PRINCE AT ROTORUA

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 527, 30 April 1920, Page 2

PRINCE AT ROTORUA

A GREAT SUCCESS. MARKED BY RAIN. SHORTAGE OF FOOD. MAORI CAMP ARRANGEMENTS. DANGER OF EPIDEMIC. (By Telegraph—"Franklin and Pukekohe Times" Special Correspondent). ROTORUA, Thursday. The visit of His Royal Highness to Rotorua, though somewhat marred by the unfortunate break in the weather, has been on the whole a great success. Fortunately the sun shone for his arrival on Tuesday afternoon, when he received an enthusiastic welcome from the greatest crowd ever gathered in the town, in addition to the five thousand natives who have come into camp from all pa:!ts of the country. Rotorua is thronged with European visitors, every boardinghouse and most private houses being taxed to their full capacity. The Prince's train arrived in due time on the Tuesday, and he received an enthusiastic reception. Since then he has not had an idle moment; every hour that was not devoted to attending functions was spent in visiting the natural wonder abounding in the district. Unfortunately, Wednesday, throughout was uncompromisingly vet, and the great Maori ceremonies which we.e the feature of the Royal visit had to be postponed unt'l to-day. This morning broke cleir, but cold, but soon the atmosphere was warmed by splendid sunshine, which lasted all day. The war dance, kakas and poi dances '"were given with great effect., and even surpassed those given in honour of the present King 1!) years ago. The Prince was to have left to-dav at 3 0.m., but so far it is impossible to learn when he will be able to continue his journey. Many hundreds of people are in the same plights and it appears that the rationing - of the scanty stocks of foflr in the town would have to anged. The a greatest danger is the Maori camp, J which is by no means too -vgood in its sanitary arrangements. There is r the gravest danger of the outbieak , • of an epidemic of the most seriouy-"'" nature if the Maoris iye not speeJilyS returned to thei, honits. If the railway men wished to embarrass the A Government by striking at the most inconvenient time they have certainly succeeded, but they have been equally successful in insulting our Royal visitor by placing in a most difficult position thousands of private citizens with whom they could have had no quarrel, and possibly as ' a sequel doing to death scores of la* noront pevsrn^ •i.