THE ROYAL VISIT

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4301, 9 March 1901, Page 5

THE ROYAL VISIT

DEPASTURE OF CRUISERS. (Received March 9, 1.5 a.m.) LONDON, March 8. The cruisers St. George and Juno have sailed. They have accommodation for colonial personages voyaging between different ports THE CIVIC PROGRAMME IN WELLINGTON. The Mayor presided over a meeting convened oy himself, and held at the Council Chambers yesterday afternoon, to arrange for the reception and entertakunant by the citizens of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall. It was resolved that those present should form themselves into a general committee to assist, the City Council in making arrangements for the reception of their Royal Highnesses. In the ccurso of a discussion it was suggested that the City Council should arrange for the erection of four different emblematical arches in the principal city streets, and that probably the friendly societies, labour bodies, and large manufacturing companies could be induced to do ,I'kewise. The chairman said £250 would be available from the Council as the nucleus of a reception and entertainment fund, and it was suggested that the Council could also take a similar amount in anticipation of next year’s receipts. It was decided to invite citizens to subscribe funds towards making an effective display both by illuminations and otherwise on the occasion of the visit of the Duke and Duchess.

A sub-committee consisting of Messrs McLoUan, Atkinson, Cameron, T. K. Macdonald, John Holmes, W. Allan, and the Mayor (as chairman) were appointed to confer with the City Council as a whole on Tuesday afternoon to arrange for a concerted scheme of action.

THE GOVERNMENT’S SPECIAL COMMISSIONER. The Government has appointed Mr John Holmes a special Organising Commissioner to make arrangements for the reception and entertainment of their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall in this colony. Mr Holmes’s time and advice will be at the disposal of the citizens’ committees at the various centres, and he will be empowered to act for the Government in regard to all minor matters of detail. The local bodies will be expected to find a large portion of the sinews of war in connection witji the celebrations incidental to the visit, and, if necessary, the Government is prepared to introduce special legislation to give them an increased spending power for this occasion.

The choice of Mr Holmes for the position referred to is a particularly happy one. 1 He combines the suavitor in modo with a fine business capacity, and as an organising agent he will, it is certain, answer to the full the expectations of those who have honoured him with the appointment. It will be remembered that Mr Holmes conducted with marked ability and success the important duties of New Zealand Government Commissioner in England' and America during the year 1897, and no doubt the valuable experience of men and affairs he then gained will stand him in good stead during the next few. months.

On receipt of the cable from the Agent-General that their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York were to visit the colony, the Premier of New Zealand cabled to the Premier of Victoria, and the information was at once given to the Press. The following appeared in large letters in the “Melbourne Herald": —“The Royal Visit—lt, is to take place—Premier Seddon scores—Gets thei first news —Heir Apparent visits, us.” The following also appeared;—“New Zealand scores again, and her wonderful Premier is far ahead of anybody else in getting official information. Moreover, he has the courtesy, good sense, and sound judgment to quickly pass it on.” The following paragraph appeared further on;—“Mr Seddon, Premier of. New I Zealand, is much envied by the Commonwealth Government and the Governments of the Australian States, for the manner in which he can secure the first intimation of important official matters of great public interest. “How d'oes Seddon manage it?’ the other Australian Premiers ask. One reason, probably, is that Mr Seddon stands high in favour : at the Colonial Office, and another is i that New Zealand has a real live Agent- ; General; with something of the journalI istic instinct in him.”