NEW ZEALAND'S SHARE IN THE ROYAL VISIT.

Evening Post, Volume LXI, Issue LXI, 28 May 1901, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND'S SHARE IN THE ROYAL VISIT.

WELINGTON'S PREPARATIONS. VERY LITTLE OUTWARD AND VISIBLE SIGNS YET.

The outward and visible signs of Wellington's preparations for a display on the occasion of the coining of the Duke and Duchess do not amount to much as yet. The erection of three grandstands along Jervois-quay is being pushed on, stands are being erected upon two places of business in Lower Cuba-street, and in Cuba-stroet itself there is no sign whatover of works of preparation. In Willis-street the framework of the Oonf.ular arch is attracting much attention, and it has become a conspicuous object. ,• The Government arch is now assuming an attractive form opposite tho Departmental Buildings, and is rapidly taking the shape of the entrance to an old English castle. It is so staunchly built f,s to suggest permanency of occupation. ■The small floral arch which is to cover the entrance to Government House has had its canvas-covered framework erected. It has a uainty appearance, with turrets at either gide of the main arch topped with neatly-turned poles. It Is reported that several picturesquely-attired children will be placed in the flower-embow-ered turrets ,to hail) tho Eoyal yisitors as they pass under tho archway. Throughout tho city workmen have been busily engaged in strengthening verandahs so as to enable the construction of platforms and stands from which people may viow the procession. Already some twelve business houses have had seats placed upon their verandahs, and in some cases, where a charge is being made, thero has been a demand for seats ut 10$ and 5s each. A beginning has been made by Government employees with the erection of a stand for Civil servants along the whole front of the i Departmental Buildings. It is intended to provide skating accommodation there for 2500 persons. THE CHINESE ARCH. Ah Gee, the specialist whom the Wellington Chinese have brought from Greymouth to assist them in making a | display during the ducal visit, has drawn a design for an arch which has met ! with general Celestial approbation. In outline the arch, which is to be erected in a central position in Manners-street, will be of conventional shape, with, a main archway 24ft wide by 22ft high, but the decorations will be of a unique character, combining Chino-Japanese art, with a plentiful show of banners, streamers, artificial flowers, and bizarre ornamentation. Over the main archway will appear the Avord " Wolcome" in large letters of gold—" Oh, 'em welly 'spensive!" was tho comment of Ah Gee — and. over each of the smaller archways "Royal" and "Duke." There * will also bo "writ large" in Chinese characters some high-flown compliments to the Royal visitors, comparing them to the beauties of the clouds, flowors, etc. Tho interior of the structure is to be illuminated with electric light, and suspended round the rim of the arches will be some beautiful Japanese lanterns, which will be lighted with candles at night. Ah Gee and his iih.. J i^tanl.;j tiro busily engaged making the ornaments and decorations for the arch. It is understood (says the Wellington correspondent of the Christchurch Press) that Commodore Winsloe, of the Royal yacht Ophir, objects to take his vessel cither to Port Chalmers or the Bluff, on the ground that it would be unsafe to do so. There is still a very remote chance of his being persuaded to allow the Ophir to go South about, instead of returning through Cook Strait. The local bodies of Marlborough and the Wellington suburbs have had their contributions towards the cost of erecting an arch combined. The arch, which will be composed for the most part of cereals, is to be erected at the top of Cuba-street, at the junction of Cuba, ,Vivian, and Ingestre-streets. The Melrose, Petone, and Karon Borough Councils are to divide in equal shares half the total cost of the arch. Correspondence between the Premier arid Mr. Willis, M.H.R., relative to the proposed trip of tho Duke and Duchess ,3o«n th'o Wanganui River on their way to has ended ill Mr. Seddon. sending the member for district a telegram stating that ho regrets that it cannot be arranged, but it is possible that some of the Royal party may tie prevailed upon to make the trip. Further contributions to the Women's Presentation Fund are acknowledged by the Hon. Treasurer as follows: — Collected by Mrs. Nauhine Brown— Mesdames Wallis, H. Bhmdelf, Shirtcliffe, Marchbanty,, Anson, and Barraud, a each; Miss P ve , Mesdames Milliard, Woods, M. Richmond, .Baxter, Tudor Atkinson, G.yi., and A.Y., §s 6d «ach; Misd Eraser. Mesdames Mallard, Short, ami Yon DaJclszen 2s each; E.N., L.G., and Miss Tlieady, Is each; smaller sums 9d. • Collected by Mrs. J. G. Ward—Mesilames 0. H. Mills, J. G. Ward, and Gillespie, and A Friend, 5s each; Miss E. Ward, Misses Mills (3), Mesdameß Dorset, and Lewis, K.G., L.8., 2s 6d each ; Mrs. Martin and Miss Russell, 2s sach ; F.G., and Miss Dighuter, Is each. Collected by Mrs. Chatfield—Mesdames Pee-rs and Chatfleld, 5a each; Mesdameg Macnamara and Otterson, 2s 6d each ; Mrs. Hamlin; 2s ; Mrs. .Kilminster, Is. Collected by Mrs. "Brandon— Mes- . dair.es Williams, M'Tavish, A. Brandon, F.'igar, Brady, Luckie, and Waldegrave, 5s each ; Misses Joseph and Macdonald, Mesdames Buchanan^ Barber, Turnball, wd Tweed, 2s 6d each; Mrs. Medley, 2s ; Miss Short, K.H., Mesdameg Rhind, and Duignan, Is each; anonymous, 6d, Collected* by Mrs. J. P. Luke—Mesdames J. P. Luke and C. Luke, and A.8.C., 5a each; Mesdames M'Gregor and Post, 2s 6d eo.ch; Mesdames Wong Lee and Stephens, 2s each; Misses Power, Mimell, and Procter, Is each; smaller sums 2s, If any country bands send in an intimation that they would like to take part in the Royal, reception, the Reception Committee desirei wt to say that the bands will be allotted good positions. Messrs. Keith and Hutcheson will make a stait to-tn.orrow with the decoration of Cuba-street, The Thorndon Sunday-school children have been allotted a position at the end of Molesworth-p.treet (where it abuts on to Charlotte-sfrreet) from which to view the procession. [BT TELI/iBAPH— PBBBB ASSOCIATION.] AUCKLAND, This Day. The Agricultural Department, through Mr. Otffton, has purchased eight fine horses for the Duke of Cornwall and his suite on their landing at Auckland. The t horses, which are of a thoroughly good stamp, handsome and well-bred, are being exercised daily to behave on State • occasions. After doing duty here the horses will be sent to Christchurch foi the use of the Royal party there. fur T.a,EGiurn— own corukspottobnt I DUNEDIN, This Day. Notwithstanding the positive asser- « lion of the Daily Times that platforms , v/ill be erected in the Octagon, the Public Works Department denies any knowledge of such ant c<rder having been given.