THE ROYAL TOUR.

Wairarapa Daily Times, 27 January 1927, Page 5

THE ROYAL TOUR.

THROUGH PANAMA CANAL. AMERICAN WELCOME, Press Association- Electric Telegraph-Copyright. COLON, Tuesday. The Renown arrived at Colon at 6 o 'clock this morning, and was escorted into the harbour by the battleship Arkansas after an exchange of salutes. Daylight saw an entire fleet of aeroplanes from Franeefield Aerodrome circling over the Renown in squadron formation, providing an impressive welcome to American territory. No time was lost in entering the canal, and the Renown was well within the dredged channel before sunrise. Captain Braithwaite (British. Naval Attache from Washington) and the British Consul (Mr Ford) boarded the Renown while she was in motion, and were received by a guard of honour. Gatnn lock was reached at 7.30 o’clock, the big battleship being handled in the most efficient manner by an American pilot. The ship was held for some time at the lowest level, on account of the low tide, barely clearing the sides, while the necessity of waiting for sufficient water at Balboa also' caused delay in the actual entering of ■the locks. At the first lock Governor Walker, of Panama, General Martin, commanding the military, Admiral Day, commanding the naval district, and Admral Bans, from the Arkansas, and, ■their staffs, paid official calls on the Duke of York, and were received with all ceremonial on the quarterdeck. Afterwards the Royal party left the ship, and were received ashore by other dignitaries, and the band of the 14th Regiment played the National Anthem. The Duke inspected the. guard of honour, and the party was then taken a short way to see the Gatun spillway, which was specially turned on for their benefit, making a fine waterfall display. They returned in time to board the Renown at the upper level lock, proceeding across Gatun Lake. BALBOA REACHED. PANAMA, Tuesday. The passage of the Renown through the c-anal was uneventful. After leaving Gatun the ship passed through the other locks and was navigated across the Gatun lake expeditiously by a pilot. On arrival in Balboa the ships in harbour were dressed and two American submarines were manned. The whole community apparently turned out- to welcome the Renown which, as she drew near'the wharf where she was moored, broke-out- her flags, dressed ship and fired a salute. An official call on the Duke of Y r ork was made by the President of the Panama Republic and members of his Cabinet, the British Minister, and other dignitaries, who were received bv a full guard, the band playing the, Na.tional Anthem. ...s,?The evening of an arduous day .-s? as Spent by-tire “ Duke and Duebes&“=GJ>£ York anti- 'the 1 Members of s ,’; 'the ' Mali 7 as guests at a dinner fiiP’lije British Legation, fhfey'attended a.- reception, at whieK eight, hundred guests were present.'';' ! ARRIVAL IN NEW ZEALAND. ON FEBRUARY 22. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, Jan. 26. - The Duke- and Duchess of York will open their tour of New Zealand at Auckland on the, nrornin gof Tuesday, February 22, and will spend two busy days in the city. The Renown is expected in thed harbour at 5.30 a.m., and half an hour later the Governor-General and the Prime Minister will go aboard. The Royal party will then land, and the day will be occupied with official, welcomes and demonstrations by school children. A garden, party, at Government House and a civic ,“qt home ”- in ■ the evening will occupy the second: day-, of the visit, and that night the Duke apd Duchess will' leave for Russell in the Ronowni '. T ■' 1 •- •'' ' "' ■■■ " The Royal s visitors’will remain' in New Zealand until 6.15 p.m. on March 22, when they will sail from Bluff for Australia, after having spent exactly 2S days 9 hours 45 minutes iu the Dominion.