THE ROYAL VISIT

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4315, 26 March 1901, Page 5

THE ROYAL VISIT

COST OF THE CELEBRATIONS. MOVEMENTS OF THE OPHIR. (Received March 26, 0.16 a.m.) LONDON, March 25. "When a hundred miles from Malta, the Ophir, with the assistance of the escorting, cruisers Diana and -.uuromeda, by means of wireless telegraphy, informed the Governor of Malta that the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall would land at Malta at noon to-day. The passage from Gibraltar was a stormy one. THE WORK OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMISSIONER. HIS VISIT 'lO AUCKLAND. ' Mr John Holmes, the Executive Commissioner, who is arranging in the various centres for the reception of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall, has begun his work with characteristic energy. He has just impressed the Auckland citizens with the sense of his ability as an organiser; and having accomplished his work in that city, ho left at two o’clock on Sunday afternoon, reached New Plymouth at three o’clock on the following morning, caught the early express for Wellington, and reached this city at 9.30 o’clock last night. Mr Holmes expressed to a representative of Hie “New Zealand Times” last night his complete satisfaction at the prospect that the distinguished visitors will receive a right royal reception in Auckland. On his arrival in Auckland, he had a long interview with his Excellency the Governor, who signed the warrant authorising him to act as Commissioner, and discussed with him the whole question of the proposed reception. Next day Mr Holmes discussed with the Mayor of Auckland (Mr Goldie) certain proposals fully sot forth by the Commissioner, and these were submitted that afternoon to a public meeting of the citizens, at which resolutions were carried in favour of an enthusiastic reception to the Royal visitors, the opinion being expressed that as Auckland would be the first city in the colony to welcome the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall, the reception should be worthyjiot only of that city) but of the whole of New r Zealand. An influential general committee was appointed, and authority given to the Mayor and Dr J. Logan Campbell (who is to be chosen as the Mayor-elect) to appoint an executive committee. Mr Holmes, who was warmly received, addressed the meeting, and also spoko at the adjourned meeting of citizens on the following Friday. Mr Holmes speaks in the highest terms of the earnestness displayed by the Auckland p'eonle in their 'desire to make the reception a complete success. He was informed by the Mayor that many private citizens had! voluntarily offered handsome subscriptions for the fund. Mr Holmes met the members of Parliament for all the electorates in the Auckland district, and acknowledges highly their courtesy, and that of. the Mayor aud Dr Campbell. It is probable that Auckland will erect arches of the following distinctive types : —Kauri gum, kauri timber, coal, gold quartz and butter boxes. A pedestal of gold, illustrative of the export of gold from the Auckland province, is also tc be a. prominent feature of the display. The foreign consuls and tho friendly societies are also to be represented in some special manner. The city will be profusely decorated and illuminated, and a display of fireworks will be made. The Harbour Board will take its share of the work with the Corporation, and at the suggestion of Mr Holmes, there will be a maritime display by scores of yachts and harbour steamers as the Ophir and the accompanying men-of-wai enter the harbornC Numerous ad* dresses will be presented after the landing of the Royal party, but the only address responded to will bo that presented on behalf of the citizens of Auckland by Dr Campbell, who is to be the Mayor at that time. Mr Holmes visited Rotorua, and at the invitation of the Chairman of the Town Council and several citizens, addressed a'large meeting. It was decided to erect three arches in the town-ship-—one close to the railway station, another adjoining the sanatorium, and the third on the road to Whakarewarewa—that the public buildings should be decorated, and that suoscriptious for the whole of this outlav were to he invited.

, AUCKLAND, March 25. At ‘ a special meeting of the City Council to-night the question of contributing a sum from the city treasury towards the celebrations in connection with the visit of the Duke and Duchess of-Cornwall was discussed. One or two members of the Council objected to the money of the ratepayers being diverted to such, a, purpose, but the majority favoured the proposal, and it was ultimately agreed 1 to vote a third of the cost of the reception, but not t° exceed £IOOO. CHRISTCHURCH, March 25. At a meeting of the City Council tonight a resolution was carried that all the expenses of entertaining the Duke of Cornwall ought to be met but of the Consolidated Fund.