ERECTION OF ARCHES AT WELLINGTON.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 10991, 14 June 1901, Page 6

ERECTION OF ARCHES AT WELLINGTON.

(SPtCIAL TO "TH» PKBsS.")

WELLINGTON, June 12. Lite work on fhe arches goes on steadily end with as much expedition as the somewhat short supply of material, and of effl. cient labour, wit-permit. I was told to-day Mint it yniH inevitable that work would have to be done on the Westport arch on Munday, and it looks very much as if that will not bo iihe only instance of an infraction of the day of rest.

.... , ~ ■.•■'.. June 13. Although the ram to-day put a stop to most c* the outdoor operations, a great deal in the way of preparation was done in the Government, and private workshops. Complaint is being made of t3ie ruthless manner in which the nijeau paEms are beiiw? cut down for the adornment of arches and buildings during the Royal visit. Inetead of cutting single frond*, the whole .plant is being taken. For one arch, what in described as "a small cargo of nikau palms" is to be used. As the palm i* of clow growth tho extent; d the spoliation may be imagined. There h tn-ia compensation • that tho graceful frond* of nikau will help to redeem some of the.arohes from being altogether inartistic. An investiture of the decorations of the most distinguished Order of St. Micbad and iSt. Ueorge will be held by the Duke of Cornwall dmuitj hie visit to "Wellington i lie Hon. W. Hall-Jonee, although far from well, was steadily engaged at the Public Worij.s afhew yesterday and to-d»v, largely on business connected with the Royaf. visit. Two of Wdli/tgton's oldest resident*— Mv John Plimmer and Mr Thomas W. Mc--1 Kenzie—are keenly interested in the Royal visit. Mr McKenzie published his recoUectitniH fiume time back. He sent a copy of tiir. book to the lute Queen Victoria, and received an acknowledgment, Air McKenzie expressed a winh to be presented t/> tiie j>uke of Cornwall, whose consent to the interview has bwn signified through LoTd Ranfuiiy: The old pioneer, ftlr Plimmer, in now publwhing his autobiography, and he intends to present a copy of the.oook to tho Duke of Cornwall. The "Father of Wellington." a« Mr Plimmer is called, is one of the (Reception Commissioners for Wellington.

.. " (FBOU A CORRESPONDENT.) WELLINGTON, June 13. Mm T. C. Williams received a telegram last evening from the Counteaeof Ranfurlv, announcing that the Duchess of Cornwall •was pleased to consent to attend the bazaar in aki of the Victoria Home for Incurables on Tuesday afternoon, 18th June, at 3.45. Her Royal Highness breaks through her rule e<i an especial lavour in consideration of the proposed homo being in memory of her Majesty the late Queen. Lady Ranfurly will open the txusaar at 3.30 p.m., and will receive lier Royal Highness at 3.45 p.m.