AUCKLAND'S GALA DAY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XL, Issue 9288, 24 April 1920, Page 5

AUCKLAND'S GALA DAY.

POPULAR ENTHUSIASM

AUCKLAND, April 24. - ; The morning broke. dull with the sun appearing fifiiully through the lowlying cioud bank, which partially ( obscured* the headlands eastward of, the ■'city. As the hours passed, the sun gained the ascendancy, though not fully dissipating the clouds. The scene on the harbour was animated. The waters were dotted with yachts and motor boats forming two lines out past the North Head, round which at ten o'clock, the Renown was slowly feeling her way into the harbour. She proceeded to her anchorage, where the medical examination was quickly got through, and the vessel was berthed just Defore noon. <■'...' Every vantage point on the rising grounds round about the harbour was occupied by thousands of people, who were able therefrom to obtain a fine view of the> whole scene. The foreshore and streets abutting thereon also held their full quotas of sightseers. As soon as tiie Governor called on the Prince, the Prime Minister and, hi * Cabinet colleagues paid tfreir respect, also, and the Prince then landed, a.nu. drove to Government House, where lie received an address- from the Government at the hands of the Premier.

Returning to the wharf gates, the Prince was officially welcomed by the chairman of the Harbour Board. He then proceded to the Town Hall, and received an aduress from #ie Mayor and Council on behalf of the citizens.

The streets, gaily decorate/Jj were crowded with thousands of cheering people, and the bands were playing patriotic airs, the whole making up one of the most brilliant scenes ever witnessed in Auckland.

When the ship rounded North Head on entering the harbour, the forts fired a Royal salute and the yachts also saluted the warship as she passed through their lines. The grim war lines of the huge battle-cruiser were softened down by her holiday coat of light grey, but a reminder of the fact that the ship sometime may have sterner business in "hand was lent -to the scene by the-appearance of an aeroplane circling oversea.