "Smile Duke!" The Duke not only smiled but blushed as well. At the trotting course he watched from the judge's box Great Bingen win a splendid race. At the garden fete he fraternised with some of the old immigrants who came out in early ships.

FRATERNISES WITH ELIJA.

Among them was one picturesque old chap, who was dressed in a very blue shirt, white trousers, and a hat on which was worked in red the word "Randolph" "(evidently the name of the ship he came out in). He approached the Duke with a large stockwhip in his hand and apropos of his costume said: "I am using this shirt because my old lady took my white one for a floor clotk!" Holding up the stockwhip he said: "I finished this for you last night and if you put a bottle of beer in the ring yop can draw the, cork with it!" The Duke, greatly tickled with the old man's friendly unconventionality. laughed heartily and said: "I would like to see you use it; I don't know anything about a stock | whip; I don't know how it works!" | The old man seemed only too | pleased to give his Royal Highness j a lesson but first of ,all said: "We \ want a ring, and it must be a very j big one!" Immediately the Duke j motioned to form a ring. and the j old man now altogether in the limelight, cracked his whip with unexpected vigor and great delight in the presence of Royalty. He was Elija. Smart who came out in the early 'sixties. Even though the bottie of beer was not forthcommg, Elija was a very happy man.

THE YORK HANDICAP.

After a hurried luncheon the Duke arrived at the trotting ground j in time for the York Handicap m : which the famous horse Great Bin- j gen, starting 108 yards behind ; scratch, was engaged. Arranged in front of the stand the patrons oi this popular Canterhury sport were assemhled in their thousands and gave the Duke a tumultous welcome. For the moment all interest in the racing was suspended. The Duke j acknowledged round after round of j cheering. In compliment to him all the officjals were wearing a white rose — the rose of York. Immediately he began to take the keenest interest in his surroundings. Dressed in a grey suit and smoking a cigarette, he went with some of the ofificials to the judge's box from ! which he witnessed a thrilling race | in which Great Bingen won» by a neck, the excited crowd shouting "Bingen!'.' "Bingen!" as the great horse came along inck by inch to the lead. He was so late in making up the few final strides that many thought he had lost the race. In the next race the Duke mounted the starter's stand and, amidst cheering, sent the field away successfully at the first attempt. He did not bet.