OVER THE ALPS

Southland Times, Issue 18821, 14 May 1920, Page 5

OVER THE ALPS

THE PRINCE AT CHRISTCHURCH A MEMORABLE WELCOME (Per United Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, May 13. The Royal party’s journey across, tho Alps by way of Arthur’s Pass from Westland into Canterbury was made in ideal weather, though a brisk easterly breeze and snow on the topmost heights made the air keen and bracing. At various small settlements the people, though few in numbers, were very enthusiastic, and at Otira and Arthur’s Pass, the two railheads between which coaches carried the visitors over the top of the Pass, the school children made quite brave little shows. The Prince was driven over by the veteran Mr A. Hall, proprietor of tho coach line, who in 1869 drove the Duke of Edinburgh from Melbourne to Bendigo, and today he used the whip given him by the Duke on that occasion. Everyone walked the three miles of the steepest part of the range. The rugged mountain scenery, with ever recurring bluffs, gullies, and cascades falling down steep cliffs, little mountain tarns coming occasionally into view, was greatly admired. At Arthur’s Pass the Royal train was waiting, and after the Prince had walked to the end of the tunnel, which he entered, and inspected the workshops, a start was made on the run down to Christchurch, which was reached a little after 7 o’clock. A FAIRY CITY.

CHRISTCHURCH TRANSFORMED. A ROYAL WELCOME. “Hats off to Christchurch for its welcome to the Prince of Wales to-night,” must be the verdict of anyone who has seen the Royal visit celebrations in the New Zealand centres touched at up to the present. The night was fine, though clouds threatened to release their pent-up moisture at any moment. This was surprising to the travellers, who had enjoyed such glorious weather all the time since they landed in the South Island at Picton on Monday morning, and today had been perhaps the best of all. Bonfires at hamlets and homesteads all along the line lit up the scene momentarily after darkness fell, and at Rolleston, 14 miles away the lights on the Port Hills beMile Christchurch began to appear. By the time the city station was reached it seemed as if tho flames of a vast area of bush •>n fire were ascending skyward, The railway station was tastefully decorated where the Prince stepped on to the platform. The Mayor, Dr Thacker, was formally presented, and also the members of the city corporation. The territorial guard of honour was inspected, and then the Royal party entered a long line of motor cars and began the drive to the Christchurch Club, where the Prince will reside during his stay here. Passing through the gates in the barricade fronting the station, the eye encountered a seemingly endless throng of people in Moorhouse Avenue and Manchester street, which were spanned at short intervals by strings of coloured electric lights, giving the appearance of a long tunnel with a fancifully illuminated roof. The procession made its way slowly through the cheering crowds, His Royal Highness constantly acknowledging the acclamation and frequently standing up in the car to let the people see him better. When the turn was made into High street past the Clock Tower, in the glory of bright lights, a gorgeous sight burst upon the view. Two castellated archways in imitation white marble beautifully lit up by electric bulbs of soft hues, spanned the pathway of the Prince through Cathedral Square. The Bank of New Zealand, the Post Office, Government buildings, and the newspaper and other buildings surrounding or near the Square were all decked with flags and lights bearing various patriotic designs. The crowds grew thicker as the Square was approached, till finally the Royal car was held up and the people surged around it iu a riotously enthusiastic mass. After making a partial circuit of tho Square as quickly as the dense body of people would permit, the Prince’s car turned into Worcester street and at last reached the entrance to the Christchurch Club. Here the patriotic enthusiasm of tho crowds reached the pinnacle of its fervour. Even when His Royal Highness had entered the Club the people remained in front, cheering and waving flags until tho Prince came to an upstairs window and once more acknowledged the plaudits of the crowd. During the whole progress from the station the Cathedral bells chimed out a welcome which, added to the glad huzzas of tho multitude in the streets below, made the Prince’s coming to the capital of Canterbury a veritable triumph. Christchurch hud accorded the future King a fitting welcome, and at the same time done herself great credit. RETURNED SOLDIERS. MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCE. CHRISTCHURCH, May 13. The following official statement issued by Colonel Grigg, secretary to the Prince of Wales explains itself: —‘The Prince of Wales wishes to thank the returned soldiers in all the cities and towns which he has visited for coming to meet him in such large numbers. He appreciates this greatly, particularly as many have come a long distance from the country> ami ho looks forward to seeing those who belong to the cities and districts which still remain to be visited. He is particularly anxious to see returned soldiers at the public, receptions and parades arranged for him by the local authorities, because circumstances have necessitated his declining invitations to functions given by returned soldiers alone. He has made this decision with great regret, because he would like nothing better than to go wherever possible to returned men’s gatherings and clubs. Time, however, will obviously not permit of his going to them all and he feels that it would not be playing the game to accept some and to turn others down. He is sure that his old comrades in arms will appreciate this, and that those whose districts he has still to visit will make up for it by giving him an opportunity of seeing as many as possible of them again at the official receptions or parades which have been arranged for him.”

VISIT TO INVERCARGILL.

THE RECEPTION COMMITTEE. The Invercargill Reception Committee held its final meeting in the Council Chambers last evening, the Mayor (Mr John Stead) presiding. The members of the various committees reported on the progress which had been made with their nrrangeI menu, and the programme as already agreed j to was reviewed, j MILITARY PARADE. I It is the intention of the defence authorij ties to have the military parade drawn up lin position by 2.45 p.m. Territorials and ; cadets will parade in the Drill Hall, giving 1 them time to move off into position by 2 I o’clock. The parade will pass through the ! tide door of the hall, and instead of going | straight to the oval as originally suggested, I will march past the back of the grandstand i and enter the oval at the northern end, j thus avoiding any confusion with the pubi lie. j In the event of wet weather, the func- | tion will be held in the Drill Hall. To ensure that the disabled men will not be neI glected, arrangements are being made to ! provide them with seating accommodation, I for which tickets can be obtained from the j Returned Soldiers’ Association. I . 1 Sixty doses of “NAZOL” cost only 1/G. I Splendid for coughs, colds, throat and chest 1 soreness. Get busy with “NAZOL” to-day. [ —(Advt.)