RECEPTION OF H.R.H. THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume V, Issue 1344, 7 March 1868, Page 3

RECEPTION OF H.R.H. THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH.

A mketiko of the Committee for the reception of his Itoyul Highness the Duko of Edinburgh was held yesterdiiy iit'tornoon, in the offices of the City Bonrd. Ther.- were piesont—T. Mncfarlane, Esq., Chairman, Mossrs. R. Wood, J. 'VillitAieon, C. Haaphy, J. Guilding, Swans ;n, and Macrcady. The Secuktahy read the niinutuu of the provious meeting, which were confirmed. The Ch viiiMAN said that as Mi. Matson, the Treasurer, had left for Kngland, they would have to appoint another gentleman to act in his place. Mr. Woodhouso was appointed. Mr. Ogilvib e'ated that there was a sum of £137 in the Bank, to the credit of the Committee. Mr. Guildino stated he had received the Bum of £5 from Mr. GilfiHan on account of the Australian Mutual Provident Bociety. J. Williamson, Ksq., stated that the Commissioners were eummoned to meet at one o'clock that day, but there bein<; no quorum the meeting was adjourned until 11 o'clook on Saturday. He also laid before the Committee minutes of meeting held at Wellington on the subject of the reception, which he had received from Mr. htafford. In answer to a question from his Honor, Mr. Guilding stated that they would require the sum of £160 at least for the prizes 'or the large canoe raoe. The small canoe race would be paid for out of the funds collected. Major Hb/.put asked if his Honor had any intimation from the Government, as to whether the Government had adopted the programme laid down by the Wellington commission. That commission had laid down certain arrangements that affected this province without reference to the Commissioners elected for the Province of Auckland. Had any intimation been received that the Government purposed following out that programme. His Honor eaid, he believed the Governor had accepted tbe programme as well as he could. But perhaps it would be better to allow the matter to stand ovor until tho Commissioners had met. Tho Secretary road the following letter : — " Fort Britomart, Maroh 6, 1868. "My Dear Sir,—l regret extremely that I am compelled to ask you to be kind enough to withdraw my name from the lists of the Committees for making arrangements for tho reception of Hie Excellency the Governor, and H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh. I hope I shall be acquitted of any want of assistance, however humble my efforts may have hitherto been I have endeavourod to the best of my ability to make both Receptions a success, and I much regret my inability to assist in bringing them to a successful conclusion. Thanking the members of the general meetings, for the honor they have done me by having my name on the soveral committees, " Believo me, dear Sir, " Yours very faithfully, "J. O. Hashhy.

" Jno. Ogilvie, Esq., Secretary." The meeting adjourned till 2 o'clock to-day The following is the programme laid down by the Wellington Commissioners to be submitted for the consideration of H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh :— 1. At Auckland ten to twelve days, including five or six days spent on a visit to the Bay of Islands, and to Kawau, Sir George Grey's Island 2nd. From Auckland to Tauranga by sea one day. 3rd. From Tauranga, including a Visit 10 the Lakes and Hot Springe, three to six days. 4th. From Tnuranija to Napier, including passing visit to White Island, two days. sth. At Napier, one day. 6th. From Napior to Wellington, by sea, one dtt 7th. At Wellington, including vieit to Wanganui bv land, ten to twelve days. Bth. From Wellington to Nelson, by iea, one 9th. At Nelson, two or three days. 10th. From Nelson to Port Lyttelton, by sea, two a u'th. At Christchurch, with an exoursion to the Southern Alps, three to ten days. 12. From Christrhurch to Dunedin by sea, one 13 At Dunedin, with an excursion into the country, three to nine days.—Total forty to sixty days. 1 At a meeting held at Wellington on the 18th February, it was resolved, " That the Commission had received with respectful thanks the communication by His Excellency the Governor of the proposed Itineracy of the Prince, and that they entirely approve of the enme, -with the exception that they would suggest the propriety of leaving the P r .°P° 8 , e l (1 visit to Napier and to the West Coast of the Island, ana to the Southern Alps, open for consideration after the arrival of His Royal Highness. It was also resolved that none of the public funos should be sot apart for the purpose of giving a ball to His Hoyal Highness ; but, if any ball were given, it must be entirely at the cost of the public.