PRINCE ALFRED'S PROCEEDINGS.

Press, Volume XIV, Issue 1881, 26 April 1869, Page 2

PRINCE ALFRED'S PROCEEDINGS.

VISIT TO THE DOMAIN. On Saturday His Royal Highness Prince Alfred, attended by His Excellency the Governor, His Honor the Superintendent, several officers of the Galatea and Blanche, and other members of the Royal suite, visited the Government Domain. His Royal High' ness, who drove eix-in-hand, was attended by an Escort of the Yeomanry Cavalry, and

reached the Domain gates, at the top of Hereford street, at 1.20 p.m., where he was received by the members of the Park Domain Board, the Mayor of Christchurch, and two or three other gentlemen. His Koyal Highness and party then entered the first inolosure and planted a very promising young oak, which will now be known as '* Prince Alfred's Oak." It is near the centre of the paddock, and on entering the gates appears in line with the centre mound between the two inclosures. It is an interesting circumstance that Mr Davie, who, as Chairman of tbe Park and Domain Board, had the honor of presenting the tree to .His Royal Highness, should have been the first of the early colonists who succeeded in raising a large number of oaks from English acorns, and those who remember the little garden standing out from the waste which then formed what is now the busiest part of the oity of Christchurch will think of the utter improbability,, as it then appeared, that any of us would ever live to see the day when a son of the Queen should pass over that very spot, attended by so many thousands of people as filled our streets on Thursday last. The tree having been planted, His Royal Highness, on being informed that it was intended to plant four other trees in the Domain in commemoration of his visit to Canterbury, was pleased to say that he would plant them himself, although his doing so involved a walk of nearly a mile. The whole party at once started for tbe site of the next trees, and on passing through the rough grass, three pheasants were sprung, who rose almost close to the Prince. The trees planted were a Wellingtonia gigantea, a totara, and a deodara. A cedar of Lebanon was also planted near the footpath on the rise between the two paddocks. The totara and cedar were presented by Mr Armstrong, the Government gardner. The deer in the inclosures attracted the attention of His Eoyal Highness and suite, who then crossed the river in the punt and walked through the grounds of the Acclimatisation Society, where the successful introduction of the trout was brought under the notice of the Prince, who also inspected the aviaries in which imported English birds are placed previously to their being turned out. The carriages and escort having by this time reached the gate His Eoyal Highness and suite left for Riccarton. PIGEOH HATCH. H.E.H. the Duke of Edinburgh having accepted an invitation from the members of the Chrietchurch Club to a pigeon match appointed two o'clock on Saturday afternoon for it to take place. The match was strictly private, and admission could only be obtained by special ticket. The spot selected was a large paddock in the rear of Riccarton Bush, which Mr Deans had placed at the disposal of the members of the Club for the purpose of holding the match. The nepessary arrangements were made under the superintendence of Mr Joseph Bennett, and were well carried out. A tent was provided for the Royal party, as also one for the gentlemen of the club, and one for refreshments. A good supply of chairs was placed on the ground for the use of the fair ccx, who mustered strongly on the occasion. The approach to the paddock was along the new carriage driye through the pretty grounds of the Riccarton estate. The Duke drove a splendid team of six " blacks " out to the paddock, and was accompanied in the' drag by His Excellency the Governor, his Honor the Superintendent, the Mayor of Chrietchurch, and suite. Major J. Cracroft Wilson, C.8., also followed, driving four in hand, and conveyed several officers of the ship and members of the club to the ground. Ths whole party .was

lion Captain 0? S«£ Duke was received by Lieuton-xn/ni c Packe L. Walker, K ?q / fln d 1 bera of the club, and at once proceeded to?* tent the invited guests standing up'and *» gentlemen uncovering their head. . b , tine no formal demonstration was mai j e %l* traps, viz., five on the T principle, being in readiness, and a few preliminaries JL2 wUha $POrt WSB ° nCO comin «>S Match ajd Swmmtams, at fivo bird, each 25 yards nee; English, Shepherd't bSI Gun Club rule*. Birds killed with S barrel to count two, with second one. The Club.

The following are the particulars :-~ First round—Colonel Packe led off but failed to soore, the Hon E. Yorke, MrFitzrov and Lieutenant Fitzgeorge followed suit. Mr Hawdon hit hard -with his first barrel and killed with the second. Lord 0. Beregford feathered with hie first, but failed with his second. Mr Hawkins' bird escaped apparently untouched. Lieutenant Haig camtnenoed with a rattling kill from his first barrel, end Mr Lancelot Walker followed suit. The Duke stopped the flight of a good pigeon with a deadlj first. Score—The Club, 3; the G-alatea, 4. Second round—Colonel Packe's bird got up well, and was killed with a good first barrel. Hon E. Yorke missed with firat barrel, and was too late to fire the second. Mr Fitgroy's bird was a wonder, it was nicely dropped by a smart first, but escaped out of bounds. Lieutenant Fitzgeorge let his bird off, firing first and second. Mr Hawdon merely feathered with his firat. Lord 0. Bereeford was again unfortunate, while Mr Hawkins hit hard with, both barrels, but failed to score. Lieutenant Haig and Mr L. Walker eoored two deadly firsts. The Duke closed the rpuiid with & most effective first. Score—The Club, 7 } the fl-jiifttfin. R

Third round—Colonel Packe led oft 1 a smart kill from his first, and was followed by a similar shot from the Hem E. Yorke. Mr Fitzroy's hird came to him and was stopped at the first pull. Lioutensnt Fitzgeorge feathered with flrej;. barrel g and then scored a rattling second. Mr Hawdon grassed his bird with a second. Lord O. Beresford'e bird escaped the first, and was out of reach of a second. Mr Hawkins again failed. Lieutenant Haig tumbled his pigeon over at first shot, while Mr L. Walker's bird escaped hard hit by first barrel. The Duko was baulked by a dog getting in a line with the bird, and missed. Score—The Club, 12 5 the Galatea, 13.

Fourth round—Colonel Packe hit well with the first, and scored a good second barrel. A strong bird got away with- a heavy dose from the Hon. E. Yorke's first and second baitefo, as also did the one that rose for Mr Fitaroy. Lieutenant Fitzgeorge sent the contents of both barrels after his bird and failed to drop it, and Mr Hawdon, Lord Beresford, and Mr Hawkins followed the example. Lieutenant Haig grassed an easy bird with hie second, while a faat pigeon was well stopped by Mr L. Walker. The Duke sent the feathers flying at the first pull, but a grand second seat his bird to grass a long distance from the traps. Score—ls all. Fifth round—Colonel Packe hit hard with first, but missed with second. Hon. E. Yorke, Mr Fitzroy, and Mr Fitzgoorge missed. A strong bird got away after being hit Hard by Mr Hawdon's second. Another failure to Lord C. Beresford was followed by a rattling first from Mr Hawkins; Lieutenant Haig wounded his pigeon severely, but the bird sailed out of boiinde. Mr L. Walker missed, and the Duke wound up the match with 6 good second. Score—The OJub, 17 j the G-alatea, 16. During the whole of this match the birdf rose badly, and a number of "no-birds' were called ; this in a great measure accounts for tho poorness of the shootog* After resting a few minutes, and partaliag of some slight refreshment, another match wfis agreed to upon the same terms as the laof* oJ which the following was the result :— The Club.

The details ere as follows J-" , hor | First rouud-Oolonel Tacke e^. t work with hie fi«\^ d f | Oa ■&* very hard, but the bird M «<»* 6W »

«**t two escaped from Mr Fitzroy and Lieu?naot e Mr Hawdon hit with Sd, but the pigeon got away. Lord iw-ford sent his bird to grass with a smart fit Mr Hawkins was unfortunate, as after \ttinz UP kis bird with both barrels, it ined him while gathering. Lieutenant S again scored a deldly first Mr Walker feathering with the first, hit fatally with f fold aeconl The Duke's bird got off. Lre-TbeOalatea,4; the Club, 3. Second round-Colonel Packe, Hon. E. Yorke and Mr Fitzroy sent their birds to rase 'irith grand first barrels. Lieutenant fJJtrffeorce a miss, and Mr Hawdon sent both bSe, though killing with the firet. The flit got away from Lord Beresford, and Mr Hawkins grassed hifl bird with the second, but had a run to gather it. Another fatal firet from Lieutenant Haig was followed by a fi»Mnre to Mr Walker. The Duke scored his Son with a good first. Score-The GalatllOs the Club, 9. Third round—Colonel Packe and Hon. E. Yorke led off by scoring with their seconds ; Mr fitzroy scored an eaey first, and was followed by Lieutenant Fitzgeorge, who waa nowhere with either barrel. Mr Hawdon •topped his bird with a fine first, and Lord Bereefurd, although hitting hard with hie lecond, did not score; similar luck attended Mr Hawkins ; Lieutenant Haig and Mr L. Walker tumbled their birds with clippingfirsts and the Duke closed the round by folwins suit in splendid style. Score—The (Sea, 15 ; the Club, 16. Fourth round—Colonel Packe etopped a fest one with a well-timed first, which was followed by a trimmer escaping from the Hon B. Torke. Mr Fitzroy's bird got away hard hit by his first, and Lieutenant Fitzseoree was allowed to score a second in conSequence of a byeetander killing the bird while coming round. Three poor attempts by Mr Hawdon, Lord Beresford, and Mr Hawkins, were followed by an easy first to Lieutenant Haig and a trimmer falling to a grand first from Mr L. Walker. The Duke vros unsuccessful. Score—The Galatea, 18 ; the Club, 20. Fifth round—A strong bird hit hard got away from Colonel Packe. Hon. E. Xbrke made a good first, and was followed by misses from Mr Fitzroy and Lieutenant Fitzgeorge. Mr Hawdon scored a good second, and Lord Bereeford nailed his bird with a rattling first. Mr Hawkins and Lieutenant Haig were unfortunate, while Mr Walker etopped his bird with a fine second. The Duke brought hie bird to graes with a second, and had to gather hie bird, this caused a good deal of excitement ac the side wanted this bird to win the match; His Eoyal Highness was, however, successful and won. Score—The Galatea, 23; the Club, 22. It was decided to have the conquering match at once, but as it was getting late the number of birds was lowered to three each. This arrangement proved beneficial, for not only did it become too dark for good shooting, but the stock of pigeons being limited, a number of indifferent ones had to be used, which will in a measure account for the low icore, as shown below :•- Thb Club.

The following are the details of the shooting. First round—Colonel Packe ecored with second, and was followed by a good first from Hon. E. Yorke. Mr Fitzroy hit hard with both, bat it was a trimmer, and escaped. Lieutenant Fitzgeorge missed, and Mr Hawdon had similar luck to Mr Fitzroy. Thie was followed by the birda escaping from Lord Bereaford, Mr Hawkins, Lieutenant Haig, and Mr Walker. The Duke killed hia bird, but it fell over the bounds. Second round—Colonel Facke scored a very olever first, and the Hon. E. Yorke a good second, followed by a mies to Mr Fitzroy. Lieutenant Fitzgeorge's second told well, and Mr Hawdon made a fine kill with his first. Lord Bereeford and Mr Hawkins missed. Xieutenant Haig brought hie bird to grass with a fine first, but the game bird rose soon after, and could not be gathered. Mr Walker made a rattling kill with his first, and the Duke followed suit. Score—The Club, 7 : the Galatea, 6. Third round—Colonel Packe led off with a fine first, and was followed by misses from Hon. E. Yorke, Mr Fitzroy, Lieutenant Fitzgeorge, Mr Hawdon, and Lord Beresford. Mr Hawkins made an easy first, Lieutenant Haig $ .miss, and Mr Walker a very fine second, the Duke winding up the day's sport by tumbling his bird with a trimming first. Score— The Club, 12; the Galatea, 8. ; " THE CLTJB DdNBB. In the evening His Eoyal Highness was entertained at dinner by the members of the Christchurch Club. About seventy persons •at down to dinner. Mr B. Wilkin occupied the chair; Lieutenant-Colonel Packe sat on i the right of the Prince, Hie Excellency the Governor being seated at the left of the wyal guest, supported by His Honor the eapenntendent. The officers of the Galatea, with the members of the Duke and Governor, jere also present. The only toast proposed wnng the evening was the health of the Queen. DEPABTFBB OP THE PBINCE. At 10.30 a.m. yesterday HBH and the om« _ distinguished visitors took their deparlOStF J1 V h9 Claren don Hotel. The Prince ■aa j±u Excellency the Governor occupied the came carriage which had been placed at their owposal during their visit, but in this instance n^UA J - raW ? a P air of the biao * 2 dri? . en - Another carriage conveyed the members of the suite, two luggage waggopr

carrying the baggage. H X BT, accompanied b| the Governor and His Honor the Superintenj dent, was escorted by a of honor com* poeed of the Canterbury Yeomanry Cavalry* under the command of M-jor Wileon, C.b., Ijieutenant-Colonel Packe i» -ing in comumnd of the Yolunteere. Aβ suon as the Uioiinguiehed party left the Clarendon Hotel, the royal standard, which had previously been flying, was struck. The par»y drove straight to the railway station, where a special train was in readiness to convey them to Ljttelton. The train reached its destination at 11 o'clock. Upon its arrival the s c Gazelle steamed alongside the breastwork, and His Royal Highness at once embarked amidst the hearty farewells of the crowd, who gave three cheers for Prince Alfred, three for the Gover* nor, and three for the captain of the Blanche. His Honor the Superintendent and Major Wilson, C.8., accompanied the Prince to the ship. Although it was service time when His Royal Highness reached port, and much uncertainty prevailed aa to when he would arrive, a considerable crowd had assembled for the purpose of bidding our illustrious visitor farewell. No demonstration was made upon his stepping on board the Blanche, and shortly after the anchor was weighed, and she steamed out of the harbor, leaving at 12.15 p.xn, so as to reach Port Chalmers early this day.

Names. i i ' " Lieut.-Colonel Packe Mr Fitzroy Mr H Havrdon Mr W L Hawkins... Mr L Walker Total each round 0 ! 0 i 0 2 3 I 2! 0 0 0 2 4 2 i 2 1 0 0 5 i! o 0 0 2 i o ! o ! o 1 2 0 2 i ! 5 2 2 6 3 Grand Total !17 The G-axatea, Names. 5 . Hon E Yorke Lt A A F Fitzgeorge Lord Ohae Bereeford Lieutenant Haig HRHDuke of Edinburgh Total each round 0 8 0 0 0 0 2 i 2 ' 1. 0 2 o 0 0 1 0 0 0\ 0 2 I 0 7 2 2 4 . 0 5 1 2 1 1 6 4 Grand total U

Name. t> 6* i **"""*' """■"I 7 !l 6 Lieut.-Colonel Pack© . Mr Fitzroy Mr H. Hawdon Mr W L Hawkins ... Mr Lancelot Walker Total each round ... 2 0 0 0 1 3 2 2 1 1 0 6 1 2 2 0 2 7 2 0 0 0 2 4 o J i ■2 Grand total 23 THB GALATEA. i 2 1 o ! o o jo 2 I 2 2 2 6 5 IS 1 O Name. ,!——• I—— I 2 5 X 4 8 Ion. E York© jiout. A A Fitzgeorge *ord C Bereeford ... jiout. Haig IRH the Duke of Edinburgh total each round ... 0 0 0 1 0 2 0 8 0 2 0 4 0 3 1 5 5 I !2S Grand total •.•'

Name. Toti Iaeut.-Colonel Facke... Mr Fitzroy Mr H. Hawdon Mr WL Hawkins ... Mr Lancelot Walker... Total each round 1 0 0 0 0 1 2 0 2 0 2 6 2 0 0 2 1 5 5 0 2 2 3 Grand total 12 The Galatea. Name. i ■ • I Total. Ion E Yorke . lieut. AA'F Fitz- ._ 2 1 0 3 george »rd 0 Bei'eaford ... ;ieut.Haig . ... [ R H the Duke of Edinburgh total each round 0 0 0 o ! o o- 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 2 4 2 2 4 Grand total