THE ROYAL VISIT.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 March 1927, Page 1

THE ROYAL VISIT.

SYDNEY WELCOME. [by TELEGRAPH- —PEll PRESS ABBOCI AT)w<.) SYDNEY, March 27. The Duke and Duchess of York arrived in Sydney yesterday morning. The day broke gloriously fine, and from an early hour, people had been thronging into the city, and to the various vantage points, in preparation for the arrival of the Renown, which passed through Sydney Heads at 8.45 a.in., being sharp on time. The Renown was escorted by the destroyers of the Australian Navy, which had met her live miles out at sea. Ah' manner of boats, from ferry steamers to skill's, were utilised to line the route which the Renown followed to her moorings in Neutral Bay. Jn response to the naval authorities' request, comparative quietness was observed as the Renown came up the channel, thus providing a sharp contrast to the welcome that was here accorded the l’rince of Wale.s, when the whistles, horns and other noises caused the authorities some trouble in mooring, owing to the orders being unnb.'o to be heard. As soon as the anchors had been dropped, and the waited signal was given from the warship, tile harbour resounded from end to end with the

whistling and coekadoodling of tile steamers’ sirens, and the cheering a id flag-waving which broke out from t:,e assembled multitude. Immediately the Renown came to anchor, the Governor-General of Australia, Lord Stonehaven, paid an oilieinl visit on the Duke. The Duke and Duchess of York left the Renown at 10.55 a.in., and the royal barge proceeded down a specially formed fane way of gaily-decorated launches and yachts, which were filled with cheering people, to the landing stage, which was located in Farm C ore. There the royal visitors were met oil a staging by the Governor-General of Australia, the New South Wales State Governor, Mr S. Bruce (Federal Premier), Mr Gang (New South Wales Premier, and by other Federal and Stato Pari'iamentarians.

Thence the Duke and Duchess proceeded to the shore, where the Lord Mayor of Sydney, who was accompanied by the, City Aldermen, presented an address of welcome. The Duke and Duchess then boarded a motor car, in which they were escorted through handsomely decorated streets, which were lined by people, who cheered and hand-clapped the royal couple to the echo. They went on to Government House, where they made inspections of returned soldiers. Boy Scouts and Girl Guides, who were all ranged up for the occasion.

The Duke and Duchess were then taken across the Harbour to Admiralty House, where they were the guests ol the Governor-General' at luncheon. In the afternoon, the Duke inspected the cruisers and the Naval Depot, the Duchess meantime resting in preparation for the Government’s official reception at tin 1 Town Hall at night.

The weather throughout the day was glorious, with bright sunshine. The royal visitors could not help being pleasantly impressed by their triumphal entry into Australia yesterday. Favoured by clear skies, oil a perfect, sunshiny late summer day, they entered the wori'cl-fnmoiis Port Jackson, with its wonderful setting of greenery, under ideal conditions. Their progress through miles of Sydney streets ablaze with bunting, triumphal arches, emblematic standards, devices and unlimited greenry, and lined everywhere on the sidewalks at the windows, on the balconies and on the roofs by gay, cheering crowds—was a memorable demonstration of their popularity. It was a day to rejoice by female hearts, and they made the most of it.

Viewed from the press car in the procession, the whole route presented a brilliant, colourful spectacle. Probably tlie Duke and tho Duchess can claim the record for a royal route march. From the start to the finish of the long drive—from where they landed at Sydney Domain circuitously through the city and hack to Government House —occupied hut a short half hour. The arrangements were perfect. They were too perfect for the public’s fancy, the complaint being made that the pace was made so free that the people could got only a passing glance at the Duke in admiral’s uniform and the pinkdressed Duchess. One newspaper describes it as “being whizzed through tlie city.” Military promptitude is blamed for robbing the public of a hotter opportunity of seeing the guests. Everything went like clockwork, without a hitch. The only untoward incident was when an escorting trooper s horse, becoming frightened by fluttering (lags, unhorsed him. He, however, declined ambulance assistance, remounted and galloped forward to rejoin his comrades. Whether the requests for quietness while tlie Renown was coming to anchorage bad or bad not a dampening effect on the later stages, the cheering was not generally lavishly in evidence; hut, all tlie same, everywhere a spirit of loyal, hearty welcome was perceptible.

The threat of the unemployed to join in the procession fail'ed to materialise. Anyhow, the pace set would probably have been too fast for them. A noticeable feature at the Landing reception was that, while everyone else who participated was ceremoniously dressed, the Premier of New South Wales, Air Lang, wore ids inevitable grey sac suit. Later Mr Lang was compelled to cancel his attendance at both the ceremonies at Government House and the State reception in the Town Hall, owing to the serious illness of his wife, who is in the hospital. The Royal couple ended an eventful day at the Town Hall reception, which was a brilliant function. The city and harbour illuminations at night furnished 'a spi'endid spectacle, and were viewed by immense crowds.