TARANAKI’S GREETING

Wairarapa Age, 4 March 1927, Page 5

TARANAKI’S GREETING

ROYAL VISITORS ACCLAIMED HALTS BY THE WAY. TRIBUTES FROM MANY TOWNS. In the course of a long day’s journeying yesterday from New Plymouth to Palmerston North, the Duke and Duchess of York were welcomed with loyal enthusiasm at many towns along the line of route.

PALMERSTON N., March 3.

Stratford’s welcome to the Duke and Duchess of York was staged in a style quite different from that of New Plymouth. Outside the station, at the north end, a dais was erected in the street where the Mayor (Mr. J. W. McMillan) read an address, the Duke’s reply, in most felicitous terms, being handed to him. There followed the introductions to veterans and leading residents and then the party moved along the street to the other end of the station platform whither the train had shifted. The way was lined by children with boys every two or three yards holding up slender arches entwined with lycopodium. A barrier behind the children prevented the crowds ‘of adults from pressing on the youngsters with the result that everything was most orderly and all were able to see something of the Royal Party’s progress till the station was entered and the train journey resumed. All the way to Hawera each crossing was held by a knot of waving sightseers; in fact, this remark applied all along the line the whole day. In addition there were many places where, on good roads ajacent to the railway, were to be seen motor cars filled with speeding enthusiasts, often whole families, waving flags and shouting farewells. AT HAWERA. Hawera was only allotted a very few minutes ■to show its loyal feeling toward the reigning House, but did it well. The streets abutting on the station were packed with the children holding the forefront of the picture. There was also a parade of returned soldiers, Boy Scouts and Girl Guides. At all places the Duchess was the recipient of beautiful bouquets, but here, when a tiny tot, Gwen Gallagher, made her way slowly up on to the dais snd offered an exquisite posey, the Duchess captivated the crowd as she stopped and kissed the little girl. The Mayor (Mr. E. A. Paley) read an address of welcome and the Duke’s reply expressed appreciation on the lines similar to those given in other tewns. The Pipe Band played the train out of the station, the skirl of the pipes being audible above the rattle of the train as it mingled with the cheers of the crowds.—(P.A.). FEILDING’S TRIUMPH. ROYAL TRAIN STOPS AFTER ALL. FEILDING, March 3. The Royal train stopped at Feilding and the Duke and Duchess were welcomed by the Mayor (Mr. Carthew) and the chairmen of the Kiwitea and Oroua county councils. The Duchess was presented with a bouquet by the little daughter of the Mayor. Fifteen hundred school children in their respective school uniforms, one hundred Girl Guides and the same number of Boy Scouts, with returned soldiers and several thousands of town and district residents, gave the party a rousing welcome.—(P.A.)

WANGANUI’S WELCOME.

“THE ROSE OF YORK.”

WANGANUI, March 3. A crowd of close on 30,000, the greatest in the city’s history, welcomed the Duke and Duehess to Wanganui. The streets'were strikingly decorated for the occasion and were lined by a crowd which greeted the visitors ‘with enthusiasm.

At Cook’s Gardens a crowd of 25,000 including 7000 school children and many hundreds from the outlying country districts, had gathered to witness the presentation of the address of welcome. After this, Their Highnesses inspected the school children, 2000 of whom were grouped into five huge sections to form the white rose of York. It was an impressive spectacle heightened fry brilliant weather. Maori mats and tiki were presented to Their Highnesses, and a dance of welcome was performed, by thirty tiny Maori children. This was possibly the most interesting phase of the proceedings.—(P.A.)

THE LOCAL WELCOME.

WORK ON THE DECORATIONS. TO-DAY’S ACTIVITIES. To-day will be a time of busy activity for those who are to decorate the line of route snd centre of assemblage in preparation for the visit of the Duke and Duchess of York to-morrow. For days past members of the Decorations Committee and those told off to assist them have been busy upon festoons and other materials for decora tions. To-day the festoon decorations will be hung along some twenty chains of streets, from the Public Trust Building to the Women’s Hostel. Work will proceed also upon the arch of welcome, the grandstand and the dais at the Park. No doubt many shopkeepers and householders will also be decorating their premises. FLOWERS WANTED. A reminder is given that the Decorations Committee will gratefully* receive flowers delivered at the Municipal Buildings this morning. NO R.S.A. PARADE. There has been some comment on the fact that no parade of Wairarapa returned soldiers has been arranged as a feature |)f the welcome to the Royal visitors. The position appears to be that no more than a handful of the returned men could have been assembled because most of them decline to be separated from their families. They will, of course, take a full part in welcoming the Duke and Duchess, but they will do it as ordinary citizens. THE ROUTE OF DEPARTURE. Full particulars were given yesterday of the route by which the Royal Party

will reach the Park. On the return journey to the railway station the cars will leave the Park via the Ladies’ Baths entrance, and traverse Dixon Street south to 'the intersection of Park Street, thence to Queen Street, and through Perry Street and Pine Street. A hope was expressed yesterday by the Mayor (Mr. T. Jordan) that people assembling to welcome the Royal visitors would spread out reasonably, over the ample spaces available, and not mass unduly at particular spots. EARLY CLOSING. The public are notified by advertisement that the Holidays Committee of ■ the Wairarapa Employers’ Association is inviting all shops and business firms to close their premises at 11.45 a.m. tomorrow (Saturday)' on the occasion of the visit of the Duke and Duchess of York to Masterton. i