THE ROYAL TOUR.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 3559, 9 May 1901, Page 2

THE ROYAL TOUR.

Uaited Press Association—Per Electrio Telegraph—Copyright. Received 12.26 p.m., May Bth. MELBOURNE, May 8. Mr Peacock has received a wire from Mr Seddon, conveying the hitter's thank» for the position conferred upon the New Zealand troops in the Royal procession. Mr Seddon expressed the delight of the New Zealand people at the safe arrival of the Royal visitors, and congratulated Victoria upon the splendid manner in which everything passed oiF. Mr Peacock replied thanking Mr Seddon for his congratulations, and said he was pleased to, welcome the New Zealand troops, and to give them a good position. At the levee, with such numbers of the general public in attendance, the affair deI veloped at one time into a scrimmage more suitable to a Rugby match than to ballroom work. Shaking hands with several thousand people was rather tiring work for the Duke's hand, but he manfully saw the thing through. Received 12.16 a.m., May 9th. To-day's functions wore of a social character. Royalty attended a largo reception given by the State Government. The Governor-General holds a brilliant reception this evening. Iti was anticipated that a number of Australians who had had titles conferred on them this year would have been invested with their orders at the levee yesterday, but the ceremony was postponed owing to a cablegram being received that other honours are to be conferred, and that there should be one investiture. It is understood that the Duke presents handsome flags inscribed with the name of the regiment to each regiment which served in South Africa. The Duke to-day presented all the troops who hud served in South Africa with war medals. A brilliant gathering attended the function, and 500 soldiers one by one stepped forward, received the medal and saluted ;is they retired. Three men. who have not yet recovered, sat apart. The Duke and Duchess walked over io them, shook them by the hand and sympathised with thein in their sufferings.

[ Received 9.9 p.m., May Bth. Some idea of the crowds in Melbourne can be gained from the approximate returns of the railway traffic. On Monday 400,000 persons were safely carried on tho railways. This excludes from the train travellers those from the different colonics who reside chiefly in tho city. Nearly 700,000 must have welcomed Royalty. One limy not inttorview Royalty, but Lord Hopetoun state* that the Duke is quite delighted with this magnificent pageant. He remarked to tho Governor-General that ln> Ind 'oeu a good many of this kind of prot rwions in various parts of the world, but vinV "lie was equal to, if not better than anyioiiivr that ho had previously witnessed. Ih' was equally pleased with the illvmii'i;-1 i'>ns. With regard to his own feeling !."i<i 11"potomi declared that nothing could li;:vc been better. He was pleased beyond measure. It had been an anxious time for hint, but everything had gone off without a hitch. The Duke inspected, within tho grounds of Government House, the men of the. Victorian Naval Brigade who have just returned from China. He desired tho officer commanding to congratulate the men upon their valuable services and on their safe teturn.

A touching incident was the enquiry rf the Duchess with regard to tho tiees planted by the Princes on their first visit. to Australia in 1881. Her Royal Highness

■was informed that the tree planted by the Bnke of York was still alive and flourishing, but that planted.by the Duke of Clarence had withered and died, despite of 1 aE care, soon after the death of the Duke. The Duke, replying to numerous addresses of welcome from all parts of the State said: " I accept with sincere satisfaction the assurances of unswerving devotion and attachment to the Throne and person of the King, my dear father, to" whom I shall make known without delay the sentiments which have been given expression to. I am deeply touched with the reference to the mournful event which so recently plunged the whole Empire into grief and mourning, the death of my beloved and revered grandmother. Her great qualities and wise rule proved an inestimable blessing to the peo-iie over whom she reigned for more than half a century. She left a noble example to her successors for all time. Thank you fcr your good wishes for the healtth and happiness of the Duchess and myself. I regret that the short space of time at our disposal prevents us from becoming as well acquainted as we should with the interior districts of this favoured land. I join with you in the hope that the journey which we have undertaken may not only be fraught -with much pleasure'and interest to ourselves, but also have the effect of promoting in no small degree the unity and solidarity of the King's dominions. The happiness which I enjoyed during my former visit in company with my dear brother is ever fresh in my memory. I Tejoice to find myself amongst you again, and that on this occasion the Buchess accompanies me. I wish to take this opportunity of assuring you Low truly our hearts are moved by the splendid and enthusiastic reception accorded vs on our entry into this city, an outward testimony, indeed to the loyalty and affection to the Throne. It- is my earnest prayer that Divine Providence may be with the people of Australia in all their undertakings." .

Received 9.21 a.m., May Bth. t SYDNEY, May 8. The women of Sydney are collecting funds to present the Duchess of York -with a mirror frame mounted in gold, with a monogram in Australian jewels. The secretary of. the Citizens' Committee says that although the decoration of the streets may not be on such a scale of splendour as in Melbourne, for beautiful completeness and harmony they are far ahead of anything previously seen; iui Australia, i *-' Pet Brass Association. DUNEDIN", May 8. Last evening the Premier received a reply from Mr Peacock, the Victorian Premier, acknowledging receipt of a congratulatory message from New Zealand on Monday's display, and stating that their celebrations were a great success. He added that he was very "pleased to ' welcome the New Zealand troops, and j to have been able to give them a good position in. the procession.''