FIRST PORT OF CALL

New Zealand Times, Volume LIV, Issue 12652, 12 January 1927, Page 11

FIRST PORT OF CALL

H.M.S. RENOWN AT LAS PALMAS ROYAL PARTY HEARTILY GREETED WELCOMED BY GOVERNOR By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright, iustrulian and NiZ. Cable Association (Special from the Renown.) (Received January 12, 0.30 a.m.) LAS PALMAS, Monday Night. To-day the Renown dropped anchor punctually outside Las Faunas, where a tanker was waiting to oil her for the long Atlantic trip. Salutes were exchanged by ship and shore. The fears that the Royal party would be unable to land were unfounded. The first official function was a call on the British Consul, with Captain Ferrer, of the Spanish gunboat Bonifaz, who is specially attached to the staff of the Duke by order of the King of Spain. The Consul and the captain paid their respects to the Duke ami Duchess of York in their apartments, and then them Highnesses left the ship in the Royal barge, which 'had a bright new coat of paint. The sea was lively alongside the gangway, and the ladies particularly found it difficult to board her, while the remains of yesterday’s swell still running made the trip ashore not particularly pleasant.

The Duke wore full naval dress, and the Duchess a simple white costume.

The harbour was gay with bunting, tho ships being all dressed. The Spanish Governor of the Canaries and other officials received them on landing, and crowds cheered them en route to the Queen Victoria Hospital, the Seamen’s Institute, and the British Club, where they met the British community. When returning to the Renown they were given an enthusiastic farewell by the Spaniards all along the streets. ’ In the evening they entertained tho Governor and other dignitaries aboard the Renown.