DEPARTURE FOR CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11686, 22 June 1901, Page 5

DEPARTURE FOR CHRISTCHURCH.

UNPLEASANT WEATHER. As tlie day went on the weather became worst;, but nevertheless a large crowd lined the street:! and occupied the staging at the wharf to sea their Royal Highnesses depart.They drove to the Ophir in a closed carriage, and :he rain was at its heaviest. As they left Government House (Key were greeted very demonstratively. The cheering was heavy and spontaneous, and handkerchiefs fluttered everywhere. The Mayor, City Council, and Harbour Board * occupied the goods-shed, and took a brief leave of the Dnkfl and Duchess, apologising for the treat her. which, as Mr. Beauchamp put it,. was in tears at their leaving. No time wasInst in casting loose, and the Ophir drew way _ from the wharf at six minutes before the lime announced, which was four p.m. Just at this moment the Premier and other Ministers, who had been attending the luncheon to returned troopers, rushed up with Sir Jno. Anderson. The latter very nearly missed his passage, but, assisted by the stalwart arm of {he Premier, was hauled over the rail before the ship got clear. In ten minutes the Ophir was heading down the harbour, followed by three energetic cheers from the small party on the pier, which were returned with equal good will by the ladies and gentlemen of the suite on deck, accompanied by much waving o handkerchiefs. In the meantime the St George and Juno had got underweigh. and as soon a* the Ophir reached the centre of the harbour they took up theii position in front and preceded her round Point Halswell, where the flotilla was quickly swallowed up in the murky evening. "Despite the weather numbers of people swarmed on the Railway and Glasgow Wharves and breastworks, and vigorously waved handkerchiefs to the debarring yacht, while a ferry steamer which made ;ir. excursion down Lie harbour found eo >,igh pe ; V brave enough, to d" to -vea'-.hev to ivl Jnr. Jr. fact, way the sweet--;ors turned out ji such ? miserable day was most surprising. [by TEI I.■- :\:.i'-J. —VBESS A.S.<IOCIA.TrO_V.] Wet 'iniToy, Friday. The Premier and Sir Joseph W..rd went South to night in the Mararoa, to be prosent at the Royal recejtion at Christebirrcii. Over a thousand volunteer were also on boaid the steamer. VISITORS ENTERTAINED. [UV TELEGRAPH. PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Wellington-, Friday. The Government entertained the visiting Australian politicians and visiting journalists at dinner at Bellamy's last night. The toast of the evening was " The Press." Sir Joseph Ward said/in order to let the visi-, tors from England and Australia see as much, as possible of the beauties of the colony, the Government had arranged a steamer ex-, cursion to the Otego Sounds.