ROYAL VISIT.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 April 1920, Page 5

ROYAL VISIT.

PRINCE AT AUCKLAND. GREAT CHILDREN'S PAGEANT. ENTHUSIASTIC SCENES. By Telegraph.—Presi Association. Auckland, Last Night. Auckland has truly taken the Prince of Wales to its heart. To-day, the third of his stay, the people turned out once more in their thousands to ?atrh a glimpse of him as he passed to fulfil engagements. Everywhere his kppearanee evoked outbursts and acclamation such aa probably were never heard ia the city before. The piece de resistance of the morning was the children's display in the Domain, in fact children dominated everything during the forenoon- From an early hour all roads in the city led to the Domain, and every thoroughfare was packed with a moving tide, from the tiniest toddlers to grandparents, all; With the one aim in life to get a good yiew, or in the case of school children, to reach their appointed places in the ranks of the demonstration.

By 10 o'clock the picture presented In the park was one of a wonderously effective nature. Eight thousand children were drawn up on the green sward, the girls, who numbered rather more than half, being in sections, dressed in red, white and blue, and occupying the central portion in the form of a square, and the boys Were drawn up in rear. The grandstand and the sloping banks atourid the/ level portion were pacxeti With expectant crowds. It was estimated- over 3>V,000 people witnessed the pageant, and many more thousands lined the streets on the Prince's route to the Domain, large numbers being content t<p get a view of him thus, rather than struggle for a place in the grounds. The arrival of a detachment from the . warship Renown, comprising teamen and marines, with the band of the Royal Marine Light Infantry belonging* to ~ the Portsmouth Depot, aroused the people, the bluejackets haying a right hearty reception. THE PRINCE'S ARRIVAL. At 10 o'clock His Royal Highness dtove into the grounds, and once more Aneklanders let loose a flood of acclamation as the Prince was seen for the first time in mufti. He came slowly along to a point opposite the centre of the front rank of the expectant little faces, where he was received by the Mayor, who presented the chairman of Education Board (Mr. E. C. Banks K and members of the Board. The Prince took a very keen interest in all that cdccerned the children, asking for details about the numbers, their ages, and the schools from which they came. The Prince was accompanied by Admiral Sir Lionel Halsey and members of his staff, all of whom discarded uniform for the occasion.

On his arrival the band played the National Anthem, and as he took a seat there Was a movement among groups of girl* standing in advance of the main body. As if thay had been touched by magic wand* these groups Tesolved themselves in the letters of the word "Welcome." The effect was truly chkrniing, and when all courtesied low, the spectators could not contain themdelves, and one mighty and continuous found of cheering greeted the evolution. Fifteen hundred little girls in red, white, and blue made up this little tableaux. The qualification 'little" mult be made, for there was something pander to follow, though it is doubtfill if it could impress the beholder any more deeply. The instructor mounted a stand with a small girl on another stand beside him, and to the thrill of his whistle, and led by a little, BOlitary mite, the whole assemblage wetat through the movements of flag drill PICTURESQUE SCENES. Then the girls fell -baclc on either •id®, and the boys marched into the centre of the picture—2soo of them, and every one imbued with the idea that he was the only one there. Much care and many drills must have been devoted to practice for this display. Though brief, it afforded a fine example of what boys are capable *of doing in the hands of enthusiastic instructors. With the Inspiring strains of lively quickstep inarches every movement was made with a swing and vim and perfect synchronisation of action. Again and again the beholders were moved to involuntary bursts of appreciative applause. As in the case of the girls, so with the boys, one little fellow took a raised platform near the instructor, and an the latter gave a whistle signal, this proud little New Zealander, for the moment the cynoßure of all eyes, gave lead to the 2300, and right well did he do it.

The boys now retired, and at a signal, various groups of red, white, and blue clad £irls moved in towards the centre of Che ground, and when all were in contact, what a moment before had appeared just a medley of color, stood revealed as a living Union Jack of people —a kaleidoscope of color became transformed into a living Union Jack. The people remained silent for a moment in amazement at the change, and then arose such cheering and applause as surely the Domain has rarely beard. When at a further signal every child of the 3500 in the flag began waving bannerettes of her color, the effect was heightened a thousand fold, and the spectators were entranced by the fluttering folds of the Union Jack. THE PRINCE SURROUNDED. When the Union Jack came to reef again the instructors came before the Prince, who shook hands and congratulated them warmly upon the results of their work. The little girl and boy leaders were also presented, and retired the proudest of all there at having had personal congratulation from him whom sfljOe day they will acclaim King. Another little girl became the envied of all beholders as she stepped forward wtyh a camera, and the Prince stood while she obtained a special snapshot of fcim. , • then came an unrehearsed incident, Which was probably, the finest of all. This Prince entered his car, and before tewing the ground, proceeded on a •low circuit of the living flag. For a feW feoßttnts the ranks stood still. Then thejr broke in proximity to the car, whk& became the centre of a moving WW of color, with excited, cheering juveniles struggling to get close, and with childish abandon, try to get a handshake or throw a banneret upon Mm, as he stood smiling and bowing Iteknowledgment of his small admirers fend worshipping demonstrators. They bad taken this alight, fair, young man JWr torts—he w« aej pnlt

Prince of Wales, to them he was their Prince, and they meant to let him know it.

So the scene went on till fit last a circuit of the ground was made and the Royal party proceeded homeward for luncheon and other engagements. The people, however, did not hurry away. They had brought lunch with them, and had it al fresco. They then waited at various vantage points to gain another glimpse of the Prince as he went to the races at Ellerslie. yiSIT TO THE RACES. Here, in the afternoon, he was the guest of the Auckland Racing Club. Tlie Ellerslie course was looking at its best. The lawns were filled with visitors, and the ladies' dresses, the uniforms of the officers from the warship, and the colors of the flowers "made up a kaleidoscopic effect not easily forgotten. The Prince's arrival was the signal for a great outburst of cheering, which continued almost all the time while he was received by the President and Btewards of the club, and conducted to the Bpace reserved for the Royal party on the stand. The Prince did not remain there, lipwever, but after watching a race he made a tour of inspection of the paddock, stables, and appointments generally, also taking great interest in the working of the totalisator. Returning from the races to the city the Royal car was still a magnet that drew all eyes till it turned into Government House gates, to issue again after dinner as he went off to the civic reception at the Town Hall. THE CIVIC RECEPTION. Fully four thousand people were present at the reception tendered the Prince this evening in the Town Hall. There was a brilliant gathering, despite the fact that heavy rain had come on at dusk, making the conditions outside unpleasant. The Prince arrived at the hall shortly after nine o'clock, with Admiral Halisey and officers of the Renown. He was received by the Mayor, Mr. Gunson, and escorted in through the waiting throng to the foot of the stairs, where the Premier and other Ministers, with local civic dignitaries, Sir Joseph and Lady Ward, the Hon. W- D. S. Mac Donald were also present. The Prince of Wales stood and shook hands with the people as they passed by, this task proving a Herculean one, lasting over an hour. Early this evening the Prince paid a, short visit to the Northern Club, where he was toasted enthusiastically. The fall was an impromptu one, His Royal Highness having remembered that the Club had placed the building at the disposal of his father's staff in 1901, and he felt he should express personal appreciation of the fact.

VISIT TO ROTORUA. GREAT MAORI CEREMONIES. TEXT OP THEIR ADDRESS. Auckland, Last Night. The Prince leaves at ten o'clock tomorrow morning for Rotorua. One of the features in the proceedings attendant upon the Prince's visit to Rotorua will be the presentation to His Royal Highness of a loyal address from the Maori race. The address itself Is a very fine product of the illuminator's handicraft, the lettering being enclosed in a rich red and brown border, the design being a reproduction of the traditional Maori carvings, with a threefingered God appearing frequently among the Intertwining scroll work. Inserted in this border are water colors of Mount Egmont, Huka Falls, Wairoa Geyser, and Lake Taupo.

The text of the address is as follows: "Haeremai te Kotuku Rerenga Tahi; Te Manuhiri Tuarangi,— "To His Royal Highness Edward, Prince of Wales.

"Ye, who be in the dark chambers of death, come forth and harkeni Ye, who sleep the long last sleep arise, stand forth and give welcome, for, 10, the first born of the line draws near, eldest of him whose face ye saw on this twice honored ground"Son, Lord, Welcome.! Majesty, return once more, following the way your father trod. Least among the people that acclaim his mana, we give place to none in service' and loyalty, and thus we greet thee. "Welcome to these the furthest

Isles of the Southern Seas. Welcome to Ao-tea-Roa. Welcome to Te Waipounamu- Our hearts are full of gladness. "Your father came to us after a war that added a bright jewel—the diamond of Africa—to the Imperial Crown. You come, a soldier Prince, the embodiment of a greater victory, won over forces of oppression ana

lawlessness. The world has been saved for freedom, wherein the

peoples, great and small, may grow

side by side without fear. Yon brifcg with you memories of our beloved

dea4- They live again, who strove with you on the fields of Tu in many

lands beyond the seas. Your presence there endeared you to the hearts of

our warriors. Your brief sojourn here will soften the sorrows of those dear ones who followed the setting sun.

"Royal son of an illustrious line! King that is to he! We are proud that you should carry on the traditions of your race and House. Walk, therefore, among your peoples, sure of their hearts fostering therein the love they bore Queen Victoria and those who came after her. Welcome and farewell! Return in peace without misgiving, bearing to His Majesty the

King, and to Her Majesty the Que«n, the renewal of the oath we swore to them on this ground a generation ago —an oath rooted in the Treaty of Wai-

tangi—thrice hallowed by time and manifold trials. The Maori people will be true till death, and so farewell."

CORRESPONDENTS DISSATISFIED. PRESS ARRANGEMENT CRITICISED. By Telegripb.—Pre«» Assn —Copyright. Received April 26, 11.30 p.m. London, April 26. Private advices from correspondents on board the Renown, expressing dissatisfaction at the Press arrangements, have reached London. The Times, commenting on the splendid welcome given the Prince, while expressing the hope that the Prince's visit to the Dominion will result in farreaching benefit to Imperial relations, warns ■ those responsible for the tour that publicity is the essence of success. Every facility must be given to corres:pondents to carry out their duties, and any failures in this respect and any inclination to think lightly of their work, would be a foolish and fatal mlt-take.—Aui.-K.Z- Cablt Asia,

TARANAKI VISIT.

NEW PLYMOUTH ARRANGEMENTS. PLANS IN THE EVENT OF A WET DAY. Plans for the New Plymouth ceremonies in connection with the reception to the Prince of Wales on Friday morning are constantly being revised and checked in order to ensure that there shall be no hitch whatever in the proceedings, The grounds committee met yesterday to satisfy themselves that everything was in order for the ceremonies at the Park.

The question of arrangements in the event of a wet day has been consraerpd and the following decision has been come to:—

The invited guests and the general public will be asked to gather at the Coronation Hall, where the civic reception will take place and the address from the municipality will be presented to the Prince.

At Everybody's Theatre the returned soldiers, veterans, and nurses will be assembled, and His Royal Highness will present war decorations to North Taranaki men to whom various medals have been awarded for bravery on the battlefield.

The children of the primary schools will be assembled at the Central School and be received there by the Prince. The arrangements made for functions St the Hoys' High School will remain as originally planned. Arrangements have also been madethat the children shall receive their refreshments at the Social Workers' (late Good Templar) Hall. Yesterday afternoon, the massed choir which is to sing the Prince of Wales' Anthem, and the chorus of "Land of Hope and Glory," had a very successful rehearsal at the Empire Theatre, under the direction of . Mr. McLeod. There was a very much larger attendance than on the first occasion, and the singin" is expected to be very effective. ° In regard to provision for the children at the Park after the official ceremonies are ove?7 Mrs. C, H. Burgess, who has received several very generous offers of assistance, is arranging to have refreshments on sale, at a nominal charge, for both children and adults if necessarv, and these will be ready at mid-day. As' the result of generous donations from Messrs. C. H. Burgess, J. Woollett, J. McNeill, Webster Bros, L. A. Nolan ant! Co., and Yuka, the Park Board will be enabled to distribute fruit free to all school children. There will be a programme of fancv dancing and some waltzing competitions cocoanut shies, sheep-guessing competition, duck pond, boating, and general competitions. The music will be provided by Mrs. George's orchestra of ten players, and also some Highland pipers. Should the weather be wet the function will take place in the Coronation Hall. There will be no charge for admission to the grounds or hall. The Pnkekura Park Board have appointed the chairman (Mr. C E Bell ringer), Mrs. C. H. Burgess' and the curator (Mr W. W. Smith) to conduct the Prince through the Park on Friday morning, from the sports grounds to the racecourse exit.

VISIT TO INDIA. LEAVES ENGLAND IN NOVEMBER. Received April 27, 12.40 a.m. fro. T, „ London, April 26. Ihe D-ilv Express states that the Prince of Wales journeys to India in the battleship Malaya, which is leaving England in the middle of November.—United Service.