ARRIVAL OF THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH IN MELBOURNE.

Press, Volume XII, Issue 1587, 7 December 1867, Page 2

ARRIVAL OF THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH IN MELBOURNE.

[Compiled fmjgfif " 118 -"] ..- H.M.sAJrigatalGalatea arrived in Hobaon'aißay, under othe command of his Eoyal Highness the Dulse of Edinburgh, on Saturday, November 23i The Galatea left Adelaide oa the ' morning of the 21st inst., was tele-i * graphed off Cape Ofcway at halfcpast "five a.m. on Saturday, and with great J punctuality arrived &% Queenecliff j shortly before noon. At thirty minutes past ten a.m. on Saturday, j and when about four miles from Port • Phillip Heads, she was descried from J the pilot-cutter Corsair, of No. 1 Com- * pany. The wind during the night had ( been blowing strong from the S.W., 6 and there was a high sea on, but the | Galatea did not seem to feel it much. J In the grey cloudy morning , she loomed immensely large in the die- k tance, but on nearer approach her * apparently huge outline was qualified l . by eminently graceful proportions, E and she lookeda ship: fit to be com- ' manded by ""a* Eoyal captain. On * nearing the Gbrsair the Galatea lay to, ; and was boarded by Mr Pilot Bower, *

who had the honour of bringing rt fl Eoyal frigate into port. Ships of war belonging to foreign powers have also anchored in Hobsou's Bay, aud in „ exceptional instance—that of th Russian frigate Bogatyr -compared favourably in appearance with th representatives of the British navy! but it may be affirmed with safety th I no ship of war like the Galatea, eitlJ British or foreign, has ever visited these waters. Her majestic prop 0r tione, her imposiug armament, and he" munitions of war, make her indeed ? formidable vessel, and one not to h" encountered, unless on equal term* 9 Her hull has the appearance of imi mense size and undoubted strength* combined with exceeding graceful' ness : of outline and symmetry" She is a noble specimen of IBritislC naval architecture. The Gove nor was the first to disced smoke between the ridge of hi X land which bounded the vision to th ' south, and then tall masts appeared 9 and every one made sure that there was no steamer but the Galatea whoa spars could show to such a height A few seconds settled the question' Tt was the Galatea, and as she eteamarf through the Heads she looked what she was—the finest specimen of marine architecture that ever entered ou waters. Her massive hull loomed large, stately, and with a sort of majestic grace, the effect of which *as heightened by her taunt masts,;etraiok as arrows, her rigging taut and -tnm and her line of white ports, beneatfc which the modern dogs of war p ro , truded their terrible mouths. JjL sail was set, and nothing movetl amid her yards and spars but a 9 ensign, indicative of the Admiral of the White, to whose squadron she belonged, the thin folds of smoke "from her two funnels, and motf-Whita wreaths of steam from her escape, pipe. The Galatea made no sign as she moved slowly, and with a : sort of conscious grandeur, into Port Phillip Bay. A puff of white smoke and a distant boom then announced the first .Royal salute given, from the shore battery at Queenscliff -by the >local corps, under the command of Captain Snee; but still our visitor lay silent and still. Then the Victoria thundered out her salute, with yards ,njaonedj It was. given with admirable rapidity in three and a-half minutee; but' the Galatea, now hove to, answered fiot a shot. The steamers from Melbourne began to arrive to (form the escort, and the air was darkened by their smoke. Captain Norman had been introduced at once to his Koyal High, ness, whom he asked to alldw his vessel to be escorted to Hobson's Bay by the steamers which had come, and those which, were coming. "The Prince said he would willingly do so, but that he was hurried to get to hie anchorage ; and he asked whether Captain Norman brought...',any ad« dresses ? Then it came out thai the ; eager folks *f .Queenscliffe-had done what they had 'threatened—-%id gone on board the oalatea and presented their address. It seems that the Prince was annoyed at the untimely intrusioß, and did not scruple to tell Cfcpt&in Norman that he did not wantapy jncra addresses just then, having to attend to the navigation of his ship. However, the Prince, mii\ Lo would rat awhile for the escort, and also expressed himself happy to receive his Excellency. The Governor, and suite then proceeded on board the (Palates, By this time, the escorting steamers were crowding round, and there was fast and furious signalling for some time. Then the pinnace of the Tic« toria again started for the Galatea, Captain . Norman accompanying tho Vice-regal party. The Royal steamer lay .impressive end mute, not s man visible on her decks, cave & marine standing sentry, three or four oflkera on her quarter-deck, and two figures on her bridge; but as his Excellency approached, there came euddenly a sajute of seventeen guns, each ired at intervals of five seconds, with a rapidity that made one wink. Starboard and port lines of steamers were formed, and in very nearly the order of the programme. It was-not; easy to see which was which , , but we could make , out enough to say, that there were the Tararaa, Gothenburg, Edina, Eangatira, You Tangß, Besolute, Titan, Bendigo, Aldinga, Coorong, Barwon, Derwent, Eero, Southern Cross, Taamanian, City of Adelaide, &c. In the meantime, the Victoria steamed close under the stem oi tho Galatea. A nearer view only increase* the sentiment of admiration ahead? formed. This was a vessel oC war indeed, bo serviceable, so clean, sP*\ ca M and so ready did she look. The'Priwe stood on the bridge, ecarcely distinguishable save by the four stripes on his arm, and his occasionally raising his cap to acknowledge the cheering. In a few minutee more all waa is order; the oalatea, greeted with sounding cheers and dipping ensigns, steamed* majestically through the lie?; and the whole fleet commenced the borne ward trip along the Southed channel. It was soon evident that 8" the steamers could niot keep up, »na 8 few disorders occurred, which.were remedied by.the excellent fbeliog <» the various captains,, who promptly obeyed signals. At times the tiouibera Groas steamed too much s fl! j left the Hera behind, but in the order was eliminated from thechaoso* confusion* Tbe Victoria and the otbo? fkst steamers went at Blackened sp ee jv and though many of .the smalle? boflw could only-put in,an appearance ori too horizon, the test part of the managed to , keep well together. Some* times two vessels would come.BO nea»y together as to be within earshot, * few rough complitcients passed. v during all this the Galatea, steaming powers appeared; to %*'£s than those of any of the ing the eacort, had gone far■ ahead, *n° was at one time almost t u U Some thought she would outstrip «» escort a 8 e L approached (abput four p.m.; su stayed a while till the others m e *g Upon thie the Victoria signal the otfoerurto come closer," sn<i w feJxekJwejAbeam. While the spires of Melbourne and tho JW™. |

nftnesl#iiai; aricßo* loomed through JjLfcftzer and the—fleet-entered HobSJ,t nightfall tlie Victoria fired a • -fitgnal gun, and immediately the vessel Gcame one blaze of light from stem to stern. Blue-lights were attached to each yard, which at a given signal instantaneously lit. She was (shortly followed by the Pharos, and from both steamers commenced a discharge of fireworks, which lit up the calm waters of the bay, and cast a .momentary glare around. Some other chips in the bay, including the hulk Deborah, joined in the discharge of fireworks, but the illuminations were not general. The Superb, at the Sandridge er » *k 0 White Star and the Champion of the Seas at Williamstown, up with lanterns suspended ; jjfoan the yardarms. 33ie Galatea had not fairly anchored •off the quarantine ground when up came the Queenscliff boat, containing Captain Charles Kennedy, the mayor of Queenscliff, accompanied by Councillor Captain Caught, and other members of the borough • Council. (They were received by the Prince's equerry, who introduced them to the commander's private cabin. His Uoyal Highness then came below, and the mayor, stating the object for which the deputation had come, jead the address which had been prepared. The Prince replied in a few words, expressing pleasure at his cordial welcome, and then the deputation returned to Queenscliff. On Saturday evening there was a display of fireworks at St. Kilda, and a bonfire was lighted on Mount Erica, which was seen from an immense distance around. __ On. Monday, the 25th November, """" the festivities belonging to the welcome began with the dawn. The shops and places of business were all fast closed except where they fronted the line of procession, and were just opened for gala visitors. Gay, indeed, everything was. It is impossible to tell of the flags that waved from every roof, the festoons and arches of green that v ornamented countless windows, balconies, and verandahs, or the other A modes of ornamentation by which the loyalty of the people found expression. The holiday keeping was without form, except perhaps at Parliament Houses, where the sudden of the Legislature to adopt addresses to the Prince, brought together not a few of those who were to take part in the Royal reception. Thither went the Governor and suite, and legislators, large and small, eager to get through the formal business, and be in time for the landing at Sandridge. We need not now tell what Parliament did—how Ministerialists an<| Opposition alike displayed a big tone of feeling, and united to show of what loyal stuff our colonial politicians are made. By eleven a.m. > there was a general streaming towards the various points of view, and we will not further particularise the thousands and tene of thousands of people, all in holiday dress, pressing to their places and animated by the uni- ,., versal sentiment. Long lines ofi ' school-children, the girls in blue and ■"white, and the boys as fine ac they could be, volunteers, in marching , order, memjbers of friendly societies, glorious in, rosettes and sashes, and men and women of. all ages, dress, and degree, bent their steps in one direction; and from Melbourne and Sandridge was one scene of hustle, evergreens, flags, banners, -arches, stands . for spectators, policemen, horses carriages, and cheerfulness. .-r:r3}he daywas -fine, the wind blew cool, and all- was blitheness, animation, rejoicing, and the flashing of many ''eblotire. . _ .1 .The gate of the railway reserve open- ■..' ing into Beach street was the entrance, , and from thence and the terminus to the ordinary landing-place of the Williamstown steamers, on the left side of the pier, was appropriated to - the ceremony. A guard of honour of the 14th Regiment formed the two - Bides of an avenue along the space ■>: ■ from the landing stairs to where " .the carriages were in waiting, and ■* the planked floor was covered with flight brown canvas. Bound the •• stairs were the notable ones of the -!!; colony, members of Parliament, judges, •- foreign consuls, leading officials, and '.'. : ministers of religion, and distinguished »' \ colonists. Down the railway and town v piers, the crowded vessels alongside 1* Showed ;their colours, and looked gay; : i eeaward the ships at anchor were .! ornamented witn bunting of all colours; and .near at hand was the • Victoria as fresh as paint, and looking ■ : every inch . the serviceable little warsloop she is, her yards manned, and her stock of bunting prodigally displayed. In the distance lay the ■• Galatea,herhugeproportionsßplerididly ■ prominent, and an almost countless —, number of email craft and steamers • ;; surrounding her like a cloud. At a — minutes before twelve it could be "..! leen through a good : glßtsa that the " Prince; was leaving ibis vessel. Her •• ■ yard's were manned,h£r, colours were \\ j flyifig, and a flash from her port side • announced that the disembarkation "ihadr begun. Quick and prompt was H the reply from the Victoria, and the <-; answering salutes were fired gun for ;,; j gun. "For; a while .the Royal vessel •» wast l° Bfc *° «ight in the smoke of her *!] firing, and Iwhen it cleared the Prince's *• $arge, carrying the Royal standard in n ■ ier bow, and accompanying boats, were ! : Been in full course for shore. - The landing was as simple as might 1:; .be. The crowd round and about <• hardly raised their voice as they saw a young gentleman in morning costume . walk up the steps. A second glance realized matters, and the air pealed with the cheering. The Prince was very quietly dressed, and after being received by the Governor, walked up the pier to the carriages, members of the Government and Reception Com- ; mission, members of Parliament, and : military and naval officers following. Every step he took was a signal for fresh cheers, and his was a Royal progress indeed. At the shore end of the ; he was met by the Sandridge '. ■ Council, the mayor (CouncS'%ps£brley), in a furred robe, and the

Town Clerk also gowned. They presented their, expressive of a hope that in the scene around him the' Prince would see a thousand evidences of our enterprise and prosperity. His" form and features reminded many of what the Queen, his mother, was five and twenty years ago, and though elightly constrained in his movements, he was sufficiently impressed with the scene to do it justice. His reply was simple, and if the cheering which followed the hreathlees silence that accompanied his speech may be taken as a criterion, it was highly effective too. He then moved to the carriages. The way thither was lined by members of the Eree Gardeners' Society, and a row of pretty girls in white and blue, who strewed flowers in his path ; one little thing, the tiniest of the group, presented him with a bouquet, and curtsied as she did bo with a most engaging childish grace. The Prince received the compliment gracefully enough. A guard of honour, composed of members of the Sandridge Naval Brigade, then presented arms. The Prince stepped into his coach and four, followed by his Excellency the Governor, Major-General Chute, and Mr Eliot York, the Boyal equerry, An escort of the Volunteer cavalry formed round the Boyal equipage, the carriages of those forming the procession joined in, and the whole set out on their journey, amid sounding cheers, the bands playing the National Anthem, and the multitude waving hate innumerable. The approach to Emerald hill furnished a fine spectacle. Its triumphal arch was an eminently handsome one, aud bore inscriptions of welcome. Beside it were enormous grand stands, one of which contained 2500 children, the other a nearly equal number of ladies. The air was resonant with the cheering, and when the children rose and sang " God save the Queen" the effect was indescribably impressive. At this point the friendly societies, drawn up in tremendously long array, took their places in front of the procession ; and the entire procession being now complete, was composed (in addition to the members of it who proceeded on foot) of about fifty carriages, in the following order:— Carriage of the "Argus." The carriages containing his Boyal Highness and the Governor, followed by two of the Governor's carriages, conveying the perBonal staff, and the carriage of MajorGeneral Treror Chute. The members of the Government." The members of the Royal Reception Commission. Member* of the suite of his Boyal Highness. Members of the iuite of hie Excellency the Governor and the Consuls. The members of the Executive Council. The Judges. Members of the Legislative Council. Members of the Legislative Assembly. The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Melbourne. The Mayor and members of the Council of the Borough of Sandridge. The Mayor and members of the Council of the Borough of Emerald Hill. On the terrace in front of the Treasury buildings a superstructure of wood had been erected, which left a canopied dais for the Boyal party, and seats round for those entitled to that honour. These, and the wide flight of steps in front, were covered with crimson and blue cloth, all new and gorgeous, and on each side were masses of ferns and other freeh green ehrubs. We cannot say one word in praise of the general' effect, which was gaudy and meretricious in the extreme; but the broad mass of colour constituted a most imposing feature of the spectacle. ! On either side were the Executive t Councillors, members of the Legislature, the Judges, heads of religious ! denominations, foreign consuls, members of the City Council, and some of the suburban borough councils ; Commander Norman, of H.M.C.S. Victoria ; Commander Wilkinson, 8.N., of the Admiralty survey; the vicechancellor and professors of the Melbourne University, and others; and behind them were benches for as many ladies as could be accommodated. Most of the gentlemen were in some sort of official costume; and the city aldermen and councillors appeared in their court-dress, including cocked hats. In, front, were in compact masses fully 30,000 persons, surging and waving backwards and forwards, as the police and soldiery strove to make them keep within bounds. The object was to secure space for the Prince's carriage, but it was only by almost superhuman exertions that this could be done. Concentrated masses of police, soldiery, and even the mounted police and the cavalry, joined in the efforts made; and it must be said for both sides that they kept their temper admirably. j Tremendous cheers rent the air when j the Prince left his carriage and took his stand on the dais. The Prince bowed his acknowledgments forafewmoments, and then retired inside the building, needing refreshment as much, perhaps, as any man in the world ever did. While in the Governor's offices the members of the Ministry and of the Reception Committee were presented to him. On his return members of the Legislative Council came forward*, I and the President read an address. j The Prince having replied, the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly read an address, to which a reply having been given, Mr M'Culloch came to the front of the dais, and called for three cheers for the Queen. It may be guessed with what heartiness the appeal was responded to, and also to another on behalf of the Duke of Edinburgh, and a third for the Governor. The Prince then descended to his carriage, and drove off amid repeated demonstrations of applause. At night the lighting-up of Fitzroy Garden in the evening with some thousands of coloured lanterns, produced an effect fully equal to the expectations which the public had formed regarding it. The spectacle was one of a character entirely novel to the Melbourne public, and the result aimed at and effected was something altogether different from the commonplace style of illumination. Coloured lanterns of simple form, the sides of which were made of oiled paper of different colours, were used to the number of 5000, and arranged in rows,

festoons, circles, and Mangles, so as Jfco. produce a spectacle as varied and picturesque as possible. All around the gardens the boundary line was marked by rows of those lanterns hanging from tree to tree. All the main avenues were lighted. In some of the elm avenues there was a lamp hanging from each tree, which there stand pretty closely, and the foliage of .which formed a dark green background; for ; the parti-coloured lights. Along other walks poles were placed up the sides, and wire lines extended from one to another with rows of lanterns suspended between them. Then other walks were illuminated by the rows of lanterns being hung across them, some being allowed to hang slackly in curved lines, and others being arranged so as to form an angle with the apex pointing upwards. OFFICIAL PBOGBAMME. Thursday, November 28. The Port Phillip Farmers' Society's Show at twelve noon. The Free Banquet at two o'clock p.m. Fireworks in the evening. Friday, November 29. • The laying of the foundation-stone of the new Town Hall, Melbourne. The civic banquet. His Royal Highness will be serenaded by the German residents of Victoria after the conclusion of the banquet. Saturday, November 30. Races on the Melbourne racecourse. Monday, December 2. His Royal Highness wiil, after witnessing the Sandridge regatta, proceed to Geelong, and be present at a ball in the evening, on which occasion the illuminations will take place. Tuesday, December 3. The regatta in Gorio Bay will be held early in the forenoon of this day, and his Royal Highness will leave Geelong shortly after midday, on a shooting excursion to Barwon park.