THE ROYAL VISIT

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4308, 18 March 1901, Page 5

THE ROYAL VISIT

PREPARING TO LEAVE ENGLAND. (Received March 16,-6.21 p.ra.) LONDON, March 10. The King and Queen and the Duke and Duchess .of Cornwall were enthusiastically cheered at Victoria Station, as they loft for Portsmouth. The ships in Portsmouth Harbour were dressed with bunting, and salutes were fired on the arrival of tho Duke and Duchess of Cornwall. The Agents-General were not invited tc- witness tho departure, but sent the Duke and Duchess a. united telegram, wishing them God-speed-and a prosperous voyage. ILLUMINATION OF THE OPHI3. ’ THE AUSTRALIAN WELCOME. • (Received March 17, 5.23 p.m.) LONDON, March 16. Tho Ophir was illuminated all lastnight. She sails at four o’clock this afternoon, tho King and Queen following for some miles down tho Channel in tho Royal yacht.

“Tho Times'’ comments upon tho unparalleled spectacle for which preparations, are being made in Melbourne :n connection with the opening of the Fed-eral-Parliament, which is to fulfil tho first great, purpose-of the tour; and adds that the Royal visit to New Zealand can hardly fail to quicken the growing do-sire to join tho Commonwealth. It is likely, says “The Tithes,’-’ that the "visit to South Africa, will 1 awaken in Boor sympathisers a sense of tho merits of the Crown, and the advantages of tho Empire. The stay of a month’s duration in Canada is a most fitting recognition of the Dominion’s great services to tho Empire.

THE FAREWELL AT PORTSMOUTH. (Received March 18, 1.8 a.m.) LONDON, March 17." The King and Queen, the Duke of Connaught, the Duke of Fife, the Duke and Princess of Teck, Prince and Princess Carl of Denmark, Visconnt Goschen of Hawkhurst, and Mr Chamberlain, inspected and lunched aboard the Ophir. The King, who was much moved, gave the toast of the Duko and Duchess of Cornwall’s health, and wished them a happy and prosperous voyage, and a safe return. His Majesty concluded with the remark “that the Duke was discharging a national duty in testifying how greatly the King and nation appreciated the splendid practical loyalty of the colonics.”

The Duke of Cornwall proposed the health of tho King, thanking his Majesty for according him permission to undertake so interesting a voyage. (Received March IS, 1.13 a.m.) LONDON, March 17.

Shortly before four o’clock the Royal party went aboard the Alberta. All the ships in Portsmouth Harbour were dressed with bunting, and saluted. When the Ophir started there was tremendous cheering, to which tho Duko and Duchess . bowed their acknowledgments from the hurricane deck.

The Portsmouth flotilla of torpedo destroyers followed astern, escorting tho yachts for seven miles down Channel, where tho Alberta exchanged signals with the Ophir and retjij’ned.* I The cruisers Diadem and Niobo escort the Ophir to Gibraltar, The scone was animated and inspiring.

Sir Henry Miller, Speaker of the Legislative Council, has' informed i lie Premier that he will bo unable to accept the invitation to be present at the opening of the Federal Parliament by the Duke of York.