ALL READY.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18893, 7 January 1927, Page 9

ALL READY.

DUKE AND DUCHESS. PREPARATIONS FOR DEPARTURE. MAGNIFICENT CEREMONIAL. £««*«« *» r.t. cam agsociation.) (Received January 6th, 7.35 p.m.) Z/LOyOOS, January 6. The DukoT&d Duch.-ns of York's cabins arc completely ready, and are bow sealed, and will not be opened till the Duke and Duchc" enter them. The Renoivt? is Mill a uc-mic of great activity) the crew being busily engaged jn burnishing Hie brass and silver fittings and scrub!.h,- ti> deck?. This jfternoon was devnh-d to a rehearsal, j D Which Captain .Sullivan represented the Duke, wink a midshipman commanded the b;.-tt!e-rriiiser. The cere-

ffltm y was executed with the customary naval precision. Hundreds of townspeople assembled on the jetty watch,ng the preparations and admiring the Benown, whii-li is looking her best in a coat of Mediterranean grey. The Duchess spent the greater part of today with the infant Princess, despite the extraordinary demands upon her time. H ' s known that she feels keenly leaving her baby, which will be largely cared for by the Queen. There ff ere continuous telephone calls all day at Bruton street, and within two minntea tho butler answered the door seven times to receive telegrams, many of which came fiom girl friends in tho Highlands. It was suggested that the Renown's departure should be broadcast throughout England, but this was prevented by the difficulty of providing lines through the docks. When the Renown steams out of Portsmouth it is estimated that 250,000 people along the coast near the port will wave farewells to the Duke ind Duchess. The crew to-day completed the finishing touches to the ehip. The Earl of Cavan was carried aboard. It is not expected that he will regain the full use of his legs till the vessel croaies the Line. When the Duke and Duchess of York's train arrives they will be received by the Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire, flic Mayor of Portsmouth, the General Officer in Command, ana ether high naval and military officers. As eoon as this informal reception is over, tho Duke and Duchess will ascoad the carpeted gangway, and when they reach the quarterdeck trumpeters will tound a fanfare. The' Duke's personal ttandard will be hoisted, and Captain Sullivan and his officers will bo drawn op and presented. They will then conduct the Duke and Duchess through their apartments. The Prince of Wales and his brothers will bid farewell to the Duke and Duchess in tho cabin, and when they leave the gangway will im-nedjat'-t'be taken up and the Renown •M A special area of the dtty'WtngHide the Benown has been for relatives and friends of the ship's company. When the Benown loaves her berth til the warships in the harbour will nan (hip. There will be naval guards drawn up on each side of the harbour entranee, and the garrison batteTy will fire a Royal Salute, while the warships wljl fire a passing salute, and thoir trews give three cheers. Destroyer and flying-boat escorts will join the Benown in South Passage, and the lying-boats will continue as far as St. Catherine's Point, but the destroyers will not turn back till sundown.

MESSAGE OF WELCOME. BBNT BY GOVERNOR-GENERAL. [THE PRESS Special Bsrrtcs.) AUCKLAND, January 6. On January sth tho Governor-Gen-et! sent the following message to the feewtary of State for Dominion Affairs for communication to their Royal Highnesses, the Duko and Duchess ot "On the eve of the departure ot their Royal Highnesses Duke and Wwaof York for Australia and New. Zetland, 1 begHo express respectful pod wishes to them for a pleasant »oyige. The prospect of the visit nab KWMd feelings of keenest pleasure in l&Dominon, and their Royal Higlium are assured of a loyal and warmmiei welcome everywhere." His Royal Highness has replied *s Wows:— "Hie Duchess and I are very grateWto you for your kind message, •ilich we keenly appreciate. Wo aro wiing forward with much pleasure to Siting New Zealand." PROPOSED GIFT. OUTFIT OF N.Z. CLOTHES. [TBS PEESB Special Service] WELLINGTON, January 6. The Wellington Industrial Manufacwtrs' Association intends to approach *» Miniswr for Internal Affairs with •proposal that the Duke of York WW accept a complete outfit of Now T*Nl produced and manufactured J'knot intended that the manufac•wers should make advertising capital gj of it while H.R.H. is in New J*™, but that it will serve to show X» members of the Royal party, and them the world of the versa.X^ 6 ' New Zealand produce and Nor is it intended that SlrP-.snould wear tho outfit on a gwa time, but at such time as he m unannounced should select. WNNER WITH THE KING. I U **D K.Z. CABLI ASSOCIATION.) ] H , LONDON, January, 5 H»»tr eU dinner g' ve " b >' their SSe"'*». **• King 'and Qilet-n" to the WUv 5 iP ache3s of York will be a bto&ZT' T 6ta bei "g laid for nine ' I Ul »g Liord and Lady Strathmore. NEWSPAPER TRIBUTES. **» 9.1. CA»L« ASSOCIATION.) All tfc • L0NI)0X . January 6. Oat. J Rations aro that the *oit fc - Uchess of York will have a **£** "»*©& to-day. The tk e J*** tfw the fullest details of >nd B» r r?t m - ents for the departure, **■% there w ,|| h P record

crowds in London and at Portsmouth. The "Daily Telegraph" says editonalv "The Duke and Duchess will be followed throughout their historic vovage by tho best wishes ot all eluses, who have Earned to appreciate She public spirit with which t£ey fulfil the duties devolving upon them by reason of their nearness to the Tnione. The ceremony at Canberra will be notably in the history of the Empire, for the Crown has become more than ever the recognised link binding toaether a commonwealth in wliicn an nations are equally autonomous and free to work out their destinies. As Mr Churchill remarked, tho ago ot conZ has come to,nn end, and he age of comprehension has h /}f h Speech at Canberra will be a ■ hist on as the proclamation of \ictona as Empress of India." ,„„„, HIP The "Daily Chronicle" stiesses fact hat the special interest; ui the tour of the puje »J S^f^ttthe/S tralian peoplo S r Xn Canberra will mUe4..theopen.n S o aprea s more prosperous cia <" development. ,„ thr Duke's own <<The Times'' quote, tnc^, words-"! am W nich should that the mam P "Vsolution for be adopted in finding a . th the great problems ot to . political or indvstrial. i> ° f ,/ e "°I 1 ;. that spWt he sets out like on his Imperial mi^on-