Fattest King

Through the Southern Alps of New Zealand, from Greymouth to Christchurch, sped a sleek private train, bearing H. R. H. the Duke of York who personally drove one of the two powerful electric engines which hauled his train swiftly through the five-mile-long mountain tunnel at Otira. Emerging from the tunnel, climbing down from the cab, H. R. H. very graciously received bouquets from three pairs of twins in dainty frocks.

At Christchurch waited the impressive monarch of Chatham Islands, King Tami Solomon (392 pounds). His Majesty had to wait until the Mayor of Christchurch and many another had welcomed the Royal Duke; then King Tami (an impotent old tribal chief) was presented to the second son of the King-Emperor George V.

Proceeding to Dunedin, New Zealand, the Duke was greeted amid a frenzy of enthusiasm so great that 107 persons, mostly children, fainted in the crush. Concerned, H. R. H. went personally to a first aid station where doctors were working over the unconscious patriots and did not leave until all there had recovered.

During the week the Duchess of York was recovering from tonsilitis (TIME, March 21) at Nelson, New Zealand, did not accompany her husband.