THE ROYAL VISIT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11642, 2 May 1901, Page 5

THE ROYAL VISIT.

VOYAGE OF THE OPHIR. AUSTRALIAN PREPARATIONS. INTERESTING CEREMONIES. By Telegraph. Press Association,— Copyright. Albant, May 1. The Ophir arrived here last evening The cruisers which accompany her will arrive early to-day. ' The new Governor of "West Australia (Sir Arthur Lawley) landed fiom the Royal yacht, which resumed her voyage this morning. Melbourne, Mhy 1. The Russian battleship Granoboi has arrived here from Albany, te take part in the Federal festivities. Mr. Seddon has communicated to the Premier his regret at not being able to be present at the opening of the Federal Parliament. (Received May 1, 3.29 p.m.) Melbourne, Mhy .1. Seating accommodation for 60,000 will be provided along the route of the Royal procession. When the Duke's commission instituting the Federal Parliament has been read, the Duchess will press a dainty golden telegraph key and start on its way to Buckingham Palace a message advising the King of the fact. All Tnes of cable will be kept clear. The key will afterwards be presented to the Duchess. The Melbourne University confers the Doctorship of Laws on the Duke. Ad eundem degrees will also be conferred on Mr. Barton, Lord Tennyson, the Bishop of Tasmania, and Sir Samuel Way. (Received May 1, 10.55 p.m.) Sydney, May 1. Mr. Wragge predicts that the Ophir will experience rough weather between Albany arid Melbourne. (Received May 2, 12.55 a.m.) Sydney, May 1. The Manapouri has arrived from Fiji with the Chief Justice and twenty-three members of the Fiji constabulary, under Colonel Francis, who are en route to Melbourne for the celebrations. Adelaide, May 1. Sir Josiah Symon, recently knighted. Will, by order of the King, be invested with the honour at Melbourne by the Duke oil York. This will be the first personal investiture in Australia. [Josiah Henry Symon, Q.C., was admitted to practise before the Supreme Court of South Australia, and became Q.C. He was Attorney-General in the Morgan Ministry from March to June, 1881.] THE GOVERNMENT COMMISSIONERS. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.! Wellington, Wednesday. In addition to the three hon. commissioners appointed at Wellington, the following will be associated with Mr. Holmes, the Executive Commissioner, in arranging matters for the Royal visit:—Auckland: Messrs. Henry Brett, Seymour George, and John McLeod. Christ-church : Messrs. G. G. Stead, Robert Allan, and H. F. Wigram. Dunedin : Messrs. Robert Chisholm, F. R. Chapman, and Colonel Wales. Invercargill: Mr. Nicholas Johnston. THE GOVERNMENT PLATFORM. [by telegraph.—press association.] Wellington, Wednesday. The Government has decided to erect a stand in Auckland near Queen-street wharf, capable of accommodating 350 people, in connection with the Royal visit. This stand will be reserved specially for invited guests of the Ministry. WELLINGTON. [by telegraph—own CORRESPONDENT.] Wellington, \\ edncsday. There was a meeting of the committee last night when the question discussed was the practicability of bringing »> the country children to" meet the Royal visitors. The difficulty was deemed to be almost insuperable. " First, there was the inadequacy of accommodation ; then the billeting of children with families, and the element of personal risk and danger. It appears that only 700 children could be taken over the Riniutaka line. The school holidays. which occur at the time of the Royal visit, would deprive the children of the protection of the teachers. The idea was suggested that the visit of the children should be postponed until the next day, at (he laying of the first stone of the Wellington Town Hall, but nothing was decided. THE SCHOOLS' PROGRAMME. i At yesterday's meeting of the Board of j Education the question of what part the | school children are to take in the reception ; demonstrations was under consideration. A : letter was read from the Secretary for Eduj cation, stating that the Duke of York j would, on his arrival in New Zealand, send I a message to the school children throughout the colony. In the chief cities the children ! should be assembled to receive the message. I The chairman of the City Schools Commiti tee (Mr. G. Squirrel 1) wrote that as the j Wellcsley-streefc school was the only public I school on the route of the procession he | thought it would be well to decorate the I school buildings in some way. One drawj back was want of funds, but as the Governi ment proposed to include Boards of Educa- | tion in the Bill of Indemnity, the Board I might vole a small sum for the purpose. I The School Committee would readily coj operate in the matter, and would provide i the necessary labour. The members of the Board were favourably disposed to the decoration of Wellesley-street school, and it ■was decided that the secretary correspond with the Government, with lie view of getting an official assurance as to indemnity. i Mr. Muir stated that there might be some danger in assembling all the children on the streets, and Mr. Bagnali said his idea was to assemble only the older children, and concentrate them at some point till the j crush, was over. It was agreed to leave j the consideration of the matter to a comi mittee, consisting of the members of the i Finance Committee, with Messrs. Muir and Blades. i M! "- \ THE FRIENDLY SOCIETIES. ! There, seems to be some misunderstanding among friendly societies as to what they are j asked to do in the decoration of side streets. ; Id is not intended that the societies should j expend any money on the streets, but merely j that they should take prominent places on 'the street, with their banners and in re- ! gaiia There will be no procession, and 1 this will really be the only way the friendly i societies can fake their part in the welcome j to the Royal visitors. MAORI DEMONSTRATION IN AUCKLAND. j There is some probability that the Maritime Committee will be able to arrange a | Maori demonstration in Auckland, in spite ! of the refusil of the Government to curry : tin canoes free of charge. The suh-com- ■ mittee, who were appointed on Monday to i report on the possibility of such a display, j are progressing favourably with their work, : and have received several promises of iinan- , cial support. Mr. C. C. Daere has the ; mutter in hand, and will be glad to receive ; subscriptions. j THE ROYAL CARRIAGE. Considerable progress has been made at i the railway workshops with the construc- ! tion of the car in which the Duke and I Duchess of Cornwall are to travel to Roto- | ran, and the furnishing of the compartI incuts has been started by lite Tonson GarI lick Company. In the Royal cmnpart- ; ment a. large upholstered leather ChesterI field settee, with armchairs to match, form \ the principal articles, together with wali nut revolving bookcase, and richly-carved j table in the scam.' wood, with half-a-dozen | side choirs in keeping with' the above. '.the j balance of furniture consists of delicate | rattan, beautifully upholstered, with walI nut occasional table and footstool richly ! carved, together with sundry articles. The w'jole will present a very picturesque appearance when completed, and be one of j comfort.