KING'S OLD SHIPMATES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20869, 11 May 1931, Page 10

KING'S OLD SHIPMATES.

OPHIR'S ROYAL TOUR. REUNION AFTER 30 YEARS. Old shipmates who sailed round the world 30 years ago with the King and Queen —then Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York—on the first Royal tour of Empire, dined together in London on March 24, says the News-Chronicle.

Admirals and ex-stokers, former officers and crew of 11.M.5. Ophir, clasped hands in the common bond of " Do you remember?" Knights and able seamen chatted together as friends. A message of loyal greetings was sent to the King and Queen and the following reply was read by Lord Wester-Wemyss: " It gives pleasure to the Queen and to myself to receive greetings from our old friends in the Ophir assembled to-night to commemorate the thirtieth anniversary of that memorable Empire tour, of which we preserve the happiest recollections. " We thank you for drinking our health \and cordially reciprocate your good wishes. —George R. 1." Before " eight bells" sounded to call them to dine the old shipmates were found communing happily together. Whitehaired sailormen stared hard at each other, looked puzzled for a moment, and remembered. . . . "Well, if it's not Ned Blacket!"

" Ned " is the only man in the world who lias ever slapped porridge on the King's face! And the King only laughed. " It was the first time the King had crossed the lino," Mr. Blacket said. " I was the barber who had to lather the King with porridge. The King laughed and spluttered while I did it. Then we handed His Majesty over to the doctor, who dosed him with 'pills,' and then we threw him into the tank. Afterwards the King said to me, ' lon let me off lightly.' "

H.M.S Ophir, in which the present King and Queen made .their tour of the Empire, arrived at Auckland on June 10, 1901. The King was then Duke of Cornwall and York. The title of Prince of Wales was conferred on him after the conclusion ot the tour.