CHRISTCHURCH PREPARATIONS

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 146, 21 June 1901, Page 5

CHRISTCHURCH PREPARATIONS

SPOILED BY HEAVY RAINS,

PROGRAMME FOR TO-MORROW.

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

CHRISTCHURCH, this day.

The -weather is slowly clearing, but decorations present a bedraggled appearance, the result of yesterday's heavy .rain. Workmen are incessantly employed at the various arches, all of which are in an unfinished state. The streets are, however, beginning to look gay with bunting and greenery. Strong indignation is displayed by citizens and the press at the tawdry nature of the decorations of the Government Post Office buildings. It is asserted that the transparencies of the King, Queen, Duke and Duchess, placed over the eastern facade are mere outrageous daubs, hideous in colour, and bad likenesses. The authorities, meanwhile, have covered the pictures with muslin.

The city is swarming with volunteers and eaclets. It is intended to form one brigade, all cadets, in naval uniform. The stands erected are certified as being safe, but only a few seats at Victoria Square have been bought, while in the park stand for the review every seat is sold.

The grounds of Te Koraha were brilliantly lit by incandescent gas lamps last night. A trial of the illuminations in the city Cathedral Tower provided a brilliant spectacle, though the cross will be illuminated only by searchlight.

The following is the programme for to-morrow:—The Ophir arrives at Lyttelton, accompanied by the St. George und .Juno. She will be received at the o\iter anchorage by the warships now in port, and met at the Heads by the Lyttelton fleet, which will form a procession. Royal salutes will be fired by the squadron and by the battery, and a welcome peal will be rung by all bells in port.

Their Royal Highnesses disembark at 11.30 a.m. The Governor, Premier and Ministers will be present at the landing". The Mayor of Lyttelton and the Chairman of the Harbour .Board will be presented.

The Royalties will immediately entrain, and will arrive at, Christchurch at noon. A Royal salute will be fired by the E Battery.

The Mayor welcomes the Duke and Duchess, and presents the citizens' oddress. The Royal pi-ocession forms and proceeds through Manchester, High, Colombo and Worcester streets, to the Provincial Chambers, where the Mayor and Councillors attend. Other addresses will then be presented.

The Duke replies and proceeds via Gloucester and Colombo streets to Victoria Square, where he lays the foundation stone of the Canterbury Jlubilee Memorial. The friendly societies, in the procession, march past, and Their Royal Highnesses drive through Victoria and Salisbury streets, Park Terrace and Carlton Mill Road to Te Ko raha. Dinner at Te Ivoraha at eight. Reception by the Mayor at the Agricultural Hall at 9.45.

Their Royal Highnesses view the Illumination of the city and listen to music by the various bands.

On Sunday Their Royal Highnesses attend the morning service at the Cathedral.

The cadets attend afternoon service at the Cathedral.

The Bishop preaches on both occa sions.