THE ROYAL VISIT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12007, 2 April 1901, Page 5

THE ROYAL VISIT.

' DELAYED IN THE SUEZ CANAL. Press Association-By Telegraph-Copyright. CAIRO, April 1. (Received April 2, at 0.35 a.m.) An accident to a dredger blocked the Suez Canal. The Ophiv is anchored three hours' distance from Suez.

THE STAFF. (Per United Press Association - .) WELLINGTON, April 1. The following are members of the staff of the Duke and Duchess of York;— Lady Mary Lygon, Lady Katherine Coke, Hon. Mrs Derek Keppel, Lord Wenlock, Captain H. S. H. Prince Alexander of Teck, Lieu-tenant-colonel Sir Arthur C. Bigge, Lieutenant Sir Charles Cust, R.N., Major the Hon. Derek Keppel, Sir Dona'.d M'Kenzie Wallace, Commander B. Godfrey Faussett, R.N., Captain Ywcount Crichton, the Duke of Roxburghe, Canon Dalton, Major James Bor, R. May, Sir J. Anderson (of the Colonial Office), Mr Manby, Mr Sydney Hall, Chevalier De Martino, Colonel Byron, It is understood that Lady Mary Lygon,' Lady Katherine Coke, and Mrs Derek Keppsl will act as ladies-in-waiting to tho Duchess of Cornwall, Sir Arthur Bigqe will net as private secretary to the Duke in connection with personal affairs. On the 22nd of February hist Sir Arthur was appointed an extra equerry to the King. The Duke's equerries on his present tour will probably bo Sir Charles Gust and Major Derek Keppel. Sir J. Anderson, who will act as private secretary in connection with official-matters, was gazetted K.C.M.G. on February 22. Colonel Byron is on tho staff for the journey to Australia only.

PREPARATIONS ELSEWHERE. (Per United Pbess Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, April 1. A meeting of citizens convened by the acting-mayor, and at which there was a good attendance, was held to-day to consider matters in connection with the visit of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York. Mr Holmes, Government Commissioner, was present, antl explained what was proposed to be done elsewhere, A number of committees were appointed to make the necessary arrangements for the suitable reception of the visitors. WELLINGTON, April 1. The joint' committee of the City Coun-

cil and citizens which has in hand the preparations for the reception of the Duke of York met this morning. The mayor presided. It was resolved that an address of welcome should bo presented to the royal visitors in the Triangle, facing the General. Post Office. The committee decided that ■ the city should erect only one arch, and that that should bo placed across Jervois quay from Queen's Chamber to the railway line, fronting the main gates to the Queen's wharf. Other parts of the pro- > vinco and the citizens of Wellington will : be expected to erect arches also. The joint committee is to meet the reception, committee of the Harbour Board on Wednesday afternoon next to arrange a joint j plan of reception and decoration. The' mayors and chairmen of local bodies outside the city are also to bo invited to take j part in Wednesday's conference.

ARRANGEMENTS PROCEEDING IN DDNEDIN. .

A PROGRAMME OUTLINED. A meeting of members of the verious committees appointed laet week in connection with the visit to tho city of tho Duke and Duchess of Cornwall antl York was held in tho Town Hall yesterday afternoon; present —Messrs R. Chiaholm (mayor), G. L. Denniston, D. E. Thcomin (president of tho Chamber of Commerce), A, Wilson, J. H, Chapman, C. R. Smith, J. A. Park, N. T. A. Wales, A. J. Earth, J. Hutclmon, C. C. Israel, W. M'Atlam, l\ E. Muir. T. K. Hartv, C. P. M. Butterwortli, T. R. Christie, E. K. Sidey, N. H. Bell, M. tfraer, J. F. Arnold, M.H.R., C. W. Rattray, W. Robertson. T. Scott. G. Roberts, J; Arthur,

T. H. Rawson, B. JRoid, jun., and 0. Speight. Apologies for unavoidable absence wero received from the Hon. Mr Bolt, Mr A. R. Barclay. M.H.R., and Mr J. F. Kirby. Tho following gentlemen were appointed chairmon of committees:—Finance Committee, Mr T. K. Sidcy; Royal Route Committee, Mr James Hutchison; Illumination

and Arch Committee, Mr J. H. Chapman; Entertainment Committee, Mr R. Glemlin- j ing; Catering Committee, Mr C. W. Eat- ' {ray; Children's Demonstration Committee, Mr G. 0. Israel, It was unanimously decided to 'ask Mr E. F. Dtithifl, secretary of tho Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Society, to act aa honorary seorotary to tho Executive Committee, with power to engage assistance. Mr T. K. Sidcy, chairman of the Finance Committee, was appointed treasurer. Messrs L. R, Wilson and H. G. Kettle have- been added to the Catering Committee. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. Tho Executive Committee then met to consider the programme. There wero present: His Worship the Mayor, Messrs .T. A. Park, D. E. Theomin, C. Speight, J. H. Chapman, T. Scott, C. W. Rattrav, G. C. Israel, T. K, Sidey, and J. F. M. Fraser. It was resolved that Mr Chisholm be appointed chairman of tho Executive Committee. It was pointed out that thoro' would bo a ehnnjfo in tho mayoralty before tho committee's work would be finished, and it would bo better that the gentleman who commenced the duties pertaining to the chair should continue to the end.to do so.

Consideration of the programme was then proceeded with:— Frasr Day. Aβ the royal party are expected to arrive nt the railway station on the evening of Tuesday, Juno 25, it was resolved that tho mayor and councillors meet their Royal Highnesses, and, on behalf of tho city, give them o, formal welcome to Duncdin. Tho royal visitors will then proceed to their appointed residonce, and tho streets through which they will drive will bo profusely illuminated and decorated, bands being stationed at several places en route. If the arrival bo at night time, torchlight guides Will be stationed at short intervale nlong the route. Mounted escort, body guard, and volunteers to bo pranged for. Surrounding • the heights to bo illuminated with bonfires. Second Day—Wednesday. The royal party fo start to drive through Gcorgo street and Princes street at 11.30. 'JAo streets to bo decorated, festooned, and interspeTsod throughout with appropriate arches. On arrival at Town Hall, about 12 o'clock, the Mayor to present the citizens' address of welcome, after which the royal party to proceed to the end ot route, thence home. In the afternoon royal party visit tho winter b!iow at 2.30; official opening at 3 o'clock. Royal party rest till tho evening, when a reception will be held in some public hall, the cily being brilliantly illuminated. Tho days proceedings to be wound up witli a grand display of fireworks. Third Day-Thursday. Tho morning, till 12.30, to be set aside for tho private pleasure of tho royal party. At 12.30 the foundation stone of the Queen's statue- to bo laid. Subsequently children's demonstration to bo held at Forbury Park, which the royal party will vieit about 2.30 p.m. It is proposed, if possible, to havo a floral display otartinj; early in fne morning, and also carried out at Forbury Park. In tho evening the royal party take their departure.

Severn] matters in the above programme wero referred to the different committees for report. Tho question of'tho position of tho colonial arch was left to tho Arch Committee.

.It has been suggested that Port Chalmers should arrango.for a maritime display on tho occasion of tho Ophir's departure. It is understood that several firms havo already signified their willingness to erect arches, and some business people havo mado a move in decorating their ov.n premises. In regard to this latter, a good idea is meeting with favourable consideration—namely, that tho business pcop'o in each block should combine for tho decoration. of the streets within their particular block. His Worship tho Mayor and Mr Ussher had a chat yesterday morning as to the site of tho arch, nnd determined to wait till tho committees havo met and fixed tho routo beforo deciding where tho arph shall bo erected.