THE ROYAL VISIT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11687, 24 June 1901, Page 6

THE ROYAL VISIT.

THE CHEISTCHTJRCH | RECEPTION. ! SATURDAY'S PROCEEDINGS. AN ENTHUSIASTIC WELCOME. SPEECHES BY THE DUKE. MEMORIAL OF CANTERBURY SOLDIERS AND PILGRIMS. A SUCCESSFUL RECEPTION. SUNDAY SERVICE AT THE CATHEDRAL. [BY TELEGRAPH.— ASSOCIATION.] Chbistchttkctt, Saturday.

i Heavy rain fell during Friday night, cul i minuting in a downpour at dawn on Satur i dav. At eight o'clock, however, the bill' i sky showed through, and Cue weather gradti 1 al!v brightened. The tain had severely af ! feeted the decorative scheme, most of tin I festoons of colour hanging limp and sogg.' from the Venetian masts. The Govern ment arch, however, composed entirely o native foliage, revived under the weather' 1 treatment. By nine a.m. the bright sin ! had dried the damp city, exceyi under foot j where the mud lay deep. j THE DECORATIONS. I Under the influence of the sunlight, tin ' decorations, which are all in sections of pro : perly harmonising colour, fluttered bravely and the city looked her best. Crowd: thronged the streets, and all were orderly ! and enthusiastic. All the decorations hat been finished last night, and now could b< I judged. Taken altogether, the decoration! i do not approach those in Wellington, the ! arches being of smaller size, and several ven 1 flimsy. The appearance of the streets arched with coloured material, delicately graduated from primary to neutral colours supported by Venetian masts, and the Hut tering bunting was very attractive. Throughout Saturday's pageant the weathei continued splendid sunny, and brae ing. LANDING AT LYTTELTON. At a quarter-past seven the Royal yacht entered Lyttelton Harbour. The warship: and batteries boomed a welcome, but n< procession of the Lyttelton fleet was formed. All ships in port were gay with bunting and the hills were crowded with sight;seers. The Opliir came alongside (he what at a-quarter to nine a.m., mooring wit I marvellous exactitude and ease. The land ing stage was gaily decorated. The garrison artillery formed the guard of hon our, and among those on the wharf wen the Governor raid Lady Ranfurly, Mr. Seddon. Sir Joseph Ward (both in Windsor uniforms), the Mayor of Lyttelton, and the chairman of the Harbour Board (Mr. Waymouth). At. twenty-five minutes to twelve a.m. the Duke, in an admiral's uniform, and the Duchess, stepped ashore, escorted by the Governor, who presented the Mayor and Mr. Way/mouth. The Mayor welcomed the Duke, and Miss Waymouth handed the Duchess, who was tastefully costumed ir black, a bouquet. The Ophir's band and, the marine band separately played the National Anthem. The Duke then in-.-pected the volunteers, and the Premier introduced to the Duke the Rev. E. Chambers, chaplain of the "N" Battery. The school children sang the National Anthem as the party entered the train, which was drnwr ■ tin on the wharf. The train moved 0$ t< loud cheering, the engine being gay witl fags. Emerging from the tunnel the visi : tors saw for the tits: time the green of tin , Canterbury plains, under the auspices of : I bright sun. lending its welcome to Royalty ! All along the line groups of settlers gatherec ! and cheered and waved their welcome. ARRIVAL AT CHRISTCHURCH. The Christehurch railway station wa: transformed by the lavish use of native fern into a veritable bower oi verdure. This probably is the most artistic decoration in Christchurch. The platform was kept clear and carpeted. There were present on f.he platform when the trail arrived : The Mayor (Mr. A. E. G. Rhodes). v earing his chain of office, Mrs. Rhodes, and MissjVL Rhodes (who presented the Duchess with a. bouquet). Messrs. John Holmes, H. F. Wi v 'rr,ni,"G. ft. Stead, and Robert All&n, (Roval Commissioners), J. A. Cassidy (Go vemment Commissioner). T. E. Donne, and Arthur (traffic manager). The Governoi presented the Mayor and Mrs. Rhodes t< their Royal Highnesses, and the Royal Com rnissli mr. v.ete also presented. The Duke converted with Mr. Stead, remarking it war verv cold. The address from the citizen: was handed by the Mayo;- to the Duke. THE PROCESSION. P,i. ; .--.'ug from the station the Duke was received " with cheers from an immense crowd. The procession set off up Manches-ter-street. High-street, and Colombo-street, io the i-iiiiiiiv. and then went through Wor-..--(-•;-sueer. to the Provincial Council Chambers. The procession was formed o 15 companies of mounted lilies, with twi git of the "E" battery. The Royal escmt was composed of the Canterbury Yeo in.>.".!'.- Cnvalrv, and the Ashliurton Mountec Rill'.':?.

THE ARCHES. In ?Uanc-bestet-s(reel flic carriage passed under tin? nautical arch, which is flimsy ii construction, the main feature being a re ;,:.-•sentuiiori o; a ship's bridge", manned b} sid'ots. In High-street the frozen meat '■. arch prcsfiittd a disappointing appearance l looking bare and tawdry. .As a repre ! scutation of ice ii was a failure. Block: I of teal ice. in which, chrysanthemum'- hae i been frozen, i'oiined the comet", and tea ! '.•.■/.en sheep were under the towers. The I West Coast i.iophy, at Colombo-street cor- ! :.i;-. consisted of a tail golden obelisk, reJ predentin the gold product of the coast | surroandej by picturesquely grouped tret ■ fern. Cathedral Square was very pic 1 tnre.-cnie. the hideous portraits of the Roy-' I ' isitors on the post office being happi!;. I veiled by uiu-liu. The firemen had erectei i ;• grateful arch by raising extension ladders. i and dec-orating them with foliage, and mat:- : niiiv the arch as Royalty went by. Chris' College boys occupied a stand in front o the Calhedral, and the Boys' High School pupils' stand was in ManeheMir-strc-et. Tin boys touchy cheticJ the Duke. At Iht corner of Gloucester-street and Cambridge Terrace, the male and female students «■ Canterbury College v. ere grouped over tin Worcester-street bridge, and the agii-nl turai and pastoral arch was conspicuous \>\ its apparent solidity. In compartments ii the towers two fat bullocks were placed Above them were pens of sheep, and higbe up peas of live poultry. Cereals and agri cultural products were also used in the arch which was completed by two stockmen seate< <ii pediments a-s the carriage drove through. THE DUKE'S REPLY TO ADDRESSES. At the Provincial Chambers addresse; from the Orangemen and old age pensioner: were presented, the chambers being rich!} decorated. His Royal Highness replied a? follows : — Mr. Mayor and gentlemen,—On lie half of the" Duchess and myself, I thank -on sincerely tor the hearty welcome you have profi'eied to us, in the name of (lit citizens of Christchurch and the various bodies v. ho represent them. I am specially interested in the greeting accorded tens'by the old age pensioners of the district" The working of the system which has been established in New Zealand is being carefully watched in the Mothei Country, and 1 am glad to be able tc gather information respecting it during our visit. It is a great pleasure to us tc come amongst you to see for ourselves something of the remarkable progress which has been made by this city and district since the Canterbury pilgrims j landed some 40 years ago." Favoured j though you are by a splendid climate, and i rich fertile soil, that progress speak. l | volumes for the courage and perseverance | of the pioneers who wrested the provinct I from the wilderness; also tor the intelli [ geu<;e and resource of those who have fob

lowed them. You Lave here established a new England, bound to the old by the two-fold cord of love and affection. The deeds of your sons have proved that they have nobly learned the lessons of loyalty taught them by their fathers and mothers. In the name of the King I thank you for vonr renewed assurance of that loyalty. We also thank you for your kind wishes and expressions," in regard to our voyage. We shall always cherish gratefully the memories of the warm-hearted kindness and generosity we have everywhere met with in New Zealand, and it is our earnest prayer that the progress end prosperity you now enjoy may continue to grow from day to day. The councillors and others present were presented to the Duke, who shook hands with them.

AN INTERESTING CEREMONY. Their Royal Highnesses then proceeded to Victoria Square, where great stands had been erected to accommodate visitors and the public. A pavilion was built in the centre of th" ampitheatre, in which the stone was to be laid. A canopy dais fronted this, where the Duke and Duchess were received by the Governor, amid continuous cheers and peals from the cathedral bells. Here, as elsewhere, cameras closely followed the Royal progress, and a kinematograph record of the scene was taken. The Mayor stated in his speech that the memorial would serve as a. token of the honour and esteem in which they held the early settlers, and that there should be some memorial of the Canterbury soldiers who had died in South Africa. "The Duke replied after laying the stone as follows: — Mr. .Mayor, ladies and gentlemen,— We are very happy to be here to-day, and to become associated with this tribute of affection to our late dearly beloved Queen. I should say to you, teach your children to look up to this as a memorial of her whose life was a noble example of devotion to duty, of tender sympathy, and of loving regard for the well-being of her people, and to us all a priceless heritage. I can assure you that the Duchess and myself are greatly touched by the very kind and hearty welcome given to us "to-day by the people of Canterbury. The friendly societies then inarched past, each society cheering the Duke. His Royal Highness was presented with a large silver trowel, the handle bein<r solid gieenstone. The Royal party then drove off through the Victoria Bridge arch, which, by its graceful curves and festoons of greenery, gave added beauty to the slowly flowing Avon. The carriage then drove, via the beautiful broad avenue of Park Terrace, and quaint old Carlton Mill Road, by the side of the willows of the Avon, to Te Koraha, the Royal residence. The Duke looked rather tired throughout the functions, but the Duchess smiled pleasantly, and seemed to be enjoying herself. The infantry lined the streets throughout the whole length of the procession', the cadets lining the route north of the square.

FEATS OF HORSEMANSHIP.

CuiusTCTir/Rcii, Sunday. After lunch at To Koraha yesterday, the Royal party went for a walk about Merivale, a suburb on the Avon, and later on they witnessed a display of wire jumping at T Koraha. over fences 3ft high, with five strands of black wire. Captains Lewiu and Palairet, Lieutenants Wyndham, Gray, and Bethel, of the Amuri Mounted Rifles, and Colonel Penton took part in the jumping, which was done singly, in pairs, and in sections of five. Sergeant Tubman, of the Canterbury Mounted Rifles, who was the Duke's orderly, gave a display of feats of horsemanship. His Royal Highness was much pleased.

THE MAYOR'S RECEPTION

On Saturday evening the Mayor held a reception in the Agricultural Hall, which was draped in the. Dukes colours. The large number of guests who attended were received by the Mayor, wearing his chain of office, and Mrs. Rhodes. The Royal party were expected at a quarter to ten p.m., but did not arrive til! twenty-five minutes to eleven. They proceeded through a lane oi guests to a dais, and o short concert programme was gone through, the performers being Mrs. Hums, Miss Graham, and d'.'S-rs Wallace, Hugh Reeves, and A. Miliar. Afterwards their Royal Highnesses mo.-el through the crowd to their private room. The Duchess was dressed in black, and wore a diamond tiara, and her neck and corsage glowed with diamonds. The Duke was in evening costume- He shook hands with Mr. Justice Dennislon. The assemblage was a brilliant one, though all the ladies wore half-mourning. At half-past eleven p.m. supper was provided for the guests. The reception was a noteworthy success.

THE ILLUMINATIONS.

Light rain fell on [Saturday night, damping the enthusiasm of the promenading crowds. The streets were illuminated throughout the city, special sights being the railway station, the frozen meat arch, the Government arch, and the Cathedral spire. The latter presented a magnificent spectacle, being outlined in orange electric lights, while the cross, fitfully illuminated by a strong searchlight, glowed as if incandescent. It could be seen, like a pillar of fire, far across the plain. Of the private illuminations, the most striking were W. Strange and Co.'s and Ballantyne and Co.'s. There was no fireworks display.

SERVICE IN THE CATHEDRAL.

This (Sunday) morning was delightfully fine, cloudless, cold weather. Their Royal Highnesses and suite drove to the morning service at the Cathedral, the crowds cheering item all the way, the Duke responding affably to the welcome. They reached the Cathedral at ten minutes past eleven. The congregation filled the whole building. The sen-ice was very short, only one lesson being read. Bishop Julius preached an excellent sermon, exactly 12 minutes long. The service concluded" at twelve. The front portion of the Cathedral was cleared for the Royal party, and two special seats, with desks, were provided for the Duke and Duchess, the suite occupying seats behind. The service was by Royal command. The Rev. A. E. Julius and Canon Harper assisted. A .Sunday afternoon service for the cadets was held in the Cathedral, but there was a poor muster. Alter the morning service the suite ascended the spire of the Cathedra!, and expressed delight at the view of Christchurch.

TO-DAY'S PROGRAMME.

The programme for .Monday '■•■' as follows:—Their Royal Highnesses leave Te Karaha at a quarter-past ten a.m., and proceed 10 Victoria Square, where the school children hold a demonstration. They then proceed to the camp, and present the South African war medals to the returned ollicers, non-commissioned oiiicets, and troopers, ol the. New Zealand contingents, and colours will be presented to the relumed contingents, mount"!! infantry, and Rough t'.ideis. Their Royal Highnesses then i< turn to Te Kuraha. ' 'the Government will entertain the veterans and returned contingents, at lunch alI he Art Gallery. After the review and dinner at Te Kara ha. the Savage Club will entertain the visiting journalists at dinner in the Provincial Chambers.