THE ROYAL VISIT.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 100, 7 May 1901, Page 3

THE ROYAL VISIT.

BRILLIANT CEREMONIES. ’' THE LANDING AT MELBOURNE. A MAGNIFICENT SPECTACLE. CARELESS SABBATH BREAKERS. By Telegraph— Press Association—Copyright Melbourne, May 6. Lord Hopetoun visited the Ophir and welcomed the Duke and Royal party, who are in good health. Melbourne on Sunday is the quietest city in Australia, but yesterday • Sabbattarainisnx received a rude shock. Thousands on thousands invaded the city from all quarters, and paraded the principal thoroughfares, inspecting the preparations for the reception of the Yorks. In every direction tiro sound of the decorator's hammer could be heard, workmen work- , ing at high pressure in patting on the finishing touches. This morning the city presents a magnificent spectacle. Looking from tha Treasury and Parliament House at the top of Collins and Bourko streets respectively the vista is impassably beautiful and bewildering. A mass of colors, broken at intervals by stately arches, greets tho eye. The movement of innumerable, varicolored pennants in the gentle morning breeze gives a kaleidoscopic character to the picture. On Hobson’s Bay. too, there is evidence that the day is one of unusualinterest.

The royal yacht, with hor warlike escorts, and numerous war-vessels of Great Britain and other Powers, form a striking spectacle. The huge form of the Russian battleship Gromoboi, bristling with guns, a really formidable object, together with tho line specimen of naval architecture sent by America (tho Brooklyn) to honor the young nation, dwarfs tho British vessels, which lie lower in the water. Tho Dutch vessel is Lho smallest of the foreign representatives. Signals pass between the different ships, and preparations are made to make effective the landing of the Royal Prince.

At an early hour the populace began to stream into tho city. Admirable as tho Victorian suburban railway and tram system is, it will be taxed to the utmost to-day in tho matter of numbers. It is safe to predict Melbourne will outstrip tho Sydney record at the inaugural ceremonies.

Every precaution has been taken against accident, and despite the wide streets, the authorities deemed it wise to place barricades to keep the public from encroaching on the route the procession takes, and none but mounted troops will take part in tho Royal pageant, which will be 2000yds in length. Thu route is sovon miles in longth. The present programme places the division of Now Zealand troops immediately in advance of the Royal escort, the balanco forming part of the rearguard. At 10.110 this morning tho GovernorGeneral, Lieutenant-Governor, and Federal and State Premiers visited tho Ophir, and were presented to tho Duke.

A SPLENDID CARNIVAL. LOVELY WEATHER. SEA SMOOTH AND SPARKLING IN SUNSHINE. WONDEIIEUL ENTHUSIASM. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Melbourne, May 0. Tho weather prophets having succeeded during the past few days in making Melbournians miserable pcoplo with their doleful predictions of bad weather for the landing of Royalty, turnod out to be a set

of false prophets. When tho morning broke line and clear the hearts of the people gave a sigh of relief, and sot about to joyfully make the

most of the great occasion. The splendid carnival so anxiously looked forward to, and so ardently prepared for, commenced under the most

auspicious circumstances. The present-day proverb enjoins that to got a fair trial of speed uso the paccmakor, and Melbourne has availed herself of the. pace made by Sycthey at the beginning of the year, and the result has been that the fair trial of speed between the two great Australian capitals has made the initiation of federation a novor-lo-bo-forgotten event in history. “Get a good make-up, and the part pMys itself,” is an axiom which is also not forgotten. Melbourne succeeded in securing Royalty for it. Tho ‘ leading part of tho city was converted into a scenic triumph, and the miso on scono was oomplctc. The plaudits of the multitude testifies to the brilliant success. fit. Kilcla, with its pretty beach esplanade, was the spot chosen for the landing. The pier was richly carpeted along its length. - The view from the pier disclosed a fine naval spectacle. Tho sun shone brightly. Tho sea was smooth, and sparkling in the' sunshine. The heavy haze along the sky-lino caused the line of eleven warships to stand out with great distinctness. On the pier head stood a floral canopy, supported by eight chastely-designed pillars, decorated with bannerettes of the Duko’s colors —red ar.l blue. An inscription surmounted tho pillars, bearing the words, “Welcome to Australia’s Shores. The greatest precautions arc being taken by tho authorities. Shortly before the landing eilicicnt officials passed beneath the pier and examined the structure. On St Hilda Pier Head the attendance was absolutely restricted to the Federal State Ministers. Olio representative of each leading journal and representatives of the New Zealand Press Association were also present. , - Just on two o’clock tho warships opened liro in Royal salutes, the Russian being the only vessel using smokeless powder. Amid tho heavy booming of the guns and rolling smoke cloud, the tender Hcygeia, with the Royal Standard at the masthead, slipped away from tho Ophir with the illustrious visitors, and rapidly approached the Pier between a flotilla of gigs from the warships. , , . As the Royal salute on tho warships commenced. Lord Hopetoun. accompanied bv Admiral Beaumont and stall, came down the pier, and as the tender Heygeria steamed alongside, tire small party on tho wharf cheered the Royal couple. A few moments later a gaily dceora-eh <-au"way w as run aboard, and the ■ Duke descended, followed by the Duchess, Lord Hopetoun receiving them, and introducin'' them to the Ministers. The Duke was dressed in full Admiral’s uniform, whilst the Duchess was quietly attired in a plain ti"ht fitting black coat and skirt, null bfack toque, trimmed with jet egrets. _ The quiet ehariu of her manner impressed all. Her photographs do not, do Justice to her features, which are animated nnd pleasant. The Duke s bonhommie will make him popular in thatcolones. Tho party walked ashore to the spot where the Roval equipage was waiting. Troops dined the bridge, the Maori Contingent being drawn up opposite to the Roval carriage. As the party landed the Battery of the Victorian Artillery tiret the Roval salute, and the Mayor of St Hilda welcomed the Duke and Duchess who entered a carriage and preceded bv a large number of postilhous and outriders, and followed by two Life Guardsmen. the journey citywards was com -- meuced in the following order Assistant Quartermaster-General. Victorian Mount ed Rides, New South Wales Mount© Rides, Queensland Mounted Infantrj South Australian Mounted Rides, V est ern Australian Mounted Infantry, Ta, mania -Mounted Infantry, N.Z. Mounte Infantry, A.D.C. to Governor-Genera orderly and outrider, three staff carnage orderly sergeant of escort, advance part of Royal Highnesses, escort, unlitai secretary, chief of staff to Governo General, outrider, Royal Highnesses ca riage with equerry, second in comma! escort officers, commanding escort, nav military commandants, rear party of tn« Roval Highnesses’ escort, A.D.C. to cor maiidants, headquarters’ staff officers, i States, Battery New South Wales Fie Artillery, Battery Victorian Field Art leiy, New South Wales Lancers, Austi liar, Horse, New South Wales Mount Riflesj Queensland Mounted Infant! South Australian Mounted Rifles, Weste Australian Mounted Infantry, Tasmani Mounted Infantry, New Zealand Moun 1 Xafautry, Yiotwuu Mounted Rinse, .

Passing along Fitzroy-street the cavalcade swept under a striking arch, according a welcome to the Royal guests from the municipalities of St. Kilda and Prahran. A graceful structure in the classic style, ISO feet wide and 40ieet high, in imitation stone work, finely decorated with evergreens, gave visitors a foretaste of the greater things to come. On the first part of the route the Duke's colors prevailed. At the Government House gates the open triangular space was finely decorated with the Duke’s colors. Moving on between rows of draped Venetian masts and lines of colonies’ infantry, the party reached the City gateway on Prince’s bridge. Approaching the archway through a beautiful peristyle, the procession was received at the City end of the civic arch by the Mayors of aldermen in the robe 3 of office. They presented an address of welcome. The Duke in replying, thanked the citizens for tho very cordial welcome accorded himself and the Duchess. He expressed pleasure at re-visiting the magnificent City which he saw twenty years ago. The civic arch occupies a position near the centre bridge, the approach to the city end being through a colonnade of pure white pillars, with gilded braziers on the summit of each column. The whole scheme on the bridge and surroundings is something for Melbourne to be proud of. The hitherto unpicturesque environ-

ments of the bridge on the St Kilda side has been converted into a beautiful garden and promenades. The first glimpse of the arch is strongly reminiscent of the marble arch at Ilyile Park corner. Tho keystone of the arch took the form of an ancient barge, the sweeps indicating the states, in union. The inscriptions were of wattle, and greet the Rose of York, and the city hails her monarch’s son.

Crossing Flinders-street Swanson-streot

is entered. Dense, cheering throngs lino die sidewalks, tho balconies, tiers on

tiers on the stand. No window whero a view of tho stirring scene can be obtained is without an occupant. The streets are lined with Venetian* masts somewhat garishly painted. The artistic sense which catered for Sydney is deplorably absont in some of these street decorations. The primary colors arc in evidence, while quiet lesthctic color tones are almost, if not altogether, absent. Passing the Cathedral the first of the Government arches is passed. The King’s arch is gorgeously, if somewhat heavily draped with maroon, picked out in gold, the alcoves containing gilt statuettes of the Prince Consort and the late Queen. Turning into Collins street a marvellous spectacle burst upon tho view, humanity cramming every inch of space between the high buildings on either hand of tho space kept clear by the military for tho groat procession. Large numbers of these sight-seers have been in position from tho early hours, as in Sydney. However, the largo amount of seating accommodation provided diminished the tension in the streets.

On the crown of Collins street, where it is bisected by Russell street, is the Government’s noble tribute to the dead Sovereign. From the four corners spring archways, crossing each other diagonally, forming tho dome-shaped figure of a beautifully decorated ring. Above the centre of this dome is a cupola sheltering a golden statue of Queen Victoria. The figure is eight feet six inches in height. Tho inscription is— Victoria, Queen and Empress. Sho wrought hor people lasting good, God gave her peace, her land reposed; Beloved by all nations, Her court was pure, her lifo serene. Up to the Treasury Buildings the route was brilliant with red and yellow bannerettes. Along Spring street to Parliament House tho decorations were almost entirely floral in character. The stops of Parliament House were reserved for distinguished personages to view tho procession, and presented an imposing appearance. The stands on thb opposite side and the large stand flanking tho statue of General Gordon, wore a mass of peoplo, cheering frantically.

The return journey to Government House commenced by way of Bourke street, which was devoted to States representatives, emblems hanging from the Venetian masts, tho prevailing colors being a combination of red, white, and blue, blue and gold, red, rod and blue, yellow and red. Tho first archway passed was that erected by the citizens. Two piers surmounted burnished copper cupolas, which glisten like balls of fire in the sunlight, the connecting span bearing the inscription, “ Tho citizens welcome the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York. The scone looking down Bourke street on the pagoant was magnificent, festoons of pennons, and sunlight flashes on the lances of the fine troops of the New South Wales Lancers, gavo a wonderful movement to tho picture. Under the Duke’s arch one of tho oriental designs, elaborately gilded, was surmounted with a model cruiser under steam. Tho procession passed tho section devoted to New Zealand. Nineteen masts supported the Maoriland roat-of-arms, and tho Duko’s colors wore the prevailing tints. From Elizabeth street to Kinj street stretched an avenue of Nationalities. Norway, Sweden, Portugal, Belgium, and other nations disported their respective coats-of-arms and national colors. Entering Collins street again, the striking feature is the German arch. Tho German residents’ testimony and appreciation of their adopted country’s industry finds expression in a butter arch, and a particularly graceful column, surmounted by a figure' of Atlas supporting the World. The Chinese erected a pagoda-like structure in Little Bourke street. Entering Swanston street, the procession re-crossed Prince’s bridge, aud entered Government House. Thus ended the most enthusiastic reception ever witnessed in Australia. The line physique of the New Zealand troops attracted much attention along tho various points of the route. Over half a million viewed the proccs sion. No serious accidents have yet been reported. Colonel Chippendale, of West Australia, was thrown on his head, which was injured. . The organisation of the whole affair was splendid. The traffic was controlled by the police in an admirable manner.

EVENING DECORATIONS. MELBOURNE STREETS CROWDED. C V The street was packed to-night to wit- I ness the illuminations. In this respect I the Queen city of the South lias not 1 equalled Sydney. In the latter city the \ streets were festooned from side to side a with electric lamps, giving the thorough- . fares the appearance of avenues of light, t This was not possible here, owing to tho 1 scarcity of electric plants. The streets J were therefore dark, except where they > were lighted by mural illuminations. i Some banking institutions, notably the < Bank of Australasia aud the Union Bank, < were splendidly lit up with clever designs. 1 Parliament House was brilliantly outlined s with incaudescent lamps, causing the material of which the buildings are con- i structcd to become of an opalescent character. The buildings were surmounted i bv the inscription “ God bless our Commonwealth.” An exhibition similarly outlined the huge dome, the extension of the facade enabling most effective illuminations to be carried out. The Post Office had a very striking tower structure, outlined in red. the tower being picked out in white lights. The huge dome of the Law Courts was a Mowing mass of red and white lamps. The Treasury had tastefully picked out in parti-colored lights the motto, “Hail to our future King and Queen.” The greatest triumph, however, was Prince’s Bridge, which was flanked at the ' city end by two high towers, glowing beaul tifully with blended colored lights, on the 1 principle of a spectrum, wjth a band on r the summit of the column. Running along the bridge are huge braziers, from 1 which colored fires throw a radiance over 3 a wide area. - i > , The Argus and Age have finely-designed illuminations. . • : d Probably the illuminations will be in a more complete state iq a day or n His Excellency the' Governor-General n entertains Royalty at a select dinner party 4 tonight, .-