THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH IN AUSTRALIA.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 12, Issue 911, 21 January 1868, Page 3

THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH IN AUSTRALIA.

The Melbourne correspondent . of the Otago Daily Times writes on December \ 27th :--our Royal Visitor is still amongst us, and it 4s now certain that he will not leave Hobson'? Bay until after the commencement 1 of the New Year. Notwithstanding the length of his stay in Victoria, the time of His Royal Highness has been very fully occupied, and his intervals of - rest during the last month have been few and far between. Since his return from Ballarat, he has paid a visit to Castlemaine and Sandhurst, spending one day at the former town and two at the latter. At each' of those places, his Royal Highness was received with enthusiastic demonstrations pt loyalty ; but I very much regret to have to add that at Sandhurst a very melancholy and fatal accident occurred, tending considerably to mar the pleasure ; of the recollection of the Royal visit. A "torch light procession at night formed portion of the programme laid down for the entertainment of the Prince by the inhabitants of that town, and the Fire Brigade, in taking part in the ceremony, had prepared a large model of the Galatea, which was hoisted upon their engine and manned with a. crew: of little fellows of about seven or eight years of age. On board the miniature man-of-war were a number of rockets • and Roman candies, for firing"off- at inter- I vals; but unfortunately, by an accident, the cadse of which has not been very clearly explained, but which Is supposed to have been the alighting qf a Chinese cracker amongst the fireworks, an explosion took place by which several of the poor little boys on board were so dreadfully injured, that they had to be carried to the hospital at once. Three of them, named M'Grath, CabiU; and Walters, died a few hours afterwards, and a fourth lay in a precarious state for some time, but it is now hoped that he may recover. Great sympathy was expressed for the bereaved parents of the poor children "by the inhabitants of the district, and the funeral was very largely attended. Another accident which occurred at Sandhurst during the Prince's short stay there, was a fire at the new Hall, erected for a ball, at which his Royal Highness was to be present. It was so far fortunate, that the fire broke out a short time before the hour appointed for the company tb assemble, and not after they had arrived. The building was constructed of galvanised iron outside, and wood within. The woodwork and decorations were entirely destroyed, and what had been a very beautifully decorated ball room was turned into a mere blackened shell. Ifc is supposed that in; lighting up the hall some yof .the;- decorations caught fire, and tho fl^esl;i^id^~spfeT^--ercr^"£ne' interior of the -whole building. The intended ball and supper were held in the Town Hall, which was hastily prepared for the occasion. X'' • ': ' Since his return from Sandhurst and Castlemaine, the Prince has paid a second visit to Ballarat, in order to be present afc the races there. His Royal Highness has paid several visits to the Melbourne theatres, and on each occasion has been very warmly received by the audience. On Monday night last he attended a grand Fancy ' Ball given in hia honor by the Mayor and Corporation of this city, at the new Exhibition Building. About 3000 guests were present, and tbe immense variety of costumes worn in that large assemblage formed a sight as beautiful as it was bewildering. The Prince, who wore his naval uniform, opened the ball with Mrs. Butters, the wife of the Mayor of Melbourne, as his partner. That lady appeared as "The Mirror," and was most singularly dressed to represent the character. According to the description of her costume which appeared in the morning's papers, sbe wore "a dress of rich white corded silk, trimmed and striped with blue and pink ribbons and covered with glittering mirrors, numbers being suspended round the skirt. In her hand was held an ornamental looking-glass. The necklaces, bracelets, and ear-rings were also composed of mirrors." Later in the evening Mrs. Butters changed this fantastic dress for one in which she represented "The Press," in which character she appeared at a former fancy ball. Yesterday (Boxing Day,) the various amusements were patronised by the public with as much • zest as if no holiday had been kept for years previously. The Odd Fellows had a very capital fete at the Zoological /Gardens, at which several thousands were present ; but the centre of attraction was the grand . Volunteer Review on the Melbourne Racecourse at Fleming ton. About 3000 troops of all arms, were on the ground, and after executing a number of manoeuvres with great precision, they marched, past his Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh, his Excellency the Governor, and their respective suites. The Duke, who wore the unitorm of a general of Saxe Coburgh Gotha,, decorated with a variety of orders, looked well on horseback, and was loudly cheered by tbe troops and the public. His Royal Highness is expected to attend the Sailors' Home Ball, on 3 1st inst., and the Melbourne Races on New Year's Day.