OPHIRS DEPARTURE FROM PORTSMOUTH.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 9099, 18 March 1901, Page 3

OPHIRS DEPARTURE FROM PORTSMOUTH.

Electric elegraph— Copyright— Uni^a p teßs Assoui&tion. LONDON, March 16. Hie departing Royalties were enthusiastically cheered at Victoria station. The ships were dressed. At Portsmouth harbor salutes were fired on the arrival of the Duke and Duchess of York. The Agents-General were not Invited to witness their departure, but they sent a united telegram, wishing their Royal Highnesses God-speed and a prosperous voyage. The Ophir was illuminated all last night, and sails at four this afternoon, their Majesties the King and Queen following some miles down the English Channel m the Royal yacht, March 17. The King and Queen, the Dukes of Connaught and Fife, the Tecks, the Prince and Princess Carl of Denmark, Mr Goschen, and Mr Chamberlain inspected and lunched aboard the Ophir. The King was much moved, and gave a toast to the .health of the -Duke and Duchess. He wished them a happy and prosperous voyage, and safe return, concluding with the remark that the-Duke •of York was discharging a national duty, testifying how greatly the King and nation appreciated the splendid practical loyalty of the colonies. The Duke of York proposed the health of the King, thanking him for according him permission to undertake so interesting a voyage. . ■ Shortly before four o'clock, the Royalties went aboard the Alberta. The ships m Portsmouth harbor dressed and saluted them. The Ophir started amidst' tremendous cheeering, the Duke and Duchess of York, from the hurricane deck, bowing. The Portsmouth flotilla of destroyers followed astern .escorting the yachts for seven miles along the Channel, until the Alberta, exchanging farewell signals, returned. The cruisers Diadem and Niobe escort, the Ophir to Gibraltar. The scene was an animated and inspiring one. The Times comments on. the unparalleled spectacle for,which preparations are being made m Melbourne m connection with the opening of fhe Federal Parliament to fulfil the first great purposes. The 'Times adds that the Royal visit to New Zealand can hardly fail to quicken the growing desire to join the Commonwealth, and that it is likely the Royal visit to South Africa will awaken m Boer sympathisers recognition, of the merits of the Crown and advantages of the Empire. The stay of a month m Canada is a most fitting recognition of the Dominion's great services to the Empire. (Received March 18, 8.38 a.m.) LONDON, March 17. The Duke of York replied to the Agents-General joint message stating he was greatly touched by their telegram, and anticipating deep interest m the great event of tie royal visit. AUCKLAND, this day. The Governor has approved of a suggestion of Mr Holmes' that school children should assemble and sing the National Anthem. The Premier telegraphs that all the members of Parliament have expressed their approval of the efforts being made by the Government, and. of Mr Holmes's appointment. He says there will be a very heavy expenditure on the part of the colony outside of any borne by the local bodies. Mr Holmes wishes it , clearly understood! thatl the Government will bear no part of the expense of the actual reception, and will only legalise any admissible expenditure incurred by the local bodies beyond that allowed by statute. The citizens must realise their responsibility, ■ and must understand clearly that the expenses of the reception will be entirely borne by themselves. Mr Holmes points out that at Home when a Royal personage visits the town the costs aria -always borne by the Corporation, or with the help of the citizens. ■