THE PRINCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 March 1920, Page 7

THE PRINCE.

THE DEPARTURE DESCRIBED. ENTHUSIASTIC SCENES. By Tftlsfrspli. —Press Assn.—Copyright Received March 21, 5.5 p.m. London, March 18. Dense crowds lined the route between Buckingham Palace, where the Royal family took lunch, and Victoria Station and gave an ovation to the Prince of Wales and other Royalties^ A representative gathering of people assembled on the railway platform to wish the Prince "God-speed," including Mr. Lloyd George, Lord Curzon, Mr. Winston Churchill, Lord Beatty, Mr. Andrew Fisher, Sir Thos. Mackenzie, the Agents-Generals, their wives, and others. Their Majesties, with Princess Mary, Prince Albert,' Prince Henry, and Prince Arthur of Connaught, were warmly cheered on arrival; as were also the Queen Mother Alexandra, the Duchess of Argyll, and the Countess of Athlone. The Prince wore naval uniform and looked well. He chatted freely with friends and assured all he was looking forward to a jolly good time. He was about to etiter his train, when suddenly a great and growing cheer resounded through the station. Tho others immediately realised what had happened. The crowd outside the station had burst the strong police cordon, and were now nulling and cheering pell mell along the drive Uke a tidal wave. The police were powerless to stay the rush and were carried along with the stream until close to the Royal enclosure, where a special posse of police, together with a body of Australian soldiers who occupied a coign of advantage opposite the Royal carriage, promptly formed a double cordon across the road. The Prince and their Majesties appeared to enjoy the unrehearsed incident. His Highness stepped smilingly into the roadway and saluted the cheering crowd. After finally shaking hands with friends on the platform the Prince proceeded to kiss the Princess good-bye, but Princess Mary smiling whispered in his ear and pushed him gently towards the saloon, where the family partings took place. The aged Queen Mother seemed deeply affected in farewelling her grandson. She patted him lovingly and kissed him on both cheeks. The Prince respectfully stooped and kissed his grandmother's hand. The King and Queen remained in conversation several minutes as their Royal Ambassador, the Prince, stood at the door of his carriage. Finally, the Prince shook hands with his grandmother and his mother as the train started amid renewed cheering. Prince Albert and Prince Henry accompanied the Prince to Portsmouth. Aus.-N.Z- Cable Assn. THE FINAL SCENES. ARRIVAL ON THE RENOWN. PREPARATIONS FOR TIIE VOYAGE. Received March 21, 5.5 p.m. London, March 16. Mr. John Sandes, the special correspondent of the Australian Press Association with tho Prince of Wales, writes from Portsmouth The week's delay due to quarantine was well utilised by the crew of the Renown, which is now spic and span. Admiral Sir Lionel Halsey gave a dinner party in the beautiful dining room which is fitted up for the Prince, and opens into a semi-circular sitting room extending across the upper deck well aft. The decorative scheme was simple, but effective. The pictures are mostly fine old engravings of famous British sea fights and portraits of great statesmen of bygone days. The silver in the dining room and fresh flowers matching the color scheme in each room lend richness to tho general effect. Commander Campbell, th.e navigating offier, has a heavy load of responsibility ,on this voyage. The Culebra Cut is only three times the Renown's width, and only in the centre of the Panama Canal is the water deep enough for her draught. Also, if rough weather .should prevail on arrival at the entrance to Port Phillip it is probable the passage of "the lcip" will not be attempted. The Renown draws thirtyone feet, and the margin of safety ia too small in had weather. A chart of the, voyage, posted yesterday in the ward room, shows that San Francisco will be visited; also possessions of the West Indies on the return voyage. The Renown is timed to be back in Portsmouth on October 14., The Royal train arrived at four o'clock in the afternoon. The Prince, attended by Admiral Sir Lionel Halsey (Chief of Staff), Commander Godfrey Thomas, and Lieut.-Col. Grigg, alighted and was received by Admiral Burney (Commander-in-Chief of Portsmouth), General Blaekaddo (Commanding the Military Forces), the commander of the dockyard, and the Mayor of Portsmouth. The Renown was dressed in flags, as were also all the ships in harbor, including the Victory. The crew were drawn up on the quarter-deck and the band of Marines played the National Anthem as the Prince came on board. The Prince proceeded at once to shake •hands with all the officers, and to inspect the crew. As the Prince, with his slight boyish figure, walked slowly past tlie two great lri-inch guns pointing side by side to seaward, the scene on deck was brilliant, with a blaze of scarlet. where the Marines were drawn up and a glitter of gold lace from the naval uniforms. A salute from the guns roared a welcome, and the impressive little ceremony was soon over. The Renown drew into the stream at 8.30 for her long voyage. PANAMA CANAL BLOCKED. UNLIKELY TO AFFECT THE TOUR.! Received March 21, 5.5 p.m. London, March 10. Owing to the recent landslide, tlie Panama Canal is temporarily closed to heavy draught vessels. No official intimation of tlie stoppage has been received and, therefore, it is assumed the canal will be cleared before the Renown .aEfives. It is unlikely the Prince's < sprijgramijie.: will be , affected.—Aua,-N,2, ,i >CttbJa Awa,