THE ROYAL VISIT.

Thames Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 9975, 22 June 1901, Page 4

THE ROYAL VISIT.

t — —i—-<■ —... THE DEPARTURE FROM WEL-

LINGTON.

ENTHUSIASTIC SEND OFF.

AN AMUSING EPISODE.

I (Per Preaa Anociatioa.) WELLINGTON, June 21. As the day went on the weather became worse, but ; nevertheless a large crowd lined the streets, and occupied'the stagmg cm tbS wliarff" 7to see their Highnesses depart^ They drove to the Ophir in a close carriage, when the. rain ,was at its heaviest-., the- left Government .House "they r were greetied very demonstratively. The cheering was "earty and sponjtaneous, and handkerchiefs \\ fluttered ■ everywhere. Sufficient troops were left in the town to line a portion of the route, and those without great coats nlust have'got rather, Wet as. there was not very good preparation for their trip to Christchurch. ■■ The Mayor and City Council and the i members of the Harbour Board occupied the shed|*and took a.brief leave of Whe Duke and Duchess,; apologising for -f he weatheiiy; which as Earl Beauchamp had put it. "was in tears at their leaving." No time was lost in casting loose, and the Ophir drew away from the wharf at six minutes before the time announced, which was 4 p.m. Just at this moment the Premier and other Ministers, who had been attending the luncheon to the returned troopers, rushed up with John Anderson. The later very-nearly 'missed'his passage, but assisted by the stalwart Premier he wte hauled over the 1 rail before the ship,got clear. In 10 minutes the Ophir was heading down the harbour followed by three energetic cheers from the small party on the pier, which were returned with equal good will by the ladies and gentleman of the suite on deck, accompanied by much waving of handkerchiefs. ' In the meantime the St. George and Juno had got under weigh, and as soon as the Ophir reached the centre of the harbour took up their positions in front, and preceded her round Point Halswell where the flotilla quickly followed up. In the murky eveaing despite the weather numbers of people swarmed on the Railway and Glasgow wharves and breastworks, and vigorously waved handkerchiefs to the departing yachti I while the ferry steamers, which made I excursions - down the harbour found enough people brave enough to dare , the weather to fill her; in fact the 1 number of spectators who turned out in such a miserable day was most surprising.