THE VISIT OF THE PRINCE OF WALES.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3511, 24 June 1920, Page 6

THE VISIT OF THE PRINCE OF WALES.

PRIZE-WINNING ESSAY

The following 1, a reproduction of «ssay which won first prize in the competition for scholars in the Primary schools, held in connection with the Rangitikei A. and P. Association's Winter Show: In the hearts of nearly All' Britishers there tt:s a spirit of loyalty, because they are ruled by a king; but'it "does not He in the hearts of'those -who live in America for the people -their are ruled by a President. If the son were to make- a tour through America, the people would take practically no heed of him at all. but when a king's son visits the various parts of the Empire, he is •welcom'd by the people for his is to be their next king. The present Prince of Wales is making a tour through nearly all the Empire so that he may g«8 acquainted -with his future subjects. "When he left England he went to Canada, where the people gave him a very hearty

Tvelconi: indeed. Ho has visited parts of NeW Zealand, and the people' have ' ■ had a chance of showing him the' affection with which he is regarded by J his future subjects, who live in disMt j p f i&t"bf .the' Empi rc ;""' •■ '■• , • Before he came to New #ohiahd she ' called J W'W HtfnolWaSicT W *and n ft is n?art'j ,^-efc, ome i '-fTO i m- : tae

• Batiks/" 6ft 'arriving'l'h' Attckland lie -was received "by crowds of people. A iroyal SM&y * existing of soldiers and eacTeTsT'fook place; many fro-m li to^Vr U a i nd' 1 b 1 o / fln / try • tbo'k-' pa ; rt in the childern's display which wSs the 'ii ; n^f l e\-?^h^d;§% ,, 'il i '^ ' ; "Cni'l(li-en Ji of ahti 'StoMrSs took part in forming the word "We*im 'lt'rt performed''b>* srls dressed m white • carrying coloured flags. ''Tltt'Coring people assembled on a number oi" bases'. wheVt> the-differed*. groups 0 quickly pur on red-caps-, capes, and' cuffs,- while others' decked themselves with bid?," the rest remaining white.

' The "reds" were provided with red flags, the "blues" with blue,- and the <{ whites'' with Avhite. At a signal given, the girls marched forward from the different bases to' Vi ''certain point, where they were massed "intb a huge Union Jack. which _ 16oked more impressive when every unit kr.Ht x aml raised flags in the air. After that there was flag drill, and then the children marched back to their places. Then followed physical drill by boys.,

Af.ter staying in Auckland two or 'three days the Prince departed for Rotorua. As the Royal train steamed out of the' Auckland station crowds had assembled to see the last of the •Royal visitor.

When he arrived in Rotorua hundreds of Maoris were on the station to greet him. Maoris from all parts of New Zealand flocked to Rotorua to join in the welcoming of the Prince. While he was in Rotorua the railway strike commenced, and delayed his journey somewhat. He intended going to-the Wairarapa for some deer shooting, -but owing to the strike this •part of his journey was cut out.

From Taumarunui to Patea the Prince's train sped on through the rainy night. Occasional brief spells of moonlight served to emphasise the "beauty of the scenery through which the travellers passed. When the Royal train approached Patea the first sight which the men on the footplates of the engine noticed was a little group, consisting of a mother and four children near the door ; bf a farmstead, near the railway. They had probably left their tasks to do honour to the future King a s he passed in the grey light of the morning. During the night rain had fallen, hut as the- morning wore oil 'the •weather cleared, giving promise of a fine day. At nearly' VveVy 'station on the way tc New Plymouth the people gathered to get a glimpse of the Prince's carriage. The train stopped at Waiongdria to enable'the Prince to breakfast.. The fresh green fields and trees, with -Ml. Egmont in the distance made a picture which «dded to the enjpyrneat of the meal. As the Prince 'stepped off 'thnntVain ;it Xcw Plymouth to enter his ear fb drive to Pukekura Park, dense 1 cf'dwds shouted cries of welcome, which/'We're repeated by crowds along the route as the Prince and his staff made ' th'e'ir Avay to the Park. The Mayor received and presented him with, an address. The sports ground where the reception took place presented a beautiful scene On one side !i girls dressed in blue "Were placed so as to form the woM "Welcome." while those on the other side formed "H.R.H." In the centre were asembled children carrying raupo plumes, the whole representing the Prince of Wales' Feathers. To the left of a stand decked with flowers, on which stood the official party, were grouped veterans, who had served in the Maori and South African wars. Further back, the Boy Scouts stood

by a bridge which they had erected, ! and which the Prince later inspected by walking over it, to the great delight of the children and spectators. After making a speech, the Prince inspected returned soldiers, school children, territorials, and cadets. I After the lvception the Prince drove to the station and departed for 'Wanganui. On his arival there ho was received by boy scouts and territorials who formed a guard of honour. The Mayor read and address of welcome, and in nvply the Prince paid a tribute to the pioneers in overcoming all difficulties and leaving such a fine land for the children. H.R.H. then presented medals for gallantry in the field.

On the next day were held Children's Demonstrations in Cook Gardens, and as the Prince moved among the rank s of chidren he was lost to sight by a waving mass of flags. Finally his car drove round the field, and from there lie set out for Marton. At Marton the celebrations were limited to a few minutes An address of welcome was read and the Prince replied. Then the Royal party drew) through archways and street decorations and then joined tli/i train to go to Feilding.

Here the Prince one,.' more met crowds of people, .and after inspecting.tj.Qops and schoolchildren, returned •, to ,tk,G. train and went to Palmerston. ..jsvhLvfe he appeared amid cheers of welcome. He then drove round the ..Sqyjyi.rg amid cheers of enthusiasm. ..Jfinallv.-.the Royal train was beardbd once more for the journey to Xapier. The addresses Avhich read wbita soon over, and the Prince made the customary round inspecting th> returned men. When he left Napier he went'to Wellington. When the Koyal party came from the station the Prince's figure was seLm by a crowd of people who greeted him with cheers. He was reci.>ivd by the Mayor and Councillors. When the party w ! re seated in cars to drive te the Government House, they had to push a way through the mass of people. The noise which came from the people was indescribable. The Prince, who w r a§ slcated by Admiral Halsey's well-known figure, stood up and repeated of the (Crowd's. woh-omq.i.c'The .town was simply decorated, -but looked very effoe£ive;.'.and othe,, sun, signing on the buildings, gave a finishing touch of colour.<to;. fi . Vjery,•pr,ett-y,,peene. (~Adt/Cr ,l.oa.v.ing the !> T oj'th Island (he

[ Prince went to the following places: Plcton, Blenheim, Nelson, West-port, and Reef ton, and at each he received just as hearty a welcome as he did in the North Island. When he had been oV.'t- Arthur's Pass and through the Otira Gorge, he went to Christchurch, Dunedin and Invercargill. The Prince's journey back to £Llttelton was very cold. All tki_ v way down the Southern Alps were completely snow-clad, and presented, a magnificent scen'e. Daylight disclosed a cover of frost over everything. After making a short visit to Milford Sound the Prince's route lay toward Australia, where a cordial reception awaited him. j