ROYAL VISIT TO JAMAICA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19542, 22 January 1927, Page 9

ROYAL VISIT TO JAMAICA.

DUKE OF YORK'S TOUR. WARM-HEARTED WELCOME. ISLAND CAPITAL EN FETE. GREAT DISPLAY OF LOYALTY. By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright. (Received 7.55 p.m.) A. and N.Z. LONDON. Jan. 20. Despatches from Kingston, Jamaica, record the arrival there this morning of the battle'cruiser Renown with the Duke and Duchess of York aboard. Working absolutely to * schedule,, Renow stood in from the Carbiwn Sjf&T and, picking up the. paiisiiSfeS, threaded her navigation at the entrance"" atid -rounded Port Royal, of infamous memory. Tne warship moved majestically up the sunlit harbour of Kingston to her anchorage followed by a Royal Salute fired from the guns of the shore battery. Two cruisers of the West Indian squadron waited, dressed and manned, to welcome the Renown. The foreshore of Jamaica's capital was fringed with people, who were backed by flagged houses peeping through the trees. Early as was the hour there was a flickering heat haze. The stately silent ceremonial of anchoring—never-changing but ever new —went forward apparently without effort. The Renown might have been an ancient mariner's ship, so little movement there seemed, either on board or through the water. . Enthusiasm Follows Formalities. As the cables of the great ship roared through the hawse-pipes she broke flags, wreathing herself from stem to stern in bunting, while the squadron's guns blared out the Royal Salute and the band on the flagship played the National Anthem. The Renown did not answer according to the etiquette of the occasion. " Carry on " was the orde.. until the official calls began. First the Governor-in-Chief of the island. Sir Reginald E. Stubbs, the Colonial Secretary, Mr. A. S. Jelf, and the Commandant of the Troops, Colonel Mudge, were jvelcomed on the quarter--deck with a full guard. They paid their respects to the Duke of York. ' There followed the Admiral of the squadron, Vice-Admiral Carne. After the ceremonial Mr. Jelf remained aboard to luncheon. The city left no doubt about its enthusiastic loyalty to the throne. A public holiday had been proclaimed and the Government had even prohibited the publication of newspapers. Everybody seemed to be abroad when the Duke and Duchess landed after luncheon in the Royal barge. Cheering commenced as soon as it was sighted, and rose to a roar as the craft came alongside the jetty. Welcomed by Thousands Ashore. . The Royal visitors were received by the Governor-in-Chief and Lady Stubbs, the Chief Justice, Sir F. C. A. BarrettLennard, and other prominent people. lS ,The Duke was dressed in naval uniform. He inspected the guard of honour, which was furnished by the Green Howards. The Duke and Duchess, followed by the reception party, drove through the flag-festooned streets of the city between rows of hat-waving and cheering people, whose black iaces and flashing teeth contrasted strangely with the infrequentlyseen English and American people, the cordiality of whose welcome, however, was no less vociferous. During the drive the Royal couple stopped twice to be welcomed by great gatherings of 10,000 elementary school children, who waved flags and shrilly sang the National Anthem. The Duke and Duchess acknowledged the welcome of the children and thus completed the happiness of the mothers and fathers who were proudly watching the scene. On reaching the theatre the Duke inspected a naval guard of honour to the accompaniment of another great roar of cheering from the assembled thousands. Felicitous Speech by Duke. At the theatre addresses encased in caskets made from Jamaican wood were presented to the Duke, one on behalf of the island by Mr. Jelf, and the other on behalf of the city by the Mayor, Mr. Da Costa. In responding the Duke said the loyal sentiments contained in the addresses would be presented to His Majesty. lie felt he was not a stranger, because he would always retain the happiest memories of his first visit to the island in 191j5 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 and know the needs of those who dwelt overseas. Thp splendid part the Jamaicans had played in the war was not forgotten. The Duke promised upon his return to do everything possible to promote the interests of the islanders and to foster a spirit of understanding between the Mother Country and her daughter. l'he Governor-in-Chief presented the Duchess with a bouquet of orchids, which harmonised with her beautiful dress of bois du rose crepe de chine. Rousing cheers were given as the Royal visitors left for the residence of the Governor-in-Chief. There the Duchess inspected a troop of Girl Guides. The Duke played tennis and afterwards attended an official dinner given by the Goveruor-in-Chief and a reception at which 2000 guests were presented to him.