Royally Surrounded by Icebergs

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 112, 15 May 1939, Page 7

Royally Surrounded by Icebergs

Commander’s Prudence Proves Justified BING TAKES SNAPSHOTS (British Official ’Wireless.) Received Sunday, 8.20 p.m. RUGBY, May 13. The prudence of the commander’s keeping the Empress of Australia at a standstill for many hours wa3 shown when fog lifted momentarily last evening to reveal that the liner was encircled by icebergs and iceflows. The King was able to take snapshots of the great icebergs close to the ship over which waves were dashing. The time for their Majesties’ arrival at Quebec is now uncertain owing to the delays. Messages reaching London dwell on the warmth of the welcome which awaits their Majesties. The route along which their Majesties will drive from Wolves’ Cove to the legislative buildings has been elaborately decorated. Magnificent decorations adorn public and private buildings in Quebec. Montreal, Toronto and Ottawa. One of the most significant cere-

monies of the tour will be on May 19 when the King will give Royal assent in person to a number of Bills in Parliament at Ottawa. Among the measures which will become law on this occasion of historic interest in the constitutional atory of the great British Commonwealth of Nations is a Bill giving effect to the provisions of a trade agreement between Canada and the United States. “LIKE ARCTIC EXPLORERS” QUEEN ENJOYS NEW THRILLS Received Sunday, 9.20 p.m. LONDON, May 13. The Empress of Australia is still •lowed up and it is unlikely that she will arrive on schedule. She was 200 milea south-east of Cape Race at midnight, ship’s time. The battlecruiser Repulse has arrived »t Southampton. Several of her ratings were injuerd trying to secure a grating adrift in heavy sea. The Queen, who is enjoying the trip, saw one of the largest icebergs during the tour right ahead, necessitating reversing the engines. She remarked: “It is almost like being Arctic explorers. ’ ’ Three look-outs are posted, one in the forecastle and one in the crow ’s-nest. Six officers are assisting the watch on the bridge. NOT ARRIVING UNTIL MONDAY NIGHT CANADIAN PROGRAMME ALTERED Received Sunday, 10.20 pan. QUEBEC, May 13. Because of fog and ice the arrival of the Empress of Australia has been delayed, necessitating a change in the plans for the reception of their Majesties. The liner is not expected to arrive before late on Monday night at the earliest, instead of in the morning, and it is believed their will prefer to remain on the ship and disembark on Tuesday morning. The Prime Minister, Mr. Mackenzie King, told the House at Ottawa that the functions at Quebec city would be carried out on Tuesday instead of Monday while the Montreal visit is advanced until Wednesday, after which in order to adjust the schedule practically one full day will be cut from the visit to Ottawa. The original programme at Ottawa on Wednesday, excepting the State dinner, will be dropped, but the functions on the other days will be continued. QUEEN PUTS A POSER IS AN ICEBERG “HE” OR “SHE”? Received Sunday, 11.3 p.m. NEW YORK, May 13. The Canadian pressman aboard the Empress of Australia reports that the liner had only one good run during the day when the fog lifted for 20 minutes. She had made only 25 miles by mid-afternoon. Once when the lookout man sighted an iceberg directly ahead the engines were quickly reversed. Their Majesties on the promenade deck were able to see through the fog a whole floe of bergs. Their Majesties with a deck blanket wrapped around them due to the sudden change in the temperatutre stood by the rail and watched. The Queen remarked that it was like being in Arctic waters. She provoked a debate by inquiring whether an iceberg was “he or she.” Nobody present could reply with authority. UNDERCURRENT OP WRANGLING ALLOCATION OF ROYAL PROCEEDINGS Received Monday, 12.30 a.m. QUEBEC, May 13. Local citizens who have drilled for days for their part in the reception of their Majesties were greatly disappointed when it was announced that the ship would be a day late, but their disappointment was greatly mitigated when it was learned that the Ottawa programme was the only ono likely to cut. In fact there was some gratification that Ottawa was likely to claim a less share in the proceedings. It is no longer a secret that in many quarters it is felt that the capital and officialdom is claiming an over-large share of the Royal attention. Many in social circles fielt they had been edged out of banquet or drawing room in order to make room for politicians or their wives This found open expression in a leader in the Chronicle Telegraph, Quebec’s only English language newspaper, Pfki'-h deplored the influx of visitors

from Ottawa to Quebec, contending that since one purjx>se of the Royal visit was to permit their Majesties to come in contact with as many subjects as possible, it would be better if Ottawa personages “reserve gratification of their social ambitions” until their Majesties reach Ottawa. MAIN BRACE SPLICED CORONATION ANNIVERSARY LONDON, May 12. The second anniversary of the Coronation of their Majesties was celebrated aboard the Empress of Australia. The attendant cruisers manned ship and fired a salute of twenty-one guns, and the King ordered the main brace to be spliced.