THE ROYAL TOUR

Gisborne Times, Volume LXV, Issue 10313, 24 January 1927, Page 5

THE ROYAL TOUR

FURTHER JAMAICAN FESTIVITIES. OLD HISTORIC CAPITAL VISITED (United Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Received Jan. 22, 5.5 p.m.) KINGSTON, Jan. 21. Last night’s reception and dinner proved quite an experience for the Duke and Duchess of York, who found company representative of ail sections and races in the community. Hundreds of guests dined and two thousand attended the reception. Today’s programme is designed with a view to allowing other residents in the island an opportunity of meeting Their Highnesses. Landing amidst scenes only slightly less enthusiastic to those of the previous day, the Royal party motored to a Spanish town, the-old historic capital of the island. There they' visited the Cathedral of St. James, and were interested in the jnscri])tions on tno tombs, some of which dated back to the seventeenth century. After meeting notables, viewing the Rodney monument, and hearing the school children sing an anthem, the Duke and Duchess motored to several villages through scenes which, with their gaily clad negroes, as they visited great banana plantations, must, have reminded them of their African experience. They lunched at Moneague, proceeding thence along beautiful scenery, to Annadale, where the Governor held a garden party. The Duke and Duchess trained back to Kingston, boarding the Renown for a quiet evening.—Bun.

BUSY TIME FOR DUKE AND DUCHESS. VISIT TO FAMOUS BUCCANEER HEAD QUARTERS. IMPRESSIVE INSTANCE. OF NAVAL RITUAL. BRILLIANT ELECTRICAL DISPLAY BY THE CRUISERS-. (Received Jan. 23, 11.5 p.m.) KINGSTON (Jamaica), Jan. 22. Kingston is still illuminated in honor of the Royal visitors, but the city found a rival last evening, when the cruisers Calcutta and Colombo “lit ship” in honor of the Duke and Duchess, outlining their whole hulls, funnels and masts in brilliant electrical display. At the same time the Renown showed the York rose as well as her own crest, a flaming flambeau. As the Duke and Duchess left the shore for the ship at the conclusion of their inland visit the Renown fired a rocket and played a searchlight on the Ducal standard at the main masthead.- The harbor thereupon under the soft tropical skies, blazed with light, making a most effective night display To-day the Duke opened his busiest day, with an unofficial visit to Porto Royal, the old buccaneer headquarters* and at one time the richest cityin Jamacia until the earthquake destroyed it, and the place is now only a ghost of its former greatness. His Highness met the. Governor-in-Chiei, Sir"R. Stubbs, tlie Officer Commanding the troops, Colonel Mudge, and other officers. The party were then taken to Port Charles, in w,. in 1719 Nelson, then comfhander, used to pace the ramparts as though on his own quarter-deck. They also visited the garrison church, where they were touched by many- pathetic inscriptions on the tombs recording the deaths of midshipmen as young as thirteen years from fever or falls from alort, etc.

After a few minutes in the mess examining other old relics and records tlie Duke of York returned to the Renown to carry out official visits to tlie Calcutta and Colombo, which were accompanied by all ceremonial appropriate to the occasion. Tlie Duke was piped overside all ships, the Royal Guards mounted, the National Anthem played, and the crews marched past on their own decks and then stood alert us the Royal barge moved from ship to ship. It- was a most impressive instance of naval ritual where tradition was reflected in every item of tlie arrangements. The visits were over by noon, and the Royal barge immediately conveyed Their Highnesses ashore, where the enthusiasm of the welcome was unabated. They proceeded' direct to the Renown Club, and the Sailors’ Rest, both institutions being designed to help to entertain the sailors in Kingston. Thence they went to the cenotaph, where tlie Duke placed a magnificent wreath in memory of the Jamaica soldiers who fell in the Great WarThe next function had also a military significance. This was the lay-ing of the foundation stone of Kingston’s war memorial. A short service was held in tlie parish church in the presence of the distinguished gathering. The memorial is in the form of a clock tower of dignified design, to take the place of the one destroyed in the earthquake of 1907. The musiehl portion of the service was most melodious. One small choir boy with a shining black face above a correct Eton collar and a white surplace, presented the Duchess with a bouquet of carnations. . After viewing Vice-Admiral Sn - John Rinbow’s grave, which is in the church, the Duke and Duchess motored through the crowds, which were as large as ever, to Trafalgar Park, where they took lunch with Colonel Mudo-e, and later attended a garden party which was confined almost entirely to the naval and military sections of the community In the evening the Duke and Duchess entertained about forty of Kingston’s leading dignitaries at dinner. This was followed by a reception on the Renown’s decks, which were brilliantly illuminated and decorated, all the resources of the ship being called upon for the occasion. These festivities will hardly be concluded to-night before working parties will be hard at it, swinging m boats and carrying-out all preparations for weighing anchor at dawn to-morrow (Sunday).—A. and N.Z.C,A.

WELCpME BV MAORIS

ROTORUA BECOMING A HIVE OF INDUSTRY. THOUSANDS OF MAORI VISITORS EXPECTED. (Special to the Times.) AUCKLAND, Jan. 25. The Maoris at Rotorua are preparing to give Duke and Dimness of York a welcome on" a scale as magnificent and as memorable as the reception accorded the present King and Queen in 1901 and the Prince ot Wales in 1920. Complete details of the programme arc not yet available, as the plans ’have not been finally approved, but sufficient is known to indicate that Rotorua’s manner ot welcoming the Royal visitors will be of a unique and unforgettable character. The details are being handled bv Mr Tai Mitchell, one of the Arawa chiefs, and Mr. Balneavis, who, as private secretary to the Minister of Native Affairs, will provide the personal link between the tribesmen and the Government, which is desirous of seeming the adequate representation of the tribes and, at the same time, of avoiding too great a congestion of Maoris in Rotorua. 1 lie organisers are inviting official noniinees from every tribal unit in New Zealand to attend the ceremonies m an official capacity. They will he selected for their blood relationship to the great tribes, their personal accomplishments and their general ht-

ness to represent their kinsmen before the Duke and Duchess. It is anticipated that 200 of these men, mostly chiefs hailing from the North and South Islands, will assemble at Rotorua to do homage to f!ie Royal visitors. Tn addition to representative chiefs, it is expected that nundreds of Maoris from all parts of the North Island will augment the local Maori population. The task of sheltering and feeding some 2000 to 3000 Maori visitors, besides the resident villagers, is likely to test the ingenuity of the organisers, but the Maori is never at a loss when it comes to lavishing hospitality on the stranger within his gates. The Arawas have offered to house those taking part in. the reception in five of their villages, including Ohinemutu and Whakarewarewa, and this will relieve the organisers of the necessity of providing outdoor accommodation at Arawa Park as was dne on previous occasions. Three villages have already abandoned their habitual appearance of slothful ease and Inactivity and have become hives of industry. Addition! buildings are being erected, existing whares enlarged and* the sites are being prepared for the erection of marquees, while-a general clean-up is proceeding simultaneously.

WHO WILL S'HOWROYALTY SIGHTS OF ROTORUA. YOUNG MAORI MAIDS PUT FORTH THEIR CLAIM. (Special to the Times.) AUCKLAND, Jan. 20. There is much speculation and much controversy as to who will be selected as guides for the Ducal party, and especially for the Duke, when the Royal party goes to Rotorua. A-ll the pretty Maori maids are brushing up their raven tresses in anticipation of the ]ob, getting their mats re-dyed, having numerous dresses made of many and gay colours. The younger they are the more eager they are. “Why,” the yask, “should the old guides get all the good things always? Is it not for the young and beautiful to have a turn?” And they sing low and sweetly in happy trepidation of being honoured by a “Call” to assist Royalty, while the old guides sit in silence and smile in confidence.