IN VICTORIA SQUARE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7132, 22 June 1901, Page 5

IN VICTORIA SQUARE.

Their- Royal Highnesses then ascended the canopied dais, where they were welcomed by the Mayor ajid the Royal Commissioners. Has Royal Highness was then conducted by the Mayor to the scene of the laying of the foundation stone of the Canterbury Jubilee Memorial in the centre of the ground. A canopied dads ha^d been -erected here, and upon it, in addition to his Royal Highness and the Mayor, were the Premier, Sir Joseph Ward and >Mr H. F. Wigram, Chairman, of the Commissioners. The Mayer, addressing the Duke, said: — " Your Royal Highness,— l beg leave, to say a word or two. Last December was iJhe fiftieth anniversary of the Canterbury settlement, as at was on Dec. 16, fifty years ago, that the first pioneers came to •Lyttelton. It was decided -that Wie ought to put up a memorial to serve -as a token of ! the honour and esteem in. which we hold those early settlers, many of whom, I am sorry to say, have gone froan us. It w&s 1 also thought that there should be a memor rial to those of their descendants who went to Soutlh Africa and who fell in the war there, and the names' 1 of those who hiavelost their lives in tlie war will be engraved on the tablet. It was?' thought, 'beside.!, that additional interest and great value would be given to the memorial if your Royal Highness would oonscnt to lay the foundation stone. Therefore I beg leave, to ask if you will be good <mough to lay this stone*" The Mayor then presented the trowel, and , li-is Royal Highness performied the ceremony, sayin.g;\"r declare this stone to be Well and, truly Stepping forward, and facing the people on the platforms, his Royal Highness s#d '.. — " ■ " Mr MayoT, Ladies and Gentlemen, — We are happy to be here, and to be associated in this tribute of affection to' our late dearly beloved Queen. • I should stay to you, teach your children to look up to it a-s a memorial of her, Whose life was a noble example of devotion to duty, of tender sympathy with, and loving regard fop; the wellbeing of her people, to us all a priceless heritage. And I can assure you that, both the Duchess a-nd I are greatly touched by the very kind and hearty . welcome which has been jyiven to-dw by thn people of Christchurch." (Cheer?.)