THE ROYAL CRUISE

Hokitika Guardian, 24 January 1927, Page 3

THE ROYAL CRUISE

VISIT TO JAMACIA. [Australia & N.Z. Cable Association.] (Received this day at 8 a.m.) KINGSTON (Jamaica), Jail. 22. Kingston is still illuminated, in honour of the Royal vistors, hut the city found a rival last evening, when the cruisers Calcutta and Colombo “lit ship” in honour of the Yorks, outlining their whole hulls with funnels and masts in a brilliant electrical display. At the same time the Renown showed tho York Rose as well as her own crest, in a flaming ilambearer as the I oiks left the shore lor the ship, at tho conclusion of the inland visit. The Renown nred a rocket and played searchlights on the ducal standard at the main masthead of the harbour. 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 Port Royal, the old buccaneer headquarters and at one time the richest city in Jamaica, until earthquakes destroyed it and the place is now only a ghost of its former greatness. His Highness met Stubbs, Mud go and other officers, and was attended only by a British party and taken to Fort Charles, in wiiiich in 1779 Nelson when Commander used to pace the ramparts as though on Lis own quarter deck. They also visited the garrison church where they wore touched by many pathetic inscriptions on the tombs, recording the deaths of midshipmen as young as thirteen, from fever or falls from aloft, etc. Alter a few minutes in the mess examining other old relics and records the Yorks returned to the Renown to carry out official visits to the Calcutta and Colombo, which were accompanied by all ceremonies appropriate to the

occasion. The Duke was piped overside all ships and Royal guards mounted. Tho Anthem was played and the crews marched past on their own decks and then stood alert as tho Royal barge moved from ship to ship. It was a most, impressive instance of ha vat ritual where tradition was reflected in every item of the arrangements. The visits were over by noon and the Royal barge immediately conveyed his Highness ashore where the enthusiasm of the welcome was unabated. They proceeded direct to the Renown Club and Sailors Rest. Both institutions are desgned to help to entertain sailors in Kingston. Thence they went to the cenotaph where the Duke placed a magnificent wreath in memory of Jamaican soldiers who fell in the Great AVnr. Tho next function had also a military significance. This was the laying of the foundation stone of Kingston’s war memorial. A short service was

held in the parish church in the presence of a distinguished gathering. The memorial is in the form of a clock tower of dignified design to take the place of one destroyed in the carth-

uako of 1907. The musical portion of

the service was most melodious. One small choir boy, with a shining black face above the correct Eton collar and white surplice presented the Duchess with a bouquet of carnations. After viewing Vice-Admiral Benliou's grave, which is in the church, the York’s

motored through crowds which were as large as ever to Trafalgar Bark, where they took lunch with Afudge and latei attended a garden party which was confined almost entirely to naval and military sections of the community.

In the evening the Yorks 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 ot

the ship being called upon for the occasion. These festivities will hardly he concluded to-night, before working parties will be hard at it swinging in the boats and carrying out all the prepartions for weighing anchor at dawn to-morrow (Sunday).