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Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 9099, 18 March 1901, Page 3

The Duke of York— Prince George of Wales, as he was known when- he visited Australia nearly 20 years ago— is.now 35 years, of age— no longer the irresponsible midshipman, but the heir apparent to the greatest throne m the world. He was born m Marlborough House on June 3, 1865, only seventeen months after his elder- brother saw the light. With so small a margin between their ages the two boys were naturally great companions, and both of them, after the usual preliminary education, entered the Royal Navy together, chiefly, as we learn on authority, "with a view to the mental and moral training they would receive' as midshipmen m her Majesty's navy.". That was m 1877. They spent two years m the Britannia, and then joined the Bacchante, of whose voyages m all parts of the world sufficient memorial has been made m the two stout volumes m which their tutor, tho Rev. J. N. Dalton, recorded their adventures. It was during their connection with the Bacchatne that the Princes made the acquaintance with Australia, which the Duke of York is again to revive. Midshipman Prince George of Wales made himself popular everywhere lie landed m these colonies by his good humor and his freedom from any kind of "airs and graces." It was not on .him, but on Prince Edward that pebple looked as their future sovereign, and possibly this gave him a sense of freedom which otherwise he would not have enjoyed. Just about the time that he and his brother were being entertained m Sydney, the Prince of Wales was explaining to a large audience m London the reason which prompted him to decline the pressing invitation that he should visit Australia. "But though," he went on to say, "I have not been to Australasia, I have sent my two sons on a visit there ; and it has been a matter of great gratification not only to myself «and the Princess, but to the Queen ,to .hear of the kindly reception they have met with everywhere. They are but young, but I feel confident that their visit to the Antipodes will do them an incalculable amount of good." It was plainly intended that Prince George should devote his attention to naval matters ,and so, when the Princes had finished their lengthy tour m the Bacchante, he was promoted sub-lieutenant m 1884, m which capacity he served on H.M..S. Canada on the North American station. Next year he passed the examiation for lieutenant, and served then' m the Mediterranean fleet. In 1889 he was given his first command — that of a torpedo boat — and next year he commissioned the first-class gunboat Thrush, and m her performed the usual work of n captain on the North American station. Returning to England m 1891 he was prompted commander. He fell seriously ill this year, but happily. recovered, and m 1892 he was appointed to the command of the cruiser Melampus, exchanging this later after he had been promoted captain for the comand of the Crescent. Thus his career had been marked out for him. But all was changed by the unexpected death of his eldest brother the Duke of Clarence and Avondale m January of 1892. Into the particulars of this sad happening there is no need to enter, further than it changed at once the career of Prince George, or, as he now became, the Duke of York, Earl of Inverness, and Baron ■Killamey: A naval career was no longer open to him, and thenceforth his duty was to perform the social and other functions which the people require m a personage so near the throne. In May, 1893, he married his cousin, Princes Victoria Maiy of Teck, popularly and happily known . as Princess May. and has issue sufficiently numerous to put any doubt as to the succession out of the question. In 1894 the Duke was invited to visit Australia, but he found it impossible to get away from Europe. Since then his* life has been mainly a succession of social functions, m which he has borne himself with dignity and aptitude. He 'has frequently allowed it to be known that he has the most pleasant, recollections of his visit to these colonies and doubtless he is not. personally averse from the journey, with the high mission of opening on behalf of the Kin<? the first Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia.