BONFIRE GREETING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 May 1939, Page 6

BONFIRE GREETING

ALONG THE ST. LAWRENCE WATERWAY King and Queen Enter Canada IMPROMPTU WELCOME AT ANCHORAGE By Telegraph.—Press Association.- -Copyright. (Received This Day, 11.25 a.m.) QUEBEC, May 16. The Australian Associated Press special correspondent says chains of great bonfires, lit by French Canadian farmers, illuminated the shores of the St Lawrence River for IbO miles tonioht as the Empress of Australia and her naval escort moved up to Quebec. The Empress of Australia entered the river during the darkness of last night. Their Majesties spent the morning on deck, enjoying the glorious sunshine and viewing the rugged shoreline and snowcapped hills of Quebec Province. They were lunching- when „ they reached Father Point and the pilot came aboard. Hearing cheers from police and port officials and others aboard the pilot tuo-. their Majesties left the lunch table and went on deck, where, smiling, they acknowledged cries of “Vive Le Roi! Vive La Reine!” . . The ships will cast anchor below- Old Quebec late towglit, and will steam into Wolfe’s .Cove tomorrow morning.

CANADIAN NAVY THE ESCORT OF DESTROYERS. THANKED AND COMPLIMENTED BY THE KING. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 11.30 a.m.) RUGBY, May 16. The King sent the following message to the Canadian destroyers Skeena and Saguenay, which are escorting the Empress of Australia: — “It is a great pleasure to me, on

entering Canadian waters, to be greeted by my Canadian Navy. .1 thank you for the welcome you have given me and congratulate you warmly on the fine appearance of . your ships.” The officers and ships’ companies of the Skeena and Saguenay replied thanking the King for his gracious signal, adding:—“We could have' no greater honour or pleasure than in welcoming your Majesties to Canadian waters.”

Apart from the curtailment of the Royal stay in Ottawa and an alteration at Kingston, Ontario, no materia,l change is being mafle in their Majesties’ arranged programme.