ROYAL TOUR

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 22 January 1927, Page 5

ROYAL TOUR

JAMAICA VISITED. ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTION A FESTIVE OCCASION. BY CABLE —PRESS ASSOCIATION —COPYRIGHT KINGSTON (Jamaica), Jan. 20. Kingston, on the arrival of the Duke and Duchess of York, left no doubt of its enthusiastic loyalty to the Throne. A public holiday has been -proclaimed, the Government even prohibiting newspapers from, publishing. Everybody .seemed abroad when the Duke and Duchess landed after lunch in xhe Royal barge. Cheering commenced as soon as the barge was sighted and rose to a roar when it came alongside the jetty, where the visitors were received by the Governor and his wife, the Chief Justice, the Bishop, the officer commanding the troops, the Mayor, the Vice-Admiral, the members of the Legislative Council, and other digna tones. The Duke, dressed in naval uniform, inspected the .guard of honour furnished by the Green Howards. Their Royal Higlmesses, followed by the Governor and others, drove through the flag-festooned streets between hatwaving and cheering crowds while black faces with flashing teeth ' contrasted strangely with the infrequent sight of English "and Americans, the cordiality of whose welcome was no less vocal. During the drive the Duke and Duchess stopped twice to. be welcomed by a great gathering of .10,000 elementary school children, waving-jfags and shrilly singing the National Anthem. The acknowledgment of the Duke and Duchess completed the happiness of the mothers and fathers proudly watching the scene. On reaching the theatre the Duke inspected the naval guard of honour to the laceompaniment of another great roa.r of cheering from' the assembled thousands. \ Responding to addresses in the theatre, which were presented by Mr. Jelf on behalf of the island, and by the Mayor, Mr. Dacosta, on, behalf of the town, in caskets of Jamaican woods, the Duke said these loyal sentiments would “be presented to His Majesty. He felt he was not a 'Stranger because he would always retain the happiest memories of his first visit to the island in 1913, as a naval cadet, when he was shown generous hospitality. Jamaica was one of the oldest and most interesting outposts of the Empire. There existed in England a genuine desire to understand a.nd to know the needs of those dwelling overseas. The .splendid part the Jamaicans played in. the war was not forgotten. The Duke promised that, upon his return, he would do everything possible to promote the interests of the islanders and to foster the spirit of understanding in the Mother Country. The daughter of the Governor presented to the Duchess a. bouquet of orchids, harmonising with her beautiful dress of bois de rose crepe de dune. Their Highnesses had a rousing, send off when leaving for King’s House, the Governor’s residence, where the Duchess inspected the Girl Guides and the Duke played tennis. Afterwards an official dinner took place, followed by the Governor’s reception, at which 2000 guests were presented.