THE ROYAL VISIT.

Thames Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 9976, 24 June 1901, Page 4

THE ROYAL VISIT.

THE SOUTHERN TOUR

LYTTELTON AND GHRIST- ; CHURCH.

ANOTHER GREAT RECEPTION.

(Per Press Association.)

, CHRISTCHURCH, June 22. Heavy rain fell during Friday night I culminating in a downpour at dawn. , The morning broke fine, and there was a splendid brilliant sunny weather for the whole of Saturday's pageant. The sun rapidly dried the de? c'orations, whictt had been # severely affected by the weather: The streets presented a brilliant appearance, being festooned and garlanded, each street possessing, a properly graduated scheme of harmonising colours. "Taken altogether the decorations do not equal those in Wellington, the arches being of smaller size and several very flimsy in appearance. ARRIVAL AT LYTTELTON. At 7.15" the Royal yacht entered Lyttelton harbour. k The warships and batteries gave a salute, but no procession of the Lyttelton fleet was formed., The hill was crowded with sight-seers., .The Ophir came alongside the wharf at 8.45, the landing stage being gaily decorated. The Garrison Artillery formed the guard of honor. The Governor, Lady Ranfurly, Hon. R. Seddon, and his Ministers welcomed the Duke at 11.35. The Duke was^ attired in Admiral's uniform and the Duchess in a black costume. The Mayor of Lyttelton and Mr Waymouth, the Chairman of the Harbour Board, were presented t© the Duke, and Miss Waymouth handed the Duchess a bouquet. The Duke inspected the guard of honour formed of the Garrison Artillery, and the school children sang the National Anthem as the Royal train moved off. ; ON TO CHRISTCHURCH. 'The*© waß - enthusiastic cheering 1 all atong the line. The train arrived lat Christchurch railway station at noon. The station by a lavish use I of. ferns was transformed into a bower of verdure—the most artistic decorations in Christchurch. The Mayor (Mr A. E. G. Rhodes), Mrs Rhodes, and Miss. M. Rhodes, who presented "the Duchess with a bouquet, the Royal Commissioners, and others were on the platform. The Duke shook hands with the Mayor and Mrs Rhodes. An address from the citizens was handed to the Duke. An immense crowd cheered the Royal party all along the line of the procession. PROCESSION AND PRESENTA- ' ' TION. Thirteen companies* of mounfied rifles and the "E" Battery, with guns, formed the procession, the infantry lining the streets. Everywhere there was enthusiasm and loud cheering. At the Provincial Chambers addresses 'from the Orangemen and old age pensioners were presented. The Duke < replied, stating that the working of the old. age pensions system had been carefully watched in the Mother Country. LAYING A FOUNDATION « , STONE. The Councillors and, others were presented po the Duke, after which their Roy»l Highnesses proceeded to Victoria.' street, where the enthusiasm culminated. Here the Duke laid the foundation stone of the Canterbury Jubilee Memorial to; the early 1 pioneers and the Canterbury soldiers ■who died in the Transvaal. The} Cathedral bells rang* a peal and the friendly societies then marched past,, ■each society cheering the Duke. • The R6yal party""then drove to Tekdraha, their- residence in Christchurch.