THE ROYAL TOUR

Hokitika Guardian, 2 March 1927, Page 1

THE ROYAL TOUR

[by TELEGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] CATCHES OF TROUT. TOKAAXU, March I. To-day was gloriously fine, after a dull morning, and besides the Royal party other groups of tourists were Idling on Lake Taupo or at Tongariro River delta. Some good catches were recorded. General Bridges, Governor of Soutii Australia, who i- spending part of his holiday in the district landed sixteen line fish at the delta. News of the Ducal angling party's doings during the afternoon has not «nne yet from the camp, but rumour has it that the Duke and Duchess, wearing waders, between them caught several trout. They will he out again early to-morrow, so as to make the mo-t of the day before they have to prepare for their departure at 5.30 p.m. liv motor for the National Bark, where they will join the train for Xew Blyinouth. Ii.M.S. RENOWN. AUCKLAND, February 2-. The berthing of Ii.M.S. Renown at ihe Uriliecs whai t lias provided all opportunity to thousands of Aucklander- to see the wonders ol a modern bailie cruiser, and in spite ol the wintry weather tin ring the week-end there were many visitors to the warship. Great interest was shown by the vi-itors in the quarters of the Duke and Duchess, which although closed were clearly visible through the portlades. Trophies of the Renown and an outrigger canoe brought by the Duke and Duchess from Fiji were also objects of interest. Tlie number of visitors on Saturday was from -100(1 to 5000, but yesterday’s total exceeded 10,000. Members of the Navy League and school children will be conducted over Cite ship during the remaining mornings of the Renown’s stay m port, and the public visiting hours, as on Saturday and yesterday, will bo 2 p.m. until sunset. A party of 300 men with 20 officers left for Rotorua last evening to participate in to-day's celebrations in honour of the Duke and Duchess TO BERTH AT WELLINGTON. AUCKLAND. March 1. There is a possibility of the battlecruiser Renown lying for an hour off Gisborne and Napier on her way down the coast. She will arrive in Wellington on the morning of Saturday wecK. Captain Sullivan is to give an “at home ” on the ship as she lies at Bipltea Wharf the same afternoon. As the Renown's accommodation for this class of amenity is not extensive, the invitation- will he limited to about five hundred. The Duke and Duchess will not arrive until late in the altenioon, and accordingly will he tumble to attend this function. On arrival they will drive through the streets to Government House, as arranged. On leaving Wellington on Wednesday week the Renown will proceed to Picton with the Duke and Duchess of York, who will then proceed on their South Island tour. As there is a lapse of ten days between then and the day the Royal I’artv rejoins the ship tit Bluff, there has been some speculation as to where the big battle-cruiser will go. It i» understood that the warship will stay in the Sounds for several days doing naval drill and gunnery work. It has been decided that she will go to Lyttelton for a day f 19th March). She will not enter the Moles, but will be out in the hay. Originally it was not intended that she should visit Lyttelton at all. a- the new Renown is much bulkier than the old one. Were it not for the addition of the protective bulge the Renown would have gone both fo Lyttelton'and Port Chalmers. It was not even considered expedient to berth the Renown at Auckland. The only port in New Zealand to have the honour of providing the great warship with a comfortable berth will he Wellington.

Mr F. MeCrae. representing E. J. ('arroll, lias secured the right to manage the concerts to lie given by the band of the Royal Marines on the Renown in New Zealand and Australia. The first, concert will be given at the Town Hall, Auckland, on Saturday night. The hand, which is under the direction of Lieutenant A. Pragnell, L.R.A.M., consists of thirty-five pieces, including a full family of the woodwinds. ft wits heard for the first time a( the Domain yesterday, when a Gilbert and Sullivan fantasia and “Ten for Two ” were played. A concert will be given in Wellington, and. if possible, one in Lyttelton.