DOWN RANGITOTO CHANNEL.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 44, 22 February 1927, Page 6

DOWN RANGITOTO CHANNEL.

STATELY MAJESTY OF RENOWN. THE FORESHORE THRONGED. SCENE FROM NORTH SHORE. Scores of binoculars and marine glasses swept the grey horizon early this morning as North Shore residents sought the tirst glimpse of the Renown. All the trans-harbour beaches were patrolled by eager youngsters. Mount Victoria. North Head, Narrow Neck Point and other coigns of vantage were | thronged by groups of people, the male clement being anxious to catch a glimpse of the battle cruiser before leaving for the city. Soon a grey smudge could 1m? discerned on the misty horizon, and small boys screamed peevishly for a peep through the glasses. The distanceannihilating lenses brought the grey smudge close —H.M.s. Renown steaming majestically towards Rangitoto Channel. Sombre was the setting for the arrival of the Ambassador* of Empire. Overcast with dull clouds the sky carried an ugly threat of rain, and the waters of the channel, usually a shimmering blue, were Icaden-hucd, mirroring the frowning clouds. Old Rangitoto, guardian of the Waitcmata, reared his triple peaks amid a bank of misty lilminess. Small craft came scudding round North Head ere city clocks chimed eight, and soon the channel was animated with bobbing launches and white-winged Yachts. Three ferry boats, packed with sightseers, steamed into the picture, and as the Renown and the welcoming Diomede drew into the channel cheeky sjkhml boats raced forward amid clouds of spray to join the wclcpjne. The battle cruiser and H.M.s. Diomede were off Cheltenham Beach at 8.30 o'clock, and kiddies too young to remember the visit of the Prince of Wales had their first sight ! of the great ship of war. while adults welcomed her as an old friend. With slow majestic motion the Renown steamed round North Head. silent and almost grim. Her stately passage contrasted brilliantly with the feverish activity of the small craft. ] King Edward Parade was lined with motor ?ars from Cheltenham Road to Devonport wharf. Those who saw the cruiser swing round North Head were impressed with her size and dignity. Bugle calls rang lcross the water from the Renown, now only a few hundred yards from the shore. The bluejackets paraded on her decks, could be clearly discernet;. "I see the Duke standing on the bridge,"' s.iid a man with binoculars glued to his eyes. Immediately the glasses wen; snatched from him by his flapper daughter, who declared With equal assurance that she could see Her Itoyal Highness standing at his side! Rounding the Head, the sun shone on the Renown for the space of two minutes, and he silver-grey of the cruiser stood out in bold relief against the cliffs across the harbour. But this gleam of welcome was transitory, for rain was already falling in big. desultory drops. Mount Eden and One Tree Hill were now hidden in a shroud of rain-mist. A pall of clouds hung low <>\er the city, and the harbour was partially obscured in a grey drizzle of rain. As the Renown steamed past the signal post at Mount Victoria guns roared in welcome to the Duke and Duchess. H.M.s. Diomede acknowledged the salute. Heavy rain started to fall as the battle cruiser steamed past the Naval depot at CaHiope Dock, and thousands of |»coplc along the northern foreshore I ran for shelter.