FIRST FREEMAN

Southland Times, Issue 18822, 15 May 1920, Page 5

FIRST FREEMAN

PRINCE’S UNIQUE DISTINCTION

Yesterday's Celebrations (Per United Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, May 14. ' The “Prince’s weather” that has marked the Royal tour ever since Rotorua was left, broke to-day. The morning was wet and drizzly, but the afternoon saw the sun making feeble efforts to break into smiles as the Prince walked from the Christchurch Club to Latimer Square, where the formal presentation of the address from the citizens was made by the Mayor. Many thousands of people were present and heartily cheered the Prince coming and going. A feature of this function was the presence of members of the Christchurch Cambrian Society, the women being dressed in the quaint Welsh national garb. Mrs Hudson made the presentation of an address, and “God Bless the Prince of Wales” was then sung in English and Celtic. His Royal Highness, in acknowledging the address, said he was always glad to meet Welshmen anywhere in the Empire. Addresses were also presented from the Lyttelton Harbour Board, the Methodist Church, and the British Israel Association. FREEDOM OF THE CITY. A UNIQUE DISTINCTION. At the conclusion of this ceremony the Freedom of the City of Christchurch was conferred upon the Prince by virtue of a document handed him by the Mayor, Dr Thacker. This is the first case of the freedom of the city being conferred on anyone in Christchurch, or indeed in New Zealand, and it was decided upon by a meeting of City Councillors while waiting on the railway platform last evening for the Prince’s arrival. It is not clear whether the idea can be given proper effect without special legislation, but that phase of the matter will be inquired into later. In the meantime the idea, which originated with the Citizens’ Association, has been carried out, and His Royal Highness is enrolled as the first honorary freeman of the City of Christchurch, a unique distinction for both the city and the man. The beautiful casket of gold, platinum, and silver to contain Auckland city's address was not completed when His Royal Highness was in the north, but it has now reached Christchurch and been handed over. REVIEW IN HAGLEY PARK. After the Latimer Square function the Prince drove to Hagley Park, the route being lined by thousands, and thousands more stood on all sides of the parade ground in the park. The inspection of veterans and Territorials took some time, and the Prince’s frequent stoppages to speak to a man wearing special ribbons or to a wounded man earned His Royal Highness fiequent cheers and applause. The troops made a fine display, and a large number of returned soldiers and nurses filed past the Prince. The drone of an aeroplane overhead added a touch to the scene reminiscent in many ears of the dreadful days not long past when such sounds meant much to the auditors. The rain kept off, but the ground was damp underfoot, and a chill southerly wind made things uncomfortable. The streets are brilliantly illuminated again to-night, and are packed with sightseers.