THE RENOWN.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 22 March 1927, Page 8

THE RENOWN.

PASSES TIMARU LAST EVENING WAITING THOUSANDS DISAPPOINTED.

Keen was the disappointment in Timaru when it was made known that Her Royal Highness, the Duchess of York, was not to accompany the Duke on his South Island tour, and thousands of citizens, young - and old, were subjected to further disappointment, last night when H.M.S. Renown steamed down the coast fully an hour ahead of “schedule” time. On Saturday last the Mayor (Mr G. J. Wallace) communicated with the Hon., P. J. Rolleston, requesting him to endeavour to get ihe Renown t.o alter her course and pass as close to Timaru as possible, and, if weather conditions permitted, to give a searchlight display. A reply was received that the captain of the battleship liad been askpd to stand in close and give a display, the time being fixed at between 8 and 9 p.m. As the conditions last night were well nigh perfect, citizens turned out in thousands. Stafford Street, from the Hydro corner to the overhead railway bridge, was packed with people, and hundreds of cars lined the roadway. The Bay was also crowded with people, while many mope took up vantage points on the Marine Parade and along . the wharves. In order to entertain the crowds until the vessel put. in an appearance, the services of the Municipal Band were secured, and a programme of music was provided. Patiently the people waited until about 9 o’clock, when the hews—for a long time refused credence —gradually spread that the vessel liad been and gone, and the crowd, although reluctant to move in case this information proved incorrect, gradually dispersed. The warship was sighted from Timaru shortly before 6 o’clock, and by G. 4 5 she was well inside tlie Bay. The few people who were abroad at that hour witnessed a fine sight, the ship being brilliantly lighted from stem to stern. She steamed in a semi-circle round the Bay, and a few minutes before 7.30. proceeded on her way south. Six searchlights were brought to play, but the night was not yet dark enough to make the display brilliant. When he learned that tlie Renown had arrived a hour earlier than anticipated, the Mayor communicated with St. Saviour’s Orphanage, the two High Schools, and as many other places as was possible, acquainting them with the fact.

While the ship was in full view, opportunity was taken by the Mayor, through the harbour master (Captain D. McDoagall) to despatch a farewell message to Her Royal Highness, the Duchess of York. The message read:- —- ‘Timaru greets Her Royal Highness with earnest hopes for restoration to health, and wishes lier and the Duke Godspeed on their great mission.” The reply came back: “To the Mayor, Timaru — “Her Royal Highness thanks .you sincerely for your kind message, and regrets she could not see you all in person, but wishes j'ou the best of luck. —Cavan.”

The message from Timaru was flashed to the ship from the main lighthouse, this being the first time, to the knowledge of the harbour master, that the actual lantern of a lighthouse had been used to signal a ship. Timaru’s final message, sent out as the Renown was under way, was: “Will Ye No Come Back Again? Kia Ora.”