PRINCE OF WALES’ TOUR.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 April 1920, Page 3

PRINCE OF WALES’ TOUR.

CROSSING THE LINE CEREMONIES.

1 (AUSTUAIJAN * N./.. CART.K ASSOCIATION] SUVA, April 20. Crassing-the-Line ceremonies on April 16th and 17th evolved into a great sea pageant, produced on a scale of magni- | licence never before attempted in eon- ! neetion with the Navy, the Prince, Ad- ' miral Halsey? Captain Dudley North, Captain Taylor, and others taking part in a well-organised scenic display, rej citing speeches welcoming Neptune and his attendant court of supernumeraries, | reinforced by the ship’s band, all dressed in quaint and original costumes. The I fact that the Prince with his whole staff had decided to undergo the ceremonies of initiation lent unprecedented interest to the occasion. The proceedings began on the night of April 16th., just before the Prince actually crossed the equator, when Neptune, from the sea, hailed Captain Taylor on the bridge, who stopped the ship, and invited Neptune on board. Rockets sent up from the forecastle disclosed Neptune with a few attendant bears emerging from the hawsepipc. The captain megaphoned him to come o>- the flag deck, where Neptune was received in formal state by the Prince, the Admiral,-the captain, and the ship’s officers, speechc being made in blank verse. Arrangements were made for receiving Neptune next morning, when a procession of the Sea King, Amphitrte and a retinue of over seventy performers, with a band, inarched to-the quar-ter-deck, where they were received by the Prince and the shin’s officers. Neptune announced that he was hoimml h- - the desire of His Royal Highness to he initiated as King Neptune’s friend. The ceremony of investiture was then commenced, Neptune investing the Prince with tho Order Royal of the Rquitorial

Bath, placing the order on his coat. The Prince replied in verse, thanking Neptune for his handsome collar, addf significantly: “I am well aware there is more to follow.’’ Admiral Halsey, Captain North, and others were invested with various orders, Admiral Halsey reciting a long reply in blank verse, full of topical and personal allusions, whi- 1 ; evoked roars of laughter. The procession then marched to the fore; ;v J deck, where a platform had been erect ed and a large tank full of water prepared. Trick barbers’ chairs had been placed on a platform at the edge of the tank for the novices. Bears chosen from the officers waited in the bath f duck the novices. After further dramatic speeches the Prince appeared on the platform in a bathing suit, nr seating himself on a chair, submitte himself to the attentions of Neptune’s officials. The Prince was lathered freely with many coloured substances from buckets, shaved by Neptune’s barber, received a pill and medicine from Nr tune’s doctor, and then tipped over backwards into the tank, where t bears loudly growling, ducked him .i • i.l titnoc onpnrfliTlff to t-IlC'

thrice three times, according u> lial. A similar experience befell tlw other officer novices. Afterwards the officers’ bears wore and the men’s hears wept into the tank, when all the novices in the 'ship's . compnnj underwent the immersion ceremonies. The part of Neptune was performed b; Chief Gunner Enright, who displayed a fine voice and much elocutionary ski ■ reciting a long part in blank verse. The entire pageant was produced under tdirection of Commander Rogers.

ARRIVING TO-DAY. WELLINGTON, April 23. lI.M S- Renown, in a wireless message dated April 23rd states. The Renown is rushing forward at 23] knots an hour against a southeasterly, throwing water cascades high in the air. The navigator states that they will be alongside Auckland wharf at 11 o’clock on Saturday con-tit uting a record trip, . . The Prince is in good health enjoying the bracing breeze after the tropics, and is eagerly looking forward to his hist glimpse of Australasia,

AUCKLAND’S PREPARATIONS. AUCKLAND, April 23. The fine weather to-day will enable the preparations to get well ahead, nnc the promise of bright sunshine to-mor-row to welcome the Prince of Males when he sets foot in New Zealand makes the heart of Aucklanders light to-night. - . The city is already full ot visitors, though they are not congested l.y any means, and gay throngs are a 1 out watching the illuminations in the principal streets ns (bey are put throng i . their trial runs. „ The Government Information Bureau ] has hacl 15,00,0 beds registered, but so f far only a few have -been required. Tomorrow, however, with the inflow of a full tide-of holiday makers, it is expected that every bit of accommodation will be required. >• The latest information ndicates that the Renown will arrive about eleven and berth at the Queen’s Wharf at noon. The Governor-General will go aboard and lie followed by the Premier and Ministers of the Crown, who will be presented to His Royal Highness. Tile Commander of the Forces also will be presented. The Prince lands at a quarter past twelve, and will be received on the wharf by the Governor. After a guard of honour has been inspected the Chairman of the Harbour Board will be presented to the Prince by the Premier. The party will then walk to the wharf gates, where the Premier presents the Mayor of the City to tlie Rojal visitor, who then motors to the Government House, where a- ceremony of presenting an address of welcome from the Government will take place, the Premier making the presentation. This done, the Prince returns to the wharf and receives an address from the Harbour Board. He then goes to the Town 'Hall, where ho will be received by the Mayor, who will present t-lie City Councillors, after which the Mayor will present an address of welcome from the citizens. On returning from the Town Hall to the Government House the Prince will receive addresses from the local bodies and at four o’clock there will be a military review in the Domain. Yachtsmen and motor-boat men propose. to tender the Renown a fitting welcome by forming two lines off the north head, though which the ua I ship will steam to its anchorage. On Sunday a- special Anzae memorial service will’ be attended by the

Prince, who afterwards visits the soldiers in the hospitals at Narrow Neck. THE PRINCE ARRIVES. AUCKLAND, This Day. H..M.S, 'Renown arrived at 10.30 a .in,