THE ROYAL TOUR

Gisborne Times, Volume LXV, Issue 10312, 22 January 1927, Page 7

THE ROYAL TOUR

GAY SCENES AT KINGSTON. FLAG-ITBSTOONED STREETS AND CHEEIRING CROWDS A. & N.Z.C.A. Special Correspondent KINGSTON (Jamaica), Jan. 20. Working absolutely to schedule, H.M.S, Renown this morning stood in from the Caribbean Sea, and, picking up the low-lying Palisades, threaded her way through the entrance, where the navigation is intricate and rounded Port Royal of infamous memory. She moved majestically up the sunlit harbor of Kingston to her .anchorage, followed by a Royal salute from the guns of the shore battery and two cruisers of the West Indian squadron, which waited dressed and manned to welcome her. The foreshore of Jamaica’s capital was fringed with the populace and backed by flagged houses peeping through trees already flickering in the heat and haze. >. The stately ceremonial of anchoring, never changing, but ever new, went forward apparently without effort. The Renown might have been some ancient mariner’s ship so little movement there seemed, either on hoard or through the water. As the cables roared through the hawsepipes she broke her flags, wreathing herself from stem to stern in bunting, -while the squadron’s guns thundered the Royal salute and the flagship’s hand played the National Anthem, the Renown not answering, according to the etiquette of the occasion. : ;; “Carry on” was the order till the official calls began. First Governor Stubbs, Secretary Jelf, and Colonel Mudge, officer commanding, the troops were welcomed on the quarter deck with a full guard, and paid their respects to the Duke of York. They were followed by the Admiral of the squadron.—A. and N.Z.C.A.

BLACKS, ENGLISH AND AMERICANS JOIN IN WELCOME: TEN THOUSAND SCHOOL CHILDREN GREET VISITORS (Received Jan. 21, 5.5 p m.) KNGSTON (Jamaica) Jan. 20. Kingston, on the arrival of the Duke and Duchess of York, left no doubt of her enthusiastic loyalty to the Throne. A public holiday had been proclaimed, the Government even prohibiting newspapers from publisliing. Everybody seemed abroad when the Duke and Duchess landed after lunch in the Royal barge. Cheering commenced ; as soon as the barge was sighted, and it- rose to a roar when the launch came alongside the jetty, where the visitors were received by the Governor and his wife, the Chief Justice, the Bishop, the Officer Commanding the Troops, the Mayor, the Vice-Admiral members of the Legislative Council and other dignitaries. The Duke, who was dressed in naval uniform inspected the guard of honor. The Duke and Duchess, followed by the Governor and others, then drove through the flag-festooned streets between hat-waving, cheering crowds, while the black races, with flashing teeth, contrasted strangely with the infrequent sight of the English and Americans, the cordiality of whose welcome was no less vocal. During the drive the Duke and Duchess stopped twice to be welcomed by a -great gathering of 10,000 elementary school children waving flags and shrilly singing the National Anthem. The Duke and Duchess’ acknowledgement completed the happiness of the mothers and fathers proudly watching the scene. ; On reaching the theatre, the Duke inspected the naval guard of honor, to the accompaniment of another great roar .of cheering from the assembled thousands—A. and N.Z.C.A.

DUKE'S HAPPY AIEAIORIES VISITED JAMAICA IN 1913 AS NAVAL CADET (Received Jan. 21, 8.15 p.m.) KINGSTON, Jamaica. Jan. 20. Responding to addresses in the theatre which were presented tjy the Hon. A. Jelf, Colonial Secretary, on behalf of the Island and by the Mayor, Air Da Costa, on behalf of the town, in caskets of Jamaican wood, the Duke said the loyal sentiments would be presented to His Alajestv. He felt he was not a strangger * because he -would always retain the happiest memories of his first visit to th Island in 1913 as a naval cadet, when he was shown the generous hospitality of Jamaica, one of the oldest and most interesting outposts of the Empire. There existed in England a genuine desire to understand and to know the needs of those dwelling, overseas. The splendid part Jamaica played in the war was not forgotten. The Duke promised that upon his return he would do everything possible to promote the interests of the Islanders, and to foster a, spirit of understanding in the Alother Country. * The daughter of the Governor presented to the Duchess a bouquet of orchids, harmonising with a beautiful dress of bois de rose and crepe de chine. Their Highnesses had a rousing send-off when leaving for the Governor’s residence, where the Duchess inspected the Girl Guides and the Duke played tennis. Afterwards an official dinner took place, followed by the Governor’s reception, at which two thousand guests were presented.—A. and N.Z. C.A.