THE DUKE'S REPLY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XL, Issue 7028, 12 June 1901, Page 3

THE DUKE'S REPLY.

The Duke, having accepted the address and casket, delivered the following reply:—"Mr Seddon and gentlemen,— ■ On behalf of the Duchess and myself, I thank you and the people of New Zealand most sincerely for the hearty welcome you offer us and for your sympathetic reference to the loss we have sustained through the death of our be-, loved and ever-lamented Queen—a los^ which we share with the whole Empir4. On behalf of the King, my dear faih-er, I desira also to thank you for your assurance of continues! attachment and d.eyotion of the people of New Zealand t/o his throne and person and of their unflinching loyalty. Of that loyalty th^:y have already given most signal proofs. The readiness and promptitude witih which the Government and people of New Zealand sprang to the assistance in the struggle still unhappily proceeding in South Africa will be remembered by His Majesty and the people of the United Kingdom. Your action, in that matter has proved to the world that your appreciation of the benefits you enjoy as citizens of the British Empire will, whenever the occasion arises, he shown by deeds not words, and that you are prepared to share in the responsibility of maiataining the glorious traditions and. heritage which are your birthright as much as that of the people of the Motherland. I am glad to learn that the inhabitants of New Zealand are prosperous and happy and that the Maoris, whose numbers are increasing, are? Lying in complete amity with their fellow-subjejts and are co-operating with them nv'the work of self-government. The inclusion in this colony of the Cook and other Islands—a step which, I understand, has the full concurrence of their inhabitants ' T^r'- w^a the same wise and sympathetic system of government which has secured the contentment and happiness of the Maoris, I have no doubt be of lasting adyantage to the people. •. I regret that the brief period of our stay will prevent us from seemg as much as we could wish of the many beautiful and natural phenomena of your Islands, but we shall surely carry with us the most pleasant and lasting recollections of thej warmth and cordiality of bur reception and of your kindness and good wisjies on our behalf. / Miss Kuby Seddon then presented Her Koyal Highness with a beautiful shower ; bouquet of white roses ard violets picked out with maidenhair ferns and tied with white and purple ribbons This over, the actual landing was effected. Bear-Admiral Beaumont, accompanied by several officers of the squadron preceded the Eoyal party by se'veial minutes in marching up the wharf. The party then entered their carriages and proceeded to the reception platform, where the usual civic addresses and presentations were made in drizzling rain. Miss Kidd (daughter of the chairman of the Harbour Board) presented to the Duchess a magnificent bouquet of flowers and a choir f rom the.Choral and Liedertafel Sociehos san!! the National Anthem, being led by the Waihi Brass .Band.

His Eoyal Highness, upou stepping P nvT w Pv, eak> re-Ceived a toe-nendou! H ovation When quiet was restored lie psaid- 'It is with fe e li n g S o f intense satisfaction that, after along voyage we hare at last set foot on your country .which we both have always been so anxious to visit. It is especially interesting to me that the first ceremony in which I take part is to hear His Excellency the Governor reading, by the King's command, the proclamation announcing the inclusion of Cook Islands with In ew Zealand. (Great applause and cheers.) . Lord Eaufurly then read the formal proclamation of the extension of the boundaries of the colony of New Zealand, so as to include the Cook Island group and all other islands within the boundary lines specified as from the date of the 11th of June. 190 L The proclamation was the signal for renewed cheering. His Excellency called for three cheers : for the King, which were heartily accorded. Mrs Seddon followed by calling for the Queen, and also for the Duke and Duchess. The Royal party then returned to the carriage, and the procession started up Queen street, and completed the route amidst enthusiastic cheering. On arrival at Government House, the head-of the procession continued down Waterloo Quadrant, and marched straight back to their quarters, none of the troops entering Government House grounds. To-night the town is swarming with •■f-klents and visitors. 'Hie illuminations and fireworks were »e\ a- before approached in excellence.