PRINCE AT MELBOURNE

Evening Post, Volume XCIX, Issue 125, 27 May 1920, Page 7

PRINCE AT MELBOURNE

ARRIVAL DELAYED BY FOG

INTENSE ENTHUSIASM AND EXUBERANT LOYALTY.

ItTNITES MISS AI.IOCUTION.--COPTr.IaHT.)

MELBOURNE, 26th May.

The fog, the densest for years, which descended on the city and bay* during the night, and enshrouded the whole landscape, seriously interfered with the arrival of the Prince of Wales. The Renown arrived on time, to find the Heads smothered in "mist,, which delayed tno vessel's .entrance. Anticipatory reports which were circulated in the city, to the effect that she entered on schedule time, proved to be premature. Instead of enr taring, she stood off awaiting the clearing of the fog before negotiating the narrow channel. Meantime, ■ destroyers had proceeded down the bay to escort the warship, and aeroplanes were aloft, but failed to locate her through the dense mist. As thofog showed little signs of clearing, and there were prospects of lengthy delay before the Renown would be able to come through, the Naval authorities arranged to transfer the Prince to a destroyer.

At a later hour it -wae reported that the Prince had been transferredl to the destroyer Anzac, whioh was speeding tip the bay, to enable the Prince to arrive in time to carrj out the delayed

programme

When the fog lifted sufficiently-the Resown entered the Heads, and steamed to »n anchorage. -

As the day wore on the fog in the city grew thinner. There was a long, tiresome wait for' the expectant crowds, which, despite the damp, depressing atmosphere, steadily increased to hug* dimensions. . They received a promise of reward at the sound of guns booming a Royal salute as the Anzac passed the anchored.warships, announcing the coming of the Prince. The destroyer reached Port Melbourne. Pier-shortly after 3 p.m. The Prince immediately boarded the steamer Hygeia, and proceeded' to the landing-place at St. Kilda, which was reached shortly before^ 4 o'clock, jKj minutes behind ichechile time. In view oi the delay the civic welcome was cut short, the Mayor's address and the Prince's reply taking only a few minutes. The Prince's ready acceptance of the altered arrangements resulting from the delay, and his appreciative interest in the proceedings, won the hearts of the people, and deepened thf excellent impression the reports of his doings in New Zealand had created. The procession commenced without delay. The authorities arid the public generally were greatly disappointed at the scurvy trick the fog played them, It spoiled, not only the antitipated progregs of the Royal ship up the harbour, but robbed i^e whole, preparations of mnch. of the official setting and sparkle. In spite of their disappointment and 1 uncomfortable conditions, the people accepted the position philosophically and with good humour.

By the time the procession had started, .the «un: had gained ascendency over the mist, and the people made light of the long, weary vigil in the excitement of trying to catch a glimpse of the Prince. M,any had been waiting patientlj from early morning, since when a continuous procession of trains, trame, and every available class"" of vehicle had been pouring in a human stream. The route throughout was lined by a surging mass of humanity, and windows, balconies, housetops, and every available point of vantage were occupied. It is roughly estimated that something like a million people viewed the procession. The streets were festooned with greenery, and the buildings were lavishly decorated with bunting, emblematic ' designs, anR loyal- greetings. The result was most effective. From atari .to-finish the procession was marked by intense enthusiasm and exuberant loyalty, the crowds fervidly cheering and gesticulating. The Prince showed the keenest interest and pleasure in the reception accorded him, and had eyes for everything, and he readily responded to the frequent greetings as Wb carriage slowly made its way to Federal Government House.

The streets were again thronged toiiight by crowds viewing the illuminations of the buildings and the warships in the harbour.