THE ROYAL TOUR

Timaru Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 3558, 3 May 1901, Page 3

THE ROYAL TOUR

United Press Association—Per Electric Telegraph—Copyright. Received; 10-33 a.m., May 2nd. ALBANY, May 2. The Ophir- resumed her .voyage at six o'clock .yesterday morning, after coaling. Tha Administrator of the Government, on behalf of. the Government and people, sent ■ a telegram to the Duke and Duchess, congratulating them on their safe arrival in ; Australian waters. The Duke replied, thanking the Government and people for , their kind message of greeting. Details of the Ophir's voyage show that the. Royal party found the heat in the Red Sea and at Singapore rather trying, but 1 they thoroughly enjoyed the trip, and were delighted at their enthusiastic receptions- everywhere. The squadron called at Aden, where an address was presented by Parsee gentlemen, who subsequently dined with the Duke and Duchess on the Ophir. The visit to Ceylon was enjoyable. Among the festivities at Kandy were a display of fireworks and a procession of elephants. Colombo was lavishly decorated. Received 10.6 ajn., May 2nd. .MELBOURNE, May 2. Mr Seddon has cabled to the State Premier inviting him and his colleagues and wives to visit .New Zealand on the occasion of the Royal visit. Received 7.25 p.m., May 2nd. - Owing to the recent bad weather, the decorations are not in a veiy forward state. The city is crowded with visitors. Soldier's Bay presents a lively appearance with the foreign and British war-ships. The former are represented by 2326 officers and men, and the British by 2247 officers and men. The weather indications at present are not promising. The New. Zealand troops will arrive here to-morrow. ALBANY, May 2. Singapore was beautifully illumina'.ed. Numerous addresses with valuable and novel caskets were presented, including an address from the Hindoos, the Arabs, the Malays and the Chinese. The stay in Singapore was marred by the death of one of the Ophir's stokers. The body was committed to the deep shortly after leaving, with full naval honours, the Duke and Duchess attending the ceremony. The squadron crossed the Line on the 25th ult. By the Duke's command the ! old ceremony of Neptune coming on board i was carried out on each vessel, amid much amusement. A special correspondent and all others who had not previously gone ' through the ceremony were made sons of Neptune in the orthodox manner. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, May 2. 1 As at present arranged, the presenta- i tions of medals to South African service ( men will be made by the Duke of Corn- 1 wall as follows :—Auckland,' on the morni- i ing of June 12th; Wellington, at 11 a_m. j on the 18th; Christchurch, at noon on the - 22nd; .Dunedin, on the morning of the | 25th. Every man who has been a member i of the contingents will have a railway pass forwarded him. j The Duke of Cornwall has cabled to the Governor that he will lay the foundation , stone of the Wellington Town Hall, but would like to be excused from attending j the City Council luncheon. ; DUNEDIN, May 2. The Retailers' Association resolved to- ■ sight to illuminate their shops on the three evenings during the Duka of York's visit; to.assist the reception committee in providing for statable decorations of the streets; to observe! June 25th as a whole holiday; and to keep May 24th as a close , holiday in memory of Queen Victoria.