ROYAL ARRIVAL

Greymouth Evening Star, 16 May 1939, Page 7

ROYAL ARRIVAL

LINER EXPECTED TO-NIGHT

NOW CLEAR OF ICEFIELD

[by CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.]

(Recd, May 16, 9.50 a.m.). QUEBEC, May 15. It is officially announced that at S a.m., Eastern Standard Time, the Empress of Australia was 20 miles eastward of Gallantry Head. The liner was proceeding on forced draught, at 19 knots. She is expected to anchor at midnight on Tuesday. The liner wirelessed at 9 a.in., that she was clear of the icefield, and was maintaining full speed. The Canadian Press representative aboard the Empress of Australia, says the sailors said that the ice conditions were the worst in their memory. It is felt that, under the hazardous conditions, the caution of Captain Meikle, commander of the ship, was well justified.

On Sunday afternoon, a member of the Royal party invited the Queen to the upper deck, to see one of the large floes. The Queen replied. “No, thanks. It is so nice and warm in this lounge. Anyway. 1 am beginning to think that one icefloe looks very much like another.”

TO DOCK TO-MORROW

[BRITISH OFFICIAL WIRELESS.]

RUGBY. May 15

It is confidently expected that the Empress of Australia, will dock at Quebec on Wednesday morning, and that Their Majesties will disembark at 10 o’clock. The liner, in an endeavour to clear the ice, steered a zigzag course, and in SO hours, between Thursday morning and Sunday afternoon, covered only 172 miles.* Yesterday afternoon. Captain Meikle was able to leave the bridge, and obtain his first real sleep since Thursday.

Land was sighted on the northern horizon this forenoon, and. at lunch time, the islands of Saint Pierre and Miquelon, off Newfoundland, were in full view-. Their Majesties enjoyed today’s sunny weather.

ICE WORST FOR YEARS. (Received May 16, 1.20 p.m.) QUEBEC, May 15. The Associated Press special correspondent says that the ice conditions which delayed the Empress of Australia are the worst experienced at this time of the year since 1889, according to masters of Atlantic steamers which arrived at Quebec, yesterday and to-day. One encountered floes 15 feet thick, floating southward from the Labrador* coast. Referring to the comment that, if they got through, the Empress of Australia should have been able to do likewise, the masters explained that they changed their course and found open water, free of fog. All the vessels were compelled to adhere to the traffic lanes laid down by the North Atlantic Conference, but. the masters were given discretionary powers in an emergency. It is pointed out, however, that if the Empress of Australia had altered hex* course, and nosed into an area where no vessels were ahead to report on the conditions, the Royal patty might have been placed in even greater danger. The masters agreed that it woxild have been foolhardy to move, with fog makirtg the Acres. In normal years, sea ice had long since melted, but Canada is experiencing an exceptionally late Spring, and there are still heavy snowdrifts about Quebec. The inconveniences and complications arising from the late arrival have been cheerfully accepted, and the curtailment of Ottawa’s programe is causing no shedding of tears outside that city. It is-felt in many quarters that the capital and officialdom are claiming too large a share of Royal attenQuebec’s only English-language newspaper, to-night, recalls the tale of Kin ! g Canute’s courtiers, and comments that the MacKenzie King Government has now discovered that, fogbanks will not lift at the Royal pleasure. It adds that Their Majesties will be the more welcome, because of the fatigue and perils of the voyage. WILD RUMOURS DENIED.

QUEBEC, May 15. The special correspondent of the Australian Associated Press says that rumours are running wild, but it is officially denied that the delay in the arrival of the Empress of Australia is caused by an illness of the King, the •international situation, or the presence of a submarine off the coast. The latter rumour gained currency because of the operations of minesweepers off Nova Scotia since a foieign submarine was reported off the mouth of Halifax harbour three weeks ago. It was announced at Ottawa yesterday that the Government had decided to withhold further announcements concerning changes in the plans for the Royal tour until it is more definitely established when the liner will reach Quebec. There has been talk that Their Majesties’ visit to Ottawa would be reduced by two days, but there is no confirmation of this. Since all changes must be sent by wireless to Their Majesties for approval, a final decision is not likely before to-mor-row. ' The special .correspondent of the Australian Associated Press says that the staff of the Chateau Frontenac tonight dined on choice trout intended for Their Majesties and 250 guests at the official luncheon to-morrow, while orders were hurriedly telegraphed . to secure a fresh supply of Canadian delicacies. Thousands of snow birds, however, are safe on the ice. These migratory birds, the size of sparrows, can only be procured in April. They will be a highlight of the luncheon. Four breasts embalmed in jelly are required for each portion. The hotels are contented, however, as Quebec is jammed will) waiting visitors. The Canadian Press representative aboard th 6.. Empress oi Australia states that. Their Majesties expressed sympathy with the officials and citizens inconvenienced: by the liner s delay. The Queen., leaning on the rail of the promenade deck, said: “The people I ain sorry for are those who have been making plans to see us in