SYDNEY'S WELCOME

Southland Times, Issue 18851, 17 June 1920, Page 5

SYDNEY'S WELCOME

PRINCE DEMONSTRATIVELY ACCLAIMED. PROGRESS THROUGH THE STREETS. CITY LAVISHLY DECORATED. (By Telegraph.— Press Assn.--Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) SYDNEY, June 16. (Received June 16, 5.5 p.m.) Prior to the Renown’s arrival in the harbour traffic was stopped and the way cleared for the run up to the moorings in Neutral Bay. The great battleship showed up well in the clear morning light a? she drew in towards (he Heads and swung through. For miles outside tb.e cliff? were black with watchers and the shores and hills inside the ha: hour wore alive with humanity. The Renown made a stately progress through lines of moored warships booming out a Royal salute :ls she passed, while the whistles of innumerable steamers added to the din of welcome a a she slowly slin to anchorage. Outside the warship’s line of progress were many larger vessels and hundreds of small craft packed with sightseers. All were gaily decorated, which combined in producing a splendid pageant marked by intense enthusiasm. Immediately the Renown reached the anchorage the Prince of Wales and his staff entered a naval barge and proceeded to the landing stairs where they were officially received by the Governor-General, the State Governor, heads of Parliament and otner officials who presented addresses of welcome. These ceremonies concluded, the Royal progress started. The procession was from the landing stair? at Farm Cove, where previous Royal landings were made, through the tree-clad stretch of the Domain to Macquarrie street, thence along the city’s main arteries. Altogether three and a-half miles were embraced in the Royal progress. Sydney’s narrow street? naturally lend themselves to decorative purposes and the enneemratinn of artistic efforts on the route instead of being, as on previous occasions, more generally distributed, helped to produce an effect of regal magnificence. Macquarric street, which was lined with massive white pillars, each representative of some portion of the Empire, and strung with srreenery, flaring bunting and emblematic designs, held’ pride of place. Bridge street boasted two elaborate arches, one carrying a monster golden fleece at (he top, representing the pasforalists’ welcome to the Prince and the other an emblematic ship flying the mariners’ welcome, but everywhere along the route on public and private buildings were so much wealth of bunting and so much decorative emulation expended ns Sydney never before saw. The special cars allotted to (he press representatives in the procession afforded them an excellent nportunity of witnessing the most inspiring scenic display and demonstration of loyally and enthusiasm. From the time the Prince stepped ashore amid the crowded brilliant assemblage at the landing place it was one slow procession through packed lines of cheering, gesticulating humanity, overflowing on to the house tops and balconies, and clinging to every possible spot that afforded an outlook, one vast river of faces, at the intervening streets spreading out into wide pools. It is F-timaird that the crowds easily surpassed Melbourne’s welcome, which was calculated at a million. Everything in connection with the Royal progress p asset! off like clo'-kwnrk, so smoothly and expeditiously, indeed, that the Prince reached the terminal ten minutes ahead of schedule time. The immense crowds, though demonstratively enthusiastic, observed the best order and gave the long line of carriage- and detachments of troops a clear run throughout. The Prince, looking somewhat shy on facing a new ordeal, and. .nidging from recent comments, younger than was anticipated. appeared impressed by the magnificence of the preparations and the spontaneous heartiness of the reception. The weather, which during the afternoon turned dull. was. while the function lasted, bright and sunny. Sydney’? streets never looked gayer and the harbour presented a wonderful picture of life and eolour. Interstate visitor? declare that both as regard? the preparation? ami the number of sight seers, Sydney far surpassed Melbourne s effort, which, however, was handicapped by untoward weather conditions. The Prince received and returned many hearty erecting? from returned soldiers, who with other military and naval units and radet?. lined the whole route. At (.he conclusion of lh° proces-ton the Prince inspected the X irlona ( ro?? winnerami the women’s military nurse units and then visited and had luncheon at Admiralty House. The remainder of the ai 1 ernoni; was free of engagement.?. THE EVENING FUNCTION.-''. CITY BRILLIANTLY I I.LUM IXATED. SYDNEY. June !G. ( Received Juno 17. U.o ii.ni.i To-night the Prinee of Wales was the gue.-t at the Governor General ? ntncial dinner and subsequently at a ball in the 'I own Hall. The city and harbour are ablaze with illuminations, and the whole cdy portion of (he Royal route is like a fairy palace, coloured lights festooning each side of (he streets. Public and other buildings are outlined with lights, and carry many beautiful designs. The streets are packed with parading humanity. Warship,- and other vessels in the harbour stand out in their fiery- dressing against the background of dark water, making a brilliant spectacle, with searchlight? playing over all. Amongst the incidents of the Prince’s landing was a flight of airmen, including Sir Ros? Smith, all circling low over the landing place. One machine at a height of .TJO feet met with engine trouble and got out of control. The pilot, however, managed to plane into the harbour, where the crew were rescued. During (be procession Mr Hughes had a mixed reception. Occasionally he was greeted with cheers, but for tho most part he wa? hooted, the public taking opportunity to signify their diapproval of the recent salary grab. The Lord Mayor also came in for hooting in connection with his omission of the loyal toast at the Town Hall reception to Dr Mannix. VISIT TO PARIS CONTEMPLATED. PARIS, June 16. (Received June 16, 10.50 p.m.) It is reported that the Prince of Wales will visit Paris at the conclusion of his Australasian tour.