DEPARTURE OF H.R.H. THE DUKE, FOR JAPAN.

Evening Star, Volume VII, Issue 1911, 21 June 1869, Page 3

DEPARTURE OF H.R.H. THE DUKE, FOR JAPAN.

[From the Auckland Weekly News, June 5.) His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh took his final departure from the Colony on June Ist, carrying with him, we are sure, the good wishes of all its inhabitants. In accordance with the express wish of his Royal Highness, no public display was made, and early in the morning he embarked privately from the Wynyard Pier. A boat containing his Excellency the Governor, the hon. Elliot Yorke, Lieutenant Haig, Captains Pitt and Smith, and Lieutenant-Colonel Elliot, afterwards put off; and his Excellency, with the other gentlemen of his party, remained on board the Galatea until a few minutes before the departure of the vessel. At aj quarter to ten o’clock the Galatea was observed to be under weigh, and the yardt of the Blanche were quickly manned. As the vessel steamed slowly down the harbor, under half steam, a royal salute was fired by the 18th regiment, Royal Irish, from Fort Britomart, which was taken up by H. M. steamer Blanche, in quick time, and for some minutes the Galatea was completely hid from the view of the spectators standing on the wharf, by the dense smoke which issued from the guns. As the Galatea was passing down the harbor she was met by the barque Southern Cross, which was beating up’at the time, and which courteously dipped its ensign as the Galatea passed,—-a, salute which was promptly answered from the Galatea. As we intimated yesterday, his Royal Highness will proceed to Yokohama direct, his intended visit to the Friendly Islands having been abandoned in consequence of the delay he has experienced in New Zealand. Plis private charities -while here were most liberal, and before his departure he left LISO for the five Provinces which he visited, to be distributed by their respective Superintendents.

Amongst other presents which he made we might mention a handsome diamond and turquoise bracelet to Lady Bowen, and diamond pins to Captains Pitt and Smith, the aides-de-camp. The Maori chiefs who presented his Royal Highness with meres, mats, &c., each received gold ornaments. Mr Whiteman, steward at Government House, was presented with a massive gold signet ring ; and Mrs Hay, the housekeeper, with a gold butterfly brooch. The other servants also received handsome gratuities. His Royal Highness before leaving expressed the great pleasure he had experienced at the hearty reception given him in all the places he had visited, as well as the personal enjoyment he has felt in visiting the various parts of the Colony, and that he will ever carry with him the best wishes for the future prosperity of the Britain of the South.