DEPARTURE FROM WELLINGTON. AN ENTHUSIASTIC SEND-OFF.

Otago Witness, Issue 2467, 26 June 1901, Page 28

DEPARTURE FROM WELLINGTON. AN ENTHUSIASTIC SEND-OFF.

As the day went on the weather became worse, but nevertheless, a large crowd lined the streets and occupied stagings at the wharf to tee tluir Highnesses depart They drove to rhe Ophir in a closed carriage, and the rain wa= at its hear. ie«t as they left Government House They were greeted very demonstratively, the cheering being hearty and spontaneous, while handkei chiefs fluttered everywhere. Sufficient troops were left in town to line portion of the route, and those without greatcoats must have got rather wet. There was not very good preparation made for their trip tins evening to Chmtchurch. The mayor, city councillors, and members of the Harbour Board occupied the goods shed, and took brief leave of the Duke and Dxuhess, apologising for the weather, which was in tears at their leaving. Xo time was lost in casting loose, and the Ophir drew away from the wharf at six minutes before the time announced, which was 4- p.m. Just at this moment the Premier and othei Ministers, who bad been attending the luncheon to the leturned trooper?, ruohed up. with Sir John Anderson later The last-named \ery nearly ini o; >ed his pa = sage, but, as'-rsted by the t arm. of the Premier whs hauled oxer the rail before the ship got clear. In 10 minutes the Ophir waa heading do-u.ii the harbour, followed by three energetic i heers from the small party on the "pier v. hich v. tie returned with equal goodw ill by fie lad'ss and gentlemen of the <-uite on deck, acco'npauiecl by much va\ msj of handkerchiefs. In the meantime ths St. Geoige end Juno had s>ol uuder weigh, and a-» soon «. 3 the Ophir reached the centre of the harbour they took up their position- in fiont. aud preceded her lound the point at Hals>nell, where the flotilla was quickly svval'owcl up in tht murky evening. Despite the v.cather nuinlie" of people swaimed on the ail way and Glasgow wharves and brcastwoiks, and vigorously waved their handkerchiefs to the departing yacht, while fie ferry steamer, wlmh ma lo an excursion down the harbour, found enough people brave enough to dare the weather to fill her: in fticl. the way the spectators turned out on >rtch a rnisciable day was mo»t surpriring.