ROYAL TOUR.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 May 1923, Page 2

ROYAL TOUR.

KING AND QUEEN LEAVE. FOR VISIT TO ROME. AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. (Received this dnv at 5.30 a.m.) LONDON, May 6. Glorious weather favoured the departure of the King ami Queen on their week’s state visit to Rome. Their Majesties drove to Victoria Station during the afternoon in an open carriage along a crowded route. The King was in the uniform of an Admiral of the Fleet and the Queen wore a dress of navy blue, with toque to match. They had the heartiest of send-offs from Victoria, where a party of Faseisti were drawn up on the platform and saluted as ihe train left. At Dover they went aboard the Biarlitz and had a delightful crossing with a destroyer escort. They dined in the train in which they travelled from Calais as far as the frontier, wht;e they will transfer to an Italian Royal train, in which they expect to reach Rome on Monday afternoon.

Rome is already en fete with lieflagged streets and decorated buildings. A heat wave which has been crossing Europe has brought out the trees in blossoms as an effective aid to the nation’s welcome. The newspapers are full of complimentary articles and photographs and the hotels are filled with guests. The route from the station will lie lined with the pick of the Faseisti military. The press foreshadows ns the result of a visit, the cession of Gubaland, which is claimed by Italy under the London pact- of 1915, under which Italy entered the war on the side of the Allies.

A crowded programme awaits Their Majesties' who are anxious to study the archaeological wonders of the Eternal Citv.