THE WELLINGTON RECEPTION.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1530, 27 June 1901, Page 23

THE WELLINGTON RECEPTION.

. PETONE HONOURED WITH A VISIT Tlie_ Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York paid a visit to Petone last Thursday morning, and visited in: succession th e Wellington Woollen Company’s mills, the Gear Meat Company’s works, and the Railway Workshops. The visit was of a private character. His Excellency the Governor, the Premier, the Minister of Railways (Sir Joseph Ward), the Hon C. 11. Mills (Minister of Customs), Mr T. Wilford (M.H.R. for the Suburbs), Mr T. E. Donne (Superintendent of Tourist and Health Resorts), Mr T. Ronayne (General Manager of Rail* ways), and Mr A. L. B. Beattie (Locomotive Superintendent), were, besides the suite, the only ones who travelled in the Royal train. Just before the train drew out from the prettily-decorated Thorndon Station, Miss Mills (eldest daughter of the Hon C. H. Mills), presented the Duchess with a beautiful bouquet from a number of ladies of Picton, who were unable to be in Welling" ton- The usual precautions were taken to guard the railway to Petone, a staff of 400 men being stationed at intervals along the route. The Royal party was met at the Wool-

len Mills by the Mayor and Councillors of Petone, and also by the Hon C. J.

Johnston (chairman of directors), Messrs ■» W. H. P. B.arber, A. E. Exley, and W. £L Fitzherbert (members of thp directorate), M. G. Heales (general manager), A. E. Donne (secretary), and J. Ramsden (mill manager), all of whom were presented to their Royal Highnesses. As the Duke and Duchess had never previously visited a woollen mill, the ex® perience was a novel and interesting one, and they exhibited their appreciation of the fact by asking many questions, and making a close inspection of the various processes. Her Royal Highness was presented by the chairman of directors with a travelling rug manufactured in the mill, and with her Arms worked upon it. As the party was ]eav" ing the Duchess was presented with a beautiful bouquet of flowers by Miss Annie Taylor, the youngest employee in the mill.

Their Royal Highnesses were next driven to the Gear Aleat Company’s works, receiving an ovation from people who, hearing of the visit, had gathered along the line of route. They were received by Air W. H. Alillward, the manager of the Gear Company, who personally conducted them over the works. The Duke and Duchess showed a keen interest in all that was shown to them, and asked many questions. At their own request they were taken into the freezing chambers, and also accepted the invitation to taste a sample of the Gear Company’s tinned meat. The assembled employees gave three hearty cheers as the Royal party drove away. Their Royal Highnesses were conducted over the Railway workshops by the Minister of Railways, Air Ronayne, Mr Beattie, and Air T. A. Peterkin (Locomotive Engineer). The workshop hands were drawn up at the entrance, and accorded an ovation to their distinguished visitors. Mr Gibson, foreman of works, was presented to their Royal Highnesses, and conducted them over the works, sergeant Neale, a nephew of Air Peterkin, who has recently seen service in South Africa, was also presented. A large number of people assembled at the Petone Railway Station, which wps tastefully decorated, to give the Royal party a farewell cheer. The Royal train reached Wellington on the return journey at 1.30 p.m.