THE-ROYAL TOUR.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XL, Issue 7027, 11 June 1901, Page 3

THE-ROYAL TOUR.

ARRIVAL IN AUCKLAND,

(Per Press Association.) Auckland, June 10.

The long-expected event has now come to pass, and the Ophir, with the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall on board, is now in Waitemata. Between o and6.o'clook yesterday afternoon news was received in town that the Ophir had passed Oape Maria Van Diemau at 3 o'clock, and was coming down the coast at easy speed of 8 I knots. This morning the Royal Squadron reached port. The Ophir, accompanied by the cruiser St. George and the Juno rounding North Head about half-past 11 and dropping anchor opposite the Heads' it is a matter for regret that the Eoyal visitors and those accomping them did not see the harbour under fine weather conditions. Even the ships carrying Royaltyaie not exempt from the laws of medical inspection, and as soon as the Ophir dropped anchor Dr. Sherman, health, officer, went on board. Captain Alexander also went on board, representing the Governor. The early arrival if the Ophir will not interfere with the reception arrangements. Men are still working in Queen street getting the decorations into shape, and with fine weather, the success of to-morrow's ceremony will be doubly assured. Unfortunately, Captain Edwin predicts unfavourable weather, but the enthusiastic loyalty of of the crowded city is so great that it is likely to shine out clearly through any rain or storm.

The Duke and Duchess are in the best of health, their trip across having in no way inconvenienced them, but having a positive effect and rest after the continued strain of the festivities in Australia being very grateful. Leaving Sydney at noon on Thursday last, the Ophir, escorted by H.M.S. Juno and H.M.S. St. George, one on either side, passed through the Heads twenty minutes later. For the rest of the day and during next morning the weather was somewhat rough, an easterly wind raising a moderate sea. The weather then set fair, and smooth seas and warm airs prevailed during Friday afternoon and Saturday. Slight fog came down on Saturday night, and the vessels slowed down. The New Zealand shore appeared over the horizon about noon yesterday, and at 3 p.m. the most northern coast and Cape Mavia Van Dieman was abeam. Coming down the coast, which was kept in view, another light fog crept up, and again speed was reduced to 10 knots per hour, the rocky coast showing up through the mist from line of three abreast. The squadron changed on Saturday night to single column, the Ophir leading, the Juno and the St. George following. This order was kept until reaching the harbour, and on rounding the North Head the Ophir dropped her anchor, the others following at reasonable intervals.

Auckland, June 11. The weather is clear and promises to be beautiful for the day of the reception. The coastal fleet is assembling and the day promises to be imposing. Latbe. The gruesome weather prediction of Captain Edwin was happily falsified. The morning broke delightfully and an easterly breeze spread out the bunting with tine effect. The Queen's wharf and street and all the city was literally blossomed with flags of every design and colour and the picture looking from the pier head up to Queen-street with its dense crowds of eager humanity was brilliant, and spoke eloquently of the keen interest of the people of the colony in the Eoyal visit. .From an early hour the harbour was alive with crowded ferry steamers and' vessels arriving from all the coastal ports. At 10.15 the men-of-war in line off the North Shore fired a Eoyal salute, and then the Ophir steamed towards Northcote. The sailors on the rigged men-of-war manned the yard arms, and on the others lined along the decks to salute the Royal yacht. Lusty cheers broke out from all as the Ophir sedately steamed past, accompanied by their escorts (the Eoyal Geprge and Juno), while the band on the Eoyal Arthur played several bars of the National Anthem. Then the Ophir turned and steamed up to her berth at the head of the Queen's-sJreet wharf, which was closely barricaded. Nothing in the way of an official visit takes place till after ono o'clock. The decorations were carried out on a magnificent scale, the result of the com-' bined efforts of the citizens. En route there was i£ regular artistic design worked by the Decoration Committee, the effect being to transform the route into a veritable fairy land. Queen street naturally was the most conspicuous for decorations, its whole length being festooned with chains of greenery each side, the graceful Venetian masts being surmounted with bannerettes of red, white, and blue, the connecting links of festoons being picked out with floral decorations of similar colours, while ferns and palms crossed I each mast.

The private decorations and artistic design« were in keeping, and when illuminated at 'light, will present a wonderfully dazzling spectacle. At the foot of the wharf is the Government platform where the public reception takes place at two, and civic addresses will be presented. Tho decorations here consist of festoons in national colors and nikau palms, arranged to give the finest effect. Opposite is a large public platform and near the ferry tee is the Harbor Board official platform. Another platform is behind Government one all tastefully decked in greenery and colors, From every building in the street are flags and bannerettes, Venetian masts, and similar decorations continue into Wellesbey-street, Symonds, O'Korke and Princes-streets to Government House grounds. The Koyal carriage will stop to see a human Union Jack near the Town Hall represented by. children. There are numerous1 arches, all of tasteful designs. At. the head of the wharf is one of ferns and palms. Behind in silver letters "welcome," surmounted by the Royal Arms. At the foot of tne wharf is another inscribed simply "Haeremai."*

At the junction of Victoria and Queen streets is a Government arch, designed to represent the marble arch in Hyde Park.

A number of other decorations and designs were greatly admired. •

Napier, June 11.

An influential deputation waited on the Mayor this morning to secure his co-operation in inducing the authorities to arrange for the Ophir and escort to call in the bay on her way down the coast. The Mayor telegraphed to the Premier as to the feasibility of the proposal.

At about 8 minutes past two o'clock this afternoon the flag wa? ran up at the Palmerston North Post Office, announcing that the Duke of York had landed in Aiickland. Previous to the message being received a large number of children and adults assembled in front of the building. On receipt of the message the first verse ot the National Anthem was sung and then the Rev. C. C. Harper, chairman of the College-street School Committee, referred to the pleasure it should give all New Zealanders to welcome the heir-apparent to the British Throne to New Zealand, not because of the man himself but because of the office he represented. Keferencc was made to the fact that children of the present generation had been enabled to see their brothers and uncles go forth to take part in the battles of tlie Empire, and he also syoke of the pleasure it should give us to remember the fact that we were part of the greatest Empire the world had ever known. He'considered the Eoyal visit was a great thing for New Zealand, as indicative of the fact that the Imperial authorities recognised that the .ccSonifeslformed an important part of the 1 "Empite., He expressed pleasure at seeing 'such a crpvi present to welcome the iDuke and Dl^Jhess to New Zealand, and hoped they Would, all have the pleasure of seeing them pass though the Square in a few days. # The Mayor was present during the proceedings, and through the Rev. 0. 0, Harper, tendered an analogy for not ad. dressing those assembled. i *s * ' / '*