THE ROYAL VISIT.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 139, 22 June 1901, Page 2

THE ROYAL VISIT.

CHRISTCHURCH IN READINESS.

DUKE WANTS TO SEE SOME HORSE-JUMPING. By Telegraph—Press Association. Christchurch, last night. • One thousand eight hundred and fifty volunteers arrived from Nelson, West Coast, Gisborne, and tlio North . Island this morning. Colonel Ponton and staff also arrived this afternoon. All the available troops will hold a rehearsal of tomorrow’s procession. Two thousand eight hundred and fifty cadets aro already in the city. The woather is very rapidly clearing. Visitors aro crowding into the city.

The weather is slowly cloaring to-night, and there is every prospect of fiiio weather for to-morrow’s function. Tho decorations are completed. Tho main arches are the shipping arch, Manchester street; frozen meat companies arch, High streot, painted to represent real ico; agricultural and pastoral arch, Worcester street, the bridge containing live bullocks and sheop in pens; and tho Government arch on Victoria bridge, made of graceful fostoons of native foliage. Tho West Coast gold obelisk at the junction of High and Colombo streots is probably tho most noteworthy of tho dccorativo structures. It is surrounded by tree ferns on blocks of Westport coal, picturesquely grouped. The Cathedral spire will mako a superb spcctaclo, ringed and outlined from baso to spire with electric light. The town is swarming with visitors. Volunteers and cadets are everywhere. The troops are camped on the Show Grounds, Lincoln Road, and South Park. Two thousand arrived from tho North to-day, also Colonel Polo-Ponton and staff. The huge forest of tonts in camp is constantly extending in aroa. The cadets are billeted in the Normal, East, and West Christchurch schools. _ Throo

thousand aro already present. Tho arrangements in the schools are very rough, owing to lack of proper supervision. It is estimated that on Monday 11,500 troops will parade, of which 1,500 aro mounted troopers, and 3,500 cadets. x This afternoon, the mounted troops rodo over the line of procession, creating a most favorable impression. The Duke having expressed a wish to see colonial horses jump wire fences, it is intended to give a private exhibition of jumping a single wire at To Koraha on Saturday afternoon. The following is tho official programme for Saturday:—The Ophir arrives at Lyttelton, accompanied by H.M.S Juno and St. George. Thoy will be received by the warships, and met at tho Heads by tho Lyttelton fleet, which forms a procession. Their Royal Highnesses disombark at 11.80 a.m. The Governor, Premier, and Ministers receive thorn. Tho Mayor of Lyttelton and tho Chairman of the Harbor Board will bo presented. Tho party arrlvo at Christchurch at noon. Tho Mayor welcomes them and presents tho citizens’ address. Tho procession procceds’lo the Provincial Chambers, where the Mayor and Councillors attend, and other addresses will be presented. Tho Duke replies, and proceeds to Victoria square, whero tho laying of the foundation stone of tho Canterbury Jubilee Memorial will take place, and the Friendly Societies march past. Their Royal Highnesses drive to Te Koraha, have dinner thore at 8. There will bo a reception by the Mayor at the Agricultural Hall at 9.45, at which their Royal Highnesses will bo present. There will be an illumination of the city, and music by tho bands. On Sunday their Royal Highnesses attend the morning servico at the Cathodral. The cadets have an afternoon service in the Cathedral.

VISITORS IN DUNEDIN. [BY TELEQBAPH—PKESS ASSOCIATION.] ' Dunedin, last night. Visitors aro already flocking into town for tho Royal visit. A. prolonged spell of fine weather broke to-day, when drizzling rain fell, interfering somewhat with tho preparations. Reports have been current for some days that the Royal visit to Dunedin would be cut short, but wore disbelieved. To-night, official intimation was received that tho Royalties leave Dunedin at 11.30 on Thursday morning, instead of 10.30 at night.