TO-DAY’S WELCOME.

Wairarapa Age, 5 March 1927, Page 5

TO-DAY’S WELCOME.

TO THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF YORK.

FBEPABATIONS ALL COMPLETE ft — TOWN DECORATIONS. Apart from the final touches to be put to the decorations, all preparations are now complete for the visit to Masterton to-day of > Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of York. Given good weather, the hour the Royal visitors are to spend in Masterton should be full of interest and pleasure for all concerned.

The Royal visitors are to arrive at 3.10 p.m.. and will be welcomed at the Railway Station by the Mayor ana Mayoress (Mr. and Mrs. T. Jordan) and the Town Clerk (Mr, T. T. Benbee). The Duke and Duehess, with the Pritno Minister and Mrs. Coates, Sir Heaton Rhodes . and Lady Rhodes, and other members of their party will then drive to the Park by way of Pine Street. Perry Street, Queen Street and Park Street. Following upon the reception and presentation of an address, the inspection of the guard of honour, the Girl Guides and Boy Scouts, and other events at the Park, the return journey 4© the railway station will be made by way of Dixon Street south to the intersection of Park Street, thence to Queen Street, and through Perry Street to Pine Street. THE WEATHER. The ofiicial weather forecast docs not hold out very hopeful prospects, but Mr Richard Brown, the local meteorological observer, expressed an opinion yesterday that the weather would probably hold fine to-day, at all events in the early part of the afternoon, though there might be some wind. TOWN DECORATIONS. The main street and others on the approaches to the Park have been prettily decorated with festoons of flags and fern, and flax, bamboo and other greenery have been effectively displayed on verandah posts. By the time the final touches are put to the arch of welcome and other decorations at the Park to-day, the total effect should be worthy of the occasion. Many shopkeepers have decorated their premises, and a big show of bunting will i*umade on the Post Office to-day. THE ROYAL CARS. Much interest was taken yesterday in the Royal ears which arrived by road from Wanganui. They are all handsome vehicles. An <>pen car will be used for the Duke and Duchess to-day if the weather is fine. Of half a dozen cars that were garaged in Messrs’. Fty and Young’s premises yesterday, four had New Zealand built bodies. One of the seven cars that arrived yesterday had to undergo repairs to a "damaged mudguard. In all, some twenty ears will be used in the procession to the Park. Sixteen cars are to be provided by Messrs. Fly and Young. TRAFFIC CONTROL. Traffic of all descriptions is barred from entering any portion of the route traversed by the Royal procession between the hours of 1.10 p.m. and 2.10 p.m., and also from that portion of Dixon Street bounded on the North by Bruce Street and on the South by Church Street. In respect to Dixon Street, this will leave a large area at the disposal of those of the public who see His Royal Highness inspect the guard of honour. The public are not to be admitted to the railway station, neither at the arrival nor at the departure of the Royal train. AN ATTRACTIVE SOUVENIR The official souvenir programme for the great event of to-day has received much favourable comment. Inside the artistic eover in the Royal colours and gold is a lot of useful information about the day’s doings, eharming full page pictures of our RoyM visitors, the Duke and Duchess of York and Staff, and pictures taken on the route to be followed by the Royal procession today. A copy of this programme will bo an attractive souvenir of one of tho

principal events in the history of Masterton.

AT PALMERSTON NORTH. DAY OF GLORIOUS SUNSHINE. * MANAWATU’S HOMAGE. PALMERSTON N., March 4. In glorious sunshine, a typical autumn day, the Duke and Duchess of T ork left their hotel this morning at 9 o’clock to receive a welcome from the people of Manawatu, with Palmerston North as its capital Long before the Rojral party appeared 5000 school children had been drawn up in the Square, ■s well as the Boy Scouts from all over the district, Girl Guides, Floek House boys, Girls’ High School and Technical School pupils, and Cadets. The guard of honour was supplied by the 7th. Bat.tery of the New Zealand Artillery. The Duke commented on the fine physical appearance of tho school children, stating that he had been very impressed witbpthe school children of the country. Amidst the spontaneous outburst of cheering, the party then proceeded to the dias in the centre of the Square, where an address of welcome was read on behalf of the municipality and tho Kairanga County Council. An address of welcome from the Scottish Society of Palmerston North was also presented, as well as a sprig of heather plucked by its president from the banks of Loch Lomond. Mr. James Vining, the pioneer settler who presented a stockwhip to the Prince of Wales in 3920, gave a greenstone tomahawk to the Duke. Following the Duke’s acknowledgement of the welcome, the Royal party entered their car and drove around the Square through the throng of cheering people to the railway station, whence the Royal train departed for Hawke’s Bay.—(P.A.) DANNEVIRKE. DANNEVIRKE, March 4. The train bearing the Royal visitors arrived at Dannevirke a few minutes behind schedule time, at 11.40, and the

Duke and Duehess were received outside the station by cheering thousands, which, included Boy Scouts, Girl Guides, Brownies,and children of the local and. district schools. The Duke and Duchess were received by the Mayor, Mr. A. J. C. Runciman, the county chairman, Mr. J. W. Ellingham, accompanied by members of both bodies and their wives. After presentation of an address of welcome, the Royal visitors walked amongst tho school children and others. They were enthusiastically greeted, and departed amidst rousing cheers.—(PA.)

HASTINGS AND NAPIER. DUKE MAKES IMPROMPTU SPEECH. NAPIER, March 4. Warm welcomes awaited the Duke and Duchess of York at each place visited to-day, and the final demonstration at Hastings and Napier were very fine indeed. The children’s displays greatly pleased both the Duke and Duchess. The later especially has expressed wonderment as well as appreciation that she has been able to see so many little ones. Napier excelled itself in the matter of illumination. The Parade and streets adjacent to the Masonic Hotel, where the Royal Partv dined were brilliantly illuminated and the Duke after dinner went on to the balcony, where he was acclaimthousands of people to whom he addressed a brief impromptu speech of thanks on behalf of the Duchess and himself for the wonderful reception and good wishes extended to them.— (P-A-) THE ROYAL VISIT AND THE R.S.A. (To the Editor.) Sir, —In to-day’s issue of your paper you state in a sub-leader that many people will regret there is no parade of returned soldiers when the Duke and Duchess of York are welcomed to the Wairarapa. I beg to trespass on your space to state the position so far as the R.S.A: is concerned. The returned soldiers have on previous occasions paraded in a body when the district was honoured by the presence of distinguished visitors who expressed a special desire to meet returned men. Our Royal visitors have expressed a special wish on this occasion to meet the Girl Guides, Boy Scouts, and school children. This wish has been communicated by the Minister in Charge to Local Bodies responsible for the arrangements of welcome. In deference to the wishes of the Duke and Duchess, and as their stay in Masterton is limited, the Executive Committee of the R.S.A. decided it was inadvisable to call a parade of returned men and considered it would be more fitting to- give the place of honour to the GM Guides, Boy Scouts and school children. I am, etc,, MARTIN B. M. TWEED, Chairman, Wairarapa R.S.A. Carterton, March 4.