ROYAL CRUISE

Hokitika Guardian, 7 January 1927, Page 1

ROYAL CRUISE

EVE OF DEPARTURE

[Australia & N.Z. Cable Association.] LONDON, Jan. 5. The Duke and Duchess of York’s cabins are completely ready. They are IK ,w scaled, and will not be opened till the Duke and Duchess of York enter t no m. The Renown is still a scene of greatest activity. The crow arc busily engaged in burnishing her brass and silver fittings and scrubbing her decks. This afternoon was devoted to a rehearsal, in which Captain Sullivan represented the Duke of York, while a midshipman commanded the Battle cruiser. The ceremony was executed with the customary naval precision. Hundreds of townspeople assembled on the jetty to watch the preparations, all admiring the “Renown” which is looking at her best in her coat of “Mediterranean grey.” DEP A R.TURH ARE AN CEMENTS. LONDON, Jan. 6. It was suggested that the “Renown's’' departure should he broadcasted throughout England, hut this has been prevented by the difficulty of making provision for lines through “Dockland.” When the “Renown” steams out of Portsmouth, it is estimated that a quarter of a million people along the const near the port will wave farewells to the Duke and Duchess. The crow of the “Renown” have completed the finishing touches to tlio ship. The Earl of Cavan was carried aboard. It is not expected that he will regain the full use of his legs till he crosses the line. When the Duke and Duchess of York’s train arrives, they will he received by the Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire, the Mayor of Portsmouth, the General Officer in Command, and other high naval and military officers. As soon ns this informal reception is over, the Duke and Duchess will ascend the carpeted gangway, and when they reach the quarter dock, the trumpeters will sound a fanfare. The Duke’s jversonal standard will he hoisted, and Cnptnn Sullivan and his officers will ho drawn up and presented. They will then conduct the royalties through the Duke and Duchess’s apartments.

The Prince of "Wales and his brothers will bid farewell' to the Duke and Duchess in tho cabin, and when they leave, the gangway will bo immediately

taken np and tho “Renown” will depart.

A special area of the jetty alongside the “Renown’’ is reserved exclusively for the relatives and friends of tho ship’s company.

When the, “Renown” leaves her berth, all the warships in tho hnVnonr will man ship. There will ho naval guards drawn up on each side of the harbour ontranoc. and the garrison battery will fire a passing saluto, and their crews will give three cheers. Destroyer and ffying-hdat fescorts will join the “Renown” in tho south passage. The flying boats will continue as far as St. Catherine’s Point, but the destroyers will not turn hack till sundown. DUCHESS AND HER BABY. LONDON, Jan. 5. The Duchess of York spent the greater part of to-day with her infant Princess despite the extraordinary demands upon her time. It is known that she feels keenly leaving her baby, which will be largely cared for by the Queen. There have been continuous telephone

calls all day to Bruton Street, and within two minutes the butler answered the door seven times to receive telegrams, many of which came from girl friends of the Duchess in the Scottish II ighlands.

LONDON PRESS COMMENT. CANBERRA' CEREMONY. LONDON, Jan. 6. All the indications are that the Duke and Duchess of Voile will have the heartiest send-off to-day. The newspapers give the fullest details of the arrangements for the departure, and probably there will be record crowds both hero and at Portsmouth. The “Daily Telegraph” says editorially: “The Duke and Duchess of York will lie followed throughout their historic voyage by the best' wishes of all classes who have learned to appreciate the public spirit with which the Duke and Duchess have fulfilled the duties devolving upon them by reason of their nearness to the Throne. The ceremony at Canberra, the new Australian capital, wilt be notable in the history of the Empire fortthe Crown has become more than over recognised as the link binding together our Commonwealth in which nil the nations are equally autonomous. and free to work out their destinies. As Mr Winston Churchill has remarked, the age of control has come to an end, and an age of comprehension has begun. The King’s Speech at Canberra will be its historic as the proclamation of Queen Victoria, as 'Empress of India.”

The “Daily Chronicle” stresses the fact that special interest, in the Duke and Duchess of York’s tour centres Tn Canberra. It says: “In both the United States and Canada, the idea of a Federal idea above and apart from State jealousies, has helped all the citizens to realise that the Federation, not the State, is their nation. Tf the Australian people grow eventually to their full stature, then Canberra will lie one of the world’s main capitals. n The “Morning Post” thinks that “the Canberra opening will in future

be marked as the opening of a greater suid more prosperous era in Australia’s development.”

“Tho Times” quotes the Duke or York’s own words : “I am one of those who hold that the main principle which should be adopted in finding a solution for the great problems of to-day. he they political or industrial, is the principle of personal touch.” “The Times” adds: “In that spirit, he sets out like his father and his brother before him, on an Imperial mission.”

TH B YORKS SAIL. A GREAT SEND-OFF. (Received this day at 9.30 a.m.) I-ONDON, Jmi. G. Despite a drizzle, there was a dense crowd at Brunton Street to see tlie Duke and Duohss of York depart front Victoria, where the approaches were packed with cheering ’throngs. The whole of Die Royalties assembled on the platform, the enclosure being fringed with struggling humanity, which gave a rousing ovation, and some codecs when the King and Queen embraced the Duchess and farewelled the Duke. They were renewed when the train steamed out. The Prince of W ales, Princes Henry and George accompanied them to Portsmouth.

11..M.5. Renown, sailed, receiving a thunderous royal salute from the boflagged fleet. D. was a great popular farewell.