ADDRESSES AND RECEPTIONS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXXV, Issue 140, 20 June 1901, Page 2

ADDRESSES AND RECEPTIONS.

During the afternoon his Royal Highness received numerous deputations, who presented him with addresses from citizens and public bodies in the central portion of the colony. His Highness made a speech in reply, thanking them for the loyal and kindly sentiments expressed in the addresses. He expressed the pleasure he had derived from meeting the Maori people, and viewing the volcanic districts of the North Island. He said he regretted time did not permit them visiting the Marlborough Sounds. A levee was held at Government House to-day, and was largely attended. The Duke and Duchess received in the ball I room, and each shook hands with every person who was presented. The Governor and Counetss Ranfurly gave a second State dinner to-night to meet their Royal Highnesses.

Nearly three thousand invitations were issued for the Parliamentary reception at the Parliamentary Buildings to-night, which was attended by their Royal Highnesses. The interior of the building had been handsomely furnished and decorated. Tbe Legislative Council Chamber was used as the drawing room, and the Lower House as the reception room. Their Royal Highnesses arrived about 9 o'clock, and remained a fairly long time.

In a letter written to his family from Wellington last week Mr John Marshall, of Westport, says :— " Seating accommodation is being put up for about 15,000 people in the streets, there are eight or nine arches going up, Cuba-street, Vic-toria-street, Mercer-street, and Lambton Quay are lined with Venetian masts on both sides from end to end. The same masts that did duty in Melbourne are being used here, and an enormous quantiy of flags and streamers of all descriptions have been brought over from Melbourne, but of course the Duke and Duchess won't know that. The masts are in three colours, red, blue, and yelow, and make tbe place look very gay. The Government have about 700 men at work making preparations."

The gold output from West Australia for May was !44,0870z. the gold being valued at ,£554-,7'<36, a decrease compared with_the previous month of nearly 6'KX) ounces. The output for the first five months of the year was 69b',1440z showing as compared .with the corresponding period of last year, an increase of 21,000 ounces.