THE PRINCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 May 1920, Page 5

THE PRINCE.

WELCOME -AT DUNEDIN. THE CITIZENS' RECEPTION. VISIT TO WOUNDED SOLDIERS. By Telefraph,—Press Association. Dunedin, Last Night. Glorious weather to-day rendered the Prince of Wales' visit to Dunedin most pleasurable to the Royal party, and to the thousands of people who, in the afternoon, turned out to see His Royal Highness as lie passed along the streets. The morning was spent quietly, being what is scheduled on the official programme "free." He was motored out to the Otago Golf Club's links at Balmacewan, and played a round. Though the visit was unheralded in any way, news of it spread on swift wings, and soon quite a thousand people gathered to see the scion of the Royal House enjoying himself like any ordinary British citizen, free from the restraints of formality. The afternoon saw the Prince in harness again, so to speak. At two o'clock the official welcome to the city was extended to him at a special dais erected in the Octogen in front of the Anglican Cathedral, on the steps of which several hundred college girls were massed, and sang, "God Bless the Prince of Wales." Hugo crowds occupied the open space in the Octogen, and the streets converging thereon, the whole scene being one of | life and color and remarkable warmhearted enthusiasm-

PROGRESS IN EDUCATION. The Mayor, (Mr. Begg) read an address of welcome, and the Prince, in reply, ■ expressed appreciation of the splendid reception accorded him. He also referred to the great part the people of Duiiodin had taken' in promoting educational progress among the people, the part they thus played being worthy of the noble traditions the pioneers brought, with them from the schools and colleges of the Old Country. Their devotion to British ideals had been sternly tested in the past five years, and the response had been a splendid one. The Prince then received various addresses from church and other bodies in the province. A visit to the medical school and the soldiers' ward or trio hospital followed. Crowds cheered the Prince along the route, and at the hospital gates three hundred medical Rtudents, armed with leg and arm hones and other grisly reminders of their chosen profession, gave His Royal Highness a typical students' welcome, to the huge delight of the spectators, especially the übiquitous juvenile element. In the main hall of the hospital the Prince was- received by .Surgeon-General McGavin and Colonel Falconer, officer-in-charge of the institution. Here, as many of the staff as could he spared from duty, were grouped and inspected, also several tiny patients, who in spite of their helpless condition, sat up in their cots with expressions of keen delight on their faces. The Prince bent over each in turn, and spoke a few kindly words, which he knows so well how to choose for every occasion.

SYMPATHY WITH THE WOUNDED. It may be mentioned that four of these tots, whose ages range from five to eight years, addressed a letter to the Mayor pleading that the Prince should visit- them, and ill the largeness of his heart, His Royal Highness saw to it that they were not overlooked. The soldier patients' ward was next, visited, the Prince spending some time among the cots. It was pathetic in some cases to see those faces of men suffering from lerriblc war injuries lighted up an the well-known figure approached, and his pleasant, sympathetic voice fell on their cars. It was to each a minute to he treasured among the cherished memories of life.

The Prince also inspected the gallery in which are displayed casts showing the wonderful results attained in the ti-'-.t----ment and remedy of terrible facial injuries suffered by men in the war. This, and a similar hospital at Siilcnp, England, are the only ones in the -world specialising in this work, and Lieut.Colonel Piekerill, who has charge here, is to be congratulated on the remarkable success,that has attended his work.

The Prince was specially complimentary in his remarks on what he saw. Tile "walking" eases in hospital were inspected by the Prince in one of the exercise corridors, each man getting a handshake and a few cheery words of greeting. Altogether half an hour was spent within the hospital precincts, and it was crowded with much of interest and instruction in the great, practical work being done for the amelioration of suffering arising out of both peace and war conditions.

VISIT TO PORT CHALMERS. Later the Prince visited Port C'halm-r-rs, which was gaily" decorated, and received an address of welcome in the presence of a large number of townspeople. The outward run was made via North-lCast Valley, and as the party topped the hills dividing the Valley from the harbor, and the latter burst suddenly into view, the exclamations of surprise and delight were general. The scene was remarkably reminiscent of views in sonic parts of Scotland, with Its peaceful harbor waters bordered by hills, and deep indentations of sea. Returning to the city by way of the Lower Port Road, the Prince was stopped at Ravensbourne, and accorded a hearty impromptu welcome. The official citizens' reception took place in the evening at the drill hall, and later on the Prince was the guest at a ball given by the Otago Women's Club in the Art Gallery. Both were brililant affairs 1 , attended by a very large number of people. The visiting Pressmen with the Royal party were the guests of local journalists at dinner in the Commercial Travellers' Clnb this evening. Sir Oeorge Fenwiek presided, and tendered a hearty welcome to the visitors. Messrs Cotes, Sandes, and Murdoch responded in felicitious terms, expressing deep appreciation of the wonderful hospitality accorded them through the New Zealand tour.