The Wellington Town Hall Laying Foundation Stone-

In the afternoon their Royal Highnesses rove from Government House to the centre f the city, to lay the foundation stone of tie Town Hall in Lower Cuba-street. The oute was again thronged with people, who heered not only the Duke and Duchess, but he Governor and other notabilities. At the ite thousands of people were accommodated m the public and private stands, and all he contiguous streets were crammed. On he platform were the Admiral, members of he .Ministry, Csuncilors, Judges, members >f Parliament, the Foreign Consuls, and ither notabilities, with many ladies. The ioyal party was received with the National inthem and a volley of cheers. An ode specially written for the occasion vas sung by the choir, the Garrison Band supplying the music. The Mayor, who, with the Councilors and icting Town Clerk, had been formally presented, then stepped forward and invited ;be Duke to lay the stone.. Mr Aitkeri said Sbey duly appreciated the sacrifice made by the Sovereiga in allowing them to come so far. He need not dwell on the loyalty of New Zealand, for he felt we were part of a great Empire, and were as much attached to the Mother Country as if living there ourselves. Up to now they had had no Town Hall, but as the town had developed through various stages from a village to a city of considerable dimensions, they thought the time had arrived to change things, and tbey seized the opportunity afforded by the Duke's presence to ask him to do them this great honor. The Duke was then presented with a trowel of green stone and gold with silver blade, a mallet oi New Zealand woods with a gold inscribed plate, and a level of gold with greenstom pendant. After going through the forms prescribed on such occasions, the Duke said : " ] declare this stone well and truly laid." Thi Duke then delivered a brief address, ii which he made reference to the coincidenci that the difficult task of arranging dates fo: the long voyage should have brought then to Wellington on the anniversary of Water 100. He was glad that in this way the nev hall would be specially associated with th< great Duke's memory, and with the glorioui victory that was the corner stone of a grea career. The Duchess and he would alway remember the splendid reception givei them in Wellington. The Duke's speech was received -wit! great applause, and after the Eev Pattersoi had offered up prayer the function ended.