THE ROYAL VISIT.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4869, 29 June 1901, Page 3

THE ROYAL VISIT.

I PROCEEDINGS IN DUNEDIN. „ A vast concourse of people gathered in the vicinity of the railway stai tion and in all the approaches lead* ing to it on Tuesday evening in anticipation of the 'arrival of the Royalties. The train reached Dunedin at six o'clock, at which time the city was brilliantly illuminated. The train was received in perfect silence at the station until their High nesses had alighted, then the bands played the National Anthem and cheers broke out. The Duke inspected the Dunedin Navals, who formed a guard of honor. The Mayor of the city waß ushered into the carriage and introduced to the Duke by Lord Banfurly, and then followed the imrgduotioa of the city councillors, the Royal Commissioners and members of the Reception Committee, Then the party proceeded through a vestibule decorated with fine artistic taste, and entered their carriage and drove at a smart trot to the Fernhill Club. Bands played along the line of route, which was lined by volunteers, the Otago Hussars, and North Otago Mounted Rifles forming an escort to the Royal carriage. The city illuminations produced a magnificent effect. The Union Company's offices on one side and the lofty' building of the •• Otago Daily Times " office on the other side of the line of route from the station to the town, presented a very fine effect.' The Octagon was one blaze of electric lights. Among the street decorations the marine arch, with its tall towers occupying a commanding position in Princes-street, by general consent took pride of place. The Chinese arch in South Princesstreet was a bizarre arrangement consisting of a red transparent structure illuminatied from within. On Wednesday the weather was superb. There was a blue, cloudless sky, a clear, crisp air, with occasional gleams- of warm sunshine. At 11.30 the Royal party left the Fernhill Club and proceeded along Manor Place, where the children were grouped, and shrilly cheered. Turning into Princes-street south a magnificent vista appeared, the street being canopied and garlanded with* bannerets and foliage. The gaudy structure ot the Chinese arch was first passed. At High-sfcreefc tho scheme of deeor&fciftn adopted included tall maats, from which festoons of greenery gracefully radiated. On the crest of Princes-street stood the magnificent marine arch, the most carefully built and artistically constructed in the colony. Large models and pictures of Union steamers were a feature. It was lit at night by 500 electric lights. The Ootagon, where the ceremony of presenting addresses took place, was the scene of two magnificent arches, the Government arch, representing Balmoral Castle, being fine, and more substantial than the Government arch in Wellington. The municipal arch was a mass of greenery. The pediments of the towers were filled with mosses, and lycopodium garlands canopied the whole central space. All down Princes-street an avenue was formed of a double line of tree ferns, varied with stands of ferns and plants, over which fountains played. The Dunedin Engineers formed a guard of honor at the dais. The whole space was thronged by the public On the dais were the Governor and Lady Kanfurly, the Premier, and Mrs and the Misses Seddon, the Mayor (Mr G. L. Denniston) and Mrs Denniston, Miss Fairlie Denniston, Sir J. G. Ward and the Hons. J. Carroll and T. Duncan. .At 11.45 the Duke, escorted by the Otago Hussars, was received with cheers. Miss Denniston presented a bouquet. Addresses were presented to the Duke from the Mayor and Corporation of Dunedin, Presbyterian Church (Otago and Southland), the Catholic Bishop, clergy and . laity of Dunedin, the Mayor and Corporation of Port Chalmers, the County Councils of otago, the Scottish Qoeiotiiea of Dane* din, and the Friendly Societies of Otago. The oaeket provided for the addresses was a large handsome gold, silver and bronze representation of a Maori whare. Ihe Duke, in a clear voice but not a strong voice, read a general reply to the numerous addresses he had received. At the beginning of the speech the. distant crowd, ignorant that the Dnke was speaking, created a disturbance, which caused him to pause. Quiet was soon restored, and the Duke proceeded. In the course of the speech read by the Duke he said that, were, proofs needed of the colony's attachment to the throne they had been given a hundredfold in the gallant services rendered to the Empire by their sons and brothers, and in the glorious and unfading memory of the loved ones who, alas, sleep on the African veldt. Referring to the dsath of the Queen, he said : "We bake comfort in the knowledge that in her great and noble life will surely be found one of the most certain sources of that spirit of loyalty, unity and solemn determination to share the common burden which has now declared itself with such an irresistible force throughout the free nations which form the British Empire. We have eagerly looked forward to visiting this favored district of New Zealand, knowing that we should find here a community of pure Scotch origin, who some half-a-century ago left their native shores for this distant land. They infused into their new life that courage, perseverance, tenacity of purpose which, together with the spirit of enterprise, are inherent characteristics of their race. What must have been but a mere hamlet, but in which they saw with prophetic eye its present greatness, they honored with the Celtic name of that fairest of cities, the proud and historic capital which is the pride of all Scotsmen. The Fourth Contingent is renowned in this colony, manned as it was by your sons, equipped and mounted by the generosity of the people of the province, while Dunedic stands uniqne in having sent from among its brave, self-sacrificing daugbers nurses to tend and care for the sick and wounded in South Africa. Most heartily do I reciprocate the hope expressed that our visit may enhance the spirit of goodwill which should bind in one great solid union of hearts the scattered portions of the Empire." He deeply regretted that, owing to his numerous eni gagements, he would not be able to remain longer and visit other portions of the, island. " We shall quit your shores with feelings of profound gratitude for the generous and unfeigned kindness which has been extended to us through? out the length and breadth of the polony, It is our earnest prayer that -Divine Providence may continue to guide and watch over the destinies of the people." Mrs Seddon presented the Duchess with an address from the Women of New Zealand, signed by Ministers' wives. Nurse Ross received the Otago medal, and the returned troopers war medals, each name being called out. Then the Duke descended from the dais, inspeoted the veterans, examined the medals, and chatted with several. At 12.15 he drove off with bis suite along the line of procession in George-street, and re- passed the Octagon half an. hour later at a trot, and returned to the Fernhill Club. As the Royal party moved off from the Ootagon they were loudly cheered by the vast crowds, the cheering being taken up and repeated all along the line of route to the Fernhill Club. The .Government entertained, the veterans an<J returned, troopers at

luncheon in the Choral Hall, happily decorated with shields bearing the names of the British generals and engagements in the Transvaal war. The Premier presided over an enthusiastic gathering. The' Duke and Governor sent apologies for their unavoidable absence. The Premier read a letter from General Hutton, in which he congratulated Colonel Kobin npon his C.8., and said that no one deserved the recognition of gallant service better than Colonel Eobin. He referred to his contingent as the most gallant of all the gallant troops, his old comrades. The New Zealand Mounted Rifles, Colonel Robin's battalion, was one to be proud bf. He (General Hutton) would always recall their discipline, steadiness, dash and gallantry upon all occasions, when he had the good fortune to have them with his force. He would always associate Colonels Robin and Cradock and the New Zealanders as being connected with all the best which wag done by the Firit Mounted Infantry Brigade. At, 2.36 a great children's demonstration was held at the Caledonian Grounds. Twenty-three public schools in Otago were represented by 3,000 children. The girls wore white, red and blue sashes and caps, and the. cadets were in naval costume. The Duke and Duchess and suite arrived, and were seated in the grand-stand. .Physical drill was performed by 350 cadets, under Captain Murray, physical drill and marching evolutions by 500 girls, pretty wand exercise by 600 girls, and dumb-bell exercises by 800 boys. Songs were sung by the united voices, and the ceremony concluded with a march-past of all the children. The whole was directed by Messrs John Hanna and G. M. Braik. These gentlemen occupied a tall tower on wheels, whence they controlled the huge body of children. After the ceremony the Duke was presented with a stone chair, devised by Dr Gordon Macdonald. The Duke laughingly sat in the chair. While the Duchess was waiting, an old lady rushed up to her, seized the Duchess's hand and kissed it. The Duchess smiled aud gave the old lady a flower from her bouquet. The Royal party than paid brief visits to the Agricultural and Horticultural Shows. In the evening the city was illuminated, and there was a fireworks display. A Royal reception was held at the Agricultural Hall, and there was a brilliant attendance. The hall was decorated with exquisite taste. Shortly after darkness had set in the principal thoroughfares became crowded with aightaeerßi anxious to witness the illuminations, the pyrotechnic display in the basin, and the movements of those who had arranged to attend the reception at the Agricultural Hall. Young and old promenaded in thousands in Princes and George-streets, and in the moving mass of humanity it was almost impossible at times to make headway. It was a good-humored aud well-behaved crowd, and although the guardians of the public were in strong force, their services were not called into requisition. On Bnch an occasion a certain amount of latitude is expected, and given, and it speaks well for Dunedin 's populace that the privilege was not abused. : Nothing but praise wa* heard for the illuminations, whiob, in many cases, wer« on a grander scale than those of Tuesday night. The Union Company's display stood out for special encomiums, and the Town Hall was voted a thing of beauty. A -cumber of bands paraded the streets, followed by large crowds, and played appropriate selections, conspicuous being the Pipe Band, which had an immense and enthusiastic fol- ; lowing. The streets were crowded until long after midnight, but there was comparatively little drunkenness and the [ conduct of tbe crowds was, generally speaking, above reproach. The evening reception took place in the Agricultural Hall on Wednesday night and there was a very large attendance, representative of all parts of Otago and Southland. The function proved a very brilliant one. The dresses of the ladies were exceedingly handsome, and these, with the fine uniforms of the officers, tended to make up a splendid scene. Their Royal Highnesses and suite arrived about XO p,tQ,| and were received by Mr R, Chisholm and the Mayor* and escorted by them to the dais. When they had taken their seats Miss Gwenda Williams, daughter of Mr Justice Williams, presented their Royal Highnesses and Lord and Lady Ranfurly with souvenir programmes. Thereafter a short conoert programme was proceeded with. The Dunedin Orchestral Society performed the overture from Semiramide and one of Moszkowski's aiorceaux " From foreign . parts." Miss Rose Blaney sang - "Violets" and "The sea hath its pearls." Miss Amy Murphy's contributions were " Songs my mother taught me" and a tarantelle by Bizet. The J whole of the ladies and gentlemen at- j tending the reception were presented to their Royal Highnesses, both of whom cordially shook each by the hand. At 1 11.20 their Royal Highnesses took their { departure, being escorted to their car- c riage by the Mayor and Mr R. Chisholm. During the presentation of those invited, music of a light, tuneful character was played in a subdued man- J ncr by the orchestra. c The following are the names of the E local residents who received invitations ] to the reception : — Dr W. F. Bauchop, \ Miss Bauchop, Mr and Mrs A. B. Haggitt, Mr and Mrs J, K. Simpson, Mr B. W. Winn, Mr J, J. Woods, Mr * and Mrs Sinclair, Mr and Mrs W. j Livingston. * The Duke's present to Mr Seddon at Christchurch was a magnificent silver and gold inkstand. He also received a letter from the Duke's private secretary thanking him, on behalf of their Royal ( Highnesses, for the hospitality shown t them while in the colony. The nugget presented by the Government to the Duke of Cornwall for King Edward is a solid, waterworn lump of gold from the Barton River, Nelson, It - weighs nearly 4oz, and the gold is worth £4 an ounce. It is beautifully polished and enclosed in a casket. A Masterton photographer has been honored by an order from T.R.H. the Duke and Duchess of York for a num- ■ ber of pictures of the Rimutaka incline. - While the Royal train was on its way to Dunedin from Christchurch a stoppage was made for a few brief minutes at Shag Point. On the platform stood Sir John M'Kenzie, and Lady M'Ken- f zie, and Miss M*Kenzie. The knight, ( the once strong man physically, as well as otherwise, of bis party, gaunt and ' white now, a mere flickering shadow of his former self, was assisted into the ducal oarriage, where he was warmly i welcomed by their Royal Highnesses, | whom he welcomed to Otago with true Scottish fervour. The Duke addressed ' -a few kindly words to him, the order ] pf knighthood, which had been con- J ferred upon him having been ' banded to him, and Lady M'Kenzie and Miss i M'Kenzie having been presented, the veteran statesman took his leave amid the heartiest and most affectionate fare- : well of his old colleagues. Sir Joseph Ward was very popular with the ' crowd in Dnnedin whenever he went abroad during the week. " Cheers for Sir Joe," were both frequent and enthusiastic and &r Seddon, in point of popularity, didn't seem to have a look in with him. This was especially the case both going to and returning from the Horticultural Society's Show on Wednesday, and again on Thursday at the laying of the foundation stone for the Queen's statue, hearty cheers having been raised for him again and again. " I must get away to the kiddies," was tbe informal comment with whioh the Premier broke up the old veterans' lunch on Wednajday. , One of the features of the week in Dunedin was the number of fuaint and anoient- > looking QbJaraey pot bftts, each, as wt sea io .

the pictures of the time of the PriDca Consort, worn mostly by country visitors who had evidently taken them over sea with them, bat pat them away as being inconsistent with the conditions of their new life until the present great oooasion demanded their re-introduction to the world again. One occasionally also was able to reoognise the same style of headgear but of more modern Btyle on heads more acoastomed to the oolonial billycock and the amused smile of mutual recognition whioh the sudden meeting and discovery brought forth was highly comical. Between Imperialism and tophats and olawhammer coats it is to be feared the homely habits of the democracy are in deadly peril of being extinguished. Mr Seddon and Sir Joseph Ward, both of them in magnifioent livery of a semi-martial pattern, were in the excitement of the moment taken by a seotion of the vast assemblage at the Octagon on Wednesday for a couple of British officers of high rank attached to the Duke and were loudly cheered as they descended from their carriage, the Premier waving his plumed hat with the dignity of a Fitld-M&isu&ll, while Sir Joseph bowed his acknowledgments in more modest form, and smiled the happy smile of a newmade knight. As Miuiater of Defence the Premier appeared among the Royal party at the Ootagon on Wednesday in a gorg»cus colonel's or general's uniform which was surmounted by a cocked hat with the feathers of three or four full-grown roosters on top of it. His jacket, whioh fitted his ample form like a glove, had la ge tUbs of gold all round it, heavy stripes of gold lace ran down to his boots on each Mdc of what is known in the vernacular as his pants, and be carried at his side, suspend d irom a glittering btlt or girdle a light eword or toaster, which be gripped aggressively fnm time to time as if he felt that war aud not politics was after all bis profession. He waa altogether a glittering figure, and if carefully panned out with I everything on him should easily run 15dwt to the. dish. His Royal Highness the Duke of York and Cornwall's wit was in evidence when passing through the winter show on Wednesday afternoon with the party. Mr Thomas Brydone asked ber Royal Highness to give a nama to the monster cheese oa exhibi ion. His Royal Highness interposed tha remark that from the bulk and weight of the exhibit tbe name of " Seddon " would be suitable, and " Saddon " it was forthwith named. The following members of contingents belonging to thia district received medals : — Troopers J. Hogg, J. M'Aulay, James Gray, W. Sullivan, W. Hodge (Waipori). Numbers of men (says the " Lyttelton Times ") were compelled to fall out of the ranks during the military review at Christchurch on Monday. Soratoh meals, continuous travelling, and want of sleep were responsible for the trouble. The ambulance bearers were kept busy attending to faints. One man collapsed under the Duke's very eyes, and BiftifL immodiatolj diciotsd the bearers to be summoned. Five men oollapsed in two companies in a space of five minutes.