THE CEREMONY IN VICTORIA SQUARE.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 10999, 24 June 1901, Page 7

THE CEREMONY IN VICTORIA SQUARE.

A<N ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTION,

LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE

"Bravo Christ church!" It may seem egotistical tq say so, but it is deserved. No more enthusiastic reception could have been given to the Duke and Diiohess in any parfc of the world than was accorded them at the laying of " the foundation stone of tjie JiiMee Memorial. We have been; accused —and. sometimes rightly, too—of being cold, as ia the nature of Englishmen, wthen compared with the fiery enthusiasm of the Geltic races. IJut Christehurch, like Todges's, can do it well when it likes, and on Saturday the hearts of the people went out to the ,-Royal couple who had journeyed so far to practically demonstrate the fact of the indivisibility of'the Empire welded together as ib is by the links of love and affection for the Throne they represent. So it was that, though the. visitors passed through long street* filled with cheering people, they were brought, asjt,were, more closely into touch with us in the gathering at Victoria square. The platforms, though somewhat unpleasant to sit on owing to the raiq, were crowded early; on each side of the amphitheatre rose the serried ranks of spectator!?, all eagerly awaiting the ceremony. The flags fluttered gaily to the somewhat cold sou'-wesfc wjnd which blew sharply, making overcoats desirable..

In the centre of the amphitheatre was a

small pavilion open on all sides, in j was the stone to be laid. Facing this, and ! coming out from the Government section, of the seats, was the raised dais for-the. Royal viGitors, carpeted and furnished with chairs, i This was also canopied over, the sides being open. As one looked across the. open space I of the lawn, a note of bright colour relieved the somewhat sombre appearance caused by the Cark dresses and coats of the occupants of the Beats. This was given by the scarlet uniforms of the College iliflee, the guard of honour, drawn up on the other side of the platform. It met' the eye pleasantly, and madte one regret ; that the everlasting khaki, which we always'have with us, should have superseded the British thin red line, which has , made history so often. ! The bustle and. ilium of people* making j their way to their seati! filled tne air; hard- j working comreitteemen moved about i anxiously, erid«ntly with the re- | spoasibility of the day weighing j on their mind. By and by tlie t roar of the gucs 'of the E Bat- | tery, under Captain Donald, which j •was posted on mc riv«r hank near the I Colombo street bridge, nuvd* itself heard. rhis wa« the royal saiute oftwenty -one guns, J which announced that the visitors were-at' the threshold of the city, and that his Worship the Mayor as the host was there to welcome them. As this died away, there also was heard, but somewhat faintly ■, th« noise of the cheering crowds, telling that the progress through the street* had begun. A little, longer wait ensued the occup&nte of the crowded stands! awaited with, eager expectation the advent of the Royal cortege. By and by the plumes cf■. a. staff officer" were seen; then followed the mounted corps, the advanoe guard of the escort. The wave of cheering came nearer and nearer till it broke as it were against- tie stands, and then burst r forth a mighty cheer as the carriage of ihis Excellency the Governor drove into the enclosure. The popularity of his Excellency was evinced by the enthu- ' siastic cheers which broke out as he stepped out, and walked slowly up the stairs leading to the dak, attended by Captain Alexander. Taking up his position on the stairs, his Excellency waited to receive, the Royal guest* Then g'ttne the carriage* of the Ministers; the Right Hon. the Premier, with Mrs and Miss Seddon, and Sir Joseph and Lady Ward came next and receive quite aoi "ovation. The Hen. W. C. Walker, C.M.G., and Mrs Walker followed', and the Ministerial party passed on to the platform- Both the Premier and Sir Joseph Ward wore the Windsor uniform, and the latter Tiis badge and star as K-C.JfG. There was a brief space of interval, during which the Premier shook hands heartily with the Hon. Wm. Roliesston, who sat in the front row , just behind the dais. Then the Mayor, j weari&g his chain of office; the Executive - Comimssioßero, Messrs G. G. Htead, H. F. [ Wigram, and R. Allan, and Mr John ' Hoftnes, with the members of the Executive Committee of the Royal Visit, who had been in the Provincial Council Chamber, ; assisting at the function ot the presentation ; of addresses, came on to the dais at the back, and formed up in a group of black. coats, asjainst which the gold lace of the Windsor uniforms showed up very brilliantly. ■ But th« eyes of all were turned towards the entrance gate, looking anxiously for the Royal carriages. The cheers qouM be heard coming closer and closer, and in a minute or so the carriages containing the Royal ; Staff rolled into the enclosure in quick succes- j sion. These contained Captain His Serene Highness Prince Alexander of Teck, Jlon. Mrs Derek Keppel, Jjord Wenlock, G.C.1.E., Lord-jn-Waiting and Head of the Household, Lieut.-Colonel Sir Arthur Bigge* ! G.0.V.0., X.C.8., C.M.G., Private Secre- j tary; Commander Sir Charles Cust, Bart., > R.N., M-V.0.; Uon. Derek Keppel. 1 M.V.0.. Equerry; Commander B. God- I frey Fawsgatt, R.N., A.P-C,