The Nelson Evening Mail. MONDAY, APRIL 12, 1869. HE HAS ARRIVED.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IV, Issue 84, 12 April 1869, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. MONDAY, APRIL 12, 1869. HE HAS ARRIVED.

Many were the anxious glances that were directed towards the Flagstaff, at the Government Buildings yesterday evening, at the time when the Telegraph Office was open, and, just as many of the weary watchers were about to turn away in despair, the Union Jack was seen slowly to rise on the staff, and thus it became knowD that the arrival of the Prince iv New Zealand was a fait accqnrpli. The effect of this display of bunting has beeu something miraculous, — Reception • Committee men are. rushing about, each trying to find the other, and thus taking the surest means of preventing a meeting; Ball Committee men are on the tiptoe of expectation, aud iv a flutter of nervous fear lest their grand supper-room should not be completed in time; Sub-Committee men are becoming fearfully excited about the erection of the magnificent arch with which H.E.H is to be a little astouishedj Volunteers are hard at work furbishing-Up their arms and accoutrements aud practising the "present"; racing men are looking forward with satisfaction to the hundreds of guineas that are to be placed to their credit before the week is over ; cab-drivers are indulging in delicious dreams of the rich harvest they are to reap on the race-days ; childrens thoughts are too much occupied with the feast of buns and national anthems that is in store ' for them, to pay the slightest attention lo their pastors and masters ; ladies, even ti.ose who up to the present time have. •' really not. given a thought to what they are going to wear at the ball," are to be found hall-buried iv tarlatans, muslins, and gauze, whilst angry glances are cast at visitors who are foolish enough to choose such a time of excitement for making their calls, and who arc warned by the / incessaut click click of the sewing machine that it is not of the slightest use for them to attempt to enter into conversation ; milliners rind dressmakers are being- worried to death with orders and counter-orders, and enquiries as to whether the fair questioner looks better in this lovely wreath, or that charming coronet ; — to sum up the state of Nelson in a few words — everybody is convinced that everyone else has gone mad on the subject of the Duke's visit. We had hoped to have further fanned the existing excitement by a report of the official landing in Wellington, but the Government has thought fit to close the Telegraph Office in Wellington, excepting during the same hours on which it is open on Sundays, we shall therefore have no opportunity of receiving any intelligence until after our usual hour of publicatiou.