DUNEDIN EN FETE

Southland Times, Issue 18825, 19 May 1920, Page 5

DUNEDIN EN FETE

THE CITY’S RECEPTION THE PRINCE AT THE HOSPITAL (Per United Press Association.) DUNEDIN, May 18. Glorious weather to-day rendered the Prince of Wales’ visit to Dunedin most pleasurable to the Royal party and to the thousands of people who in the afternoon turned out to see his Royal Highness as he passed along the streets. A QUIET MORNING. The morning was spent quietly, being what is scheduled on the official programme as “free.” Fie was motored out to the Otago Golf Club’s links at Balmacewen, and played a round. Though the visit was unheralded in any way the news of it spread on swift wings, and soon quite 1000 people gathered to see the scion of the Royal House enjoying himself like any ordinary British citizen, free from the restraints of formality, THE OFFICIAL WELCOME. The afternoon saw the Prince in harness again, so to speak. At 2 o’clock the official welcome to the city was extended to him at a special dais erected in the Octagon in front of the Anglican Cathedral, on the steps of which several hundred college girls were massed and sang “God Bless the Prince of Wales.” Huge crowds occupied the open space in the Octagon and the streets converging thereon, the whole scene being one of life and colour and remarkably warmhearted enthusiasm. The Mayor, Mr Begg, read the address of welcome, and the Prince in reply expressed appreciation of the splendid reception accorded him. He also referred to the great part the people of Dunedin had taken in promoting educational progress among the people, the part they had thus played being worthy of the noble traditions the pioneers brought with them from the schools and college? of the Old Country. Their devotion to British ideals had been sternly tested in the past five years and the response had been a splendid one. The Prince then received various addresses from church and other bodies in the province.

VISIT TO THE HOSPITAL. A visit to the Medical School and the soldiers’ ward of the hospital then followed. Crowds cheered the Prince along the route, and at the Hospital gates 300 medical students, armed with leg and arm bones and other grisly reminders of their chosen profession, gave His Royal Highness a typical students’ welcome, to the huge delight of the spectators, especially the übiquitous juvenile element. In the main hall of the Hospital the Prince was received by Surgeon-General McGavin and Colonel Falconer, officer in charge of the institution. Here as many of the staff as could be spared from duty were grouped and inspected, as also were several tiny patients who, in spite of their helpless condition, sat up in their cots with expressions of keen delight on their faces as the Prince bent over each in turn and spoke a few kindly words which he knows so well how to choose for every occasion. It may be mentioned that four of these tots whose ages range from five to eight years, addressed a letter to the Mayor pleading that the Prince should visit them, and in the largeness of his heart His Royal Highness saw to it that they were not overlooked. The soldier patients’ tvard was next visited, the Prince spending some time among the cots. It was pathetic in some cases to see how the faces of men suffering terrible war injuries lighted up as the wellknown figure approached and the pleasant, sympathetic voice fell on their ears. It was to each a minute to be treasured among the cherished memories of their life. The Prince also inspected the gallery in which, are displayed casts showing the wonderful results attained in the treatment and remedy of terrible facial injuries suffered by men in the war. This and a similar hospital at Sidcup, England, are the only ones in the world specialising in this work, and Lieut.-Colonel Pickercll, who has charge here, is to be congratulated on the remarkable success that has attended his work. The Prince was specially commendatory in his remarks on what he saw. The “walking” cases in the Hospital were inspected by the Prince in one of the exercise corridors, each man getting a handshake and a few cheery words of greeting. Altogether the half-hour spent within the Hospital precincts was crowded with much of interest and instruction in the great practical work being done for the amelioration of suffering arising out of both peace and war conditions. PORT CHALMERS VISITED. Later the Prince visited Port Chalmers, which \va,s gaily decorated and received tin address of welcome in the presence of a large number of townspeople. The outward run was made via North-East Valley and as the party topped the hills dividing (lie valley from the harbour and the latter burst suddenly into view, exclamations of stirprised delight were general. The scene was remarkably reminiscent of views in some parts of Scotland, with its peaceful harbour waters bordered by hills and the deep indentations of the sea. Returning to the city by way of the Lower Port Road, the Prince was stopped at Raven-bourne and was accorded a hearty impromptu welcome. RECEPTION AND BALL. The official citizens’ reception took place in the evening at the Drill Hall, and later on the Prince was the guest at a ball given by the Otago Women's Club in the Art Gallery. Both were brilliant affairs and were attended by very large numbers of people. The visiting pressmen with the Royal parly were the guests of the local journalists at dinner in the Commercial Travellers’ Club this evening. Sir George Fenwick presided, and tendered a hearty welcome to the visitors. Messrs Cotes, Sandes and Murdoch responded in felicitous terms, expressing deep appreciation of the wonderful hospitality accorded them throughout the Nest Zealand tour.

PRIVILEGES OF COUNCILLORS. DAUGHTERS AMONGST INVITED GUESTS. Should councillors be privileged to lake their oldest daughters amongst the “invited guests” at the Prince's evening reception along with their wives'/ This was the question which, introduced by Cr. J. Stevenson, perplexed and amused the City Fathers for a few minutes last night. When Cr. Miller was reminded that the invitation did not extend to daughters, he expressed the opinion that if anything good was going councillors should get it. There were many people invited who did not do anything like the work in the public interests performed by the members of the Council. p r. J. Martin said that his daughter had not been invited; therefore he did not intend to lake her. That councillors might, avail themselves of one of (lie little privileges the public expected them to take was, in the opinion of the Mayor, Cr. Miller’s aim. Councillors would be separated from their wives a good deal, remarked Cr. J. T. Carswell, and the latter might feel lonely unless they had company. Cr. J. Martin: If daughters are going, I make application to take my mother. Cr. Miller (with enthusiasm). Certainly ! certainly ! Cr, S. McDonald was sorry, he implied, but he did not think there would be room if some of the councillors arrived with all their (laughters. Chorus: Only (he oldest daughter. His daughter had not been asked, so she did not wish to go, said Cr. J. Matheson, and Cr. .1. E. Lillicrap declared that it would make a difference of only five or six to the r-pace. He was inclined to Cr. Miller’s belief, and it was not worih while being councillors if they could not extend

little privileges to themselves. They did a great deal of public work and received no compensation, nor did they expect any. Cr. Miller stated that he had not expected any- discussion on the matter. If he had taken his own daughter along nothing would have been said, but he had spoken so that all the councillors might know what to do. Cr. McDonald said that no doubt accommodation could be arranged. Cr. Martin: I hereby make application for an invitation for my mother and my daughter. Cr. Miller: Hear, hear. A councillor; Is only one daughter to be permitted ? The Mayor: Unless you have twins. GUARD OF HONOUR. An interesting ceremony in connection with the Prince’s visit will take place at 2 p.m. to-morrow, when the Guard of Honour will receive the King’s Colours from the Sth Southland Regiment. The ceremony will be carried cut in front of the Post Office, and, as it is the first occasion on which it has been performed in Invercargill, it is expected that a large section of the public will take the opportunity of witnessing it. Afterwards the guard will march to the Railway Station where, with the colours on parade, they will receive the Prince by giving him the Royal salute.