WELLINGTON NOTES.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 10997, 21 June 1901, Page 5

WELLINGTON NOTES.

THE AQUATIC DISPLAY.

(__-US aS-OG-AT-O-. TK_BO-U--t.> WELLINGTON, June 20,

I After a preliminary shower the weather : turned fine, and the sun shone out for almost the first time this week. Owing to the rain and the fear of slips the projected ; trip over the Runutaka was abandoned, i and their Royal Highnesses paid a visit to the factories at Petone instead. Great precautions were taken that there should be no accidents on the line during the Royal journey to Petone, no less than. 400 men being employed on special service for tho occasion.

For the general jubilee in town there was an aquatic display, arranged by Mr J. Moore, of the Mission to Seamen, principally on behalf of the men on tbe warships. The programme contained boot races of various kinds and comic displays, and was watobed by a large number of spectators from the shores. Three submarine expfoaions formed pArio- the proceedings. . Two boats and a beer barrel were blown up with guncotton, and the performance was.voted a great success.

It may be mentioned that the Royal party were greatly pleased with the musical programme at the reception last night, and the Duchess specially complimented ifc* McLaughlin, the conductor, on -he result of the performers' efforts." It is generally conceded that the ilhnnma* t-ons surpass anything that was expected, and visitors from outside, inducting: people who have seen displays on a large scale at Home and elsewhere, are loud in their praise.* The Pest Office is admittedly the

fine*!* sight of tha sort that has been seen in the colony, and many never g«t tired.of looking at it. Infinite pains have bc«n taken "in perfecting the display, end the time and labour involved must hav<? been enormous. Those who are responsible for the work, deserve every credit for the results of their effort*. Thousnuds of people thronged the harbour frontages to-nignt to witness th-a fireworks display which was carried oat from the hulks tying off the Queen's wharf, and from tha Government steamer Tutanekai. The larger display from the hulks was provided by the local Recaption Committee, and although lacking somewhat in variety proved very successful. The fact of it being a fine calm night contributed largely to the enjoyment of tho scene. Later on in tha evening the streets were crowded with people viewing the illuminations, which were ftgain in full swing. The Gcvsriunenk has made presents of gold nuggets and greenstone to the Duke and Dbcqoss. , THE DtJKE AND THE MAORIS. The Prices ha* taken a great interest'in the Maoris during his tour in New Zealand, and at his request, "Mr Fraser, M.H.R. for Napier, who is a recognised Maori scholar, supplied him with a considerable amount of information about native customs ard logends, and the phrases and salutatioss' his Royal Highness had heard ift use in the colony. Tha Duke was par-ticulu-Iy interested in *hs legend of Te Tka A Maui, a mythological fisherman, who a&gled New Zjalond up ifrom the oesiun. One etfec& of the Prince's coaching was to be Fcen iri rth* ending of- his reply to the Friendly Societies, \%-itih the Maori salutation "iiiß Ora."