THE ROYAL VISIT.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 9171, 13 June 1901, Page 2

THE ROYAL VISIT.

A MILITARYPACEANT. AUCKLAND FORCES INSPECTED BY THE DUKE. PRESENTATION OF WAR MEDALS. (From Our Special Correspondent.)

AUCKLAND, last night. The principal function of the many ceremonies of the day was undoubtedly the review at Potter's Paddock, some four miles on the Epsom road, to which large crowds of spectators flocked. The well-known Auckland football field made a first-class review ground, and the assemblage of between three and four thousand troops, consisting of some 1160 bluejackets and marines from the warships m port, 700 of the Auckland Infantry Batallion, 400 Artillery and Engineers, three battalions of Mounted Infantry to the number of 500, some 700 cadets and school corps, and about 100 returned spSk. made ft very imposin X a^ itM y The grandstand was crowded with guests, and the front was decorated m red, white, and blue; bunting fluttered from every gable, and strings of flags stretched right across the top of the buildings. Several thousand spectators lined the parade ground. The first distinguished arrival was the Mayor of Auckland, whose handsome gift to the people of an estate m the immediate neighborhood was recognised by a spontaneous outburst of cheering Admiral Beaumont next arrived, and was received with ringing cheers. Next ca T™- , Premier > accompanied by Mrs and Miss May Seddon, but as they drove past the stand they were received m ominous silence from the assemblage of v *™™ mt g gu sts- As the Premier alighted, someone m the packed crowd on the green called for cheers, which were heartily given, but they met with a counter demonstration, and m explana™V f t *L BMn «f'»* chilling reception onhis first arrival came the cry, What about the Maori canoes?" Some soreness is evidently f elt by Aucklander* a t the reception of their intended aquatic display by the Waikato Natives. OutI"!* 6 uf V com .P an 7 of Mounted Rifles heralded the arrival of the Duchess of «f rt and Lady Ranfurly, and port of the Ducal suite, all of whom comein for hearty recognition. It was 11 45, or three-quarters of an hour after the appointed tSne, before tie mounted escort swept through the gate! flowed by a perfect blaze of, colors SarLTS E iS H^^ess and his bnllumt staff, whose cavalcade proved tneneldto the pavilion. His Rovai Highness wore the scarlet uniform of a colonel of the Guards, his headgear con sisting of a huge busby. He was attended by a brilliant staff, including Prince Alexander of Teck, gorgeous m Hussar uniform, Viscount Cricfton aad the ff W f Roxb F8 h ' magnificent m *n« gleaming cuirasses and wavinsr aSP? n- the 5°? al H(>rse ««ards, Tr Arthur Bigge, Major Keppel, and Major As His Royal Highness rode up, he was received with enthusiastic cheers. The Duke rode a fine chestnut horse, and was followed by hi 8 staff in* two lines, Prmce Alexander of Teck riding abreast of His Royal Highness. The party were received by a Royal salute on arriving m front of the * pavX! while the Royal Standard was Kried on the pavilion flagstaff. The party hen round, facing the troops, the Duke m front, while the massed bands played the opening bars of the National Anthem, amid hearty cheers. His Royal Highness took up his position at the saluting point, whilst the bands played a few bars of the National 1 Anthem Accompanied by Colonel 1 enton, Prince Alexander of Teck, and the Duke of Roxburgh, he then proceeded to a detailed inspection of the troops, the cadets being honored with the nrsit visit, returning after each corps had been visited to the saluting The march -past, viewed from, the pavilion behind the Duke, m which seats were occupied by the Duchess of York, the and Countess, Admiral Beaumont, the Premier, and distinguished visitors, the scene was an exceeding, ly brilliant one, as the troops, stepping briskly to lively quick-step music, supplied m turn by some half-dozen bands stationed opposite His Royal Highness, Vuune m front of their future . King, whom, the officers saluted m military fashion. The inarching of . the cadets and schoolboys, seventeen companies- m all, who headed the procession, was remarkably fine, and excited general admiration and provoked cheering. Similar marks of favor were bestowed by the crowd on the mounted men and the returned contingenters. It was the blue-jackets, however, who came m for the lion's shore of the applause. Moving forward as the Ophir'B band struck up "Life on the Ocean Wave," they approached the Duk» m columns two deep, moving with a pretty swing and the utmost precision, and on passing the saluting point broke into the double to re-form company. A battalion of red-coated marines, and also the Royal Artillery, who followed, marched with even more machine-like precision, the white helmets making perfect lines. A further ovation awaited the South. African troopers, who were headed by Captain Todd, D.S.O. They marched m two lines at company distance, wearing bandoliers,' but carrying no arms. After them came the infantry battalions, who" made a very, creditable display, and the rear of the column was brought up by. the Cycle Corps, and a bearer company. The mounted' troops again passed at the trot, and then the whole force formed up m line of battalion quarter-columns division, advanced m review order, and saluted.- This ended the review. A presentation of medals followed. The South African men who received these distinctions consisted of 44 members of the First Contingent, 13 of the Second, six of the Third, nine of the Fourth, and 11 of the Fifth. They were lined up near the Duke, who had dismounted, and stood before a table covered with a Union Jack, and they came forward one by one to receive from the Royal hand a recognition of their bravery. Those who were singled out ' by- the crowd for special applause were Major Maddocks, the hero of New Zealand Hill, Captain "Jacky" Hughes, Captain Osborne, formerly of the West Coast, and Captain Todd. The latter was specially honored by being recalled before the Duke, who personally complimented him upon his valorous conduct. "Rule Britannia" was then played, and the Ducal party immediately left the ground. The arrangements for bringing the people bock were exceedingly faulty, and it is pleasing to know that the present obsolete tram service is shortly to give way to up-to-date electric tramways. THE DUKE AND THE VETERANS. The Duke paid a visit to the luncheon given by the Government to the naval and military veterans and returned troopers, and was most loyally received. The Choral Hall was crowded, about 440 persons being present. The Premier and Mr Word were among those present, and were heartily cheered. At about 3 o'clock His Royal Highness arrived, accompanied by the Governor and suite. The Duke was loudly cheered by the veterans, and- was escorted to a Beat by the Governor. The Governor proposed the toast of "The King," which was drunk enthusiastically. The gathering sang "God Save the King." His Excellency, m proposing the toast of "Our Illustrious Visitors," said that no one) took a deeper interest m the soldiers of the Empire than did the Duke of Cornwall. The toast was honored with the utmost enthusiasm, the young and old veterans uniting m their hearty cheers. APPRECIATION OF THE ARMY AND NAVY'S SERVICES. His Royal Highness, on rising, was loudly cheered. He said : "I thank your Excellency for the very kind way m which you have proposed my health, and I thank you all most sincerely for the very hearty manner m which you have responded to it. I am very glad to have this opportunity of being present at such an interesting and nappy occasion, and I congratulate the Government on having brought about this union of those representing the past and present. I am proud to think that I am! here to-day to meet nob only your fine old; soldiers, who, after serving your QuQen m various campaigns, choose your homes m New Zealand, but also your sons, who, simulating their fathers, have cheerfully given their hearty services m defence of the old flag. (Cheers.) Yes, I am proud to be present to meet two

generations of soldiers. I, like my friend Mr Seddon, would like a continuity of policy. (Laughter and applause.) There is nothing like a chip off the old block, and I know that the old block was hard, of good grain, and sound to the core, and m future, whenever and wherever the mother hand is stretched across the sea, it can reckon on a grasp such as New Zealand is giving- it at present. Well, I think you will all agree with me that the dear Old Country can look ahead with confidence. (Cheers.) It was a most pleasing duty to me to present, on behalf of the King, the South African medals to those I see at the other end of the hall. May you live to wear those decorations as long as I am glad to see your seniors here have worn theirs. May every blessing be given to you all, soldiers, old and young." When the cheering with which the Duke's closing remarks had been hailed subsided, he rose and again asked the company to drink the toast of the "Veterans," and also the troopers who had returned from South Africa. The toast having been drunk with bumpers, the Premier proposed the health of "The Governor," which was heartily honored. A photograph of the gathering was then taken, the Premier announcing that His Royal Highness had kindly consented to put on record "" for all time this memorable occasion. The Duke was photographed with the company, and before leaving spoke to several old veterans. LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE. The Duke and Duchess and the Royal party m the afternoon passed through Parnell, the streets of which were gaily decorated and were lined by large crowds of people. .In the neighborhood of the site of- the Queen Victoria School for Maori Girls was an immense gathering of' people, and their Royal. Highnesses were accorded a great reception on arrivaL A collection consisting of several hundreds of pounds was laid upon the stone, and a pretty ceremony was the reception by the Duchess of purses filled with sovereigns, brought m by little girls, Maori and European, dressed m white. It had originally been intended that the Duchess should lay the foundation stone, and the documents and an inscription on the trowel had been prepared, but the Duke himself conducted the ceremony, and at his .request the inscription was not altered. Prince George could bs heard quite clearly as he declared the stone well and truly laid. The Maori boys present sang a number of hymns, and also performed a haka, which delighted the Boyal party. The Primate conducted the religious portion of the service, and read a prayer, and the Bishop of Waiapu also read a prayer m Maori. The silver trowel with which the ceremony was performed was presented to the Duke. The National Anthem was sung m Maori, after which their Boyal Highnesses left, amidst great enthusiasm. Returning, the Ducness and Countess of Ranfurly yalled at Bishopscourt to see Mrs Cowie, who has been a confirmed invalid for many years. They subsequently visited the Museum, which was also visited by the Duke of Cornwall, and the party expressed great pleasure at the Maori relics, especially the handsome war canoe from Tolaga Bay. The Duke afterwards proceeded to the Northern Club.