PRINCE OF WALES’ TOUR.

Hokitika Guardian, 2 March 1920, Page 1

PRINCE OF WALES’ TOUR.

THE PRINCE AND THE RENOWN. The Prince of Wales made fast friends with the officers and men of IT.M.S. Renown during his recent American tour; s o "it is not surprising that he will travel in the same ship on Ins Australian visit. Apart from the peisonal aspect however, the Prince has a seaman’s affection for the ship which took him across the Atlantic during the autumn gales. His choice is sup-, ported by naval opinion for the. Repulse and the Renown are recognised as the most comfortable vessels of the Grand Fleet, Internally their wardrooms, cabins and Admiral’s quarters are a vast improvement on those of prewar ships being larger and hotter ventilated than in any other capita, ship, with the possible exception of the Hood. In .rough weather then- great size and freeboard make for comfort, although in this respect a warship is necessarily handicapped by her weight , ul d top hamper. While the Prince was in America the Renown weathered a hurricane on her voyage from the Wbst Indies—a severe test '.for a warship. Since her return to England site has been fitted with additional armor protection, which will not improve her sea-going qualities. But the Prince of Wales is a good sailor, and will be as interested as anyone to observe the effect of the alterations in bad weather. THE DOMINION TOUR.

flow much' time the Prince of Wales will spend travelling over the New Zealand railways i» perhaps not quite realised, or for that matter not fully known yet, but at any rate it is estimated that it will be about 27 days or a portion of each one of those days. Necessarily comfort will be a primary consideration with those responsible for these arrangements, and, judging from the indications and preparations, his travelling quarters should be both com. foldable and charming As a matter of fact, the carriage used by His Hxce - leney the Governor-General when travelling will be used, but altered and refurnished. It will comprise a suite of three rooms, a, lounge-drawmg-room a. dinino- room and a bedroom, and of course there will be a kitchen on the train The furniture and hangings are now being chosen, the colourings of the lounge being carried out m Gobelm blue, and the dining room is to be a replica of a Jacobean room. The bedroom i s to be as comfortable and as charming as possible. In addition to the train by which the Prince travels there.will be two others, the luggage train, which travels ahead, and another following the ®oyal carnage reserved for the country’s important ponsonages. The matter of making ar'rangements for such a visit is not the ■lightest of tasks for those responsible.