The Nelson Evening Mail. MONDAY, APRIL 19, 1869. ARRIVAL OF HIS ROYAL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IV, Issue 90, 19 April 1869, Page 3

The Nelson Evening Mail. MONDAY, APRIL 19, 1869. ARRIVAL OF HIS ROYAL

HIGHNESS THE DUKE OF EDINBUEGH. Ay 9 o'clock yesterday morning, Nelson was awakened from its proverbial state of somnolency by the report of a gun fired from the Britannia heights. This being the pre-concerted signal by which the arrival of H.M.P. Galatea in the Bay was to be aunounced to the public, there was at once a geaeral move in the direction of the port. It mattered not that the ship was then some twenty miles distant, the sound of the gun appeared to have a similar effect on our citizens to that of the will of a mesmerist on his subjects, when he orders them to appear before him at a certain house, thus the Haven-road was soon lined with cabs full of passengers., horsemen, and pedestrians, all on their way to where a view of the vessel was to be obtained. A thin cloud of smoke half enshrouding the lofty tapering masts of a ship, of a size evidently much greater than that of the vessels that usually frequent our waters, soon became the cynosure of all eyes, and numberless telescopes and opera glasses were pointed in the direction of the approaching steamer. At half-past nine, the steamer Murray, ci'owded with passengers, left the wharf, for the centre of attraction, and by eleven o'clock there was a sufficient number <5f sight seers to induce the paddle steamer Bruce to start off on the same errand. All this time the majestic frigate was calmly and quietly gliding down to the anchorage at halfspeed. She was soon met by the two little steamers, which at once turned round and followed in her wake, and on watching the proceedings from the Port Hills, we were forcibly reminded of Landseer's wellknown picture of " Dignity and Impudence," — the grand looking representative of England's naval power, steaming quietly along in the most dignified manner, whilst close beside her were two little mites of boats, puffing aud panting, and vomiting forth clouds of smoke as they bustled about in a fever of excitement at beiug in such close proximity to their lordly neighbour. At twelve o'clock precisely, a huge splash was to be seen at the bows of the Galatea, which announced the fact that there was anchored in Blind Bay, one of England's noblest men-of-war, one which possessed all the more attraction, in that she bore to our shores the son of our beloved Queen. Just at this time the little steamer Lady Barkly was leaving the wharf, having ou board his Honor the Superintendent, the Hon. Major Richmond, C. 8., Sir David Monro, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and A. Greenfield, Esq., Provincial Secretary, who had been deputed by the Reception Committee to proceed on board the Galatea for the purpose of making the necessary arrangements for the public landing to-day. After remaiuing on board for about an hour these gentlemen returned to town, and it soon became known that H.R.H. had expressed a wish that, as his stay in Nelson was so limited, he should lose as little time as possible ia coming oa shore,

and consequently that he would land at 10 o'clock to-day instead of 12, as previously announced. During the whole of the following afternoon the excitement that reigned in our usually quiet little townteas intense, the port road was crowded, anaMtocewas a general feeling of restlessnes^Kaieh. compelled every one to be ou the moVe, they being quite unable to remain quiet in view of the morrow's rejoicings. However, as evening came on and darkness shut out the Galatea from the sight of the numerous eyes that were fixed upon her, the crowds gradually melted away, and once more the town assumed its accustomed air of quietude. Early this morning there was a great stir in our streets, and the members of the various public bodies, who were to take part in tha day's proceedings, gradually congregated at their appointed rendezvous. The volunteers of the Province, represented by the City Artillery, Wakapuaka Ar tillery, No. 1 City Rifles, the Waimea Rifles, and the Artillery Cadets, under the comraaud of the Honorable Major Morse, paraded at nine o'clock in front of the Police Station, the other public bodies met at their different head and the whole of them, accompanied by several hundreds ! of pedestrians proceeded to the wharf, for the purpose of being present. The account of the landing and the Prince's proceedings throughout the day, we are compelled to give very shortly in our present issue, but we purpose tomorrow to give fuller particulars. The Prince left the Galatea iu the Lady Barkly, under u royal salute, which was replied to by the shore battery, and in a short time the Lady Barkly steamed up to the wharf, where H.R.H. was received by His Honor the Superintendent and the members of the Reception Committee, the volunteers who were drawn up in open order on the wharf receiving him with a general salute. On reaching the road the Prince and the Governor stepped into the carriage which was waiting for them and the procession started for town. The Duke and the Governor with their suites proceeded to Panama House, and after remaining there about an hour drove to the Government Buildings, where several addresses were presented, after which the levee was held in the Provincial Hall, 11.R.H. being received, both on his arrival aud departure, with a general salute from the Volunteers, who formed a lane from the entrance to the grounds to the raised dais at which the presentation of addresses took place. After the levee the Prince, amid tremendous cheers from the crowds that had assembled in the vicinity of the Buildings, started for. Panama House, and after taking luuch went for a drive into the Waimea. The Ball' to H.E.H. is to take place this evening, and the races tomorrow, to which the Duke will drive four in hand.