THE FREEDOM OF THE CITY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 17 April 1907, Page 3

THE FREEDOM OF THE CITY.

RECEPTION BY THE LORD MAYOR. A PICTURESQUE FUNCTION. ' ■ (Received April 17, 11.29 a.m.) - LONDON, Tuesday. The Premiers and their suites drove in a procession of carriages from the ' Hotel Cecil to the Guildhall, and received the freedom of the city of London. The streets were crowded and decorated with flags, and the visitors were accorded an enthusiastic welcome. General Botha was especially cheered. Lord Mayor Treloar's reception oi the - Premiers in the library of the Guildhall was a picturesque function., witnessed by a crowded assemblage oi ladies and gentlemen. Genera lßotha was the hero of the occasion. Mr -Deakin, Sir Joseph Ward, Sir Wilfrid Laurier, Mr Balfour, Sir H. C. Bannerman. and Field-Marshals Roberts and White were also greatly applauded. After the Premiers had sworn loyalty to the King, and also, like good citi zens, to "pay their shot and take theii lot," the fredom of the city was conferred on them. Sir J. C. Dimsdale, City Chamber- ' lain, said that there was no parallel in the city annals of the present occasion. The city was delighted to honour Britons who had sacrificed their lives to develop and consolidate the Em pire's dominions. Mr Deakin, in reply" - said he deeply prized the magnificent token of regard No -welcome was more acceptable, morf ; " Presiding at the luncheon, Sir William Treloar (Lord Mayor) declared that there was- no greater honour than thr cityts gift. - Sir .Wilfrid Laurier predicted that j the Imperial Conference would prove a success and: show what was possible and j what-, was impossible aiid ought to be ( avoided. He declared that only Bri- i tain -would hive thought of conferring with full' citizenship given to the Transvaal within five years of the war ' Sir H. C. Bannerman, in proposing , the toast of Sir William ; Purdie Tre- ' -loar, cpijslderpS that the conferring of •tli'e\freedom of the city was r a season able' and:, reasonable' attention to the colonial representatives.