THE ROYAL VISIT.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 105, 13 May 1901, Page 3

THE ROYAL VISIT.

A GREAT PROCESSION. FINE TABLEAUX. EMBLEM OF GOOD LUCK FOR THE DUCHESS. By Telegraph-Press Association— Copyright Melbourne, May 12. The programme to-day opened with a great procession of friendly societies and trades unions. It was one of the finest trades processions over held in Australia. Royalty viewed it from the pavilion on the steps of Parliament House. The Duke and Princess were greatly interested in the various tableaux. Amongst the most elaborate were those representing the soldiers and sailors of. the British Empire. Tins was carried out with a strict attention to detail in regard to tho various uniforms of the British army and navy. Another tahicaux that attracted special notice wits that ot Australian flora, and it had a most realistic effect. The coal miners showed men blasting coal in a mine, while above, on tho grass, hoys plaved cricket. Thc Farriers' Union had a forgo at work. A line silver horse shoe was thrown from thc car to the Royal pavilion. Thc emblem of good luck was handed to the Duchess, who bowed acknowledgments. The workmen s procession took about two hours in passing tlio pavilion.

CULi'EMOXY AT UNIVERSITY

POPULARITY OF THE DUKE,

By Telegraph -Press Association—Copyr'ght Melbourne, May 12. The annual commemoration at the University was graced by Royalty It was a great function, admirably arranged and carried out on a good basis. There were representatives ofjtho various institutes of I culling, including the Vice-Chancellor of the Now Zealand University. Tho undorgrads maintained the timehonored custom of enlivening the proceeding with doggrcl verse set to popular airs.

The proceedings commenced with an academic procession, escorting the Duke * and Royal party at tho head of tho LaySonuto' of the' Melbourne Universities, with the exception of Sydney, which was not represented. When tin: Duke appeared a great roar • cf, up, Uml tho National Anthem \vu« ck. conferring the Ordinary s.mg. Aftin • | Mt W(tH (,],(, c |,i e f degrees, the special Emitted feature. Tlio following weie Barton, Ail Thindum Master of Art Andrews, Bishop of Tasmania : Rov.' ; , DoetorV ieo-Chaneciloi of New Zeajfhr. Doctor sliip o fLetters : Lord Ter end tho Duke of Laws : Sir Samuel-V" of ( ornwa'l and ijceivcil the dogreo tho When the DuD, WIIS tremendous, His outburst lll0VC(l I )y thc scene. The itiglmess. on( ,| l . 1( | ti,e presentation tUuc tlu Vlress j(i t 0 t|, o Duke, with 01 ll ssion of the liopo that the federation °B' established might have thc greatest lnliuencc for strengthening tho British Empire. Thc guard of honor furnished by the New Zealand Infantry, with the regimental journalists engaged in thc various ceremonies, were entertained aboard tho Royal yacht by Sir Donald Wallace. The Duke and Duchess expressed regret at not being present, owing to a prior engagement.

IN VEST IT till R OF TITLES. In the evening one of the most imposing ceremonials of thc series was thc investiture of titles awarded those who played a prominent part in tho federal movement in England. Such functions are exclusive, and only a privileged few lire permitted to witness the ceremony. Tho lion. .1. G. Ward and tho representatives of tho Now Zealand Press Association were present. The noble ball-room at Government House was thc scene of tho ceremony. At dusk the Privy Council summoned the Australian members, and that body was sworn in. This was done privately, the Council afterwards entering the ballroom to participate in the investiture. At one end of the room was the Royal dais under a gorgeous canopy, [n (he centre of tho room was a table on which reposed the ribbons and insignia of tho various orders to ho conferred. Around tlio table were grouped tho recipients of

honors, together with otlicr members of Jjt. iMichnoi mul St. George. The guests •> were sciitcd to the left and tho right of the dais, forming an avenue, up which those to be invested approached the lloyal presence. A few minutes before the Puke appeared the Duchess, with the ladies-in-waiting, entered and joined tho visitors, The Duke, accompanied by Lord Hopctoun, Prince Alexander of Took and suite, took up a position on tho dais. Sir Arthur Bagge, Private Secretary, read the charter - commissioning the Duke as Lord of the Investiture. Sir John Forrest was the first to bo invested. Tho Duke of Roxburgh, carrying a crimson velvet cushion, on which reposed tho insignia, advanced to the dais. Sir John Forrest, supported by Sir Frederick Sargood and Sir Phillip Fysli, followed, all bowing low three times till they reached the dais. Here Sir John Forrest knelt. The Duke, taking a sword from one of the suite", touched Sir John first on the left shoulder, then on the right with the blade. ' Sir John arose. The Duke placed tho Collar of the Order around his nee’ - , pinned the Grand Cross on tho breast, shook hands with tho recipient, and tho party retired backwards, bowing three times, and the ceremony was finished. Tho same procedure followed with regard to the lions. Millftn, Symons, and with those receiving the Companionship, except in the latter case. The Companions accompanied their new brethren. The -Companions did not kneel. The star was merely pinned on tho breast. Sir John Quick and Sir Samuel Gillott were created Knights not belonging to any order. They walked to tho dais unaccompanied, knelt, and being touched with tho sword arose and retired. The brilliant uniforms of the military, the lavish gold lace of the Adnjiral and suite, mingled with the evening dross of the civilians, the glowing setting of the rich crimson carpet under the radiance of the magnificent electric candelabra made tho picture remain long in tho memory- of those privileged to witness it.