DUKE AND THE DIGGERS.

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

DUKE AND THE DIGGERS.

Presa Association.)'

HOPES TO COME BACK. i.

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CHRISTCHURCH, March' 16. Last Jiight, at the Returned Soldiers' Association, the Duke again said that he hoped to come back to New Zealand, Among those who spoke was Sir Andrew Russell, Who presented to the Duke a life member's badge. Concluding, he said: "I now introduice to you our distinguished guest, nq^ -only as Duke of Yirk, but also as one of ourselves, a Digger." Wfiereat there was prolonged applause, cheering, and "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow." The Duke, on rising to respond, was again greeted with tumultuous cheering. He thanked the Association, and said he had always looked forward to coming to New Zealand. Xt was a wonderful country, iand he loved it. Cheers and a voice, "You'd hetter come (back." The Duke added that he wanted to get to know the people, and a Digger promptly interjected:' "What about the next Gov-ernor-Generalship?" Whereat there was prolonged applause iand cheering., There were cries of "Good Old Blighty!" when the Duke said he supposed they had found it not a bad place. His Royal Highness said: "We ' have our difficulties over there, hut I think we are going to get over "them, and when we do get over them you will share in the time of prosperity in the same way as the Old Country and other parts of the Empire. (Applause.) I thank you very rnpch again for the reception you have given me here this eyening. I will always remember this evening as one of the happiest in my life. I hope to come back here again some day, and when I come back I will wear this badge you have given me.." (More cheering and "Jolly Good Fellow.") Subsequently the chairnian announced amidst applause, that the Duke has signed the membership card of the R.S.A., and that his address was 145 Piccadilly, London. A Voice: Can a man dig him out? The Duke departed in a storm of cheering, thus ending a very. ibusy and successful day, * CHRISTCHURCH, March 16. Amid cheers and to the strains of "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow," the Duke of York left Christchurch fpr the South this xnqrhing. Despite heavy rain the route to the station was packed with people, and all the railway crossings in the city were lined with crowds, who gave a cheer as the Royal train passed. As the train rounded the curve out of the Christchurch station he was to be seen at the rear of a earriage waving farewell, TIMARU, March 16. • At the Returned Soldiers' Association luncheon .aj Christchurch last night one of the entertainers was ineluding in his repertoire some stories of rather a risque nature. when suddenly someone realised that the proceedjngs were heing broadcasted. The entertainer was promptly switched on to another tack. There was not time to learn before leaving this mornjng how much the good people of Christchurch aictually heard or what they thought about it, but the Diggers were highly amused. ASHBURTON, March 1 . The Duke of York received an enthusiastic reception on his brief stay of 20 minutes, The children of the town and country sehools assembled to the number ,of 2000, with the cadets. On alighting his Royal Highness was presented with an address of welcome, on behalf of the Borough and County the Mayor (Mr R. Galbraith) reading it. The dais was a novel feature, surmounted by an areh bearing the word "Greetings," a eoloured arch, consisting of the products of the county-— wool, butter, ieheese, and frozen muttor^, The Duke evinced great interest in these, and inquired the weight of a sheep, to which none could reply. Members of the local bodies were presented, as well as Colonel J. Findlay, honorary Aide de Camp to the Governor-General, Corporal Currie, an Indian Mutiny veteran, Major W. E. Dolon, a Maori war veteran, and Captain Turner of Lowcliffe, formerly of the Flying Corps. Having inspected ihe children and cadets, the Duke left amid >:nyii»3'ias|jc pheer.in^.

WELLINGTON, March 16. ► It is announced this afternoon that the Renown with the Duehess and party on board will leave Wellington on Sunday direct for Bluff, where the Duke will go aboard. The Governor-General and the Hon. J. G. Cofites will go south to bid farewell to the Royal visitors. TIMARU, MarcK lo. The vlsft of the Duke of ,York proved a brilliant success, everything passing off without a hitch. After a showery morning, the train reached Timaru on schedule, the weather being perfect in every way and there was a record attendance of the general pubiic their not being a village or hamlet in South Canterbury bnt contributed its quota to the cheering throng yvhich aeclaimed the Duke. The Duke left the train at Caroline Bay, where the Prince of Wales detrained seven years ago, and was informally received hy the Mayor and Mayoress, Mr and Mrs G. J. Wallace the chief function being at the Gardens in the proximity of the Soldiers' Memorial. Leaving the bay the Duke motored to the Gardens via Stafford street, which was lined by cheering throngs, the journey to the rendezvous being something in the nature of a triumphal march. The whole town, but more particularly Stafford Street, was gaily benecked wit'h bunting of all descriptions, and presented a brilliant ap--pearance; indeed, seldom has Timaru presented a more animated scene duking the daytime. At the Gardens there was an enormous crowd to welcome the Duke, who was received with deafening cheers which were repeated again and again during the progress of the all-too-brief stay of the Royal party. At the Gardens the Mayor read the address of welcome signed by the Mayors and Chairmen of the various local bodies in South Canterbury» and aj its conclusion the Duke handed to the Mayor his written reply, expressing appreciation of the warm welcome accorded him and regretting the unavoidable absence of the Duehess. Afteir a few introductions the Duke inspefCted. the Girl Guides and Boy Scouts and children, who sang. a song composed for the occasion. By the time this was all done, the time allotted for Timaru had almost expired and consequently it was necessary to get back to the waiting train with as little delay as possible. After a few farewells the Duke entered his car, and the last part of the journey was undertaken. The final farewells were taken at the station amidst cheer after cheer, and as the train drew out of the station the Duke came to the window of his earriage and waved. his hand to the cheering throng; it being very evident that the Royal visitor was highly pleased with the cordiality of his reception.