PRINCE OF WALES

Southland Times, Issue 18829, 24 May 1920, Page 5

PRINCE OF WALES

FORECAST of return. MESSAGE TO LORD LIVERPOOL. (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, May 23. On the departure of H.M.S. Renown from Lyttelton on Saturday morning the Govern-or-Genera! despatched the following message to His Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales ‘T join with my Government and the people of this Dominion in expressing to Your Royal Highness our fervent hope that your tour so auspiciously commenced in these Southern Seas may draw the tics of Empire still closer together and at the same time prove a source of knowledge and pleasure to yourself. Now Zealand parts with your Royal Highness, and those who sail with you. with deepest regret after an all too short visit amongst us. Kia Ora.— (Signed)— Liverpool, Go-vernor-General. His Excellency received on Saturday evening the following reply from His Royal Highness:— “I am greatly touched by your Excellency’s message of farewell on behalf of your Government and the people of New Zealand. Please convey to all my warmest thanks. I can never say how much I enjoyed my first visit to New Zealand, nor shall I ever forget the loyalty and affection with which I was welcomed everywhere. New Zealand will never be far from my thoughts and I hope to pay the Dominion another visit at some future time. The sooner the opportunity comes, the happier I shall be. Kia Ora.—Edward P.

RENOWN’S DEPARTURE,

(Special to the Times.)

CHRISTCHURCH. May 22. Sharp at 6.30 this morning the tug Lyttelton was standing by the Renown and five minutes later all lines had been cast off and the vessel, drawing 31ft fore and aft. was under way for Melbourne. She first went slowly forward and then brought her bow to port, thus getting in a straight line with the entrance between the moles, which she reached at 7 a.m. There was a stiff nor’-west wind blowing in the outer harbour, but fortunately it did not make itself felt in the inner harbour and there was no difficulty in handling her. Captain Taylor took the vessel out himself, so as not to have to make a stop to lower the pilot, Captain'Thorpe, who was aboard the tug until she loft the Renown just opposite Rios Island. There was hut one sail down the harbour and few people were present on No. G and 7 wharves to witness her departure. At the Gladstone nicr there were about 100, including a number of Christchurch residents who made the trip over from Sumner. Opnosile Camp Bay the ferry steamer Wahine passed the Renown, the latter travelling full speed, and both vessels dipped their flags. There was no demonstration whatever. The morning was very clear and as she got near the Lyttelton Heads a very fine silhouette of the Renown could be seen against the rising sun. One of the sailors missed his passage, arriving in Lyttelton by the 6.55 train just in time to see the Renown steaming past the Gladstone pier. The Prince was nowhere to be seen, which was evidently disappointing to many of those who had turned nut at such an parly hour with a hope of having a last look at him.

The Renown cleared the Heads at 7.35

SCHOOL CHILDREN'S DISPLAYS. THE PRINCE'S APPRECIATION. (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, May 23. The following has been handed to the press for publication by the Prime Minister:- — Sir.— The Prince of Wales has read with great interest the report which reached him in reply to his request for information regarding the arrangements made to convey and care for school children at all points where they had been gathered to see him. His Royal Highness has been deeply impressed throughout by the excellence of (he provision made for the comfort of the children anti would like to congratulate all responsible for the very complicated work of organisation which must have been necessary to ensure such n remarkable success. Would you kindly convey his great appreciation to the Secretary of Education, the Genera! Manager of Railways and Undersecretary for Internal Affairs. His Royal Highness would also like to pay n tribute to the schoolmasters and mi.ttresscs, whom he has met throughout the dominion. The obedience, well-being, cheerfulness .end good manners shown by all the gatherings of children, great and small, have impressed him very much and he has taken the greatest interest and pleasure in their beautiful displays of movement and drill. He realises that all thE indicates a great deal of hard work and careful teaching on the part of those responsible for them and considers that the deportment of (he children and the displays, given by them speak volumes for the excellence of their training. Will you kindly convey his congratulation? to ml rclioo’.maGc-r.'i and school irji.t-tre.iECS throughout the dominion and also his best withes for Uifir success and happiness in tli? rno't impor.ant and responsible work on which they arc engaged.

I am, your obedient servant (signed) E. W. H. Grig.?, Lieutenant-Colonel, Secretary to 1T.8.11. Prince of Wains. To the Rl. Hon. TV. F. Massey, M.P., Prime Minister, Wellington. DOMINION’S FAREWELL. MR MASSEY'S MESSAGE. WELLINGTON, May 23. The Prime Minister has despatched the following n-.c.-nage to the Prince, of Wales: — On behalf of the Government. and people of New Zealand, I desire to express our loyal end heartfelt appreciation of the farevve 1 ! message received from your Royal Highness on the eve of your departure from New Zealand. The welcomes in all parrs of the dominion extended to your Royal Highness since your srrivr.l have come straight from the hearts of the people. Citizens of New Zealand, both pakeha and Maori, share with you the regret dial your stay in this country haa been too short to enable you to see many places where your welcome would have been as warm as in those which you have been able to visit. Your notice of the fact 1 that New Zealand is a land of counl opportunity for all and an example in that the British race may undertake the colonisation of a country without injustice to its original inhabitants, is a tribute to the pioneer settlers and founders of our dominion. The people of New Zealand thoroughly appreciate the message you h.ave sent them and on their behalf I bog to assure you that the opinion 3-011 have formed from your visit regarding their loyalty to the Crown, the Empire and British ideals, is well-founded. Your message has been published throughout the dominion and I can assure you that it is hcartilyoappreciated by our people and especially by the returned soldiers and women of New Zealand and that all those bereaved in the great war will in particular treasure the words of farewell that you have addressed to them. The territorials and cadets will also gratefully read your appreciation of them. With your Royal Highness, the people of New Zealand have been impressed by the splendid gatherings of school children who have assembled to pay their respects to you. We are glad to think that in them lies the continuance of the race which will act up to the highest traditions of that unrepentantly British character to which you have referred. We rejoice to know that you

have felt so much at home amongst us and your assurance that you are a true New Zealander in heart and one of our own kith and kin has strengthened our aSection for you. On behalf of the dominion I can assure your Royal Highness that should the occasion' arise there will be the same response from New Zealand as was given in the last five strenuous years. New Zealand sincerely wishes you “Bon Voyage” and a safe return to the Homeland, where we trust you will not fail to convey our assurances of loyalty and devotion to his Majesty the King and his Royal Consort, to both of whom our hearts go out in sincere affection and respect. (Signed) W. F. MASSEY, Prime Minister. FAREWELL TO CHILDREN. MESSAGE TO BE READ IN SCHOOLS. AUCKLAND, May 22. The Hon. J. C. Farr, Minister for Education, has received from the Prince of Wales in his own handwriting a feeling farewell to the young people who were bo enthusiastic in giving him a welcome to the dominion. The message will be published in the “School Journal” in June and read in all the schools simultaneously on Monday week.

AUSTRALIA PREPARING. DECORATIONS IN SYDNEY AND MELBOURNE. RAILWAYMEN UNEASY. (By Telegraph. —Press Assn. —Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) SYDNEY, May 23. (Received May 23, 5.5 p.m.) Emulating New Zealand the city is making great preparations to entertain the Prince. It is estimated that the street decorations will cost £60,000 of which the Government's share, mostly on publie buildings, is expected to be £15,000. The balance is mostly supplied by business houses. The long route of the procession is betting itself lined with Venetian masts, between which will be strung greenery, bunting and designs in coloured lamps. Buildings are alive with workmen erecting electric fittings.

Besides the public buildings, the Government is preparing on an elaborate scale a landing place at Farm Cove and Macquarrie street. The main scheme is blue and white, the Prince’s colours. The street is divided into sections representing Britain and the various dominions. The business people have charge of the remainder of the route through the city, which is divided into blocks and various enthusiastic block committes are vicing with each other to produce the best possible effect, with a view to a harmonious whole. One grandstand at the top of Macquarrie street will be provided for veterans and incapacitated soldiers only.

There is some uneasiness regarding the railway men who arc demanding the reinstatement of a number of the men dismissed through the 1917 strike and double pay during the Prince’s visit. The officials of the men’s union indicate the possibility, of trouble unless the demands are conceded. Meetings are being held next week to consider the position.

Melbourne’s preparations are in a forward condition and are being feverishly pushed ahead. The city is being decorated on a lavish scale, business people handsomely backing the Government.