COLOURFUL PAGEANTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 April 1935, Page 4

COLOURFUL PAGEANTRY.

ARRIVAL OF LORD GALWAY WARSHIPS’ ESCORT INTO PORT. DRESSED WITH MASTHEAD FLAGS. AIR FORCE MACHINES OVERHEAD. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. Colourful naval pageantry signalised the arrival at Wellington to-day of Viscount and Lady Galway. The northerly gale of Wednesday night had given way to a fitful breeze, and the Vice-Regal entry was made in brighter sunshine. . The Rangitata was unable to arrive m time to enable the original programme of welcome to be carried out to-day. Nevertheless she arrived in ample time for an impressive entry into the port escorted by H.M.S. Diomede and H.M.S. Leith, which met the liner near Sinclair Head about 3 o’clock. When about a mile away both warships fired a salute of 19 guns, each ship dressing with masthead flags simultaneously. Lord Galway could be seen on the bridge of the Rangitata as the salute was fired. Approaching the harbour, the Diomede took station ahead of the liner, and the Leith went astern. At the heads the ships were joined by an aerial escort of three Hawker Tomtit planes flying in formation. t ' As the Rangitata, moving to her berth, came abreast of the Diomede a parade of Royal Marines presented arms, while the cruiser’s band played the National Anthem, Lord Galway taking the salute. The Rangitata berthed shortly after 5 o’clock.

WELCOME BY PRIME MINISTER.

MESSAGE RECEIVED BY RADIO.

Wellington, Last Night.

From Viscount Galway this afternoon was received the following text of a wireless message sent him by the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes:“I greatly regret I shall personally be unable to meet you on your arrival in New Zealand. I can assure you and Lady Galway that a very warm welcome awaits you both, and that all sections of the people look forward with the greatest pleasure to meeting you. I trust the strong Briitsh sentiment and firm loyalty which exists among the King’s subjects in this unit of the Empire will serve to lessen the wrench of leaving your homeland, and that you and Lady Galway and your family will thoroughly enjoy your sojourn in the Britain of the south. Mrs. Forbes joins me in the kindest regards—George W. Forbes.”