THE ROYAL TOUR

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLVII, Issue 10827, 24 January 1927, Page 5

THE ROYAL TOUR

JAMAICAN FESTIVITIES. HISTORIC PLACES VISITED. SPECTACULAR DISPLAYS. (Per Press Association—Copyright.) KINGSTON (Jamaica), Jan. 22. Kingston is still illuminated in honour of the Royal .visitors, but the city found a rival last evening, when the cruisers Calcutta and Colombo, “lit ship” in honour of the Duke and Duchess of York, outlining thetir whole hulls, funnels, and masts in a brilliant electrical display. At the same time the Renown showed a York rose, as well as her own crest, and a flaming .flambeau.

As their Royal Highnesses left the shore for the ship at the conclusion of their inland visit, the Renown fired a ricket and played a searchlight on the Ducal standard at the main masthead. The harbour, thereupon, under soft,, tropical skies, blazed with light, making a most effective night display. To-day the Duke opened his, busiest day with an unofficial visit to Porto Royal, the old buccaneer headquarters, and at one time the richest city in Jamaica, until an earthquake destroyed it. The place is now only a ghost of its former greatness. His Royal Highness met the Governor, Sir R. E ; . Stubbs, Colonel Mudge, Officer 'Commanding the troops, and other officers. The party were taken to Fort Charles, in which in 1779 Lord Nelson, then Commander, Used to pace, the ramparts as though on his own quarter-deck. They also visited the garrison church, where, they were touched by many pathetic inscriptions on tombs, recording the deaths of midshipmen, as young as thirteen, from fever or falls from .aloft. - ! ' ' i ' : ■: *

After a few . minutes in the mess, examining cither old relics .and records, the Duke of Xork returned to the Reiiiowu to carry, out official visits to the Calcutta and Colombo, which were accompanied by all. ceremonial;. appropriate to. the occasion.. The Duke was piped" over the side of all the ships, and Royal Guards were mounted. The National Anthemi was played and the crews marched past on. their own decks ahd then stood alert as the Royal Barge moved from ship to. ship. It was a most impressive instance of naval ritual,where tradition was • reflected in every’ item, of the; arrangements. , .... ■ The visits were over by noon" and the Royal Barge immediately conveyed teeir'Royal Highnesses ashore,; &here the enthusiasin of their welcome., was Unabated'. They proceeded direct to the Rphown Club, and the sailors’ rest, both institutions being designed to help te' entertain sailors in Kingston. Thence they went to a cenotaph, where the Duke placed' a magnificent wreath ixi memory of Jamaican soldiers who '’fell' in ifbe Great “War. . The next function had also military significance. This was the laying of 'the foundation stone of the Kingston War Memorial.. A short service was held in the parish church in the preeence of a distinguished gathering. The memorial is in the form of a clock tower of dignified design to take the place of the one which was destroyed by the earthquake in 1907. The musical portion of the service was a most melodious one. A small choir boy with a shining black face above a correct Eton collar and a white surplice, presented the Duchess with a bouquet of carnations. After viewing Vice-Admiral John Penbow’s grave, which is in the church, the Duke' and Duchess motored through the crowds, which were as large as ever, to Trafalgar Park, where they took lunch with Colonel Mudge, and later attended a garden party, which was confined almost entirely to the naval and' militairy sections of the community. In the evening their Royal •Highnesses entertained about forty of Kingston’s leading dignitaries at dinner.

' This was followed by a reception* on the Renown’s decks, which were brilliantly illuminated and decorated, all the resources of the ship being called upon for the l occasion. These festivities will hardly be concluded to-night before working parties will be hard at it. swinging the boats and carrying out all preparations for weighing anchor at dawn to-morrow (Sunday).