THE ROYAL VISIT.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4306, 15 March 1901, Page 5

THE ROYAL VISIT.

, ARRANGEMENTS ON THE OPHIR. (Received March .14, 9.44 p.m.) LONDON, March 13. All the civilian engineers of the Ophir have been made olhcorss of the Royal Naval Reserve. An Italian squadron will greet the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall on their arrival at Malta. SYDNEY, March 14. At a meeting of citizens an influential committee was appointed to co-operate with the Government in the arrangements in connection with the visit of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall. MEETING IN AUCKLAND. MR JOHN HOLMES’S MISSION. AUCKLAND, March 14. This morning Mr John Holmes, tho Government Executive Commissioner in connection with the visit of the Duke of Cornwall, had a Jong conference with the Mayor , and met the local members of Parliament, and discussed various details in connection with the reception. He will also probably interview. the heads of the Board of Education, Chamber of Commerce and other public bodies. wChis afternoon he attended ameeting of citizens called together by the Mayor in connection with the Royal visit.

1 In response to the Mayor’s telegram asking for definite information as to the extent to which the Government intended helping citizens to defray tho cost of the reception, the Premier telegraphed:—“Government will have very heavy expense to bear in connection, with tho visit of the Duke and Duchess and does not intend to contribute towards expense* incurred by local bodio.s beyond the fact that if children who attend the reception are presented with silver medals, the Government will contribute ■£l for £1 to a limit to ho determined hereafter.” The Board of Education will probably he asked to issue medals to tho school children as a souvenir of the occasion, the medals to bear on one side heads of the Duke and Duchess and on the other that of the King. CITIZENS’ COMMITTEE AGAIN MEETS. THE FINANCIAL PROBLEM. Another meeting of the Citizens’ Committee and members of the City Council was held yesterday to discuss preparations for tho reception of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall. The meeting went into details and came to the conclusion that an expenditure of something ITke £4OOO would be required to nfake an adequate display. ■ With the aid of rough estimates by the 1 City Engineer, it was computed that live arches would cost £l5O each, £750; platforms for school children, £500; i fireworks, £200;, medals, £300; decora- < tions, £500; addresses of welcome, £SO; 1 illuminations, £SOO. Total, £2750. On the suggestion of the Mayor it was 1 decided to ask the City Council if it was prepared to sanction the expendi- < tnre indicated. *

Councillor Izard expressed the opinion that the Council would do nothing so unbusinesslike as to guarantee this expenditure on the strength of a verbal promise .of indemnity. Mr T. K. Macdonald said the Premier would have to see the thing through, and if the local bodies could not bear all the expense the Government would have to help them. Tfie Premier had invited the- Duke and Duchess here, and the Government would have to bear a share of the cost. If they were not prepared for that, then the local bodies would have to leave them to their own resources. Councillor Izard said the Government should advance a sufficient sum to tha Council at fair interest, re-payable when the Indemnity Bill had been passed. The thing would then be on a business footing . After further discussion the question of finance was referred to the City Council.

DISCUSSION BY THE CITY COUNCIL.

At the meeting of the City Council last night the Mayor made a verbal report of what had taken place at the meeting in the afternoon, and at the interview with the Premier on Tuesday. In the course of discussion the opinion was expressed by some Councillors that the City Gounod could not afford to spend £4OOO of the ratepayers’ . money for the purpose. It was also said that the promise of the Premier that the Council would be indemnified for any expenditure over and above the sum of £250 allowed by the Municipal Corporations Act should he relied on. Comment was, however, made as to the indefinite character of the Premier’s statements, although one or two of the speakers suggested that ho could not bo expected to commit the Government. It was eventually, decided to leave the matter to a committee to interview the Premier, on the understanding that a report should be made to the Council. THE NATIVE WELCOME. The Hon James Carroll will leave for Papawai. this morning to consult with the Wairarapa Maori Council in regard to the reception to be .given to the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall, the object being to determine which of the Wairarapa natives are to attend the demonstration at Papawai, and' whether any of them are prepared to join in the welcome at Wellington. The Hon J. G. Ward received fee following telegram from Mr John Holmes, Government Organising Commissioner, at Auckland, last night: “ Interviewed the Mayor and M.H.R.’s, and had long and friendly conference with both during yesterday and forenoon to-day. Addressed a very large and enthusiastic meeting of citizens at the Council - Chambers this afternoon. Great interest was displayed. All present were elected as a general committee. The general plans were approved. Fifty gentlemen are to he selected tomorrow as a General Committee. Success is now assured. I have impressed the necessity for provision for visitors and protection against overcrowding of verandahs in public places along the route.

Mr T. E. Donne, Superintendent of Government Tourist and Health Resorts, returned from Auckland last night. While in the north Mr Donne had several interviews with his Excellency the Governor, and discussed with him details in connection with the forthcoming visit of the Duke and Duchess, of ■ Cornwall. Amongst other arrangements made by Mr Donne was the engagement, on behalf of the Government, for the exclusive use of their Royal guests, of the Grand Hotel at Auckland, and the Grand Hotel at Rotorua, the latter to bo used as a private residence by the Duke and Duchess and suite. Other accommodation was also secured for the use of the party. Mr Donne.will leave for Christchurch and Dunedin on MonI day to make certain arrangements in j connection with the Royal visit to those i places; "•