TUE SCENE IN VICTORIA SQUARE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CV, Issue 12535, 24 June 1901, Page 8

TUE SCENE IN VICTORIA SQUARE.

LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE. Tbe presentation did not occupy much tinrn, and as soon as it was over the. Royal visitors re-entered their carriages, and the process-on returned down street and over the Gl-o-uoaster Street Bridge. In Colombo Street again great crowds greeted it. All along the route there was cheerin e." By and bye those who had been seated on the platforms in Victoria. Square were gratified by seeing the head of the procession approach. The moving passed on between rows of volunteers, backed by the public. The Square itself presented an it fed never presented before, and, probably, will never ©resent again. There were row upon row of men and women and children,, well dressed, happy and The crowded platforms, the gorgeous uniforms of the guard of honour, the green grass, and the, little pavilion in th-e centee. covering the stone • of the memorial to Canterbury’s early settlers, and to the men fallen in the South African war, mad© a very picturesque scene, which will last for many years irri the memories of those who were present at the historic function. great cheer arose when the Governor stepped out of his carriage, and attended by Captain Alexander, ascended- the Government platform. his Excellency’s carriage oame those oi the P ien^ eJ Y with Mrs and Miss feeddon, and the Hon W C and Mrs Walker cam© next, end they were cheered also. After these oam© the> Mayor, Mr J- H-olmes Executive Con* mission®! - , Messrs G. Q. Stead, H. F. Wig ram and R. Allan, Commissioners and members of the Executive Committee, aR of whom had been present at the function in the Provincial Council Chambers, and who had walked from the Chamber to th© Square by way of Armagh Street. Shortly after this tbe carnages of tire Royae Jaff entered the Square. They contained Prince Alexander of Teck, the Hon Mrs Derek Keppel, Lord Wenlock, Lieutenant Colonel Sir Arthur Bigge, Commodore Sji. Charles Gust, th© Hon Derek Keppel,;. and Commander B. Godfrey _ Fausset Th© Royal staff also received cheers, but they bad hardly died away when the strains of th© 'National Anthem announced that their Royal Highnesses had arrived to attend the function of laying the foundation eton© of the mmorial. The cheers again rose from the platforms, and were acknowledged by the Royal pair, the Duke saluting and the Duchess gracefully bowing. Their Royal Highnesses were met at the platform by tire Governor. They ascended it, and after a short pause 'descended, and walked along the strip of crimson carpet to the pavilion which covered the stone. Their Royal Highnesses were accompanied by the Duke’s personal staff, the Mayor, Mr H. F. Wigram (Chairman of the Jubilee Me-

mortal Committee), and the Ministerial party. A few minutes after the pavilion had been entered, the Mayor addressing the Duke, said: “Your Royal Highness,—l beg leave to say a word or two. Last December was the fiftieth anniversary of the Canterbury settlement, as it was on Dec. 16, fifty years ago, that the first pioneers came to Lyttelton. It was decided that we' ought to pub up a memorial to serve as a token of the honour and esteem in which we hold those early settlers, many of whom, I am sorry to say, have gone from us. 1 It was also thought that there should be a memorial to those of their descendants who went to South Africa and who fell, in the war there, and the names of those who have lost the-ir lives in the war will be engraved on the tablet. It was thought, besides, that additional interest and great value would be. given to the memorial if your Royal- Highness would consent to -lay the foundation stone. There'ore_ I beg leave to ask, if you will be good enough to lay this stone.” The Mayor then placed under tbe .stone a. bottle containing the coins of the realm and copies of the Christchurch newspapers. He presented the trowel, and his Royal Highness performed the ceremony, saying, “I declare this stone to be well and truly laid.” Stepping forward, and facing the people on the platforms, his Royal Highness said: “Mr Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen, —We are happy to be here, and to be associated in this tribute of affection to our late dearly beloved Queen, I should say to you, teach your children to look up to it as a memorial of her, whose life was a noble example of devotion to duty, of tender sympathy with, and loving regard for, the wellbeing of her people, to us all a priceless heritage. And I can - assure you that both the Ducbers and I are greatly touched by the very kind and hearty welcome which has been given to-day • by the people of Christchurch.’’ The ceremony did not occupy much time, but eVery incident was watched, with keen interest by the, thousands of people who had assembled to siee it. The sun shone brightly on the scene, and it is certain that no memorial stone could have been laid under more, ■ auspicious circumstances. When the Duke concluded his brief speech there was another burst -of cheering, which was acknowledged with a bow. Retracing their steps, their Royal Highnesses again ascended the platform, and shortly afiter,wardis entered their carriage once more. As they left the Square by way of Victoria Street the procession was re-formed,, and passed out of sight as it went on the route to the, Royal residence at To Koraha.