THE PRINCE

Taranaki Daily News, 13 May 1920, Page 5

THE PRINCE

SOUTH ISLAND TOUR. WELCOME ON THE WEST COAST. ft Telegraph,—Press Association. Reefton, Last Night. Reefton was en fete to-day for the Prince's visit. His' Royal Higlmesß motored to Inangahua Junction and then trained to Reefton, arriving at 4 p.m. School children numbering about a thousand assembled at the railway station, and presented an address, and also a gold nuggetThe l'rince addressed them shortly, and congratulated the teachers of the schools who had brought the children long distances. He also conversed with Crimean War and Maori War veterans. He was heartily cheered by the children and a large assemblage-as he left by train at 4.10 for Hokitika. BRILLIANT SCENE AT HOKITIKA. ENTHUSIASTIC CROWDS.

Hokitika, Last Night. As the train passed through Greymouth after dark, considerable crowds gathered in the vicinity of 'the station iind heartily cheered the Royal carriage. At Hokitika, so long the home of the inan known in these Islands as a great Imperialist, people lived up "to the oldtime reputation for loyalty. The whole town and district seemed to have poured its population into the streets of Westland's capital, and more ■en&usiastic crowds could not be found anywhere. The streets were gaily decorated, a special (feature being illuminated arches at intervals along the line of the Royal procession, with many transparencies showiug.legends of w.e.leproe, and benediction on the people's Prince of today and King of to-morrow. As the procession moved oir from the station, colored lights blazed up, the band played, and the people cheered, the whole scene being one of remarkable enthusiasm, which was sustained, during the time the motors made their way slowly to the Prince's headquarters. His appearance on the balcony xvith Mr. T. E. Y. Seddon, member for the district, and the Mayor (Mr. Perry), and the County Chairman (Mr. Bruce) was the signal for fresh prolonged cheering. Addresses of welcome trom local bodies were presented, and the Prince, in a happily-worded reply, referred to the warmth of the receptions accorded him at each place visited on the Coast, at the same time wishing the people a return and continuance of the glorious prosperity the district had known in years gone by. Later in the evening His Royal Highness attended a public reception and a citizens' ball in the Drill Hall, which was finely decorated for the occasion. The function was a brilliant success.

THROUGH FINE SCENERY. Hokitika, Last Night. The Prince's journey to-day covered ISO miles, including tlie wild scenery ot the Lower Bulier Gorge, which was traversed twice, going and coining from \\ estport, where His Royal Highness had a cordial welcome, though perhaps a little more subdued than Reefton's last evening.

On the return the Prince drove his car right through the Gorge, and earned the unstinted adiniyntion of the chaull'eur-5. At Inangahua Junction the motors were abandoned, and the party joined the train for the journey to Hokitika. Beautiful weather prevailed all day, and promises well for to-morrow's climb over the Southern Alps by way of the Otira, Gorge. The visitors are greatly impressed by the scenery in the Buller Gorge.