ROYAL VISIT.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 May 1920, Page 5

ROYAL VISIT.

DEPARTURE FROM AUCKLAND. .THE MAIN TRUNK JOURNEY; FINE SCENERY MISSED./ By Telegraph.—Press Association, Te Kuiti, Last Night. The Press Association correspondent with the Royal train supplies the following:— Prompt to time the train pulled out nf Auckland station at 3.50 p.m., amid cheery adieux of people thronging all the adjacent throughfares and elevated points from which a view of the Prince's car was obtainable- As it passed soon through the suburbs and wayside stations everywhere there were knots of people young and old, all the former and many of the latter, carrying flags to wave farewell to the young Prince, who captured all hearts during his stay in Auckland. Even the weather seemed affected by the event, for after a week 01 bright, continuous sunshine rain had fallen in the night and at intervals throughout the forenoon. After mid-day the clouds began to lift and the sun broke through, and the landscape beamed as; a face that had been washed by tears of Badness at parting, and now was a wreath in smiles of gladness that the untoward incidents and difficulties which had threatened to spoil this portion of the tour, had been overcome. Through bright, fresh fields, studded with clumps of darker green of plantations dotting the countryside, the Royal train sped on in the waning light of the afternoon. Mercer was reached at Ave o'clock, the train making to this point fifty miles an hour. At Huntly darkness had overspread the scene, but Btill the huge engine hurried on, drawing a long train of brightly lighted coaches. At Frankton Junction, which was reached at six o'clock, in the few minutes in supplying the engine's needs, quite a crowd collected, and all eyes turned on the Prince's car, A railwayman held the attention for a few minutes, making a speech in which he expressed his comrades' high appreciation of His Royal Highness' exhibitions of dramatic spirit in the past few days. At Te Kuiti, which was reached on time, a quarter of an hour was spent in formally meeting the local mayor and other leading residents, who presented an address of welcome. Returned soldiers and children came in for their share of His Royal Highness' attention. Amid more cheering and waving of farewells, the train steamed out of Te Kuiti, and an hour and three-quarters later was in Taumarunui. Here there was another informal gathering of a quietly enthusiastic character, befitting Sunday evening. Then at 9.35, the journey was resumed. All are now settled down for the night, to be ready for the. next official stop at New Plymouth, 300 miles away. The pity of it is that the Prince missed some of the finest scenery along the route of the Main Trunk iine. QUIET DAYS IN AUCKLAND. THE LAST MOMENT .CHANGES. Auckland, Last Night. Yesterday it appeared hopeless that the Prince could make the journey by train, and the authorities decided to send a portion of the Royal party to Wellington in the Renown, The Wggage was placed aboard, and some of those concerned were already in their norths to got a few hours sleep, when the fickle goddess of circumstance waved a wand, and, hey presto! all was changed once more- The magic words' "strike settled" flashed from Wellington, and seempd to be invested wilft every appearance of fact. Those not already in bed on board the Renown returned to their shore bertha for the night, though the baggage had to remain till to-day. It is hoped now that the complete itinerary as originally mapped out will he carried through with very slight amendment. This is rendered possible by the cutting out of the days that were assigned for the Prince's deer-stalking expedition in the Wairarapa, and the start on the South Island portion of the tour will be made from Wellington next Sunday. The Renown's departure for Wellington is now postponed till tomorrow. , Meantime, the central figure has spent a couple of days in perfect Auckland weather, quietly enjoying himself with golf and sight-seeing in the environs of the city, free from all pomp and circumstance. JOURNEY TO WELLINGTON. MANY STOPS ON THE WAY. Wellington, Last Night. The settlement of the railway strike has resulted in alterations to the Prince's tour, the Prince leaving Auckland by rail at four o'clock this afternoon. On his way south he will visit Taranaki first, being due at New Plymouth at 10 o'clock on Monday morning. He is due at Wanganui in the evening, and is remaining there for the night. On Tuesday ho will go to Hawke's Bay, calling at Marton and Feilding on route. He will stay at Napier on Tuesday night, and on Wednesday he will come on to Wellington, calling at Hastings, Waipukurau, .Dannevirke, Woodville. Palmerston North, and Otaki, and reaching Wellington at 6.50 p.m.