ROYAL TOUR

Taranaki Daily News, 21 April 1920, Page 5

ROYAL TOUR

RENOWN BEHIND TIME. ARRIVES SATURDAY AFTERNOON. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. EM.S. Renown, April lfl (9.15 p.m.). The Renown is Hearing Suva,. whore she arrives at 4 o'clock on Tuesday afternoon. Crossing the line ceremonies were held on the Kith and 17th on an extensive scale. The Prince was initiated by Neptune's staff with the usual formalities. The weather has been fine since leaving Honolulu. The Renown will arrive in Auckland on Saturday afternoon. THE PRINCE AT SUVA.

LEAVING THERE TO-MORROW. PICTURESQUE NEPTUNE CEREMONY. Received April 20, 9.50 p.m. Suva, April 20. The Renown arrived this afternoon, all well. She sails with the Prince for Auckland on Thursday. Showery weather interfered with the spectacular side of the arrival, but a flotilla of native canoes escorted the Renown up the harbor. The Governor, Sir Cecil Rodwell, visited the Prince immediately. The Prince gives a dinner aboard to-night, and makes his oilicial janding to-morrow. Suva is gaily decorated for the occasion.

Crossing the "line" ceremonies on the 16th and 17th evolved into a great sea pageant produced on a scale of magnificence never before attempted in connection with the navy. The Prince, Admiral Sir Lionel Halsey, Captain Dudley North, Captain Taylor, and others took part in a well organised scenic display, reciting speeches, welcoming Neptune, ar.d his attendant court of supernumeraries, reinforced by the ship's band. All were dressed in quaint and original costumes. The fact that the Prince, with his whole stall, decided to undergo the ceremonies of initiation lent unprecedented interest to the occasion. The proceedings began on the night of the Kith, just before the ship actually crossed the Equator, when Neptune from the pea, luuled Captain Taylor on the bridge, who stopped the ship, and invited Neptune on board. Rockets sent up from the forecastle disclosed Neptune with a few attendants and bears emerging from a hawse pipe. The captain megaphoned him to come on the flag dc'ck, where Neptune was received in "formal state by the Prince, the Admiral, the captain, and the ship's oiUcer.s, speeches being made in blank verse.

Arrangements were made for receiving Neptune next morning-, when a procession of over seventy performers, with the band, marched on to the quarter deck, where lie was received by the Prince and the ship's officers. Neptune announce dthat he was honored bv the desire of His Royal Highness to be initiated as King Neptune's friend. The ceremony of investiture then commenced, Neptune investing the Prince with the Order of the Royal Equitorial Bath, placing the order on his coat. The Prince replied in verse, thanking Neptune for his handsome collar, adding significantly, "I am veil aware there is more to follow." Admiral Halsey, Captain North, and others were invested with various orders. Admiral Halsey, reciting a long reply in blank verse full of topical personal alusions, evoked roars of laughter.

The procession then marched to the forecastle deck, where a platform was erected and a- large tank full of wflter wag prepared. Barbers' chairs were placed on the platform at the edge of .the tank for novices and bears chosen from the officers waited in the bath to duck the novices.

After further dramatic speeches, the Prince appeared on the platform in a bathing suit. He seated himself on a chair and submitted himself to the attentions of Neptune's officials. The Prince was lathered freely with many colored substances from buckets, was shaved by Neptune's barber, received a pill of medicine from Neptune's doctor, and was then tipped over backwards into the tank, where the bears, loudly prowling ducked him thrice three times according to the ritual.

A similar experience befell other officer novices. _ Afterwards the officers' bears were withdrawn and the men's bears went into the tank, when all novices in the ship's company underwent immersion ceremonies. The part of Neptune was performed by Chief Gunner Enwright, who displayed a fine voice and much elocutionary skill, reciting a long part in blank verse. The entire pageant was produced under the direction of Commander Rogers.—Aus.N.Z- Cable Assn.

OFFICERS OF THE RENOWN. THE QUESTION OF ENTERTAINMENT. By Telegraph rrcss Association. Wellington, Last Night. Mr. Massey has received from some of his personal acquaintances among the officers of H.M S. Renown, a message stating that both the officers and men are looking forward with the greatest pleasure to their visit. The officers are all sportsmen, states Mr. Massey, and no entertainment offered them in the way of motoring, hunting, fishing, shooting, and other sports can come amiss. Such entertainment will, of course, be something entirely apart from the official programme nrranged for the l'rince and iiis staff.