GREAT WELCOME.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18906, 22 January 1927, Page 15

GREAT WELCOME.

ROYAL TOURISTS AT JAMAICA.

PICTURESQUE CEREMONIAL

,'rr cable-mess associatio:.-— copyp.ight.) (AUSTRALIA* AND N.Z. CABLE AS3OCIATIOK.)

KINGSTON (Jamaica), January '2O. Working absolutely to schedule.. H.M.S. Renown this morning stood in from the Caribbean and, picking up the low-lying Palisades, threaded through the intricate navigation entrance, rounded Port Royal of infamous memory, and moved majestically up the sunlit harbour of Kingston to the anchorage, followed by the Royal Salute from the guns of the shore battery and two cruisers of the West Indian .Squadron, which waited dressed and manned to welcome her.

The foreshore of Jamaica's capital was fringed with the populace and backed by flagged houses peeping through the trees, already flickering in the heat and haze.

The stately ceremonial of anchoring, never changing hut ever new, went forward apparently effortlessly. H.M.S. Renown might have been an ancient mariner's ship, so little movement there seemed cither on board or through the water. As the cables wared through the hawsepipes she broke her flags, wreathing herself from stem to stern in bunting, while the squadron's guns blared out the Royal Salute and the flagship's band played the National Anthem, H.M.S. Renown not answering, according to the etiquette of the occasion.

"Carry on' 1 wits the ■ order, till the official calls began. First the Governor. Sir R. E. Stubbs, and vli..- Colonial Secretary, the Hon. A. S. .J'clf. and Colonel Mudge, Officer Commanding the -troops, were welcomed on the quarter-deck with a full guaid, and paid their respects to the I>iike of York. They were followed by the Admiral of the Squadron.

CHEERING CROWDS. DEMONSTRATIONS OF -LOYALTY. (AUSTRALIAN AND N.K. CABLE ASSOCIATION.) (Received January 21st, 6.3 p.m.) KINGSTON (Jamaica), January 20. Kingston on the arrival of the Duke • and Duchess of York left no doubt of its enthusiastic loyalty to the Throne. A public holiday had been proclaimed, the Government even prohibiting the newspapers from- publishing. Everybody seemed abroad when their Royal Highnesses landed after, lunch in the Royal Barge. Cheering commenced as soon as the barge was sighted and rose to a roar when it came alongside the jetty, where the visitors were received by the Governor and Lady' Sttibbs, Lie Chief Justice, - the Bishop, the Officer Commanding the Troops,, the Mayor, the Vice-Adroiral, members of the Legislative Council, and other dignitaries.' The Duke of York, dressed in ' naval uniform, inspected the guard of honour. ''."•' , '

Their Royal Highnesses, followed by the Governor and others, drove through the flag-festooncd streets between hatwaving, cheering crowds, while black faces with flashing teeth contrasted strangely 1 with the infrequent sight of English and Americans, the cordiality of whose welcome .was no, loss vocal. Durjng the - drive, the Duke . 'and Duchess of.'York, stopped twice to be welcomed' by a great gathering of 10.000 • elementary school children, waving flags and shrilly singing the National .Anthem. The Duke and Duchess's acknowledgment completed the happiness of mothers and fathers proudly watching the scene. • On reaching tlie theatre the Duke of York inspected the Naval Guard of Honour to the accompaniment of another great roar of cheering from the assembled thousands. 1 . ■ .

A ROUSING SEND-OFF

(AUSTRALIAN .AND X.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.)

(Received January 21st,. 8.15 p.m.)

KINGSTON (Jamaica), Jan. 20,

Responding to addresses in the theatre, which were presented by.Mr Jelf, on behalf of the Island, and by the" Mayor,, Mr Dacosta, on behalf of the town, in castets of Jamaican woods, the Duke of York said that the loyal sentiments would be presented to his Majesty. Ho felt that he was not a stranger, because he would always retain the happiest memories of his first visit to the Island in 1913 as a nav.' cadet, when he was shown generous hospitality in Jamaica, one of the oldest and most interesting out : posts of the Empire. There existed in England a genuine desire to understand and know the needs of those dwelling overseas. The splendid part that Jamaicans played in the war was not forgotten. The Duke of York promised that upon his return 'he would do everything possible to promote the interests of the Islanders, and foster a spirit of understanding in.the Mother Country. The daughter of the Governor presented to.the Duchess, of York a bouquet of orchids harmonising with her beautiful dress of /bois de rose crepe de chine.

Their Royal Highnesses had a,rousing send-off when leaving for the Governor's residence.' where the Duchess inspected Girl Guides and the Duke plaved tennis. Afterwards the official dinner took place,, followed by the Governor's receDtion, at which 2000-guests were presented.