THE ORANGEMEN'S ADDRESS.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 10985, 7 June 1901, Page 5

THE ORANGEMEN'S ADDRESS.

The following is the address which the Orangemen intend to present: — "To yoaiir Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York, —May it please your Royal Highnesses,—We, the Executive Council of the Grand Orange Lodge of New Zealand, Middle Island, loyal subjects of his Most Gracious Majesty King Edward VII., desire to approach your Highnesses and offer you, on behalf of our noble Institution, a most sincere and hearty welcome to the Middle Island of New Zealand, onHhis your first visit to our distant shires. We beg to express through your Highnesses our deep and fervent loyaltY to his Gracious Majesty King Edward VII., and to the Empire. We do' not claim any monopoly of loyalty to the Crown, but we do claim tbat it is our object on all occasions (and under any circumstances) to advocate and maintain those civil and religious liberties which we possess in. common with other colonists. We trust that the ties which bind us to the Mother Country as exemplified in the South African crisis, may never bs severed: that peace and prosperity, conoord and unity will flourish amongst the nation; and that nothing may tend t» mar the uniity which at present exists." We pray that his Majesty, your Royal father, may long reign over a loyal and law-abiding people, and/ that your Highnesses' visit to this distant part of. the dominion may still further cement the bonds of allegiance and loyalty. In again offering a right hearty welcome t-o your Highnesses, we pray that the Most High will watch over you, and guard you from all perils and dengers, and grant you a safe and pleasant voyage.—We have the honour to remain, your Highnesses' most faithful and obedient servants, Henry J. Ranger, R.W. Grand Master; William J. Noble, R.W.D.G.M.; John Mathers, R.W. Grand Treasurer; , Fred. E. Willis, R.W. Grand Secretary; Alex. Greig, P.G.M,; ■ Geo. Mangin, P.G.M." B The Executive of tihe Royal Visit will meet to-day, at 4 p.m., at the City Council Chambers. The Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association has communicated with the other kindred societies in the provincial district asking for contributions of material for the erection of the proposed agricultural' arch, But no replies have as yet been received. Messrs Nairn and Sons, of Christchurch, have the work in hand of erecting the bay for the WesUand local bodies on the occasion of the Royal visit to the city. In addition to the trophies of gold, coal, and timber, there will be a grotto-like retreat representative of West Coast scenery. Illuminated at night, the effect should be very striking. The Platform Committee have decided not to erect the shilling platform as at first proposed on the'northern side of Victoria square. Up to data 1040 tickets have been* sold for the Victoria square stands on the occasion of the Royal visit, and the sum of £260 has been received. The Platform Committee have decided to ask the Executive Committee to move the Government to reserve thirty-three feet of Victoria street for the public instead of as now proposed to close Victoria street absolutely. I ThY Decorative Committee very adroitly ' endeavoured to pass over the work and cost I of the erection of a pavilion over the foundation stone, which Js estimated at some £250, to the Platform Committee. But the latter decliiled most t>ositive!y to go to such an expense. One of the members pointed out that even in marvellous Melbourne the Duke laid a foundation stone under four scaffoldjjoks merely decorated with greenery. This the committee thought would bs quite sufficient for the occasion. Some comment is being made in connection with the barricade that the Government are erecting across the Park on ihe parade ground for the purpose of keeping the. public off. The erection consists of a stout red pine post and rail fence, three-quarters of a mile ih length, and it is being put up as solidly as if it were intended to last for years. It has been suggested that iron standards with two wires running along them would have answered the purpose and would have come in useful afterwards, whereas the present fence will be practically useless for anything else after the review, besides involving greater expense.