ROYAL VISIT.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 April 1920, Page 5

ROYAL VISIT.

FULL TOUR PROBABLE. IF STRIKE ENDS BY SUNDAY. TARANAKI VISIT NEXT WEEK. The prospect of the Prince of Wales visiting Taranaki has not entirely disappeared, for if the railway strike is Bettled by the end of the week the full tour will be carried out. The Prince has completed his Rotorna programme and the only place to be visited now before Taranaki is Te KuitiGiven a resumption of the railway services within the next few days , the Prince may, therefore, come here about next Tuesday. More definite information will probably he available to-day, but the position as it stands now is set out in the following telegram, which tiie Mayor (Mr. Jas. Clarke) received from Sir William Eraser last night:— "Owing to the action of the railway employees in striking it is regretted that the proposed visit of H.R.H. to your town to-morrow (Friday) has had to be cancelled. "H.R.H. .is most anxious, however, to carry out the tour throughout the Dominion originally arranged for him, if this be at all possible. In the event of the strike being declared off to-morrow (Friday) or the following day. the Prince will visit those places included in the original programme. "I will advise you by urgent telegram from Auckland to-morrow (Friday) whether the position has improved in any way and whether H.RJT, will be able to visit your town and when." PRINCE GOING TO AUCKLAND. HOPES TO COMPLETE TOUR. WILL GIVE UP SPORT. By Telegraph.—rress Association. Rotorua, Last Night. The Royal party is timed to leave for Auckland late to-night, and after that what will happen is not known here. It is understood the matter will be dealt with in Wellington to-night. It is unofficially stated that the Prince, while refraining from any expression of opinion on the question of the strike, is hopeful that a satisfactory arrangement of the difficulties may be reached, as he is extremely anxious that no part of the country tour should be abandoned.. His interest, especially in the children, no doubt would cause liim to regret exceedingly any step that would rob them of the celebrations to which they looked forward «o long with joyous anticipation. The return to Auckland is made in order that the more central situation will enable negotiations between the parties to proceed with greater expedition- His Royal Highness had indicated that he would be willing to give up the three days proposed for deer Btalking if they could be utilized in covering the Taranaki and Hawke's IBrv portion of the original itinerary. He is especially anxious that the question of hi 3 convenience should not be used as a lever to influence the men one way or the other, but he does feel that the children and country people generally in the area affected by the proposed cut. would bless a settlement that enabled them to realise the hopes they have lately been building of participating in scenes that will live in their Memories. ANOTHER ASPECT. VISIT TO SEAPORTS SUGGESTED, TOUR BY THE RENOWN. Wellington, Last Night. The statement that the inland tour of the Prince in the North Island has been definitely abandoned is not quite correct. It is understood that the Princi himself is most anxious to fall in with any arrangements that can be made, and that he is? ■prepared to shorten the time allowed to him for rest and country sport in order to keep faith with the people of the country. It is quite certain hi* visits to some towns on the Main Trunk line will have to he cut out altogether, even if the train? rvrf. resumed fit once. It may even he necessary to cut, out visits to some of the Taranaki towns. Much depends on the progress of the strike negotiation!-;. In any case it is probable that the Prince will vifit all >the seaport towns in the Renown if there, are nn trains in which he can travel. This must mean a considerable revision of the programme mapped out for him. THE PRINCE AT ROTORUA. WONDERFUL MAORI DISPLAY. THE PRINCE'S REPLY. Rotorua, April 27. After two days of rain and general discomfort this morning brought beautiful sunshine, though a crisp tang of frost in the air gave a reminder that the season was advancing. The people responded to the brightness of the day and turned out in thousands for the piece de resistance of the local visit This was the grand official welcome trom all the tribes round about to his Koyal Highness on Arawa Pari- The mercurial spirits of the Natives esperally rose, and as the' hour of the I nnce s arrival on the ground approach, ed. there was a gathering of at least l.>, 00) people, the Maoris, of course, largely predominating. A little after 10 o'clock the Prince, accompanied by Admiral Hal'sev and his staff arrived, and on alighting at the gates of the park the party was challenged by the Arawa and Matau tribes who performed the ceremony of "taki." Tins continued until the Prince reached the stand. Hero the "National Anthem was sung, a mixture of Maori and English words making a blend of curiously entrancing effect. The sinning was led by representatives of the ;Ngapuhi tribes and pupils fram aik*.

we Girls' School, Te Aute College, and Waerengaahika Boys' College, The Prince then took a scat on the stand, and Sir Wm- Hcrries, Native .Minister, at the head of a party of C 4 chiefs and chieftainess presented an address of welcome with its wliariki or Maori mat (the text of the address was telegraphed on Monday night). The Prince, on rising to reply, was greeted witli resounding applause, and his remarks were frequently interrupted by bursts of pleased approval, the name of Queen Victoria being particularly applauded. The text of the Prince's reply was as follows: Chiefs and People of Aotearoa,—< Your welcome fills me with gladness mid with pride, and gladness that, following the path of my father the King, 1 am come to see you in your own beautiful land, whose loveliness no other land evcels, ana pride that, you should greet mo thus with loyal and contented hearts in the ancient Maori form. A mighty war has shaken the world since my father came to this place, but the Maori people hare held true to their oath upon the day when he stood hero. Your warriors went forth to fight and conquer his enemies in many distant lands. I saw and spoke with them often on the hard fields of Tu. They fought and endured most gallantly, as Maori warriors ever do,' and many gave up life or health for the sake of us who remain. Their bravery and their sacrifice were seen by the King who bade me praise the Maori people for their faithfulness and valor even unto death. Chiefs anil people it is Queen Victoria./' swat-grandson who speaks to you to-day. Under her just Government, to which your fathers swore i'i 'I/* ■ Waitan S i > eighty years ago, the Maori people, secure in their lands, found trwe contentment and peace under her wise, guidance, and Maori and Pakeha grew ever closer in understanding- and goodwill. The welfare and happiness to which Queen Victoria first, lad- yon has been assured to you in liko measure by Kin<r Edward.and King' George. . "l. rejoice to hear that your children make good progress in the schools which the Kings Government provides for you for thus only can the youth or Aotearoa,, i Maori and Pakeha alike, grow up-wjJFthy of this free land, and ot the mighty Empire to which they belong, ]j|or my part I will ever keep before me the pattern of Victoria, the {Treat Queen whose heart was with the Maori people from the day on which they swore allegiagnce to'her rule. I have brought you medals from the King for your warriors who fought overseas, and these will lie distributed later. I adjure you to care for these as valuable memorials and band them down to your sons. Chiefs and people, I greet you from my heart and so farewell. The conclusion of the speech saw an extraordinary exhibition of loyal appreciation, and then followed a long succession of tribal war dances, hakas dances of welcome (powhiri), and poi dances. The tribes taking part in the dances, etc., were the Arawa, including the Ngatiawa, Tuhoe, Whakatohea, and Ngaiterangi Ngapuhi, Aupouri, Rarara, ana Agatiwhatua and Ngati Ruakawa. These were followed by Te Tairawhiti (East Least) tribes comprising the Ngaitai, Ulmnama, Apanui, Ngatai, Pirou.Kongowhakan, Pirou. Rongowhakaata, Te Aitanga a Mahaki, who gave a war dance of welcome by women, a combincd haka by men and women, and a haka (raparahi the Wairoa Hereianga), and the Wairarapa tribes did much the same and the Te Taihaunuru (West Coast)' tribes of Wanganui, Ngatapua and Jaranaki performed poi and war dances then came a haka, parowha at massed ngeri. the "Ka mate, Ka mate," by the assembled tribes, and at the conclusion of which the Prince was presented with a number of valuable historic Sifts from the tribes. He then passed through the line? examining the dresses worn by the different warriors. The whole scene was one of a unique and impressive nature The huge space in the shape of a square was surrounded by thousands of spectators and the space at the sides filled with dense parties awaiting their turn fhe movement of the dancers men and women, with the bright color--, o. their dresses and the flags flying overhead, produced a fine kaleidoscopic effect. The rhythmic stamping of the warriors, growing in intensity as the dances progressed, was very effective. The collapse of a stand as the Prince entered the gates provided an alarmin" sensation for a minute or two, but when it was found that not much harm had been done it was literally a case of "on with the dance," and on it went: AN AFTERNOON'S TOUR PRINCE SEES THERMAL WONDERS. Rotorua, Last Night. The Prince, in the afternoon, in addition to meeting the school children, was present at a parade of returned Maori soldiers in the Baths gardens, and presented a number of medals for war services. After that he paid another visit to Whakarcwarewa, walking out and back, i During his stay at Whakarewarewa he thoroughly examined every item in the list of the wonders of nature to be seen there. His Royal Highness has been greatly interested and impressed by tfic evidences on every hand of the mighty forces at work in this remarkable gcyeer valley. He was highly amused at the spring which upholds objects thrown into it, and followed the usual tourists' example of throwing pennies* into the water and watching them remain suspended. The springs, mud holes, and spouting geysers all in turn arrested his atten, tion, and a morp leisurely enjoyment of the unique experience was possible than on the formal visit of the previous day. This evening he goes to bathe in the Duchess Bath, which was opened by his mother during the Royal visit of 1801.