THE DUKE IN SYDNEY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21968, 27 November 1934, Page 6

THE DUKE IN SYDNEY

EIGHT ROYAL WELCOME CHEERING CROWDS IN CITY GAY AND COLOURFUL PAGEANT [from our own correspondent] ; .y ; SYDNEY, Nov. S3 ' On notable. occasions, such as a; Royal visit.' Sydney is famous for the glory of the pageant it presents. Itg. natural advantages are very much 1 : greater than those of any other cf.ty,'inf Australia, for its magnificent harbour makes a setting that will always be - « striking. Its people, too, are loyal and ever eager to pay homage to *. the great. Farm Cove, that tiny bay of beauty' from which can be seen the green and flowery slopes of the Botanic has been the scene of many famoijl landings, but seldom has the crowdbeen more enthusiastic than it was on , Thursday, when the Duke of Gloucester made his ceremonious entry into the city. With bright sunshine and a complete absence of wind, the weather was on its best behaviour. Thousands Of people had waited from dawn, and the spectacular nature of the display did not fail to thrill them to a degree which was responsible for a spontaneous outburst of cheering. »Only a Fleeting Glimpse In the great streets of the city people waited for hours for the coming of the Duke. Many of them had their breakfast in Martin Place, alongside the Cenotaph, where, later, the Royal visi- jf tor was to place a magnificent wreath of red poppies, simply inscribed. "In Memory, Henry." In order to he -ag t comfortable as possible, hundreds of people purchased fruit cases, at 3s, 4s and even up to 6s each, and used these as seats. But what- a disappointment was in store! The Duke rode quickly through the streets in an open carriage, led by a squad of mounted *4 troopers. The pace was so great that none had . more than a fleeting glimpse of the. King's son. In this respect the authorities blundered badly, and. there were many expressions of resentment. It is difficult to understand why -an event for which the people had waited for so • long should be bustled in the niannen that it was. Actually, it was plairaed | that the Royal progress through the city should occupy 45 minutes. When a rehearsal was held the day' before the mounted men did the journey m 41 minutes, and they had to do it again. On Thursday the journey through the city occupied but .17 minutes. Warm Sydney Welcome Be all this as it may, Sydney/gate the Duke a typically Sydney welcome. The narrow streets were decorated I with flags and bunting as they have never been decorated before. It is these narrow streets which make a Sydney welcome so intimate, so warm. The great streamers almost touched the Roj'al carriage in certain areas; and the people lining the fhoroughfares barely allowed room for the procession. Any resentment the crowd might have felt at the rapid passing of the Duke soon disappeared, and it was with the utmost good humour that the crowd watched the remainder of the procession, a dazzling array of decorated floats arranged by the Festival Committee. -.1 • • V'"' The streets were wonderfully gay with colour- Macquarie Street was, perhaps, more impressive than others, and there the gala pageant was seen at its best. People' filled the fronts of buildings like swarming bees. They were ad the parapets of the roofs; all the balconies, doorfe and windows were crowded. From the other side of the street, near the palms, it was an amazing sight. Skilful Array of Colours y The pageant was an achievement in artistic grouping and design, with colours skilfully arranged, decked with flowers, and beautiful women. Some of the tableaux were historical; others in j the spirit of carnival;! others symbolical. - ] The most charming effects were ob* j tained with flower decorations. Bands . ] played in the procession, and included j an unusually large pipe band, in ail ', I the glory of kilts. It is remarkable that not one motor accident was reported in the city pro j per during the whole day.