THE KING'S REVIEW.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 526, 5 June 1909, Page 13

THE KING'S REVIEW.

MALTA'S ENTHUSIASM OVEB ROYAL VISIT. EOSE-CLAD REGIMENT. The' King, accompanied by the. Queen, the Empress Marie of itussia, and Princess Victoria, arrived, at Malta from Sicily in the royal yacht Victoria and Albert on Wednesday morning, April 21, and received a fervently loyal welcome from tho Maltese. Theroyal yacht entered the-grand harbour, greeted by salutes from the ships. The eoeno was brilliant, all the shipping and the buildings orowning the lofty heights surrounding the harbonrbeihg gay with flags. The Duke and Duchess of Connanght, with Prince Arthur and Princess Patricia, left shore in a steam barge shortly after the yacht had reached the Admiralty-anchorage, and greeted the Eoyal and Imperial party on board the yacht. After the party had romained somo time on board the yaoht the Duke of« Connaught re ; turnod to receive the King at the Customs landing. The warships and the land batteries fired salutes as the King stepped ashoro with the Queen and the Empress. _ , _'.. Crowded with sightseers, the Valetta streets were' a perfect riot of colour with lavish dcoorations and the holiday costumes of the population. All applauded the.King .with frautio enthusiasm. .' .' .' , ■••..' Archbithop Knighteo\ ~:;■;. At' the reception at the palace 'the Grand Cross of the Victorian, Order was conferred on the Governor, Lientenant-General Sir H. I. Grant, while the 1 Arohbishop of Malt*, MajwGeneral;F. S. F. Stokes, Eear-Admiral F. W. Fisher, and ' Eear-Adiniral G. A. Callaghan were created Knight Commanders of the Order j Maior-General Hamilton, Major-General Penton and Captain Hutchison, Commanders ot the Order; and- Lord Lanesborough, Bramston, Captain Newman, .Captain TonBonby, and Captain Bulkcley, Members of the Fourth Class. ■ ■, . ,' •, The Eoyal and Imperial party lunohed at the palace, and tea was taken at the palaoe of Sant' Antonio, tho . Governor's residence, where the famous gardens : were muoh admired. The Duke of Connaught was again host at .dinner, which was followed by a reoeptiin. At night the warships Exmouth, Lancaster, and Aboukir.were illuminated, in, the harbour,'and tho town given over to rejoicinge. ■The Eoman'Catholics, who form the vast majority of the' : population, have shown. them, selves eepeciaUy eager in their welcomei to the King and Queen.. • Tho Catho ic ' Archbishop issued a pastoral letter in which he.says that tho island."has been found' worthy to enjoy, besides,the favour of the.snn, tho favour of the greatest and most powerful of the Sovereigns of tho earth." ■' . , : .".".-.' , The Maltese assembled in thousands on April 22 to witness,tho review of the garrison bytho King It-took place on tho Marsa, the Latfan's Plain" of Malta.., Marines as well as artillery and infantry ; took part, and tho scene, wns wonderfully picturesque. . : ' ;■ The King wore tlie undress uniform of a fieia marshal, with' a ■ sun ; helmet... ' His . Majesty looked activo andiwoll, and was greatly pleaeoU with the , appearance of the mett s who receiveu him with a Royal' salute, while the bands played the National Anthem: The iKine, re-, viewed -the fr6m a special : pavilion,, standing throughout the long ceremony. ;■••• ; The Qneen and Princees Victoria were both in pearl grey, tho Qneen wearing a heliotrope hat. The Empress - Marie wore black, and' Princess Patricia a chnrmi,ng eummer drese. The Duke of. Connanghti the King's brothor, led the march' past. The. naval battery was very smart, and the whole brigade caused hie Majesty to express great satisfaction. '• . ■ r '

:■■ ■ Roso-Chd Regiment. /' ''';'.' The Ist; Battalion of the Suffolk Eeriment were distinguished among: the infantry Dy asserting. thofr "privilege .of wearing roses, when paraded in.the presence of a.British Sovereign. Their, colours were wr«ated in roses", which also; covered the drums. The men and,officers wore white and yellow, rosea in their ■ helmetev ae a memorial of > the battle of Dettingen, when George' II led them (17*3). Both the King and Queen, were charmed with tho' sight,':. , ■ ~-.-,. After the troops had advanced, in review, order, the Duke of Connanght mounted on a< grey charger in the front of lino, called for three cheora for .the. King. ' The men'waved their white , helmets in the;air, and cheers; rolled down the ranks in a 6plondTd volume of eound.-- ■' .'. ' ': '■• '■'.. ■■ ; ■:■ >:":■) •Lnnoh T?ftß taken at tho Snnt' Antonio Pal-; aco, and inj.. the afternoon the.■ King nlotored, to Citta Veoohiaito perform the openinglcero l ' mony at the Cohnaught Hoepital. The hospital was established l)y the Duko ot hie own expense in a former courtliouso for the use.of oonvalescents." ;'■■.'. ;,.'..;./ ■■■:■.,■.■.:■■. : ,■:■•.-.