DUKE OF YORK’S TOUR

Taranaki Daily News, 31 December 1926, Page 13

DUKE OF YORK’S TOUR

FITTING' Otl'T THE RENOWN ROYAL GUARD 100 STRONG MUSIC FOR THE VOYAGE By Telegraph— Press Assn. —Copyright. Received Dec. 30, 5 5 p.m. London, Dec. 29. The detachment of Royal Marines on the battleship Renown consists of 150 rank and file and three officers. This is a larger number than is usual on a warship, but such is necessary because the Royal Guard consists of 100 and the band is 40 strong. The band is drawn from the Royal Naval school. The music is conducted by Lieutenant Pragnal), who has been specially promoted to the post. There is also a band of 10 drums and bugles, while a jazz band, formed out of the military band, will play the dance music during the voyage for th e Duke and Duchess of York and the officers of the Renown and the ship’s company, and while in Australia will play dance music ashore. The jazz band is an especially fine combination under Corporal Green, and ie regarded as equal to the bands of the leading London dancing, halls. To-morrow, the Renown's drab paint will disappear beneath a resplendent coat of pearl grey. An army of workmen is busy fitting out the Royal apartments, to which the final touches will only be given the day before the embarkation, a fascinating array of old naval prints, commonwealth’s plate, and a war-time ensign being arrayed in the state rooms,