DUKE OF YORK OPENS HALL OF MEMORIES.

North Otago Times, Volume CVII, Issue 17748, 17 March 1927, Page 5

DUKE OF YORK OPENS HALL OF MEMORIES.

GREETED BY CITIZENS AT SOUTH AFRICAN MONUMENT. CHEERED BY THOUSANDS OF TOWN 'AND COUNTRY; : CHILDREN. Zammmrn *4} ± ' • " Brighfc sunshine and a fresh southerly, after heavy rain, greeted the Duke of York and his entou^age on their arrival 5n Oamaru yesterday afternoon. ' ! , His Royal Highness, iooking fresh and vigorous notwithslanding his recent arduous experiences, stepped from the earriage of the Royal express punctually to time, and at once ; became the central figure in a succession . of interesting .ceremonies. He was warmly greeted at the entrance to the grounds by a group of High School boys who danced a haka, whieh proyided him with obvious entertainment. Proceeding through the school precincts he inspected the Guard of Honour of W]aitaki Cadets on the lawn and then inspected the oak, now a flourishing tree, planted by his brother, the Prince of Wales, in 1920. * i Passing through lines of Boy Scouts, he proceeded to the Hall of Memories where -he opened the front door and preceded a group of officials into the building where a most impressive ceremony took place, a feature being the clear, concise address delivered by Ijis Royal Highness. Leaving the Hall of Memories the Duke accepted . an inyitation to plant a commemoration oak, handling the spade in workmanlike fashion. He then entered his beautiful car and droye through Thames Street to the town, being greeted with cheers by groups of people ti! the way. Arriving at the South African monument his Royal Highness was received by the Mayor and an exchange of formal tddresses took place. The Duke was introduced to a number of citizens who had occupied seats on a special dais, shaking hands with each. He paid a similar compliment to a group of returned soldiers who were drawn up in the vicinity. He also inspected the assembled Territorials, Highland bandsmen and Girl Guides. Passing through the avenue of trees leading to the Post Office, his Royal Highness was the cynosure of the eyes of a„ complete line of town and country children who greeted him with volleys of cheers, to which he gave acknowledgment. The train came along smartly to time and the last seen oi ■ j the Duke as the Royal earriage disappeared out of sight was hisj j alert figure and smiling face as he stood at the door of his • earriage and gave the cheering crowds a hand-wave of farewell. j i t ■ : _ — L - :