PRESENTATION TO THE DUCHESS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 95, 23 April 1901, Page 2

PRESENTATION TO THE DUCHESS.

The committee of ladies engaged in arranging a memento of the Duchess of Cornwall aud York's visit to Auckland, met this morning in Mrs Alexander's tea-rooms. A telegram was received from His Excellency the Governor, saying that he would submit the proposed design of a handsome greenstone casket to H.R.H. Princess May. A house to liou.se collection was decided on. Any country districts not yet communicated with, are requested to write to ihe Secretary, Mrs Lawry. Grafton Road. THE CITY ARCHES. . Several more designs for the city arches have been received. The whole question of designs will be dealt with in a day or two. 1. ECEPTION ARRANGEMENTS

The sub-committee to arrange matters concerning the reception platform and the fireworks display moot at 11 d'clock to-morrow, while the Art Committee are called for 4 o'clock at tbe Council Chambers. On Thursday the Finance Committee meet at 11 o'clock. A.PEAL OF BELLS. Mr John Holmes, Government Commissioner, has telegraphed to the Mayor, suggesting that steps be taken to have all the church and school bells rung when the Royal party arrive in Auckland. Mr Holmes hopes that similar steps will be taken in the other centres of the. colony. THE MAORI GATHERING. The ITon. J. Carroll, Native Minister, who left for Wellington to-day by the s.s. Mararoa, intends returning here in three weeks' time in order to re-visit Rotorua and see that the arrangements for the big Maori meeting to welcome the Duke and Duchess of York are proceeding all right. The natives from various x_arts arc expected to assemble at Rotorua about a week before the day fixed for the reception of Royalty. They are expected to bring large food supplies with them, including kumaras, potatoes, fish, shellfish, pigs, preserved birds, dried eels. etc. Certain tribes have applied for special permission to shoot pigeons (this being the close season) for potting in "native fashion for consumption at the gathering. To-day Mr Carroll wired to the Colonial Secretary (the lion. ,1. G. Wa.rd) asking him to reconsider his decision re prohibiting the shooting of pigeons this season, as the birds are said to be unusually numerous this year, and in very* good condition. THE WAIKATO NATIVES AND TIIE DUKE. Mr Henare Kaihau, M.H.R., who was in town to-day, informs us that the Waikato natives are very anxious to give a fitting reception to the Duke and Duchess. He an<J other leading chiefs of Waikato propose to hold a big gathering of Waikato and West Coast Maoris at Ngaruawahia. with the object of greeting the Royal visito4~ in real old Maori style.and giving a series of war dances in fighting costume, and canoe parades and races. They would bring up the war canoe Taheretikitiki (which is at, present lying in a shed on Kaiwaka Island, in the Waikato River, below Tuakau), and many other canoes, the largest of which would be fitted up like Taheretikitiki. with figure heads and other decorations. A splendid display of canoes would be arranged, such as would never be again seen on tlie Waikato, and the Waikato would do their best to give the Royal visitors a vivid idea of Maoridom. Mr Kaihau reckons that several thousands of Waikato, West Coast and Taranaki people could be assembled at Ngaruawahia for two or three days, of which one day they hope will be spent there by the Rayol visitors. Communications are to be sent to the Governor and the Premier on the matter.