DUKE OF YORK'S TOUR.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 9100, 19 March 1901, Page 3

DUKE OF YORK'S TOUR.

• I. PRESENTS FOR AUSTRALIANS. 1 (Electric Telegraph— Copyright— United Press Association.) LONDON, March 18. It is reported that the Duke of York is carrying twenty thousand pounds worth of presents for distribution, also a list of knighthoods or rewards to leading Federationalists. King Edward's partkig remarks to the Duke of York was "make your mind easy. We will care for the children." (Received March 19, 9.32 a.m.) ADELAIDE, March 19. Five hundred troops will be sent to the opening of the Federal Parliament. MELBOURNE, March 19. Squabbling aver the invitations to the Federal Parliament has already commenced. The Government propose to limit the municipal invitations to one thousand, but the. municipalities demand that every Mayor, Councillor, and Town Clerk be invited, and are using pressure to gain their end. DECORATIONS IN MELBOURNE. ROUTE OF THE PROCESSION. MELBOURNE, March 9. There is every likelihood of the celebrations here being spoiled by the meanness of the authorities. The Government Celebration Committee have only allowed experts £700 to decorate about seven miles of streets, and yet they talk about outrivalling the Sydney Commonwealth celebrations. All extensions of decorations are being rigorously refused, and in this respect the decoration of the Chinese arch" is being jeopardised. . The Chinese are prepared ro spend up to £1000. if the Government decorations are brought their way. The German residents have decided to erect an arch, and to undertake the decoration of that portion of the route of the procession allotted to their nationality. The Norwegian and Swedish citizens are also likely to do something in the decorative line. It is likely that the Chapter of St. Paul's Cathedral will erect a huge ornamental, and well-decorated grandstand in the Cathedral grounds. The scheme of 'color designs, which it is. intended to use for the Venetian masts along the line of the city route, was determined to-day. St. Eilda road will be ablaze" with gold and green, whilst Collins street, for some distance, will sport red, white, and blue; from William to Elizabeth street, in Collins street, is reserved for foreign nations; and from Elizabeth to Swanston street there will be green festoons of a particularly gorgeous character; whilst blue and yellow, red and gold, will finish off that portion of the route which tails into Spring street. These colors. vary slightly as to position and prominence, so aa to give an artistic effect. They will also be largely used over other parts of the route. Illumination experts are maturing their plans. The dome of the Exhibition (Building is to be idraped in gold by means, of electric lights shining through golden-hued bulbs. The towers, which are to be a feature of the decorations, and Princes . Bridge are to be brilliant with multi-colored lights, whilst delicate traceries of dainty lights are to cut out the main points of the public buildings. The Town Hall will, be treated in much the same way as at Jubilee time. The /work of re-decorating Government Housje is now almost complete. The ballroom in which the State functions will be held during the stay of the Royal visitors has been the subject of great care, and the artistic work therein suggests the blending of the Imperial power and Australian democratic simplicity. .The State residence bids faid to rival in grandeur, and display some of the far-famed English castles. An attempt is actually being made to blame Sydney for the delays in connection^with the celebration arrangements. It is said that if Lord Hopetoun were only on hand to settle doubtful points, tune would be saved. One writer labors heavily to show that Lord Hopetoun is imprisoned in Sydney, as if the GovernorGeneral, if he chose to come to Melbourne, could not do so without the slightest reference to anyone. The littleness of this complaint is obvious. As a matter of. fact, it is only a clmusy and feeble excuse to cover up the meanness of the -Government of this State, who are anxious to have a magnificent display at little cost ; hence the delay and confusion. • Lieutenant-Commander Richardson is proceeding to Sydney to interview the Admiral with reference to the naval display in Hobson's Bay during the Royal visit.