TO-DAY.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4389, 21 June 1901, Page 6

TO-DAY.

The Duke of Cornwall and York will at noon to-day lay the foundation stem* of tin; New Government Kail way Offices in Pea Uicrston street. At 1 p.m. their Royal Highnesses will leave in ILM.S Ophir forl.yUflton, on route to Christchurch. The Duke of Cornwall, accompanied hy hi,-. Excellency tho Governor, visited the Public Library and the Home for Ihe Aged Needv yesterday afternoon. Something like 50,00011 of timber has been utilised in the different Government arches and platforms in Wellington in connection with tho Royal reception, and about 12,000 yards of fabrics have been used in the decoration of the Parliamentary and Departmental Buildings. Air G. E. Smith, upon whom the work of carrying out the Government orders devolved, performed well and honourably a herculean task. Altogether he employed lot) carpenters and their assistants, besides hirgo numbers of casual labourers. Colonel Newall having gone to Christchurch lo make arrangements in conne'el.ion with tho review at that place, Lieut .-Colonel Collins will have charge of the Volunteers at the sond-olf and other arrangements tc-day. Tho excellent .scheme of illumination, which had been arranged for the Haihour Hoard’s main building on the Grey street frontage vvu.s fully shown last evenin'', and tho effect .was exceedingly fine. Tho electric light, supply would only permit of it being partly shown before. Viewed from the southern tees of the Queen’s Wharf, tho plain white lights on tho big building served to show up tho beautiful colour .scheme of the Post Office with wonderful effect. Looking down. Queen’s Wharf from the white picket barrier the. scene, last evening was a very charming cueAfter dinner at Government House last night Mr Malcolm Ross exhibited to their Royal Highnesses a valuable eollection of photographs of New Zealand scenery, more especially of the Southern Alps and of the volcanic rc* giens in tho north. -Mr Ross also exhibited a number of views of scenes in tlio Southern seas, taken by him during tho oruisc of the Mildura at the time of the recent Samoan trouble. The views were shown by means of an optical lantern, operated by Air Chapman, of the Hutt. Air Ross was afterwards presented to their Royal Highnesses, wdio evinced keen interest in, and no inconsiderable knowledge of, tho sccnio wonderlands of this colony.

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) CHRISTCHURCH, June 20. Still it rains, but there aro signs of a break, and fine weather is confidently spoken of for Saturday. Visitors are now pouring into the city, including the bands of cadets, who, despite the unexpected numbers, are being cared for very well. Certainly they will not sleep in feather beds or enjoy all the luxuries of homo life, but probably they will appreciate the experience of roughing it more thau they would daintier accommodation. They are sleeping in the city schoolrooms with an abundance of bay and blankets. About six hundred Wellington boys arrived all well, and were quartered at the Normal and Gloucester street schools without any unnecessary delay. Among the decorative efforts now to bo scon about the streets of tho ’ city are a, number of transparencies shewing alleged portraits of the Royal visitors and the King and Queen. Some of them are simply atrocious as works of art, and in connection with one. displayed at the Post Office the artistic soul of Christchurch has risen in revolt.

THE VISIT TO SOUTH AFRICA. (Received June 21, 0.41 a-m.) CAPETOWN, June 20. Cape Colony will spend £IOO,OOO in, welcoming the Duke* ancQ Duchess of Cornwall. People are flocking to Capetown from thousands of miles distant. ZEALANDIA’S WELCOME. "(By John Young, Wellington.) Zealandia hails her future King, With pscans loud and strong, Her land-locked ports wide open swing, Her rocky coasts along. From Tongariro’s giddy height. Bright flames of welcome shone, While stern Aorangi’s summit white Passed the glad signal on. Waikato’s flood, with dancing gleam, Tier sunlit margin laves, And Clutha’s wild and surging stream A hoarser welcome raves. From Wakatipu’s depth profound. The Southern waters call. .* To whore old Taupo’s banks resound With stream aud waterfall. From dread Te Rcinga’s fabled strand. The mountain and the plain, To Waipapapa’s southern strand Take up tho grand refrain. The Tui, from her leafy bower. Warbles her sweetest song, And Koreru, from loftiest tower, Sends love-lorn strains along. The Kauri sees the Royal Star, And bows his stately head, AVhito Rata, watching from afar. Waves high his blossoms red. 11. I stood by Rotorua’s Lake. ’Mid foliage dank and green, .While shimmering light both heath and brake Bedecked with silver sheen. I saw, as if with keener glance, With heralds, far before, A Royal cavalcade advance, And gain tho classic shore. And, what is more, mine eye could trace. Round the assembly stand. Post chieftains of- the Alaori race, A brave, heroic band. With, aspect grave they stand around. And low their heads incline, Aud welcome to historic ground, Britannia’s Royal line. From Wanganui’s swelling tide, Shines brave To Kcepa’s star. With Md Waitangi’s ancient pride, Chieftains renowned in wmr. There’s Ropata, in bold relief (His mountain rear-ward stands). With Nai-nai’s bravo and stalwart chief, Who led the southern bands. And many true and valiant ones (Their deeds are known to fame). From Britain's brave and generous sons, A kindly welcome claim. Thou fare ye well, historic shades Of that brave, noble race, As ye, to tho Ethereal Glades, Your gallant steps retrace. 111. Tho Prince is come! God save tho Prince! Zealandians, every one. Their stirring loyalty evince, Beneath the Austral sun.

Wo prav tbev may, ’mid mortal strife With “.steadfast 'faith, and true, Triumphant o’er the ills of life, Their high emprise pursue. And as the grace of Heaven descends Upon the Royal Bair, Whose goodness over all extends, Alay they its fullness share.