THE PRINCE

Southland Times, Issue 18819, 12 May 1920, Page 5

THE PRINCE

VISIT TO THE WEST

COAST

THROUGH THE BULLER GORGE

(Per United Press Association.)

REEFTON, May 11. Beautiful weather all day made the Prince’s journey from Nelson through the Waimea Valley, through the 'mountains and the upper Buller Gorge a succession of surprising pleasures. Everywhere there was the utmost enthusiasm at the Prince s appearance in the more populous older settlements. In the early stage of the journey by rail to Glenhope, the people turned out in full force, and the spirit shown was always one of glad welcome and goodwill. Leaving the more settled district, Tadmor, “the place in the Wilderness,” added its quota to the cheering and flag-waving. MOTOR RUN TO MURCHISON. Glenhope came out en masse and gave the Royal party a joyous send-off as it transferred to motor cars and started on the eighty miles run to Reefton via Murchison and Inangahua. The rugged hill scenery en route to Murchison was admired'by The visitors, and the Prince was afforded first hand evidence of the work done by the pioneer settlers in bringing wild country into a state of production. THROUGH THE BULLER GORGE. Murchison’s welcome was warm and hearty. Luncheon was partaken of, and then the most impressive stage of the journey from a scenic point of view was entered upon, through the upper Buller Gorge. The Prince walked a portion of the way to enjoy the beautiful sylvan river vistas more fully. All the visitors were greatly impressed by the windings of the road round craggy points overhanging the river far below or elbowing its way past awkward corners at the head of gullies emptying into the main stream. AN EXCITING INCIDENT.

CAPSIZE OF A CAR. After leaving Inaugabua the party experienced the most exciting incident of the whole tour up to date. For the Gorge trip the Prince’s car took up its position at the rear of the piocession, and the others pushed ahead. Opposite Inangahua railway station one of the leading cars stopped suddenly, and the next, following closely at a fair speed, had not time to stop. There was just room to pass at a slow speed, but in the circumstances the chance of getting past was a slight one. However, it was the only one, and the driver, T. Watson, took it. The car was almost past, but the slippery ground let the wheels skid, and in a moment the car turned a somersault, landing straddled over a big ditch. The four occupants, Messrs E Coates, representing Reuter’s Agency; F. Morgan, New Zealand Press Association; Taylor, of the Internal Affairs Department, and G. W. Turley, of the Railway Department, were shot into the ditch through a thick mat of bramble, which broke their fall and acted as a spring buffer to prevent the car crushing those underneath. Plenty of assistance was fortunately at hand, and the car was lifted and its occupants released, shaken and scratched by the brambles but otherwise uninjured, except that the driver was slightly cut by glass from the broken windscreen which clattered down yet miraculously missed all the others in the ditch. The car was righted and proceeded on its journey, but the passengers were transferred to other cars. Those who believe in omens or are superstitious in any way may derive satisfaction from one feature of tire incident. The car’s official number was 13. ARRIVAL AT REEFTON. The Prince’s car reached Reefton about 7.30, His Royal Highness himself driving over the las! stage from Inangahua. His appearance was hailed by quite a large crowd with a y.c.u display of enthusiasm. After dinner u..- Prince attended a reception in the Conned Chambers.

LABOUR'S LOYALTY

DIVIDED OPINION AT CHRISTCHURCH

CHRISTCHURCH, May 11. There is a d;'. isiou of opinion among oflicial Labour representatives in Christchurch as to whether they will attend any of the receptions to the Prince during his visit to the city. The Labour Representation Committee recently issued an anti-mon-areideal manifesto, calling on its adherents to take no part ia the reception. Some of the labour men who occupy public positions will fall into line, while others are a little uncertain about the matter.

LABOUR REPRESENTATIVES INTERVIEWED.

MR HOWARD, M.P., AFFRONTED

(Special to the Times.) CHRISTCHURCH, May 11. Asked regarding the attitude of official Labour representatives during the Prince’s visit to Christchurch, Mr H. T. Armstrong, who occupies a scat on the City Council, said: “As far as I am concerned 1 am going to do what the parly has already decided we should do, namely, that we are to take no part in the official gatherings to the Prince of Wales. I am quite in accord with the views expressed in the manifesto. They are turning it into a purely military display, ami I am opposed to the whole thing. A lilting reception could be given to the Prince without spending thousands on useless and nonsensical decorations. I would like to see the Prince get a lilting reception, and it could be done without Christchurch going mad. If yon ask me if I sun a loyal citizen I say ‘Yes,’ and while Britain is a monarchy I expect Royally will have to lx recognised just its we would recognise the representative of a republic.” Mr Armstrong was asked whether he would withhold his signature from the address of welcome to be tendered to the Prince by the City Council. He replied that he regarded this matter differently, but until he had seen the address he could not say what he would do. Mr E. J. Howard, M.P., was asked whether he was going to join in the reception to the Prince. He replied with some heat that he had just had his invitation to await the Prince at the railway station cancelled, and this being so he was not going to lake any part in subsequent functions to which lie might be invited. Mr Howard maintained that his Parliamentary railway pass entitled him to be on the station if he had a mind to be there, and he could not see who had the right to withhold Ids right to go on the railway platform. In view of the very insulting treatment he had received in the cancellation of the invitation he was not going to bother any further in the matter.

A CHALLENGE DECLINED. MR FRASER AND MR FOX. WELLINGTON, May 11. Mr John Fox, whose challenge to Mr Peter Fraser, M.P., to resign the Wellington Central seat and contest it with him was declined, has again written to Mr Fraser saying that the challenge still stands. He suggests that it is Mr FrasePs duty both to himself and to his electorate to test the feeling of the electors regarding his attitude towards the Prince’s visit.