“SMILE DUKE!”

Wairarapa Age, 16 March 1927, Page 5

“SMILE DUKE!”

t BUSY DAY IN CHRISTCHURCH.

A POPULAR PRINCE

I GOING TO DUNEDIN TO-DAY

CHRISTCHURCH, March 15. The Duke of York, who has become exceedingly popular in Christchurch, had a day of whirl-wind goings and comings, with only meal times to himself. He had rousing receptions at tile Y.M.C.A., Canterbury College and the trotting meetinj, where he started a race, but did not bet. The hospital nurses had a battery of

cameras to snapshot him, some saying: ‘'Smile Duke!" in order to get a good picture. He not only smiled, but blushed as well. At the garden’fete, he had some amusing incidents with old sectiers who eame out in the early ships. One pioneer of 93, asked how he was getting on, said: “Not bad for a boy.’’ Another presented the Duke with a stock whip with which, he said, the Duke could uncork a bottle of beer if he had it. The Duke pleaded ignorance of the manner of handling a stock whip but got the old chap to demonstrate, which he did successfully. To-night the Uike goes to the Soldiers’ Club and has some further appointments. He leayes for Dunedin to-morrow (PA.) THE DUCHESS OF YORK. BENEFITING BY REST, y A Wellington report of yesterday’s date states that from inquiries made at Government House it was ascertained that H.R.H. the Duchess of York is making satisfactory progress, and is benefiting by the rest and quiet. In order to ensure as much quiet as possible in the vicinity of Government House, the rSeitors’ bock will be closed until after the departure of Her Koval Highness the Duchess of York. TOUR TO PROCEED. DUKE DECLINES TO CURTAIL IT. CHRISTCHURCH,'March 15. The Duke was emphatic in refusing to agreed te a suggestion that came to him from the Government, through Sir Heaton Rhodes, that he should curtail his tour to permit of his making a run up to Wellington, leaving in the ferry steamer, and returning about 36 hours later. While <iuch appreciating the kindly thought of the Government, ho directed that a reply be sent declining the offer in view of the great improveAient of the Duehess’s condition, and also recognising that a great number of people would be bitterly disappointed in several centres where time and money had been spent in the preparations for the welcome. The fact that districts were already disappointed because the Duchess was unable to visit them had made him determined not to add to their disappointment.—(P.A.)

HIGH COMMISSIONER’S REGRETS

(Received Tuesday. 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, March 14. Sir James Parr (High Commissioner for New- Zealand) in an article in the “Daily News,” write/s: “I feelingly sympathise with the intense disappointment at the South Island deprivation of personal contact with the Duchess.” He says he never met a more charmin'’ personality. New Zealanders will deplore that she did not see the Buller Gorge and the lakes of Otago. She would have had an especially warm welcome from her own Scottish Dunedin countrymen. It is a consolation thnt she is recuperating in wonderful Wellington, which has the most bracing climate in the world.—(A. and NX.) A TOUR WORTH WHILE. . LONDON, March 14. In the House of Commons, the First Lord of the Admiralty (Mr. W. C. Bridgeman) said that he was sure the House would not grudge the very limited sum of money being spent on the Renown’s voyage. They could congratulate themselves on the success hitherto attending the Duke and Duchess of York’s tour in the Renown. He was sorry to learn of the Duehess’s slight indisposition.— (A. and N.Z.)

WELCOME ON RETURN.

FRENCH FLEET NOT TO PARTICIPATE.

March 14. 3,: is understood that the idea of French participation in the welcome to the Renown when the Royal party returns to England, has been abandoned, because the French naval authorities desire that their fleet’s cruise shall be a distinctive and predominant feature, for which reason it will now arrive at the end of May.—(A and N.Z.)