RECEPTION IN CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1530, 27 June 1901, Page 26

RECEPTION IN CHRISTCHURCH

PRESENTATION OF ADDRESSES. LAYING THE JUBILEE MEMORIAL FOUNDATION STONE. CHRISTCHURCH, June 22. Heavy rain fell during Friday night, culminating in a downpour at dawn, but during th© morning the weather gradually brightened. The rain had severely affected the decorative scheme. Most of the festoons of colour were hanging limp and soggy from the Venetian masts The Government Arch, however, composed entirely of native foliage, revived under the treatment. By nine o’clock a bright sun had dried the damp city, except under foot, where mud lay deep. Gnder the influence of the sunlight tiie decorations, which were all in sections, of properly harmonising colour, fluttered bravely, and the city looked her best, The crowds thronging the. streets were orderly and enthusiastic. Taken altogether, the decorations do not approach those in Wellington, the arches being of smaller size, and several very flimsy in appearance.

Throughout to-day’s pageant the weather continued splendid—clear, sunny and bracing. At 7.15 the Royal yacht entered Lyttelton harbour, and came alongside the wharf at 8.45. Thewlanding stage was gaily decorated. Among those on the wharf were the Governor and Lady Ranfurly, Mr Seddon, and Sir Joseph Ward, both in Windsor uniforms, the Mayor of Lyttelton, and th© chairman of the Harbour Board. At 11.35 the Duke and Duchess stepped ashore, escorted by the Governor. The Mayor welcomed the Duke, and Miss Waymouth handed tne Duchess a bouquet, and school children sang the National Anthem as the party entered a train, which was drawn up on the wharf.

■ The Christchurch railway station was transformed, by a lavish use of native ferns, into a veritable bower of verdure. Passing through the station the Duke was received with cheers from an immense crowd. The procession then set off up Manchester, High and Colombo streets to Cathedral Square, then bv Worcester street to the Provincial County Chambers. The Royal escort was composed of the Canterbury Yeomanry Cavalry and Ashburton Mounted Rifles.. In Manchester street the carriage passed under the Nautical Arch, a flimsy construction, the main feature being the representation of a ship’s bridge manned by sailors. In High street the Frozen'Meat Arch presented a disappointing appearance, looking bare and tawdry. Cathedral Square was very picturesque. The hideous portraits of the Royal visitors on the Post Office had, Happily, been veiled by muslin. As

the Royal carriage went by the Christ College boys, who occupied a stand in front of the Cathedral, and the boys of the High School, on a stand in Worcester street, loudly cheered. At the corner of Gloucester street and Cambridge ter* race the male and female students of Canterbury College were grouped. Over Worcester street bridge the Agricultural and Pastoral Arch was conspicuous by its apparent solidity. In compartments in the towers were two fat bullocks, placed above, then pens of sheep. Higher up were pens of live poultry. Cereals and agricultural products were also used in the arch, -which was completed by two stockmen seated on pediments.

At the Provincial Chambers addresses were presented. The Chambers were richly decorated. His Highness replied as follows : —“Mr Mayor and Gentlemen, —On behalf of the Duchess and myself, I thank you sincerely for the hearty welcome you have proffered to us in the name of the citizens of Christchurch and various bodies who represent them. I am specially interested in the greeting accorded to Us by the old age pensioners of the district. The working of th e system which has been established in New Zealand is being carefully watched in the Mother Country, and I. am glad to oe able to gather information respecting it during our visit. It is a great pleasure to us to 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 landed some fifty years ago. Favoured though you are by splendid climate and rich fertile soil, that progress speaks volumes for the courage and perseverance of the pioneers who wrested the provincp from the Avilderness; also for the intelligence and resource of those Avho have folloAved them. You here established a neAV England, bound to the old by the tAvofold cord of love and affection. The deeds of your sons have 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 this reneAA'ed assurance of that loyaltj’-. We also thank you for your kind Avishes and-' expressions in regard to our voyage. We shall always cherish gratefully memories of the Avann-hearted kindness and generosity Av e haA’e eA*eryAvhere met withiniNeAv Zealand; and it is our earnest prayer that the progress and prosperity you noAV enjoy may continue to groAv from day to day.” Their Royal Highnesses then proceeded to Victoria Square, Avhere the enthusiasm culminated. Great stands had been erected round the square to accommodate A T isitors and the public. A paA T ilion had been built in the centre of the amphitheatre, Avliere the Duke and Duchess were receded by the amid continuous cheers and peals from the Cathedral hells. The Mayor stated in a speech that the memorial of which his Highness would lay the foundation stone AA-ould seiwe as a token of the honour and esteem in which Ave held the early settlers and the Canterbury soldiers who had died in South Af» sics.

Th© Duke replied, after laying the stone : —“Mr Mayor, ladies and gentlemen, —We are A 7 erv happy to be here to-day, and to become associated Avith

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 th e Duchess and myself are gratly touched by the very kind and hearty welcome given to us to-day by the people of Canterbury.” The friendly societies then marched past, each society cheering th e Duke. The Royal party then drove off to Te Kora* ha, the Royal residence. The Duko looked rather tired throughout the functions, but the Duchess ever showed her famous smile.

Infantry lined the streets throughout the whole length of the procession, the cadets lining the route north of the square.

SERVICE AT THE CATHEDRAL.

CHRISTCHURCH, June 23. ' After lunch at Te Koraha on Sat* urday the Royal party went for a Avalk about Merivale suburb, and the Avon. Later they witnessed a display of wirejumping at Te Koraha over fences three feet high, with fh'e strands of black Avire. Captains Lewin and Palairet, Lieutenants Wyndharri, Gray and Bethel, of the Amuri Mounted Rifles, and Colonel. Penton, took part in the jumping, Avhich was done singly, in pairs and in sections of five. Sergeant Tubman of the Canterbury Mounted Rifles (who AA r as the Duke’s orderly), gave a display of feats of horsemanship. His Highness was much pleased with the exhibition. In the evening the Mayor held a reception at the Agricultural Hall, which was draped in tiie Duke’s colours. The guests Avere received by the Mayor, Avho was wearing his chain of office’ and Mrs The Royal party AA r as expected at 9.45 p.m., but did not arrHe till 10.35. A short concert programme Avas gone through, the performers Mrs Burns, Miss Graham, Messrs Wallace, Hugh Reeves and A. Miliar. The Duchess was dyessed in. black, and AA r ore a diamond tiara, and her neck and corsage gloAved Avith diamonds. The Duke Avas m evening dress. All the ladies Avore half mourning. On Saturday afternoon a rehearsal of the review Avas held in the Park. There Avas an extraordinarily large [attendance of the public. Only the cadets and mounted men marched past. Troops are still pouring into the camps. The last companies from Dunedin are expected in Sunday night. The arrangements generally are excellent. Order reigns in the oublic schools# AA r liere the cadets are billeted. An idea- of the Avork necessary to proA'ide for their accommodation can be gleamed from the fact that four hundred gallons of Abater are used to clean up the floors and tauies at the Normal School after each' meal. On Saturday night the streets Aver© illuminated. On Sunday morning, which AA-as fin©, their Royal Highnesses and suite drove to morning service at the Cathedral, croAvds cheering them. all the Avay. Bishop Julius'preached an excellent ser® mon, exactly twelve minutes long. The Rev A. E. Julius and Canon Harper as-

listed. 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 occupied seats behind. On Sunday afternoon a service for cadets was held at the Cathedral, but ;was poorly attended.

THE SOUTHERN WELCOME.

(By Telegraph—Own Correspondent.) CHRISTCHURCH, June 23. After reading the accounts of the receptions of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York at Auckland and Wellington, one feels inclined to sura up the Christchurch welcome with the one comprehensive remark “Ditto.” It was the same thing over again; and though the surroundings were different in some respects, those who have .witnessed the scenes at the different centres found it difficult to pick out any* thing her© either new or novel. As a matter of fact, it has come rather as a shock to Christchurch to discover that the extensive preparations it has been engaged on for the past few weeks do not compare over favourably with the northern displays. It was thought here that the lavish display of vari-coloured drapings stretched across and along the streets from one Venetian mast to another, with occasional arches by way of something more substantial, would prove very effective. However, the rain soaked the drapings and made them hang in ugly masses instead of gay and - graceful festoons lifting lightly to the breeze. “Tawdry” was the crushing pronouncement of a person who has travelled through from Auckland with the Royal party. The arches, for the most ' part, were not massive enough, and looked unfinished. The Wellington display is given first place up to the present, with Auckland next. So far as enthusiasm went, however, Christchurch rose to the occasion in welcoming Royalty. From the wild vigour of the clumps of school boys posted along the line of route, to the lively enthusiasm of the old age pensioners on their stand in Victoria Square, the demonstratioara of welcome were hearty and sincere. Street incidents during the passing of the visitors were rare. Near the clock tower a medal-bedecked old warrior pushed his way through the volunteers and cheered the Duke wildly, at a range of three or four yards. The Duke at that moment saluting, the crowd took this incident as a good joke, and cheered the old soldier, and the Duke together. Passing the Cathedral in a short silence, a man’s voice broke in with a remark complimentary to the Duchess. The remark must have reached the ears of Royalty, for the Duchess looked round and smiled one of her most . bewitching smiles. It was noticeable throughout that the Duchess was all smiles, while the Duke looked as though he felt the strain of the tour. He courteously acknowledged the greetings of the people, but rarely unbent further. In the evening some of the displays of illuminations were very fine. In addition to the Cathedral and Government offices, many private firms had spent large sums in preparing for the occasion. Ballantyne’s, Strange’s, Sargood, Son and Ewen’s, and Wardell’s were, perhaps, the best of these. The street drapings were seen at their best under the glare of the illuminations. The chief feature of the Christchurch celebrations, the military review, takes place to-morrow.

ir • THE MILITARY DISPLAY.

A SPLENDID SPECTACLE. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) CHRISTCHURCH, June 24. Last night was the coldest on record for the present winter. Ice was everywhere, and the frost so heavy that in places wher© the sun’s rays fell not it has remained all day in its virgin whiteness. Royalty has seen our climate in a tearful mood. Last evening it experienced its frigid humour. To-day was one of glorious sunshine, a taste of the best that New Zealand can give. Four functions were crowded into the day—the children’s demonstration early in ths morning, the military review which followed, the veterans’ luncheon, and the Royal reception. In previous places visited by th© Duke and Duchess similar ceremonies have been witnessed, with the exception of the military review, and as this was the one feature in which the Christchurch programme differed from that of Auckland and Wellington, it is worthy of a few lines to itself. The Government some time ago decided—the Melbourne review probably gave it the idea—to give the Royal guests and those accompanying them, ocular demonstration of the defence forces New Zealand is able to put into the field in case of emergency by means of the volunteer system; to show them, also, the class of men our citizen soldiers are made of, and the ready manner in which the young men of the population came forward and gave up their time to the drill and training necessary to enable them :.o qualify for service in the field. For days past trains and steamers have been conveying tne men from all parts of the colony in this direction, and the town has been overrun with khaki, scarlet a::d blu e uniforms —good-humored, noirv. sightseeing citizen soldiers. Writing A the streets brings to mind that a:i-

other class of warriors was almost being overlooked—the school cadet corps. As a matter of fact these juveniles were the first to take the town, and as one corpulent citizen indignantly remarked, “jL ou tread on one of them every time you put your foot down.” They me everywhere, and they have come to believe tbat they have captured the city, and act accordingly. Early this morning—at about balf* past nine o’clock —the first signs of tlje great stream of people that was to empty itself from the city into Hagley Rai’k could be seen trickling in twc’s and . three’s followed by ten’s and twenty’s, and then an uncountable mass of people filled the streets leading to the main entrance to the Park, and passing through the gates, spread itself over the wide expanse of grass, then the Joands were heard, and following them cam e company after company of the New Zealand volunteers, who marched to a position opposite two large stands erected for the guests of the Government, relatives of returned troopers, and such of those sightseers who were prepared to pay five shillings for the vantage ground These stands were soon filled, and all around the huge octagonal space reserved- for the military manoeuvres were thousands upon thousands of less lucky spectators, craning their necks and moving from place to place, in the hope of getting' a better view of the proceedings. . Hagley Park is too flat for sightseeing of this kind. The first few rows or people saw everything; the rest nothing. About eleven o’clock the Duke, on horseback and in Guards uniform, and the Duchess, in a carriage, at the Park, and were heartly cneered. The sight that met their gaze must have impressed them, accustomed as they now are to seeing the people massed in thousands. "

The bands, ther e seemed to be about eight of them, were stationed opposite the saluting flag, and each in turn played up a lively march tune, to which the men stepped out in brisk and businesslike fashion. First came the cadets. It is safe to say that the lads astonished everyone. They seemed t° realise that the occasion was one of a lifetime, and they were determined to do their corps credit- It took a good many minutes for the companies of cadets to pass, but at last the end came, and with it the lumbering field artillery, which had just before fired a salute. Then followed the mounted infantry, and it is probable that the great proportion of th© people of New Zealand little realise what a fine body of mounted troops the colony possesses. It was a most impressive sight as company after company of these splendidly-mounted serviceablelooking soldiers rode by in level lines of khaki. Some of the companies would have held their own anywhere, and on any field. They wer© cheered heartily as they deserved to be. Mounted men afoot—men from other parts who had not brought their horses —gav e evidence of how our mounted infantry can march, and after them came the infantry —Highlanders, Guardsmen,rifle companies in hundreds and hundreds, marching past in even order, despite the slippery ground. Then several groups of navals, headed by the Wellington and Petone Brigades, under Commanders Campbell and Kirk. Then came a ragged line of big and little men sadly mixed, but who were cheered right lustily throughout their progress. It was the first section of the returned contingents, headed by Colonel Robin and Colonel Jowsey. Their marching was not perfect in all cases, but if looks went for anything, they were about as tough a lot of fighting men as one could find in a long week’s march, and remembering what they had gon© through, the crowd demonstrated its appreciation in the heartiest fashion. It took about an hour and twenty' minutes for the whole of the troops to march past, and the display was on© that does infinite credit to the Volunteers who took part in it. They looked well, and marched well, -while the visitors wer e surprised at the fine stamp of men composing our citizen soldiery. After the march past the troops were formed into battalions, and in one long line, extending over hundreds of yards, and headed by the massed bands, inarched right across th© space towards where the Duke and his staff were standing. When about fifty yards from the Duke they wer e halted and the Royal salute given, the massed bands playing the National Anthem. Then came th e presentation of medals to th e returned contingents. After giving out the medals, the Duke turned to the row of veterans, who had been marched up, about a hundred strong, and passed down the line, chatting pleasantly to each of the old soldiers. When all was over a Maori woman rushed forward to ‘ r shake hands with the Duke,” and being blocked by the police, shrieked out a greeting in Maori to the Royal pair as they rode and drove away._ Questioned as to what she had said, she announced “ I told the Duke that New Zealand natives welcome him, and will fight for England for ever and for ever and for over.” CHRISTCHURCH, June 24. The children’s demonstration in Victoria Square this morning was a brief but unique, function. Eight thousand school children were grouped on stands, e iV'Tned with plumes of toi-toi, V-- being vigorously waved, sprinkle.' p-eryoue with floating toi-toi se p d. Vhe Duke and Duchess were received

with th© National Anthem, sung by the children, but did not descend from their carriage, where Miss Ida Reece presented the Duchess with a bouquet.

Then their Highnesses drove away to the review at Hagley ark, which was an absolutely successful function. Vast crowds filled to overflowing the big stands, and ringed the wide parade ground. Immense enthusiasm was displayed at the soldierly appearance of th'e men. The actual parade stats was 11,054. In the afternoon the Duke and Duchess held a reception at the 'Agricultural Hall, and the Duke went through the ceremony of shaking hands with each guest. To-night the Savage Club entertained the visiting English journalists. Later. The camps in Christchurch are rapidly breaking up, and the railway station to-night was a scene of confusion. All the Otago and Southland contingents left to-night. The Wailiora, Rotorua, Corinna, Rotokino and Te Anau carried over 2000 troops to the North. The Gisborne cadets and all the Southern cadets left to-night, except the Caversham schoolboys, who were detained on duty. They will go south by tomorrow’s express. Th e Napier cadets leave to-morrow, and the Wanganui and Wellington beys by the Mararoa on Wednesday. Th e whole mobilisation of 3000 cadets was completed in three weeks. Th© Duke expressed to Captain Loveday his appreciation of the cadets at the march past. The Duke stated that the Napier District School Cadets acquitted themselves best in the march past. The reception this afternoon was completed in thirty-five minutes. Owing t© th e Post Office holiday, a large number of people did not receive their invitations. CADETS IN THE SOUTH. (By Telegraph—Own Correspondent.) WANGANUI, June 23. Capt. Aitken (headmaster of the Wa_ nganui Boys’ High School), who is in charge of the Wanganui Cadets at Christchurch, wired as "follows to the “Herald” on Friday evening : —“The Wanganui Cadets drill as one company, and are the largest in the battalion and second in seniority. The weather was fine to-day, but the streets are sloppy though improving. The sleeping accommodation is good, food ditto, but the dining-room is worse than a pigsty, and I have declined to go on using it. Besides, ifc'is a mile distant, as also is the parade ground. The boys have marched ten miles to-day. Am victualling main, ly without reference to the Government supplies. All well.”

The Rev T. B. Mac Lean, chairman of the Wanganui School Committee, also received a telegram from Captain Aitken, asking for further funds. As a result of these telegrams, the School Committee appealed to parents for funds, and several pounds were subscribed, which will bo forwarded tomorrow. Meanwhile Mr F. M. Spurdle, in the absence of the member for the district, wired Mr Seddon at Christchurch :—“"‘Press reports here state arrangements for catering cadets unsatisfactory. Will you kindly give assurance matter receiving attention.” At 11.35 last night the Premier replied:—• “No truth whatever in reports that catering for cadets is unsatisfactory. Heard it from the boys themselves. You may rest assured they will be well cared for.”

DUNEDIN, June 24. One hundred extra men were at work to-day on street decorations, which were rapidly advanced, and will evidently be completed to-morrow. The weather is dry and frosty. There are only four arches —the Chinese, marine, citizens’ and Government. The block from Moray plae© to the Oetagon appears to be all one arch, with festoons of colours and bannerettes.

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) DUNEDIN- June 24.

Th© weather is settled, frosty and clear. Dunedin is greatly disappointed at the curtailment of the Duke’s stay, but preparations are going on all) th© same, and som e of the displays, particularly the arches and illuminating of the Town Hall and the Union Company’s premises, will be very effective. Twelve detectives went on to Hobart by the Westralia to-day in advance of the Royal party.