VISIT OF HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH

New Zealand Herald, Volume VI, Issue 1709, 14 May 1869, Page 4

VISIT OF HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH

PUBLIC BEJOICINGr. ILLUMINATIONS. Thh appearance of the city and suburbs last evening was aa pay and brilliant as could be. The unpropitiouß weather which had followed the public entry of the Duke of Edinburgh caused the illuminations to be postponed until last evening. But even the most of : the public buildings and places of resort exhibited ,bo . transparency or other device with illuminated inscription, monogram, or allegory. The great eff.-ot was ressrved for last evening. It will be recollected that his Honor the Superintendent issued a publio notice, suggesting' that as Thursday was fixed for the Citizens' Bull it would ba appropriate to hold the illumination'' on that evening. The suggestion was readily acquiesced in. Shortly after dark last i-vening th» publio buildings exhibited sipns of considerable actirity. Workmen were busy adjusting details of gas-pipes or sorting the colours ot variegated lamps There was, in the first instance, a lit'la apprehension felt lest a general illumination. would involve more than justifiable iisk to property in a city in which there yot remain a considerable -number of wooden houses. But any aprrehenaion of that sort was set asido by the impossibility of-repressing the wi-h there was to light up and make the night festive with r. joicing. Accordingly as'evening advanced, and , the illurnination* on the larce buildings in the city were reaching their acme of brilliancy, people came from every part of the surrounding district. At nino o'clock' the principal thoroughfares were thronged. Queenstreet presented a cowij of people-,w.ho determined to erjoy the'iitelves. There is always an element of hilarity that is in the smallost degree mischievous on occasions of the kind, and a great number hail provided vhcm-elves . wi'.h .pyrotechnic expedients for practical joking. -A great numb'r of Toung men and boys had purchased rockets, "fl.'iy sorpents," " C'athorine wheels" and squibs of van >Uf kinds, ohich tliey shot <.ff mno'i to the alarm of nervous persons. K" body was damaged, and the "joks," if such it could ba cillod, hid its turn. As the evening adv inced, this source of p >pular fun was at its height « The first ot j-.ct that caught the attention was the Provincial Hovernmint building, which waj a perfect blaze of l'ght, and illuminated a vi>rv con-iderable portion oi the town, including the Albert Birraeks. Next to that was the Uollegiate School (Dr. Kidd), which, standing »" high ground, as its lour tiers of wi' do'ws wore lighted with candles, had a pleating efftict. From the foot of WakeGeld-street, lo king towards the wharf, tho bri li.nt light ca-t upon the numerous streamers, bunting. Royal .standards, which we.ro yet. waving above the copings of houßea, or yerandahj, hud the gayest appearance. '

QUERN STREET. We will give enrae account of the principal illuminations firs*, and then notice thoae whicb'were not so conspicuous but yet had sufficient interest, either by reason of novelty of deaign or appropriateness of illustration, to attract attention. The fin»t buildings that commanded the eye were the large block at the corner of Wjndham-atreet, occupied by Sibbiu'a store, which exhibited a brilliant stream of g»s running along the cornice, upon which weie, in large letters, the initials " A.E.A." Within a few yards ware the Btores of the principal' merchants and local firms, the two theatres, and the centre of ordiuary busmen. 'Xho Prince, of Wales Theatre exhibited a transparency upon which wore representations of the tragio and comic muse,''with the inscription upon an elegant' scioll, " Welcome, Alfred, Uoyal Patron of the Arts,'' und surmounted by the Regal Crown. The of Edinburgh 1 heatr presented well-executed portroits of .Her M»je«ty and the I uke of Edinburgh (life size), betweei; ihe::i th Ducal Anns. J. O. Morrin's store exhibited one of the moat effective transparencies. It was a centre floors of St. George and the Dragon, with a'mono* gram, and also with emblematic crown and anchor, ind the inscription " Welcome to His Koyal Highnets the Duke of tfdinburgh " On tho opposite side, in front of tho British Hotel (Mr. Sceata') was a very Bne transoarenoy, showing, in one of the corners, a view of Windaor Castle, and.in the centre a view of thil harbour, with " man of war" dt anchor, and several canoes. There were no less than three each one giving meaning to each division of tbo subject. The fir.it was "Su'Craa to British Heroes," tho aecond, "Long live Princo Alfred," and the f.hird_the famous watchword, " Hngland expects that every man this dav will do his duly." Next in order came Tattersall's Hotel, in front of which there were three tranaparenciea, well lighted, showing a Half-length portrait of Prince vlfred, with the figuro Britmnia and the word " Welcome," all of which were very distinct. On the wharf side of Wyndham-atreet the illumination* trera nlno verv The Victoria Hotel, th" Southern Crots office, and some smaller buildings, were illuminated. The transparencies on the Victoria Hotel represented the Royal £rmSj and devices with sorollwork inscribed, " Welcome, son of our bolored Queen," " God protect the Prince," and " Welcome." At the Auckland Hotel there was also a transparency. The next conapiouous building, was the store of Messrs. Lewis Brothers, with emblems, and the inscription, " Britannia's Pride," and the initials " A. B." But one of tho most unique and effective of all the illuminations was that in front of the store of Mesars Doitch and Keeaing. This was a handsome transparency 12 feet by 7, by Mr.. Holland, of Victoria street. Scroll work and cable, the Duke'a Coronet an i codo of arms, union jackp, white and red ensigns blended- Under this, in the centre, is the shield nf David, King of Isra-1, with a letter signifying the name of the Lord, and in the four corners are Hebrew letters; the whole when translated meaning "May the Lord proteot him." On each side of the shield is the letter A (Alfred), formed of two anchors. Wearly every house had some illuminations. In front of the Metropolitan Hotel was a Prince of Wales Feather, and the I hina establishment of Mr. Weirjwas lighted with vatiegated 1 mps which looked exceedingly pretty. The store of Messrs. Henderson and Maofarlano was also brilliantly lighted. A variety of bunting was spread behind' each window, which gave a good effect to the lights ranged in the window*. The Waitemataand Thames hotels burned lights, but neither of them were very remarkable. But above Wyridham-street was the Greyhound Hotel,"wlioh whs lighted up with Chinese Tho (Jnited Servioe Hotel had a very brilliant truna parency representing hiß iioyal Huhn aj as druwn acrosH tho ocean by Heptunes hor-ies—the sea-go:l him; elf being charioteer, and sea lirinities hailing hi» progress. The effect of this was exceedingly pretty. In front of the Market Hotel was an anchor with laurel wreath, and a picture of the Galatea, which waa also effective. In upper Q.ueen-street KuaaelTa boarding house was lighted, and looked very well.

P RINCES-ST RKET. The Provincial Government Officcs were eptondidly illuminated, in fact, ai was right, tho Provincial Government set a " brilliant " example to the city. Mr. Worfolk designed and.carried out tho work, and the effect wrs unusually flue. Three continuous rows of jets encircled three sides of the building, whilst along the pirapets wore jets arranged in the shape of vases, at -intervals, 'ihe Ducal Arms, in a transparency, fronted the entrance to Government House, the letters A, and E. fehono towards the south and east, whilßt upon tho west side a large star divided V. and 1(. 'Iho entire Barrack Hill was lighted up by tho glare of these illuminations, and the effect was heightened by tho burning o: differently coloured fires ut inteivula upon tbo roof. We undorstani; that tho gas fittings, ic., will remain until after tho Uueen's Hirthd»y, upon tho anni orsury of which they will bo relighted. The corner between the offices and Government gates was crowded during the whole of jeslerd&y evening by admiring spectators. Mr. Cooke, dentist, —Transparency, Uibbon of the Garter, surrounded by a l)uoal Coronet; in tho centre "Welcome to Auckland" and the' initials A. It.; below, on a scroll, the motto of the Trinity House.

WATERLOO QUADRANT. D. Nathan,-Esq—Transparency, allegorical figure of Britannia resting upon a In n and shield, surrounded by the flags of America. Franoe, 4cc.; motto, "Hail Britannia."

Dr. Kenderdine—Transparency, scroll, with the words "God bles« Prince Alfred."' Grafton Road, No. I— I Twotranaparencicg, K.M.B. Gslate*, with the legend " Ling Lire Prince Alfred"; portrait of the Duke in uniform, with " Qod Save the Prince."

SHOBTLAND ORESOESfT. M. A. M'acpherton—Gas illumination, Star. Shortland House —Festoons of Hoses over the. windows, lighted from the interior. Mr. Dietbelm—Two transparencies, "Auckland Welcomes the Duke of Edinburgh," and "Long Live Our Sailor Prince." Oießccnt Hotel—Transparency, View of Edinburgh from Salisbury Crags. _ Auckland Club—lllumination, large coronet in gas. Brown and r'ampbell-~Threo .transparencies ; in the cen're the Ducal Arms ; underneath the arms of the Trinity House; on either side a star containing a monogram of -' A. W. a." These transparencies wpre eapeoially worthy of notice : —being extremely h 'ndsome. Cavendish House — Transparency; monogram, "A. E. A.," surmounted by a cornet; underneath, a thistle, with the word " Welcome." Mr Webster, photographer; Mr. Woodward,baker; M*. France, china warnhouse, all showed lights. Mr. Fugate had a very nice transparency, showing a full length portrait of. the Duke; and the Belfast Dinine Rooms had a transparency with the inscription, " Welcome to the Britain of the South." IN HOBSON STREET The Governor Browne was brilliantly lighted; but ono of tho most eesjantly.,lighted houses wag that of Mr. Landeriy the assistant wharfinger. The verandah was hun >*' with coloured lamps, .so closely joined as to appear a mars of brilliant colouring. THE HARBOUR. The Bhip Percy was lighted, having lanterns on every ya'd arm, and colored lights' on the trucks. Severnl boats were observed bringing pasieagers and burning cans of tar; which hid a good effect, ; lluminatinr» the water on every Bide. There were also men firing rockets in boate. .Rockets were also pnnt op at intervals from various points in the suburbs. The most effective were from Symonds- | street, Karangahape Road, and Freeman's Bay. "evnral houses on the North Shore were also lighted. Bells were runs; through all the streets, which imparted considerate liveline?B and animation to the whole Fcene. The hou«es of the principal residents at Kpeom, Parnell, and Newmarket, also showed lights, oonßpicnous among which, owing to its po-iiion,wns the mansion of Mr. Thomas Jlacfarlano. Owing to the latenera of the hour, and the great of other matter, it is impossible to describe in dftiil all tho illuminations at adistanee from . town, but if any omission should be found we will be happy to supply it in our next issue, should those who illuminated their houses furnish us with particulars. BONFIRES. Bonfires were Hehte'd on Mount Victoria, the North Head, Rangitoto, the western point of Freeman's Bay. Fires were ulao observed at different points along the North Shore.