DUCHESS OF YORK DEPARTS

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 149, 21 March 1927, Page 10

DUCHESS OF YORK DEPARTS

RENOWN LEAVES AT TEN LAST NIGHT THOUSANDS LINE THE WHARVES FAREWELL MESSAGE TO PEOPLE REGRETS NOT SEEING SOUTH ISLAND The extent to which the Duchess of York has captured the popular imagination received its best attestation last night, when several thousand Wellingtonians braved a drenching rain to wave and cheer God-speed to Her Royal Highness as she boarded H.M.S. Renown. In view of the recent indisposition of the Duchess it had been arranged to carry out her departure - for Patterson’s Inlet as quietly as possible, and notice was given that the wharf would not be open to the public. Nevertheless, a surprisingly large crowd found its way to the waterfront round about 9 p.m., and by 9.45 it had grown considerably. Every vantage point on the side of the King’s Wharf which faced H.M.S. Renown’s late berth had been secured, while the wharf itself was thick with spectators. Hundreds had gathered round the main entrance to Pipitea Wharf; but their uncertain wait in threatening weather was rewarded at a quarter to ten, when the headlights of the car containing Her Royal Highness illuminated the darkness. A resounding cheer greeted the arrival of the limousine, and the Duchess raised her arm in acknowledgment. “Oh, the Duchess waved to me,” shouted a young girl, excitedly. “And to me, too,” cried another.” Once safely on board, Her Royal Highness proceeded to her quarters, where she was farewelled, on behalf of the city, by the Mayor (Mr, C. J. B. Norwood) and the Mayoress (Mrs. Norwood) , from ' the latter of whom the Duchess graciously accepted an exquisite basket of flowers—a token of good wishes from the citizens of Wellington. In expressing her thanks, Her Royal Highness stated that she felt well, and would be quite able to carry out the Australian part of the tour. She liad been deeply touched by the concern the people had displayed on her behalf, and she was exceeding!}' disappointed that she was not able to visit the South Island. The punctuality of. the Navy is proverbial, and on the minute of 10 o’clock the Renown moved slowly away from her moorings. Then the rain came down. The crowd still lingered, and .tumultuous cheering broke out as the big cruiser. Cleared the wharf. This time the cheer was not for the Duchess alone; it included good wishes for the Renown and its men. Handkerchiefs commenced to wave, and, as though in answer, spot lights from the battleship commenced to tap out messages. The Renown swished her way forward, and, thunder and lightning notwithstanding, there were still a couple of hundred people on the King’s Wharf when the lights of the cruiser were disappearing in the distance.