The Prince of Wales in the East.

Clutha Leader, Volume II, Issue 82, 3 February 1876, Page 7

The Prince of Wales in the East.

Seeing that a large number of special newspaper correspondents and other literary gentleman are in attendance upon H. R. H. the Prince of Wales in India, we no doubt shall shortly have numerous volumes giving full accounts of the important visit. In the meantime the home papers devote a large amount of space to the particulars of the Princes' doings and the magnificent reception he is everywhere meeting with. As a specimen the following will be interesting to our readers : —

Baroda, Nov. 19. The Prince of Wales arrived here this morning. The Prince visited the Gaekwar this afternoon, and afterwards drove through the native city to the old palace, where, he witnessed some exciting scenes in the arena, consisting of wrestling, and elephant, rhinoceros, buffalo, and ram fighting. The Prince expressed himself pleased with the spectacle. The Prince, in company with the Gaekwar and Madhavanaro, then mounted a gorgeously caparisoned and painted elephant, the howda and trappings being of solid gold. A great procession of gaily painted elephants, and the Gaekwar's forces on foot and horse, then proceeded at a slow pace to the Residence, forming a most gorgeous and picturesque oriental pageant.

Nov. 23. The Prince has been out the whole day pig sticking.

Colombo, Dec. 18. Originally December 11 was fixed as the day of the Prince's arrival at Colombo, but owing to cholera in Southern India, the trip from Beypore to Madras was abandoned, and the Prince came from Bombay, calling at Goa and Beypore. Three vessels of the Flying Squadron, under Admiral Lambert, the Narcissus, Newcastle, and Immortalite, arrived on Sunday, November 28th, and two days after, came H.M.S. Undaunted, with Admiral M 'Donald, com-mander-in-chief- at the East Indies. The arrival of the Prince was announced for the morning of the Ist, Wednesday, and from an early hour all Colombo was alive looking out for the Serapis, and full preparations were being made for the landing of the Prince. A gale the previous night prevented the royal ship being punctual, and it was halfpast ten before her white painted hull was visible, accompanied by the Royal yacht Osborne and theiron-clad Raleigh. Governor Gregory boarded the Serapis, but the Prince did not land till 4 o'clock in his barge, through two rows of native manned and decorated boats. He wrs received at the jetty by the Governor and a brilliant staff of officials, and native mndelayers in full dress, a band, and guard of honor. After a few introductions and hearty cheering, he removed to the splendidly decorated reception pandal, where the Legislative Council and municipal addresses were read, the Prince reading a suitable answer to the first, and replying, by a few hearty impromptu words to the second. The Prince wore a field-mar-shal's uniform, with stars and orders, and looked extremely well. After the addresses he walked with the Governor past the elite of the public, who were in reserved seats, and amid cheers drove off. There were present the Duke of Sutherland, Sir Bartle Frere, Lords Carington, Aylesford, Sufiield, Charles Beresford, two admirals, Drs Russell and Fiyrer, Mr Sydney Hall (of the * Graphic.') Lord Alfred Paget, General Probyn, Colonels Ellis and Williams, besides a host of asides-de-camp. The Prince and suite drove through the town to the seaside esplanade, visited the Queen's house, and then returned to the Serapis, where the Governor dined with the Prince. Special correspondents declare that the decorations — floral and otherwise — throughout Colombo had a prettier effect than any in India. There were some 30 triumphal arches altogether, and the streets were festooned and decorated with banners. At every turn the streets were crowded with enthusiastic people. The Prince and staff were highly delighted with their _ reception. Royal salutes and manning of the yards were observed on landing.

On Thursday, the 2nd, the Prince landed early, and drove slowly in procession to the railway station, with the governor an% staff, and took a special train to Kandy, a special Royal carriage having been built at Colombo, costing £1000. Colombo and the stations en route were finely set off with flags and decorations. All were - erichanted with the scenery, and at the great incline, rising 1700 ft., the Prince and the Duke of Sutherland got on to the engine sketching. Kandy was reached at 4 p.m. ; and an address was presentee to the Prince, He went to his carriage through two rows of Kandyan chiefs, while the mountain sides, were crowded with thousands of natives, as well as the |streets. The whole town was decorated. That night there was a display of 50 elephants belonging to to the temples and chiefs at the pavilion.; also of devil-dancers. Next day there was a drive to the Peradenia Botanical gardens, and bat-shooting in the forenoon ; and in the evening, a grand illumination of the square. At the Kandyan Kin^s palace and templegrounds, the freception of Kandyan 'chiefs took pla£e in bands, according to the districts-, .•*■ "^They were dressed most I -bravely,' ancT each band was headed: by ' a Civil British officer. They were re-

ceivedby the Prince and a brilliant staff on the dais of the ancient audience chamber of the Kandyan kings. The principal chief, Dewa Nilleme, was presented with a gold medal. The chiefs presented the Prince with curious and valuable gifts in silver. Afterwards came the investiture of Governor Gregory as K.C.M.G. In due form the warrant was read by the Colonial Secretary, and the proposed Knight was introduced with a procession, and duly invested by the Prince, who addressed him suitably, Mr Gregory replied warmly, expressing his acknowledgement to his Queen and the Prince^ and then knelt, and the Prince, touching him lightly on the right and left shoulders with a sword, said, "Rise Sir William Henry Gregory, K.C.M.G." Afterwards Messrs Birch and Douglas, the Colonial Secretary and AuditorGeneral, were invested with tbe C.M.G.

The Prince next visited Maligawa, the most sacred Buddhist temple in the world. Three hundred priests were congregated, and the sacred tooth (a piece of bone l^in. by and all the treasures in jewellery, emeralds, sapphires, and rubies were exposed to the view of the Prince and his staff, and the special correspondent for a long time. The Prince then adjourned to the Octagon Tower and saw a procession of elephants and the illuminations. He received a deputation of priests, who presented him with a finely-bound copy of their sacred books. The Prince gave ten books in return with his autograph, and then returned to the pavilion at midnight. The Kandyan chiefs and priests were delighted with the Prince's mingled dignity and affability. "He is a true king," said the Dewa Nilleme. Next morning the Duke of Sutherland and part of the staff left for Newrra Elyya a deer hunting, while the Prince followed later via Gampola, Nawala, Pilyua, Yellow Adam's Peak, to Ruanwila, for elephant kraaling and shooting. The Prince killed two elephants under circumstances of some danger, j showing pluck and that he was a capital shot. Returning from the kraal with Lord Charles Beresford on the, box, the carriage was upset and smashed, v/ith the Prince under -, but fortunately he escaped unhurt, exclaiming — " Charlie, where's my tail " (of one of the elephants he had killed). Returning to Colombo on Tuesday, 7th, he held a levee, and attended the Ajiri Horticultural Show. In the evening he went to a grand ball, given in a splendidly improvised building, with fountains and floral decorations, where the Prince remained till 2 a.m. .Next day he visited the cocoanut and coffee mills, seeing all the processes. Colombo was illuminated, and there was a display of fireworks at tbe Crystal Pala.ce, and tho Prince embarked at half-past 10 p.m. The fleet was splendidly illuminated, to the wonder of the natives. The Prince left at daybreak on Thursday, 9th. Bombay, Dec. 16. The Prince, attended by his suite, landed at Mazagon amid Royal salutes soon after 1 , and proceeded, escorted by a detachment of the 3rd Hussars, to Government House, to visit the Governor of Bombay. The Prince of Wales here conferred the Order of Knighthood on Mr Frank Souter, the commissioner of police. The Prince, accompanied by the Governor, left Parell, and drove to the dockyard, and was received by the chief justice and the commander-in-chief and his personal staff, the members of Council, the Roman Catholic Bishop, the naval commander-in-chief, and his personal staff, and the puisne judges, the - Chief Commissioner of Sinde, and other distingnished officials. Many native princes and chiefs were also present in the dockyard. The Prince embarked shortly before five o'clock, and will sail for Colombo this evening, touching at Goa. The Prince landed at Tuticorin on December 10. He courteously received all the Government officials, walked round, bowed and proceeded to the railway station, under an escort ofthe 89th regiment, with Lord Carrington and Major .Conningham on either side. The Prince arrived at Madras on Dec. 13, and was brilliantly received by the Governor and other high officials. The most striking scene, however, was the gathering of 14,000 children, who sang " God bless the Prince of Wales/ as he passed to the Government House. The beautiful dresses of the girls, the various colors and ornaments incidental to dif- . ferent castes, presented a most charming picture. Un the 1 Sth he laid a memorial stone of the new breakwater, which is to "cost 60 lacs, -and will talie upwards of five years before completion. Madras, Dec. 18. The illuminations last night were most successful and effective. The surf j along the Beach-road was illuminated, j. producing a beautiful effect.. Towards midnight the Prince attended a magnificent public entertainment at Royapooram terminus, which had been transformed for . the occasion into a most gorgeously-decorated .hall. The Prince on entering was presented with an address of welcome from the municipality, which ought to have been readthe day he arrived, A handsome casket", accompanied the address. The Prince read his reply, . The,- entertainmeat, consisting of nautch dances, songs, and. native • dances, then followed; lasting; till past 3 o'clock in the morning. The whole affair was the most successful of its kind yet witnessed.