The Royal Visit

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 148, 24 June 1901, Page 5

The Royal Visit

CHRSSTCHUftCN FESTIVITIES

FEATS OF HORSEMANSHIP.

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

CHRISTCHURCH, Sunday

After lunch at Te Koraha yesterday the Royal paity went for a walk about Merivale, a suburb on the Avon, and later on they witnessed a display of wire jumping at Te Koraha, over fences three feet high, with five strands of black wire. Captains Lewin and Palairet, Liuuts. Wyudhain, Gray and Bethel, of the Anuiri Mounted 'itifles, and Colonel Penton took part in the jumping, which wus done sing-!y, in pairs, and in sections of five. Sergeant Ttibman, of the Canterbury Mounted Rifles, who was the Duke's orderly, gave a display of feats of horsemanship. His Royal Highness was much pleased.

THE MAYOR'S RECEPTION

On Saturday evening the Mayor held :i reception in the Agricultural Mail, which was draped in the Duke's colours. The larjje number of guests who attended were received by the Mayor, wearing his chain of office, ami Mrs Rhodes. The Royal party were expected at ten p.m., but did not arrive till twenty-five minutes to eleven. They proceeded through a lane of guests to a dais, and a short concert programme was gone through, the performers being Mrs Burns, Miss Graham and Messrs Wallace, Hugh Reeves and A. Millar. Afterwards their 'Royal highnesses moved through tlie crowd to their private room. The Duchess was dressed in black, and wore a diamond tiura, and her neck and corsage glowed with diamonds. The Duke was in evening costume. He shook hands with Mr Justice Denniston. The assemblage was a brilliant one, though the ladies wore half mourning. At half-pa3t eleven p.m. supper was provided for the guests. The reception was a noteworthy success.

THE ILLUMINATIONS

Light 7-ain fell on Saturday night, damping the enthusiasm of the promenading- crowds. The streets were illuminated throughout the city, special sights being the railway station the. frozen meat arch, the Government arch and the Cathedral spire. The latter presented n magnificent spectacle, being outlined in orange electric lights, while the cross, fitfully illuminated by a strong searchlight, glowed as if incandescent. It could be seen like a pillar of fire far across the plain. Of thp private illuminations the most striking were. W. Strange and Co.'s and Ballantyne ond Co.'s. There was no fireworks display.

SERVICE IN THE CATHEDRAL

This (Sunday) morning was delightfully Jine. cloudless, cold weather. Their Royal Highnesses and suite drove to the morning service at the Cathedral, the crowds cheering them all the way, the Duke responding affably to lh<? welcome. They reached the CathedruJ at ten minutes past eleven. The congregation filled the whole building. The service was very short, only oue lesson lH'ini>- read. Bishop Julius preached an excellent pennon, exactly twelve minutes long1. The service concluded at twelve. The front portion of the Cathedral was cleared for the Royal party, and two special seats, with desks, were provided for the Duke and Duchess, the suite occupying seats behind. The service was by Royal command. The Rev, A. E. Julius and Canon Harper assisted. A Sunday afternoon service for the cadets was held in the Cathedral, but there was a poor muster. After the morning service the suite ascended the spire of the Cathedral and expressed delight at the view of Christchurch.