THE ROYAL TOUR.

Otago Witness, Issue 3802, 25 January 1927, Page 31

THE ROYAL TOUR.

i ON THE RENOWN. H.M.S. RENOWN, January 16. J Their Royal Highnesses and staff were the guests at an historic dinner in tne wardroom last night. This is probably • the only instance of a Royal lady dining in a warship’s wardroom. Their Highnesses afterwards* attended an officers’ entertainment at which the Duchess and the Countess of Cavan, with Mrs Gilmour, adjudicated on a Charleston competition. The Renown has now entered the tropical zone. The Royalties are interested jn the occasional flying fish, shoals of which . are likely soon to be encountered. The weather is now more pleasant, the wind having swung to the south and freshening after four breathless days. In consequence of the following breeze the decks are now dry, except for an occasional rain squall, one of which early this morning caught the Duke’s staff sleeping out on deck, and compelled a hurried retreat. The Duke to-day accompanied Captain Sulivan on an inspection of the ship. The Duke and Duchess, by the charm of their personality and graciousness, have captivated the whole of the ship’s company. ARRIVAL, AT JAMAICA. KINGSTON, January 20. Working absolutely to schedule, H.M.S. Renown this morning stood in from the Caribbean Sea, and, picking up the lowlying palisades, threaded through the intricate navigation entrance; rounded Port Royal of infamous memory, and moved majestically up the sunlit harbour of Kingston to her anchorage. This was followed by a Royal salute from th e guns of the shore battery and two cruisers of the West India Squadron, which waited, dressed and manned, to welcome her. The foreshore of Jamaica’s capital was fringed with the populace, backed by flagged houses peeping through the trees already flickering in the heat and haze. The stately ceremonial of anchoring, never changing but ever new, went forward apparently without effort. The Renown might have been the Ancient Mariners ship, so little movement there seemed to be either on board or through the water. As the cables roared 'trough 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 flagship’s band played the National Anthem, the Renown not answering according to the etiquette of the occasion. “Carry on” was the order till the official calls began. The first was made by the Governor (Sir Reginald Stubbs), the Colonial Secretary (Mr Jelf), and Colonel Mudge (Officer Commanding the Troops). They were welcomed on the quarterdeck with a full guard and paid their respects to the Duke of York. They were followed by the admiral of the squadron. SCENES OF ENTHUSIASM. KINGSTON, January 20. Kingston on the arrival of the Duke and Duchess of York left no doubt of its enthusiastic -loyalty to the throne. A public holiday had been proclaimed, the Government even prohibiting the newspapers from publishing. Everybody seemed to be abroad when their Royal Highnesses landed after lunch in the royal barge. The cheering commenced as soon as the barge was sighted, and rose to a roar when it came alongside the jetty, where the visitors were received by the Governor and Lady Stubbs, the Chief Justice, the bishop, the .officer commanding the troops, the mayor, the viceadmiral, the members of the Legislative Council, and other dignatories. The Duke of York, who was dressed in naval uniform, inspected the guard of honour furnished by the Green Howards. The Duke and Duchess of York followed by the Governor and others, drove 'through the flag-festooned streets between hat-waving, cheering crowds, in which black faces with flashing teeth contrasted strangely with the infrequent sight of English and Americans, the cordiality of yvhose welcome was no less vocal. During the drive their Royal Highnesses stopped twice to be welcomed by gatherings of 10,000 elementary school children waving flags and shrilling singing the National Anthem. The Duke and Duchess’s acknowledgment completed the happiness of the mothers and fathers who were proudly watching the scene. On reaching the theatre the Duke inspected the naval Guard of Honour to • the accompaniment of .another great roar of cheering from the assembled thousands. Responding to the addresses in the theatre which were presented on behalf of the island, and the town in caskets of Jamaican woods, the Duke said that the loyal sentiments would be presented to his Majesty. He felt that he was not a stranger, because he would always retain the happiest memories of his first visit to the island in 1913 as a naval cadet, when he was shown generous hospitality. Jamaica was one of the oldest "and most interesting outpost of the Empire. There existed in England a genuine •desire to understand and know the needs of those dwelling overseas. . The splendid part which the Jamaicans had played in the war was not forgotten. The Duke promised that upon his return he would do everything possible to promote the interests of the islanders and foster a spirit of understanding in the Mother Country. ' ie daughter of the- Governor presented to the ■ Ductless a bouquet of

orchids harmonising with her beautiful dress of bois de rose crepe de chene. Their Highnesses had a rousing sendoff when leaving for King’s House, the Governor’s residence, where the Duchess inspected the Girl Guides and the Duke played lawn tennis.’ Afterwards an official dinner took place, followed by the Governor’s reception, at which 2000 guests were presented. VISIT TO KINGSTON. - AN INTERESTING PROGRAMME. < KINGSTON, January 21. Last night’s reception and dinner proved quite an experience for the Duke and Duchess of York, who found the company representative of all sections and races in the community.. Hundreds of guests dined, and 2000 attended the reception. To-day’s programme is arranged with a view to allowing other residents in the island an opportunity of meeting their Royal Highnesses. Landing amid scenes only slightly less enthusiastic to that of the previous day, .the Royal party motored to the Spanish town,an old historic capital of the island. There they visited the Cathedral of St. James, and were interested in the inscriptions on the tombs, some of which dated back to the seventeenth century. After a meeting of notables, veiwing the Rodney monument, hearing the school children sing the National Anthem, the Duke and Duchess of York motored to several villages, through scenes which, with their gaily dressed negroes, as they visited the green banana plantations, must have reminded them of their African experiences. They lunched at Moneague, and then proceeded along beautiful scenery to Annadale, where the Governor held a garden party. The Royal party then went by train back to Kingston, and boarded the Renown, where they spent a quiet evening. BRILLIANT NIGHT DISPLAYS. KINGSTON (Jamaica), January 22. ' Kingston is still illuminated in honour of the Royal visitors, but the city found a rival last evening when the cruisers Calcutta and Colombo “lit ship” in honour of the Duke and Duchess of York. These vessels outlined their whole hulls, with funnels and masts in a brilliant electrical display. At the same time the Renowm showed the York Rose as .-ell as her own crest, a flaming flambeau, as the Royal visitors left the shore for the ship at the conclusion of the inland asit, the Renown fired a rocket and played her searchlight on the ducal standard st the masthead. The harbour, thereupon under soft tropical skies, blazed with light, making a most effective night display. To-day the Duke opened his busiest day with an unofficial visit to the Porto Royal old buccaneer headquarters, and at one time the richest city in Jamaica until an earthquake destroyed it, and the place is now only a ghost of its former greatness. There his Royal Highness met Mr Stubbs Mudge and other officers. The party was then taken to Fort Charles, in which in 1779 Nelson was then commander. He used to pace Mie ramparts as though on his own quarterdeck. They also visited the garrison church, where they were touched by many pathetic inscriptions on the tombs, recording the deaths of midshipmen, as young as 13 years, from fever or falls from aloft, etc. After a few minutes in the mess examining other old relics arid records, the Duke of York returned to the Renown to carry out official visits to the Calcutta and the Colombo, which, accompanied by all ceremonial appropriate to the occasion the Duke was piped over the side. All the ships and the Royal Guards were mounted, the National Anthem ./as played, and the crews marched past on their own decks. They then stood alert as the Royal barge moved from ship to ship. It was the most impressiv instance of naval ritual where tradition reflected in every item of .ae arrangements. The visits were over by noon, and ♦'he Royal barge immediately conveyed their Royal Highnesses ashore, where the enthusiasm of the welcome was unabated. They proceeded direct to the Ren/wn Club and the Sailors’ - Rest, both institutions being designed to help entc ain the sailors in Kingston. They then went to the cenotaph, where the Duke placed a magnificent wreath, in memory of the Jamaican soldiers who fell in the Great War.

The next function had also a military significance. This was the laying c* the foundation stone of Kingston’s war memorial. A short service was held in the parish church in the presence of a distinguished gathering. The memorial is in the form of a clock tower of dignified design, to take the place of one destroyed in the earthquake of 1907. ~ The musical portion of the service was a most melodious one. A small choir boy, with a shining black face above a correct Eton collar and white surplice, presented the Duchess with a bouquet of carnations. After viewing Vice-Admiral John Benbow’s grave, which is in the church, the Duke and Duchess of York motored through the crowds, which were as large as ever, to Trafalgar Park, where they took lunch with Mr Mudge and later attended a garden party, which was confined almost entirely to the naval and military sections of the community. In the evening the Royal party entertained about 40 of Kingston’s leading dignitaries at dinner. This was followed by a reception on the Renown’s decks, which were brilliantly illuminated land decorated, all- the resources of the ship being called upon 1 for the occasion.

These festivities will hardly be concluded to-night before the working parties will be hard at it swinging in the boats weighing anchor at dawn to-morrow and carrying out all preparations for (Sunday). MOVEMENTS OF THE RENOWN. The following programme for the voyage of the Duke and Duchess of York in H.M.S. Renown to New Zealand and Australia was officially announced by the Admiralty shortly before the departure of the ship. The dates, it should be noted, refer to the movements of th'* Renown, and not to those of the Royal party when travelling overland in New Zealand and Australia: —

ENTERTAINMENT IN SYDNEY. SYDNEY, January 20. The City Municipal Council voted the Lord Mayor £5OOO for expenditure in connection with the Duke of York’s visit. POINTS OF ETIQUETTE. OFFICIAL WELCOMES. WELLINGTON, January 19. ' The following announcement was made by the Government to-day in connection with the forthcoming visit of the Duke and Duchess of York :— During their visits to Auckland and Wellington their Royal Highnesses will stay with the Governor-General and Lady Alice Fepgusson at Government House. For the New Zealand tour their Royal Highnesses will be the guests of the Government. The procedure adopted in the course of the visit to the dominion of the Prince of Wales when the Governor-General was given precedence of His Royal Highness will be followed in connection with the forthcoming Royal visit, and the Governor-General will, therefore, not accompany their Royal Highnesses on their tour. The established usage in points of prescriptive etiquette is to the effect that it is not in conformity with modern practice for members of the Royal Family to accept gifts from societies or sections of the population in the case of official visits. Exceptions to this rule arc rare, and can only be considered after consulting the members of the Royal Family concerned. At official functions during the daytime morning dress is the correct dress for civilians actually taking part in the formal proceedings, or appearing on the platform with their Royal Highnesses. Alternately a dark lounge suit and bowler hat are usually worn. On all occasions when ladies and gentlemen are presented to their Excellencies and to their Royal Highnesses it is correct for ladies to curtsey, and for gentlemen to bow. At the formal civic welcomes in the four main centres, it is customary for the Mayor only, as chief magistrate, to make a speech after the reading of the address. At places other than the four main cities the Mayor, or chairman as the case may be, would read the formal address, but there should be no speeches. His Royal Highness has expressed a wish that speechmaking should be curtailed as much as possible, so that more time may be available for him to speak to individuals personally. It is laid down by regulations that when the National Anthem is played on the arrival of their Royal Highnesses at a function it should be confined to the first part only—namely, the first six bars. When played to mark the conclusion of a function or ceremony it should be played in full. THE CHRISTCHURCH PROGRAMME. QUESTION OF RACE MEETING. CHRISTCHURCH, January 20. The Royal Reception Committee has received a telegram from the Department of Internal Affairs stating that in iew of the programme for Christchurch agreed to the position in regard to a visit to a race meeting will ~be held over until after the arrival of their Royal Highnesses in New Zealand, when the committee will be definitely informed. The department has stated, that no definite information has been received in regard to the Renown going to Lyttelton. , The committee will be informed as ■ soon as a reply to a cable message on that subject is received. . STREET ILLUMINATIONS. LOCAL ARRANGEMENTS. Cr- J. 8.-Shacklock, chairman of. the Electric Power and Lighting Committee of Council, - states that preparations

are in hand for the decoration and illumination of the main streets. Rows of red, white and blue electric bulbs - will be stretched along the streets from Frederick street to Manse street, and a similar decorative scheme will be carried out in Stuart street and on the Town Hall. Greenery decorative effects will also be included. Mr H. C. Henderson, city electrical engineer, has charge of the lighting arrangements and Mr D. Tannock, superintendent of reserves,' will attend to the ' greenery decorations. The corporation is being assisted by the shopkeepers in the main streets. The Government is preparing * decorations for the old Post Office building and for the Telegraph building, the local Public Works Department having the matter in hand. Details have not yet been arranged, but it is proposed to illuminate the old Post Office and to decorate both that building and the Telegraph building. COST OF ENTERTAINMENT. ST. KILDA’S ENTERTAINMENT. At the meeting of the St. Kilda Borough Council last week, which was attended by the Mayor (Mr R. Hall) and ,Crs E. Longworth, H. H. Leary, J. Fleming, R Telfer, J Beattie, and T. D. Roy, a letter was received from the secretary of the committee cf entertainment in connection with the visit of the Duke anti Duchess of York (Mr G A. Lewin), asking if the council would be agreeable to contribute towards the committee’s funds. The writer pointed out that the City Council had voted £lOOO, and suggested that the surrounding, boroughs contribute on a population basis, as was done in 1 the case of the Prince of Wales in 1920. On such a basis, the contributions for the 1 city and the surrounding boroughs would 1 work out as follow: —Dunedin £lOOO, St. Kilda £lO9, Green Island £b2, Mosgiel £3l, Port Chalmers £42, and West Harbour £3O, making a total of £1244. With the Government subsidy of £1 for £l, up to £lOOO, the total amount available would thus be £2244, and with regard to subscriptions from boroughs, the Gov—nment had agreed to pass legislation next session validating payment. The Mayor said they could not do other than contribute their share and do their best to 1 make the reception of the royal visitors as 1 fitting as possible. He moved, and Cr 1 Fleming seconded —“That the council 1 contribute the £lO9 as suggested.” The 1 motion was carried unanimously. ! THE MAORI WELCOME. FESTIVITIES AT ROTORUA. AUCKLAND, January 21. J Rotorua is preparing to give the Duke and Duchess of York a fitting Maori wel- ’ come on a scale as magnificent and bar- ■! baric as the memorable receptions accorded the present King and Queen in I 1901 and the Prince of Wales in 1920. ’ While the civic authorities and European 1 residents will be participating whole- ] heartedly in the festivities, it is to Maoris 1 that town is looking to provide the great spectacular incidents of the visit. Complete details of the reception in store for their Highnesses are not yet available, as the plans have not been finally approved, but sufficient is known to. perceive that Rotorua’s manner - of welcoming the Royal visitors .will be of a unique and unforgettable character. Preparations for. the far-reaching event are now in progress, the scope and detail of plan being handled £ by Mr Tai Mitchell, one of the Arawa ' chiefs and chairman of the Arawa Trust J Board, and Mr H. R. H. Baineaves, who, t as private secretary to Mr Coates in his 0 capacity of Minister of Native Affairs, f will provide the personal link between tne j tribesmen and the Government. 1 Mr Baineaves, who is now in Rotorua, r is acting in close co-operation with Mr Mitchell, and'is confident that the wel- c come to be accorded their Highnesses will • be fully in keeping with the elaborate customs and traditional hospitality of the „ Maori race. { Desirous of securing an adequate repre- i sentation of the tribes, and, at the same i time, avoiding too great a congestion of Maoris in Rotorua, the organisers are inviting official nominees from every tribal unit in New Zealand to attend the ceremonies in an official capacity. These ( men will be specially picked to represent g the various branches of the Maori race, c and will be selected for their blood rela- * tionship to the great Maori tribes, their c personal accomplishments and their gene- J ral fitness to represent their kinsmen | before the Duke and Duchess. It is ex- i pected that 200 of these men, mostly chiefs, hailing from the North and Soutn 1 Islands, will assemble at Rotorua to do 1 homage to their Royal visitors. In addi- * tion to representative chiefs, it is ex- t pected that hundreds of Maoris from all c parts of the North Island will augment i the local Maori population. > The task of sheltering and feeding some £ 2000 to 3000 Maori visitors, besides the c resident villagers, is likely to test the ingenuity of the organisers to the utmost, but the Maori is never at a loss when it comes to lavishing hospitality on the . stranger within his gates. Even had the 1

Government ndt offered to relieve them of part of the expense, the measure of their generosity would not be left in doubt, but, as it is, a liberal contribution to cost of accommodating jthe visitors will be forthcoming from Wellington. The Arawas have offered to house those taking part in the reception in five of their villages, including Ohinemutu and Whakarewarewa, and this will relieve the orgaflisers of the necessity of providing outdoor accommodation at Arawa Park, as was done on previous occasions. Those villages have already abandoned their habitual appearance of slothful ease, and have, become regular hives of industry. Additional buildings are being erected,

existing whares enlarged, and sites prepared for the erection of marquees, while a general clean-up is proceeding simultaneously. Although time does not permit anything being done to put the m<»M village scheme into operation, the sightliness of pas should be very much improved by the time their Highnesses arrive. The Royal party will arrive at Rotorua by special train about 5.30 p.m. on Saturday, February 26. The initial welcome will take the form of presentation of aft illuminated address on behalf of townspeople. Their Highnesses will then proceed to their hotel, and after dinner will attend . a Maori indoor entertainment. Maori dances, including the haka and the poi dance, Maori songs, and other typical diversions will be given. Sunday has been set aside as a day of leisure, and it will depend upon their Highnesses’ wishes what form the day’s programme will assume. A special morning service will be held, however, in the Maori church at Ohinemutu, and in the afternoon it is probable that a motor trip will be made to some of the places of thermal interest, principally Whakarewarcwa, where the Duke and Duchess will view the geysers at play and watch the Maori cliildrcn diving for pennies. The great event of the visit will be the big Maori welcome at Arawa Park on Monday morning. The festivities are provisionally timed to commence at 9.30 a.m., and will take the form of a massed approach to the Royal stand of several hundred warriors in full war paint. Their Highnesses will be afforded the unique spectacle of a Maori powhiri on a tremendous scale to the accompaniment of war dances by the men, and poi dances by the women. Durifig the course of these primitive and exciting manoeuvres an address of welcome written in Maori and English, and framed in carved totara, will be presented to their Highnesses oa behalf of the combined tribes. Heaving the park at the conclusion or the powhiri the Royal party will proceed to the Government grounds, where at 11.30 a.m. the Duke will unveil the war memorial erected by the Arawa tribe in commemoration of their warriors who fought for the Empire in the Great War. This monument, which is in course of erection near the bath house, will consist of a handsome column surmounted by n statue of King George, and engraved with the names of the eight projenitors of the tribe and the names of those who served in the Maori Division during the war. Late in the afternoon the party will leave Rotorua by motor car for Taupo and Tokaanu, where they will go into camp for a day’s trout fishing. They will proceed on Wednesday, March 2,- by car for the National Park to join a special train for New Plymouth. It is stated iu Rotorua that an abundance of valuable gifts in the shape of native mats, baskets, weapons, and tribal tokens arc being prepared for presentation to their Highnesses. The lavish generosity or Maori# in this respect is legendary.

Arrive. Leave. Colon Jan.25 Panama Jan. 26 Nukuhiva, Marquesas Islands Feb. 8 Feb. 9 Suva, Fiji .. Feb. 17 Feb. 19 Auckland ! Feb. 22 Feb. 23 Russell (Bay of Islands).Feb. 24 Feb. 25 Auckland „ .. Feb. 28 Mdr. 3 Wellington .. Mar. 5 Mar. 9 Picton Mar. 9 Mar. 19 Off Patterson Inlet (Stewart Island) Mar. 21 Mar. 28 Sydney .. .. Mar. 26 Apr. 14 Hobart Apr. 16 May 20 Melbourne - .4. Apr. 21 May 12 Fremantle May 18 May 23 Port Louis (Mauritius) June 1 June 4 Great Hamish I. June 11 June 11 Suez June 15 June 15 Port Said June 16 Malta June 18 June 20 Gibraltar June 23 June 23 Portsmouth June 27