THE ROYAL VISIT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11636, 25 April 1901, Page 6

THE ROYAL VISIT.

THE FIREWORKS DISPLAY. The committee in charge of the . fireworks display met yesterday. An offer from the Phoenix Fireworks Company, Melbourne, was read, but it was decided to employ Messrs. Pain, the well-known pyrotechnists, to give the display, the full cost to be £300. So far the idea of the committee has been to have the display from the harbour, but it was pointed out that this might not be quite suitable, and the committee decided to allow the expert, who will be sent with the fireworks, to select the spot most suit-, able for the public. , ERECTION OF PLATFORMS. The Platforms Committee had under consideration yesterday the question of erecting a platform for the presentation of addresses. The original proposal was the corner site on Queen-street- and Quay-street, near the railway station. On viewing the ground, however, the committee decided to abandon this site, with the idea of utilising it for a public platform, for which a charge would be made. If this scheme is carried out members of the public who cared to pay for seats could look right across the street on to the platform, where the addresses will be presented, the committee Laving decided to erect this platform across the mouth of Quay-street, stretching from the corner building occupied by the Tramway Company's offices to the weighbridge. This means blocking Quay-street, but Mr. Vickerman, public works engineer, and Mr. Bartley. architect, who were present, assured the committee that the erection - of the platform need not stop traffic for more than a few days. The platform is to be a joint ojie for the accommodation of the Royal visitors, as well as the Government guests and civic guests. There will be a dais in the centre for the Duke and Duchess and suite, with accommodation for 200 persons on either side, the Government- guests occupying one side and city officials and other local guests occupying the other side. Mr. Vickerman and Mr. Bartley were instructed to prepare plans for the platform. The proposal to erect a public platform in Wellesley-street, just above the Wellesleystreet school, was also referred to, but the committee decided to leave this matter, as well as the matter of the proposed platform in Queen-street-, near the railway station, to the Finance Committee. OCCUPATION OF VERANDAHS. At a meeting of the Platforms Committee yesterday, Mr. E. Bartley, architect, urged that the City Council should take steps to prevent the occupation of verandahs in Queen-street during the ceremonies at the reception of the Duke and Duchess of York. He stated that ifr these verandahs are occupied there would almost certainly be a serious accident. The Mayor undertook to get legal advice as to the powers of the City Council in this matter. HARBOUR BOARD ARCHES. A plan has been prepared at the Harbour Board for a small arch the Board intend to erect between the two sheds at the lower end of Queen-street Wharf. This arch is to be of evergreens a.nd shrubs, and although inexpensive, will give the Royal party a pleasant entrance to the city when the Ophir arrives. The main arch to be erected by the Harbour Board will be erected near the entrance to the Queen-street Wharf, perhaps a trifle, lower down than the spot at which the. Harbour Board's arch was erected at the time of the late Queen's Diamond Jubilee. CITY ARCHES AND DECORATIONS.

The Citizens' Committee in charge of the arches and street decorations in connection with the Royal visit met yesterday, the Mayor (Mr. D. Goldie) presiding. It was stated that several now designs for arches had been received, but the Mayor pointed out that some gentlemen, who were working at designs, had been given to understand that the designs would not be considered until to-day, and consideration of the whole matter was accordingly adjourned till halfpast three this afternoon. Mr. E. Bartley referred to the great difficulty of designing an arch, to take in the four corn errs at the junction of Wellesley-street and Queen-, street, except at considerably more expense than the £250 at the committee's disposal, and the Mayor stated that it might yet be found necessary to abandon the idea of having two city arches, and instead erect one really good arch, at. a cost of £500. The committee proceeded to consider the decoration of Queen-street, and it was decided to at once erect three Venetian poles, and drape them with greenery, in order to give the committee an idea'of the effect of the proposed decoration. The question of.purchasing drapery was raised, Mr. Wright stating that, some 3000 yds would be required, all of one colour, if possible. It was decided to ask the warehouses in the city to submit samples and prices. CONTRIBUTION FROM EPSOM. At a meeting of the Epsom Road Board last night it was decided to vote £10 10s towards the Royal reception fund. WELLINGTON ARRANGEMENTS. [BY TELKGKAPTT.—PRESS ASSOCIATION'.] Wellington, .Wednesday. The arrangements for the official reception of the Duke and Duchess as at present suggested contemplate seating accommodation for about 8000 people. , THE CHRIST CHURCH ARRANGEMENTS. Ciikisxchttkoit. Wednesday. The Selwyn County Council has voted £100 towards the decorations of the city in connection with the Royal visit. It is now definitely announced that the Duke and Duchess of York will not stay at Coker's Hotel, as originally arranged.