ROYAL TOUR

Taranaki Daily News, 16 April 1920, Page 5

ROYAL TOU R

PRINCE AT HONOLULU. A UNIQUE WELCOME. By TelcgTapli.—Press Assn.—Copyrlflit. Honolulu, April 14. The Prince of Wale? enjoyed a uniquo experience of ancient Hawaiian courtesy early this morning, when aeroplanes ilying low dropped wreaths of (lowers, on the' deck of the Renown. The custom of placing these wreaths round the neclcs of visitors , on landing in Honolulu is well known to all travellers, but this is the first time aeroplanes have been used for the purpose of the most primitive native, expression of friendship. This was carried out by means of this later scientific invention.

in welcoming the Prince, the American cruiser Birmingham, with fourteen deiitroyers, escorted the Renown to the Anchorage. The Governor of Honolulu, the. Hon. C. ,T. McCarthy, with his: staff, rlso Rear-Admirr.l Henry Wiley, commanding the American naval forces, Major-General C. J. Morton, commanding .the military forces, Mr. John H. Wilson, Mayor, and Mr. Furuya, Japanese Consul-General, boarded the Reiiown and were received by the Prince. A special messenger brought wreaths for the. Prince from Princess Kalanianaole, wife of Prince Kuliij, who represents Hawaii in Congress at Washington, and Princess Kawananakoa. These two princesses are both members of the old royal dynasty of Hawaii. The Prince has experienced many warm receptions since leaving Portsmouth, but none so steeped in quaint local color and the old-time charm of politeness. The American civilisation superimposed since 1898 on the original Hawaiin culture, has produced many strange contrasts, of which this morning's experience of seeing wreaths dropped from aeroplanes is only one instance.

A QUAINT CEREMONY. Landing by launch at the jetty, the Prince, accompanied by his staff, inspected British and American war veterans, including a, number of military nr.rs'es wearing their war ribbons- The Prince also inspected the American Guard of Honor, composed of the National Guard. He received a welcome from the British Club. • The ceremony entitled "Hookupu," or gift-bringing, was then performed on the wharf, when two leading Hawaiian Senators, Charles Chillingworth and iTohn C. Lane, formerly mayor, welcomed the Prince, placing round" his neck three magnificent lcis or wreaths of irlima, the Hawaiian royal flowers, also carnations and stephanotis. , They also presented him with a gold-mounted koa walking stick with a calabash a hundred ye'ars old containing native fruits. These gifts were borne by two Hawaiian youths wearing gorgeous capes made from feathers of Hawaiian birds now extinct, which formerly it was the exclusive prerogative of the Hawaiian King to wear. There was a certain pathos in this spectacle, as these two graceful Hawaiians, both men of commanding physique and exquisite manners, invested with the floral insignia of affaction a Prince from distant Britain, wliich has so many lies of histoiic friendship with Hawaii. CROWDS CHEEK THE PRINCE.

The Prince, smiling and flushing, allowed himself to be wreathed in flowers, which were as speedily as possible transferred to his aides to carry. The population of Honolulu turned out in strong force to cheer the Prince as no drove to the lolani Palace. Return calls were made on the Governor, Admiral and General commanding the troops. T.he Prince expressed surprise at the. beauty of the throne-room in the folani Palace, formerly the home of the Hawaiian monarch?. He inspected numerous portraits of the Kaniehamehamea dynasty hanging on the walls. A great concourse of people assembled outside the palace and acclaimed the Prince while the battery in the grounds fired a salute of 21 guns. The Prince is the first member of the British lloyal family to visit Hawaii 6ince the Duke of Edinburgh in 185:;. The Prince enjoyed a short motor drive through the beautiful island scenery. He entertained the officials' at luncheon on the Renown and afterwaTtts visited the Mission Pageant, in celebration of the centenary of American mission work in the islands. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

DEPARTURE FOR NEW ZEALAND. DUE AUCKLAND NEXT WEEK. Received April 15, 7.40 p.m. Honolulu, April li. The Prince of Wales has sailed for New Zealand. The dav's programme included surfriding piloted by Duke. Kahauamoko, the world's swimming - champion.—Aus.N.Z- Cable Assn. [The .Prince of Wales is due to reach Auckland at lfl a.m. on the 2-ltlx inst. -—to-morrow week. Ho will visit Taranaki on Friday, the ■loth inst.]

VISIT TO WELLINGTON". SCHOOLS AS LIVING PLACES. By TelcgrnDli.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. Tn order to assist in the provision of accommodation in Wellington during the lloyal visit, Mr. .T. llislop (UnderSecretary for "Internal Alt'airs) has communicated with the chairman of the Wellington Education Board asking whether school buildings could be made available for visitors to Wellington on May 3rd, 4t.li and sth, even if it is only to have shake-downs provided on the thiols.

The chairman of tho Board (Mr- T. Forsyth) states 110 objection will Ik l made in the case of three or four the city schools, providing every care S* exercised to protect tlie properties from fire.

CLARET CUP OPPOSED. TEMPERANCE WORKERS' PROTEST. Wanganui, Last Night. A representative deputation of temperance workers attended thi,; afternoon a meeting of a ladies' committee set up to make the supper arrangements in connection with a juvenile gathering which is to be a feature of the Prince of Wales' visit to- Wanganui, and protested strongly against a former decision to include i.jarct cup as a drink on that occasion. The committee decided to adliaro is its envious decision.