THE ROYAL VISIT.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 143, 27 June 1901, Page 2

THE ROYAL VISIT.

THE CELEBRATIONS. [By Telegraph—Press Association]. Dunedin, last night. At 11.30 their Royal Highnesses loft the Fernhill Club and passed through densely - thronged routes and cheering crowds, and arrived at the Octagon at 11.45, whore they x-eceived an enthusiastic welcomo from tho vast crowds. Tho whole scene, with two arches garlandod with lycopodium and flags, was a most picturesquo one. On arrival of tho Duchess at tho dais she was presented with a bouquet by Miss Fairio Denniston. Tho Dunedin Engineers were drawn up in tho Octagon, and thero wore presont on the platform His Excelloncy the Governor, Mr Seddon, Sir Joseph Ward, tho Mayor, Mr G. L. Denniston, Mrs Denniston, and others. Addresses were presented from the Mayor and Corporation of Dunodin, Presbyterian Church of Otago and Southland, Catholic Bishops, clergy, and laity of Dunedin, Mayor and Corporation of Port Chalmers, Couuty Council of Otago, Scottish Societies of Dunedin, and Friendly Societies of Otago. Tho Duke, in a lengthy roply, complimented Otago on the equipment of tho Fourth Contingent. Ho rociproeatod tho > •hope expressed that his visit might ovinco tho spirit of goodwill which would bind in one solid union tho hearts of tho scattered portions of tho Empiro. Ho expressed deep regret that he could not stay longer to visit other portions of tho colony, and profound regret at tho genorous and unfeigned kindness extended to him throughout the longth and broadtli of tho colony. Tho Dulto presented Nurse Ross, of Otago, with a medal. Miss Seddon presented tho Duchess with an addi-oss from tho women of Now Zealand.

The returned troopors received medals, and tho Duke reviewed tho veterans and examined their medals. Ho chatted with

several. At 12.15 tho procession was continued, and returned half an hour lator at a trot. Luncheon was partaken of by tho Royal party at tho Fernhill Club. Tho Government ontertained tho votorans and returned troopers at lunch at tho Choral Hall.

It is superb weather, and tho streots aro thronged. Tho magnificent arches, of substantial and solid appearance, display great artistic taste. Tho streets aro garlanded with green strings and banners.

Last night the Duke and Duchess ■wore serenaded at the Fernhill Club by the Dunodin Liedertafol. Their Royal Highnesses appealed at a window and asked the Liedcrtafel to sing again. Christchurch, last night.

Mr George Grey, Cliiof Engineer of tho Opliir, was presented by the New Zealand Marine Engineers’ Institute with the gold badge of that institution. Afterwards the engineers of tho Opliir wore taken into the country on an onjoyablo excursion.

AVellington, last night. The Mayor of AVellington has received from the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall as a momento of their visit an autograph photograph of their Royal Highnesses.

FURTHER DETAILS. [By Telegraph—Press Association.] Dunedin, last night. The welcome accorded to the Duke and Duchess at Dunodin put a fitting climax to the loyal acclamations of the colony. Tho street decorations of Dunedin equalled, if not excelled, those of Auckland. The illuminations wero second only to those of AVellington. There was clear, cloudloss weather, and dense crowds thronged the streots. At the lunch .to the veterans and returned troopers, Mr Seddon read a letter from General Hutton to Colonel Robin, congratulating tho latter on his C.B. General Hutton referred to his contingent as the most gallant of all the gallant mounted troops, his old comrados, the New Zealand Mounted Rifles. General Hutton would always recall tho discipline, steadiness, dash, and gallantry upon all occasions of Robin’s battalion. Ho would always associate Robin, Craddock, and tho New Zealandox-s as being connected with all the best work dono by tho first Mounted Infantry Brigade. At 2.30, there was a great children's demonstration at the Caledonian Ground. Twenty-three public schools wex-e represented by 3000 children. The Duko and Duchess were presont. The children and cadets went through marching evolutions, physical drill, wand and dumb-bell exercises, sang sevex-al songs, and concluded with a march past. The wholo was directed by Mr John Hanna, the musical director being Mr A. M. Braik. Tho Duko was presented with a stone chair. He’laughingly sat in it. AVhile the Duchess was waiting, an old lady rushed up to her, and kissed the Duehess’s hand. The Duchess smiled, and gave the old lady a flower from her bouquet. The Royal party paid a brief visit to tho Agricultural and Horticultural Shows. They were received at the Agx-icultural Hall by Mr H. T. Fulton, President, and others. At the Horticultural Show they were received by Mr J. H. Munro, VicePresident of the Horticultural Show, and others. Then they returned to dinner at Fernhill.

This g veiling the city is illuminated, and there is a fireworks display. A Royal reception was]'.hold at the Agricultural Hall. There was o brilliant attendance, all the guests being presented. To-morrow the Duke and Duchess leave at 11 a.m. for Christchurch, first laying the foundation stone of the Queen’s statue at the Triangle. The Duke made a spoech at tho Octagon. He remarked : “ If more proofs were needed of tho

colony’s attachment to tho Throne,

they would have boen given a hund-red-fold in tho gallant servioes rendered to tho Empire by your sons and brothers, and in the glorious, unfading memory of those loved ones, who, alas, sleep on the African veldt.” Referring to the death of the Queen he said :

“We take comfort in tho knowledge that in her great and noble life will sjirely be found one of the most certain sources of that spirit of loyalty, unity, and to share the common burden which has now declared itself with such an irresistible force throughout tho free nations which form tho British Empire. We have eagerly looked forward to visiting this favored district of New Zealand, knowing that we should find here a community of puro Scotch origin, who some half century ago left their native shores for this distant land. They infused into their new life that courage, perseverance, and tenacity of purpose which, together with the spirit of enterprise, are inherent characteristics of their race. What must then have been but a mere hamlet, but in which they saw with prophetic eye its present greatness, they honored with the Celtic name of that fairest of cities, the proud and historic capital which is the pride of all Scotchmen. The Fourth Contingent is renowned in this colony, manned as it was by your sons, equipped and mounted by the generosity of tho people of the province, while Dunedin stands unique in having sent from among it brave, self-sacrificing daughters as nurses to tend and care for the sick and wounded in South Africa. Most heartily do I reciprocato the hope expressed that our visit may enhance the spirit of goodwill which should bind in one great solid union of hearts the scattered portions of the Empire. We deeply regret that owing to numerous engagements we have not been able to remain longer and visit other portions of the island. We shall quit your shores with feelings of profound gratitude for the generous, unfeigned kindness %vhich has been extended to us throughout the length and breadth of the colony. It is our earnest prayer that Divine Providence may continue to guide and watob over tho destinies of its people,”

DUNEDIN SCORES. By Telegraph—Press Association. Dunedin, last night. Sir H. Miller, Speaker of the Legislative Council, was ixivested with the Order at the Club to-night. His Royal Highness sent for Mr T. Donne, and thanked him for the excellent work dono in connection with tho tour. Mr John Holmes was also thanked. His Royal Highness expressed himself highly pleased with tho arrangements, decorations, oto.

SQU ADRON AS ESCORT.

By Telegraph—Press; Association—Copyright

London, Juno 26. Boutor’s coiTespondent at Capetown states that tho Capo squadron proceeds to Natal to escort the Duko and Duchoss of Cornwall to Simonstown.