THE ROYAL VISIT.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 140, 24 June 1901, Page 2

THE ROYAL VISIT.

DUKE AND DUCHESS AT CHRISTCHURCH.

CLOUDS GIVE WAY TO/BRILLIANT SUNSHINE. A MAGNIFICENT SPECTACLE. GALA DAY IN THE CITY OF THE PLAINS. (By Telegraph-Press Association.) Christchurch, Saturday. Heavy rain foil during Friday night, culminating in a downpour at dawn. Then tho morning broko fine and splendid, and there was brilliant, sunny weather for tho wholo of Saturday’s pageant. Tho sun rapidly dried tho decorations, which had been severely affected by the weathor. Tho streets presented a brilliant appearanco, festooned and garlandod, each street possessing a properly-graduated schomo of harmonising colors. Taken altogether, the decorations do not equal thoso of Wellington, the arches being of a smaller size,' and several of them very flimsy in appearance. At 7.15 tho Royal yacht ontored the Lyttelton Harbor, the warships and battories giving a salute, but no procossion of the Lyttolton fleet was formed. The hill was crowded with sightseers. Tho Opliir came alongside tho wharf at 8.45. The landing stage was gaily decorated. The Garrison'Artillery, formed a guard of honor. The Governor and Lady Ranfurly, Mr Scddon, and tho Ministers welcomed the Duke at 11.35. ThevDuko was in admiral’s uniform, and tho Duchess in a black costumo. The Mayor of Lyttelton and Mr Waymouth, Chairman of tho Harbor Board, wore prosontod to tho Duke. Miss Waymouth handed tho Duchess a bouquet. The Duke inspected the guard of honor formed by tho Garrison Artillery. The school children sang an authem as tho Royal train was moving off, and there was enthusiastic cheering all along the line. The party arrived at Christchurch railway-station at noon. Tho station, by the lavish use of ferns, was transformed into a bower of verdure, this being the most artistic decoration in Christchurch,

The Mayor, Mr A. E. G. Rhodes, Mrs Rhodes, and Miss M. Rhodes (who presented the Duchess with a bouquot), the Commissioners, and othors wore on tho platform. Tho Duke shook hands with tho Mayor and Mrs Rhodes. An address from tho citizens was handed to tho Duko. Immense crowds cheered tho Royal party all along the line of procession. Thirteen companies of mounted rifles, with two guns of the E Battery, formed tho procession, infantry lining the streets. Everywhere there was enthusiasm and loud cheering. At the Provincial Chambors, addresses from the Orangemen and Old Age Pensioners were presented. The Duke replied, stating that tho working of the Old Age Pensions’ system had been [carefully watched in the Mother Country. Councillors and othors were presented to the Duko, and then Their Royal Highnesses proceeded to Victoria Square, where tho onthusiasm culminatod. Here was laid tho fouudation-stouo of tho Canterbury Jubiloo Memorial to tho early pioneers and Canterbury troopers who had died in tho Transvaal. The Cathodral bells rang a peal. Tho Friendly Societies then marched past, each society cheering the Duke. The Royal party thou drove to To Ivoraha.

SATURDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING. PLEASANT CHANGE—DISPLAY OF HORSEMANSHIP. THE RECEPTION—A BLAZE OF DIAMONDS. By Telegraph—Press Association. Christchurch, last night. After lunch at To Koraha on Saturday, the Royal party went for a walk near the Avon. Later on, they witnessed a display of wire-jumping at To Koraha, over fences three feet high, with five strands of black wire. Several officers of the Amuri Mounted Rifles and Colonel Polo-Penton took part. Sergeant Tubman, of tho Canterbury Mounted Rifles, gave a display of horsemanship. His Highness was much pleased with the display. In the evening, tho Mayor hold a brilliant and crowded reception at the Agricultural Hall. The Royal party were expected at 9.45. They arrived at 10.35, and occupied a seat on the raised dais. There they listened to a short concert programme. The performers were Mrs Burns, Miss Graham, Messrs Wallace, Hugh Reeves, and A. Millar. Afterwards, Their Royal Highnesses moved through the crowd to private rooms, where supper was provided for tho guests. The Duchess wore a diamond tiara, and her neck and corsage blazed with diamonds. On Saturday afternoon, there was a rehearsal of tho Review at Hagloy Park, whore there was an extraordinarily large attendance of the public. Troops are still arriving at the camp. Slight rain fell on Saturday night, The city was illuminated, the spire of the Cathedral making a splendid spectacle, tho cross being illuminated. There were search-lights, but no fireworks.

THE SABBATH DAY. SHORT SERVICE AT CATHEDRAL. JUVENILES SHUN CHURCH. [By Telegraph—Press Association.] Christchurch, last night. Sunday was delightfully fine. The Duke and Duchess and suite attended morning service at the Cathedral. There was a.short service, loss than one hour. Bishop Julius delivered the sermon, which occupied twelve minutes. The front portion of the Cathedral was cleared for their Highnesses, who occupied special seats. The Rev. A. E. Julius and Canon Harper assisted. The special service for the cadets at the Cathedral was poorly attended. TO-DAY’S PROGRAMME.

By Telegraph—Press Association. Christchurch, last night. The programme for Monday is as follows : —Their Royal Highnesses attend the children’s demonstration in Victoria Square at 10.30. The Duke then proceeds to review the troops and present the South African war medals at Haglcy Park. Colors will be presented to the returned contingents. Then their Royal Highnesses return to To Koraha. The Government entertain the veterans and members of returned contingents at lunch in the Art Gallery. At 8 there will be a dinner at Te Koraha. The Savage Club entertain the visiting journalists at a dinner at the Chambers. The Royal party will appear on a raised platform specially erected at Oamaru, and afford the public an opportunity of seeing them.