DUKE OF YORK’S TOUR

Taranaki Daily News, 7 January 1927, Page 9

DUKE OF YORK’S TOUR

THE RENOWN NOW READY PREPARATIONS FOR DEPARTURE. THE CEREMONY DESCRIBED. By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright. Received Jan. 6, 7.35 p.m. The Duke and Duchess of York’s cabins are completely ready. They are now sealed and will not be opened till the Duke and Duchess enter them. The Renown is still a scene of greatest activity, the crew being busily engaged in burnishing the brass and silver fittings and scrubbing the decks. This afternoon was devoted to a rehearsal, in which Captain Sullivan represented the Duke while a midshipman commanded the battle-cruiser. The ceremony was executed with the customary naval precision. Hundreds of townspeople were assembled on the jetty watching the preparations and admiring the Renown, which is looking her best in a coat of Mediterranean grey. The Duchess spent the greater part of to-day with the infant Princess Elizabeth, despite the extraordinary demands upon her time. It is known she feels keenly leaving the baby, which will be largely cared for by the Queen. There are continuous telephone calls all day at Bruton Street, and within 'wo minutes the butler answered the

or seven times to receive telegrams, many of which eame from girl friends in the Highlands.

It was suggested that the Renown's departure should be broadcasted throughout England, but this is prevented by a difficulty in the provision of lines through the dockland. When the Renown steams out of Portsmouth, it is estimated that 250,000 people along the coast near the port will wave farewells to the Duke and Duchess. The crew to-day completed the finishing touches to the ship.

The Earl of Cavan was carried aboard. It is not expected that he will regain the full use of his legs till he crosses the Line. When the train arrives with the Duke and Duchess they will be received by the Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire, the Mayor of Portsmouth, the General Officer in Command, and other high naval and military officers. As soon as this informal reception is over the Duke and Duchess will ascend the carpeted gangway and, when they reach the quarter-deck, the trumpeters will sound a fanfare. The Duke’s personal standard will be hoisted, and Captain Sullivan and his officers will be drawn up and presented. They will then conduct Their Royal Highnesses through their apartments. The Prinee of Wales and his brothers will bid farewell to the Duke and Duchess in the cabin, and when they leave the gangway will immediately be taken up and the Renown will depart. A special area of the jetty alongside the Renown will be reserved exclusively for relatives and friends of the ship’s company.

When the Renown leaves its berth all warships in the harbour will man ship. There will be naval guards drawn up on each side of the harbour entrance and the garrison battery will fire a Royal salute, while the warships will fire a passing salute and their crews will give three cheers. Destroyer and flying boat escorts will join the Renown in the South Passage. The flying boats will continue as far as St. Catherine’s Point, but .the destroyers will not turn back till sundown. TROTTING MEETING ARRANGED. Timaru, Last Night. At a meeting of the Timaru Trotting Club to-night it was decided, as the result of an application from the New Brighton Trotting Club, to alter the date of its race meeting from March 12 to March 26 to allow the New Brighton Club’s race meeting on March 12 to entertain the Duke and Duchess of York. THE FAREWELL DINNER. By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright. London, Jan. 5. Their Majesties’ farewell dinner to the Duke and Duchess of York will be a family affair, covers being laid for only nine, including the Earl and Countess of Strathmore. It is stated that the Renown carries full ammunition and war stores, and could be diverted to China if necessary. RENOWN IN FIGHTING TRIM. I London, Jan. 5. The Renown is so equipped that she could drop the Duke and Duchess of York and their suite overboard at any moment, elose the hatches and start fighting. It is pointed out that if the China situation is sufficiently serious when the Renown is in the Pacific, the Duke and Duchess could be transferred and the Renown hasten to Chinese waters. The machinery has been well tested since reconditioning by service manoeu vres with the Atlantic Fleet.