THE ROYAL VISIT.

Otago Witness, Issue 2455, 3 April 1901, Page 27

THE ROYAL VISIT.

2 THE RECEPTION AT MALTA. THE DEMONSTRATION AT MALTA. THE OPHJR AT PORT SAID. DELAYED IN THE SUEZ CANAL. LONDON, March 25. j A number of warships and torpedo boat j destroyers met the Opirir outside Valetta Harbour. The gambols of the destroyers were among the features of interest. As the Ophir approached Malta, and when steaming up the harbour, a magnificent gun-fire was maintained from all the battleships and forts. There was most favourable weather. The Duke signalled by means of wireless telegraphy tEanks for his right royal welcome, saying : " I am glad to be with you again upon such an interesting occasion." March 28. The Duke and Duchess of York were i greatly interested in the trial of the Bren- I nan torpedo at the mouth of Valetta Harbour. The Duchess operated the mechanism used in discharging the torpedo, by which a boat was destroyed two miles outride j the harbour. The grotesque water carnival airanged by the bluejackets of the British warship was a great success,. Huge canvas models of an elephr.nt, kangaroo, the dodo, crocodile, and ciagon, illuminated from w ithin, disported on the harbour, which the fleet brilliantly illuminated by means of their search and other j electric lights. y j March 29. Wireless telegraphic messages were sent by the Ophir to Caned, the chief seaport in the island of Crete, and a similar message was sent to Malta when the Ophir was 110 miles distant. March 30. The Ophir arrived at Port Sa-d at 3 o'clock to-day. The Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York landed. The Duke exchanged visits with Prince Mohamcd Ali. the Khedive's brother. Hj afteiw^icte visited Lady Stron^foid's hospital. He entertains to-night Prince Mohamcd, Lord Cromsr, and several others at dinner, and resumes his journcv early to-morrow CAIRO, Apul 1. An accident to a, diedgtr block' d tho Suez Canal. The Ophir is anchored thice hours' distance from Suez. DECORATING WELLINGTON. WELLINGTON, March 29. The City Council to-night decided to expend £1000 to decorate the city on the arrival of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York, relying on the receipt of contributions from the citizens and the Premiei's> promise to pass an Indemnity Bill into law. INDEMNIFYING HARBOUR BOARDS. CHRISTCHURCH, March 29. The chdiiman of the Lyttelton Harbour Board telegraphed to the Premier asking if the boards would be included in the special act of indemnity re expenses incurred in ! connection with the royal reception. The Piemier replied in the affirmative. THE STAFF. WELLINGTON, Apr.l 1. The following are members of the staff of the Duke and Duche&s 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 Big^e, Lieutenant Siir Charles Cu^t, RN.. Major the Hon. Derek Keppel, Sir Donald M'Kenzie Wallace, Commander B. Godfrey Faussett, R.N., Captain Viscount Cnchton, the Duke

[of Roxburghe, Canon Dalton, Major Tx 4 Bor, R. May, Sir J. Anderson (of Colonial Office), Mr Manby, Mr Sydney Hall, Chevalier De Martino, "Colonel Byroi*'. It is understood that Lady Mary Lygon. Lidy Katherine Coke, and Mrs Derei Keppcl will act as ladies-m-waiting to thd Duchess of Cornwall. Sir Arthur Bigga will act as private secretary to the Duke in connection with personal affairs. On the 22nd of February last Sir Arthur was appointed an extra equeirv to the King. The Duke's equerries on his present tour will probably be Sir Charles Cust 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 Byror is on the staff for the journey to Australia only. PREPARATIONS ELSEWHERE. 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 matteis in connection with the visit of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York. Mr Holmes, Government Commissioner, was present, and explained what was proposed to be done elsewhere. A number of committees were appointed to make the necessary arrangement's for the suitable reception of the visitor?. WELLINGTON, April 1. The joint committee of the City Coiuv. cil and citizen-, v. lnch has in hand the preparations for the reception of the Duke oi York met this mcrning. The mayor presided. R was rc c olved that an address ol welcome should be presented to the royal visitors in the Triangle, facing the General Post Office. TLe committee decided that the city should erect only one arch, and that that •should be placed across Jervois quay fi» m Queen's Chamber to the railway line, fronting tlie main gates to the Queen's wharf Other parts of the province 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 Wed- 1 n£?day afternoon next to arrange a joint plan of reception and decoration The mayors and chairmen of local bodies outside the city are also to be invited to take part in Wednesday's conference. THE PREMIER REPLIES 'jlvJ THE MAYOR. GOVERNMENT PROMISE £1000 TO EACH OF THE FOUR CENTRES. His Worship the Mayor wired to the Pre» mier yesterday as follows : — " The Hon. the Premier. Wellington. " Kindly let me know if my telegrams to you of the 19th. and 22nd have been overlooked, as I have not received any reply to the latter and only partial to the former. I have caUed a "meeting of citizens for Thursday night, and it is desirable that I should ha*, c the information asked for as soon as possible I feel confident the City Council would be favourably disposed to as3ist towards giving a reception worthy the occasion, and the city beyond the statutory limit, bub in this they are helpless without your assurance that an indemnity bill i? passed on Parliament assembling — R. CnisnoLir." The Premier replied as follows: — " There was no intention to evade the questions raised in your first telegram, and afteragain perusing Fame I fail to find the direct questions now isk •<?. — Mimv'y. Will the Government grant the Borough Council any financial assistance towards defraying the expenses incurred in connection with the raception of their Royal Highnesses the Du'.a and Duchess of York ; and, further, will the Government promote a bill and endeavour to get the same passed through Parliament making legal any amount voted and expended which may not, strictly speaking. h° legal? In answer to the first question, Will the Government grant a sum of money to the council? it is to your credit and to the honour of your city that you have not in the telegram. nnd«r reply a^kpd in the concrete, but by wavof query in the abstract, of the Govemmpit its intention 0 Tho Government has been asked, however, by Wellington and Chiistohurch for direct monetary assiscancp, and the rpp'v has b<*en that the Government does r.ofc sec its way without ihe authority of Parliament to expand moneys out of the con«oh (!at»fl fund ior the general d*>"oratinr>, llh.minating, and providoring for the couvfii.ence of citizens incidental to the visit of our illustrious guests v We have, howevei, outsidp the diiect and general entertaining and recrption of their Royal Highnesses nml iiute by Go\ eminent for the volcmy. clp'-ulf,l to illuminate flip Go\ eminent Building!-, construct platfoims fur the use ot clistm <;<ii.-hed guc=t-, accompanying thoir Royal Highii^sc-,. piul to erect one arch in rach vl tho four ciiif*, j>nd for the pumofe the sum of £1000 will be dpvoted and expended in each of the four centros honnuiccl by our royal \ iMtors. The patriotism of voiir ctizens in the jia = t ha* cvo'.c^d ]iiofninid ad'nhntion, and 1 hoir - f^rhng re-p<>n-e at the call of duty has ever gi\on roniidc'ico. and the Covernmr;n frel_a c .-iv ed they will ri^o to the prPSPnt groat, unique, ami pleasurable occasion We feel further trrtain that yourself and the other cnic leprescntames will do their best to a«->ist the people in manifesting an impres^ho Tiid spontaneous display of loyalty and iristint'i'l hospitality )n the bplo\ccl =ou of our King and grand son of oui Life N>!o\e r T f>nd c\er revered Queen. In doing thi-- an expenditure in e\ce»:> of that a'lowert l.y law will mc-t probably bo incurred, and to meet tin 1 - emergency the Govpinment propo-o to I promote and use it-, be«t effort* to pass an I net of indemnity. The extraordinary and uupiecedented situation and th° honour and pleasure conferred by the \i«it of their Royal Highnesses warrant mc coming to tho conclusion that there v\ ill be no difficulty in pas-ing --uch an act at a very early stage of next session, and those members of Parliament whom I ha\e spokpn to on the subject are all favourable, and con-idcr it a pioper thing t< do. Mr Holmes, the executive commissioner, will be with you in tho course of a few d.\y°, mid will explain fully and genelally the outline of what i- required to make the reception a great succors and one that yourself, councillors, and citizens of Dunedin. Southland, and Otago. and the colony may well feel proud of. Don't forget tho old adage: 'Faint heart ne\rr won fanlady,' a iid that enthu-ia-m m a cause ever carrier tho day. — R. J. Seodox. The following me.-sage wa-> ice i\<_d -hoivly after the abo\ p — " Regret exceedingly mv te'egram to you, wnich was dictated a f n<"on this morning, had not reached you at time you wired me*

I made inquiry, and found it had been put in one of the telegraph boxes at the Government. Buildings until after 4. I trust, under , the circumstances, you will not think for a J moment any slight was intended : no one re- j grets more than I do the delay. — R. J. •BEDDOX."' A SCHOOLS' FESTIVAL. A meeting of the executive of the Schools Committees' Conference, held on the 2?th in jMr Sidey'B office, was attended by Messrs G. Israel (in the chair). T. K. Sidey, J. Arthur, iW. MAdam, and M. Fraer (secretary), j Messrs J. P. M. Fraser and M. Cohen were also present by invitation. The meeting was called to consider a proposal made by Mr j Cohen as to the propriety of holding a monster schools festival during the forthcoming royal visit, and also to consider Mr Fraser's suggestion re country school chil- j clren Being brought to Dtmedin to assist in the demonstration. A good deal of conversation ensued relative to the above matters. Eventually the following resolution was adopted: — "That a monster schools festival foe held on the occasion of the visit of the tDuke and Duchess of York to Dunedin, ar.d *hat a special meeting of the Schools Committees' Conference be held on Wednesday eve&ng, April 5, for the purpose of arranging _ 'details." MR HOLMES'S MISSION TO <* . DUNEDIN. "•Mr John Holmes, the Executive Commissioner, appointed under royal warrant, who arrived in Dunedin by Thursday night's ex.prfess to consult with these malting arrangennents for the' reception of the Duke and "•Duchess of Cornwall and York, was engaged yesterday in the Minister's rooms, Bond mtreet, where he^feceived a number of citi•sens, including Bishop Nevill, the secretary al ihe Fernhill Club, and the chairman of the 'Agricultural Hall Company. The special j rieaire of Mr Holmes is to secure uniformity among the flifferent centres in regard to the character of the reception, so as to have one kmbroken display of loyalty from Auckland Ifco Dunedin. He state 3 that the royal suite jwifl consist of from £0 to 100 people, while J in addition there will be -some 50 or 60 officers tfrom the different warships. Mr Holmes anticipates a large inrush of country visitors . rt» the principal towns, and states that the question of providing for them is one that should not bje lightly dismissed. It will be a matter surrounded with much more difficulty than the billeting of the Imperial troops <we bo recently had amongst us. Mr Holmes j ffiad a prolonged conference with his Worship ■ tthe Mayor, when the proposed arrangements twere discussed and various matters arranged. Mr Holmes paid a visit to Mr De Maus, mayor of Port Chalmers, last evening, and the •.result is set out in the telegram. which he for- ; .warded to the Premier, of which the folio if- i ting is a copy: — "Had a long and pleasant | autcrview with his Worship the Mayor of . SBort Chalmers, -who entered into the spirit •of the nroposed reception with great enthusi- J asm una unbounded loyalty. He assures me j <fc6at .everything will be done in Port Chalmers ' Tworthy of the great occasion." I .Mr Holmes, it may be mentioned, is r.o Granger to Dunedin, having begun his colo- , ittal experience here, as far back as 1574 ise leaves for Christchurch this morning,- and ihe length -of his Btajr there will depend in come degree on the meeting to be held in that | city on Monday afternoon. He next proceeds as far as Auckland, but anticipates an early return to the south. ARRANGEMENTS PROCEEDING IN DUNEDIN. A PROGRAMME OUTLINED. A meeting of members of the veriom committees appointed last week in connection ■with, the visit to the city of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York was held in the Town Hall on Mondaye ; present —Messrs R. Chisholm (mayor), G. L. Den- | niston, D. E. Thcomin (president of the . Chamber of Commerce), A. Wilson. J. H. , Chapman, C. R. Smith, J. A. Park, N. Y. i 'A Wales, A. J. Barth, J. Hutchison, G. C. Turael, W. MAdam, H. E. Muir. T. K. jjarfcf, C. P. M. Butterworth, T. R. Christie, "I K. Sidey, N. H. Bell, M. Fraev, J. F. .Arnold, M.H.R., C. W. Rattray, W. ."iobertson. T. Scott. G. Roberts, J. Arthur, T. H. Rawson, R. Reid, jun., and C. \ Speight. | Apologies for unavoidable absence were received from the Hon. Mr Bolt. Mr A. 11. Barclay, -M.H.R., and Mr J. F. Kirby. j ■ The following gentlemen were appointed cbairmen of committees: — Finance Commit- ! tee, Mr T. K. Sidey ; Royal Route Com- j mittee, Mr James Hutchison : Illumination j aad Arch Committee, Mr J. H. Chapman ; lEntertainment Committee, Mr R. Glendinifcjy; Catering Committee, Mr C. W. Rat- ■ way; Children's Demonstration Committee, Mr G. C. Israel. j It was unanimously derided to ask Mr E. F. Duthie, secretary of the Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Society, to act as honorary i secretary to the Executive Committee, with po*ver to engage assistance. Mr T. K. Sidey, chairman of the Finance Committee, was appointed treasurer.- j Messrs L. R Wilson and H. O. Kettle have been added to the Catering Committee. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. The Executive Committee then met to coneider the programme. There w ere' pre,- ent : His Worahip the Mayor, Messrs J A. Paik, D. E. Theomin. C. Speight, J. H. Chapman, j T. Scott, C. W. Rattray. G. C Israel, T. K.Bidey, and J. F. M. Fra^er. | It was resolved that Mr Chisholm be appointed chairman of the Executive Commi'tee. It was pointed out that there would be a change in the mayoralty before the committee's work would be finished, and it ■would be better that the gentleman who commenced the duties perta : n.nsj to the chair should continue to the end to do so. Consideration of the programme was then proceeded, with : — Fisst Day. As the royal party are expected to amve at c the railway station on the evening of Tuesday,*' June 25, it was resolved that the mayor and councillors meet their Royal Highnesses, and, on behalf of the city, give them a formal welcome to Dunediti. The royal visitors will then proceed to their appo nted residence, and the itreets through which they will drive will bs profusely illuminated aad decorated, bands being stationed at severat^lacea en route. If the arrival he at night time, torchlight guides will be stationed at short intervals along the route. Mounted escort, body guard, and volunteers to be arranged for. Surrounding the heights to be illuminated w:th bonfires. Second Day— WEDxr.sD^y. The royal party to start to drive through George street and Princes street at 11.30. The streets to be decorated, festooned, aad interspersed i\i oughout with appropriate arches. On arrival st Town Hall, about 12 o'clock, the Mayor to prosert fbe citizens' address of welcome, after whiwh the iOj.il panv to piotccd to

the end of route, thence home. In the afternoon royal party visit the winter show at 2.&0 , official opening at 3 o'clock. Royal party rest till the evening, when a reception will be held m some public hall, the city being brilliantly illuminated. The days proceedings to be wound up with a grand display of fireworks. Third Day— Thursday. The morning, till 12.30, to be set aside fo. the private pleasure of the royal paity. At 12.80 the foundation stone of the Queen's statue to be laid. Subsequently children's demonstration to be held at Forbury Park, which the royal party will visit about 2.30 p.m. it is pro posed, if possible, to have a floral display starting early in Tne morning, and also carried out at Forbury Park. In the evening the royal party take the:r departure. Several matters in the above programme ■were referred to the different committees for report The question of the position of the colonial arch was left to the Arch Committee. It ha 3 been suggested that Port Chalmers should arrange for a maritime display on the occasion of the Ophir's departure. j It is understood that several firms have al- j ready signified their willingness to erect J arches, and some business people have made a mo% c in decorating their own premises. ) In regard to this -latter, a good idea is meet- j ing with favourable consideration — namely, I that the business peopfc in each block should combine for the decoration of the streets within their particular block. In future the Mayor of Wellington wiU I wear robes,' which "will" he obtained before j the visit of the Duke and Duchess of Corn•waP. A Cornish Society has been formed in Wellington, the primary object of which is to inaugurate a movement for the presentation from all Cornishmen resident in New Zealand of an addiess of welcome to the Duke of Cornwall. The provisional committee include Mr J. P. Luke, the Rev. J. Crewes, and Mr E. Tregear. A Wellington telegram says: — In connection with the premium of £15 15s tJ&ing offered by the Government for the best design for invitation cards in connection with the royal visit, sgs will be given for a act of designs next in order of merit, and 2gs for each of six more meritorious design;. His> Worship the Mayor has received the following telegram from the Premier: — "It is the wish of the Government that you should accompany the resident engineer and the Executive Commissioner to fix a site for the arch to be erected by the Government in your city. Necessarily it should have the consent of the council. Little time is to be lort, and I feel assured you will render every assistance in this matter." Mr Chisholm has arranged a conference with Mr Ussher for thip irorning-. Mr Holmes, the Executive Commissioner, left for Christchurch on Saturday morning, but he wa^ consulted by the engineer before leaving. Mr Holmas has addressed the following letter to the mayor: — "I desire to nlaee on record my apnreeiation. of the kindly manner in which yo l introduced me to the citizens at last night's public meeting. The heartiness of that reception and the enthusiasm displayed by the gathering are indications that everything connected with the proposed reeeorion will be efficiently carried out I have pleasure in herewith bending you copy of the projrramme proposed for the reception of their Royal Highnesses during their visit to Melbourne. I shduld be (ylad to learn as soon as possible what definite programme you fan submit, bo that I may advise his Excellency the Governor without delay. You will, I am sure, pardon my anxiety if I again exprep3 to you the nece«sitv for making early provision for the influx of the large number of visitors your city will enjoy during the week commencing Monday. 24th June A register of names of tho^e willing to cro\ide accommodation for visitors might with advantage be open for inspection at the town clerk's office, and thus increase the comfort of thop? coming from a distance." Of the Government's contribution of £1000 to Dunedin. £500 is to be spent on the arch. The meeting of the Indies of Dunedm and | suburbs willing to assist in the movement for the erection of the Queen's? &tatue memorial has been rjastponed from to-monrow afternoon till Wednesday afternoon at % o'clock. In connection with the rcceotion of the Duke and Duehesp of Cornwall axid York, the members of the Executive, Finarce. Hoval R^-ite. Ilh.mination and Arch, lialertainmeut, Catering, and Children's Oenior-stration Committees are requested to meet at the Town Hall at 4 o'clock this afternoon His Worship the Mayor and Mr t'ssher had a rhat on Monday as to the site of the arch, and determined to wait till tbe committees have met and fixed th»» roue before deciding where the arch sha 1 ! bo erected.