Overview
Tues. May 4
Excursion to Palmerston to see the Prince of Wales. Weather fine but very cold, south west wind. Left front gate of Cheslyn Rise in car about 8.20[?] Party consisted of Father, Clara, Marjorie Vivian? George, Clif (driving) + self. Had a puncture at Linton + spent 1/2 hr [hour] repairing but got to Palmerston before the arrival of Royal train. Huge crowds in Square + strings of flags + [p...] formed principal decorations which were centred on the Post Office. Took 1/2 pl.[ate] photos (1) The Post Office decorated, (2)(3) panorama of the Square from North side looking SW [southwest]. On arrival the Prince was taken to an elevated stand ^ 'erected[?]' on eastern side of Square + there received the official welcome. A band played patriotic + other music. Photo (4) + (5) of the dais with Prince + party being welcomed. (6) + (7) Approaching to receive the Maori welcome (8)
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Receiving the Maori address of welcome. (10) The Prince inspecting the Maori monument, erected to the chief of the Rangitane tribe ( )[sic] (11) The Prince standing in his motor-car. In this car the Prince went round the Square two or three times so that all could see him. I got a splendid look at him during the presentation of the Maori address, being only a yard away. He is very fair + plump but quite alright – Captain L. Halsey of the H.M.S.[His Majesty's Ship] "New Zealand" was his chief attendant. Leaving the Square the Prince proceeded in his car to the rly.[railway] stn.[station] + I got a photo (12) of the procession going south along Main Street. The Royal trains then left for Napier. Found tyre of our car again punctured + had to get a new tube put in – lunch in the Square + left at 3.15 for home going via Foxton. The terrace of the Manawatu River on which Palmerston stands extends as an even slope past Longburn right to Rangioto [Rangiotu?] where the inner margin of the sand dunes extends to. From Rangioto to Bainesse the dunes are in long isolated ridges running east + west approx [imately] + between them fertile flat land evidently a continuation of the river-terrace of the manawatu. Just before Bainesse the Oraua River is crossed, a slow flowing stream with silt
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banks + bottom, the trench being a chain or so in width. Beyond Bainesse the country is all blown sand, the dunes being usually low + long stretches are gently undulating. Passed the Foxton-Sanson-Palmerston cross-roads – then Himatangi rly-stn on our left, + then continued southwards over blown sand with huge pine plantations to Foxton. Reached Levin at 5pm. Distances were as follows: Cheslyn Rise to P.[almerston] North, 33 miles; P. North to Cheslyn Rise via Foxton 41 miles + total 74 miles. Clif drove the car splendidly. Tea at Cheslyn Rise – successful developed the whole dozen photos of Prince's visit to Palmerston, a good conclusion to an enjoyable + successful day.