ARRIVAL OF PRINCE ALFRED AT SYDNEY.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 161, 5 February 1868, Page 2

ARRIVAL OF PRINCE ALFRED AT SYDNEY.

{Condensed from the Sydney Morning Herald!) THE NAVAL HECEPTION. H.M.S. Galatea arrived at Sydney on January 21st. The naval reception was a great success. It was one o'clock before both lines were fairly formed, and by this time the leading ships were down off Fort Denisom The two lines consisted of the following steamships:—Port division—City of Adelaide, Coonambara, City of Melbourne, Wonga Wonga, Florence Irvmg, Hunter, Collaroy, James Paterson, Paterson, Helen Macgregor, Sir J. Burgoyne. Starboard division —Auckland, Morpeth, Lady Bowen, Balclutha, Agnes Irving, Kembla, City of Newcastle, Balina, Grafton, Woniora, Fire King. The Commodore .hoisted his flag on board the s.s. Auckland, and the Vicecommodore on board the s.s. City of Adelaide. The second division of the fleet, being smaller vessels, subsequently stationed off "Watson's Bay, consisted of the following steamers : Port Division—Breadalbane, Adelaide, Phantom, Emu, Culleden, Atalanta, Courier, "Waratah, Ysabel, Peri, Brothers, Gipsy Queen. Starboard Division—Prince Alfred, Vesta, Transit, Pelican, Black Swan, Herald, G;omea, Bomerang, Sir John Young, Kirribilli, Perseverance, Ferry Queen. When the leading ships of the fleet were abreast the Galatea, the order " Prepare to salute " was, given, and a few seconds afterwards simultaneously on board all the steamships, the signal " Welcome," which had been hoisted in ball, flew out to the breeze, and while each ship lowered her ensign below the taffrail, three hearty cheers were sent across the waves from the deck of «aeh steamboat to the sailor Prince, who was standing on the bridge, and who gracefully acknowledged the compliment by dipping the ensign. The " Welcome " was also specially responded to by the Galatea by signal. The signal to wheel was given and all the ships immediately obeyed ; the starboard division putting their helms to port and going round towards the land, while the port division turned seaward, and the fleet was very soon in two good lines, following close after the frigate. It was nearly three o'clock, and the two divisions of the fleet being prepared to follow, in addition to the fact that the tide was sufficiently high to allow the noble frigate to pass the shoalest part of the channel, the whole went full speed ahead, and entered the harbor at halfpast 3 o'clock. At this time the rain had ceased temporarily, and the atmosphere was once more clear. As the fleet entered the Heads and opened the harbor the sight was very imposing, and was well worth a good deal inconvenience and discomfort to witness. The Galatea, steamed majestically on in front; the two divisions of steamships, embracing the largest, fastest, and finest in the colonies, following closely; the second division of the steam fleet, anchored off Watson's Bay, all preparing to start and follow in the wake of the first division; the yachts of the Royal Yacht Squadron, and of the Prince Alfred Club, a little further up the harbor; the myriads of flags, all waveing a welcome to the distinguished vistor; and above all, the masses of , eager humanity that covered every hill i and headland, making the air vocal withftheir shouts of welcome, formed , such a scene as will not soon be erased ; from the memory of those who wit- , nessed it. On the arrival of the Galatea off Garden Island she saluted [ the flag of the Commodore with eleven ; guns, and Commodore Lambert at once ; acknowledged the salute by firing seven ' guns from the Challenger I THE PUBLIC LANDING OP THE PBINGE : Never since the foundation of the * Colony of New South Wales has there

been witnessed within its limits a sight like that which was presented on Wednesday, Jan. 22, in the city of •'Sydney. "When his Boyal Highness the E>uke of Edinburgh entered our harbor as Captain of the Galatea, he was welcomed by scores of thousands 'on the water, and tens of thousands on the shore ; but on the occasion of his public entry as Prince Alfred, there were all the signs of a Koyal progress. It seemed as though <each one "vied with his neighbor in regard to the display of loyalty, and the masses Which fined the streets through which the procession passed were, in "density, mot exceeded even by London crowds, when the Queen in person threads the thronged streets at Westminster. The distance was of course much shorter, but the city turned out ■en masse, the suburbs came to town, and tens of thousands from the country swelled the throng. The •streets were hung with banners, -and flagged stretched from side to side, while ferns and flowers and fresh green leaves were wreathed into words of welcome. The bells rang forth a merry peal. All business •was suspended. Some large windows were unshuttered, but the ordinary wares were eclipsed by ladies who "waved their kerchiefs from behind the plateglass fronts. From turrets, balconies, and stands cheer succeeded cheer. The enthusiasm of the people •was not much abated by the heavy showers which fell at intervals through•out the day. The processton, headed by the fine *band belonging to the establishment of Messrs Alderson and Sons, proceeded •in the following order : The Volunteer Fire Company, No. 1, -with

engine. Manchester Unity Lodges of Odd-Fellows. Grand United Order Lodges of Odd-Fellows. Ancient Order of Forresters. Sons of Temperance. Protestant Friendly Alliance. Mayors and Members of Suburban Municipalities. H.R.H. the Duke op Edinburgh. 'Carriage with members of the literary staff of the Sydney Morning Herald. 'Officers in Command of H.M. Naval and Military Forces—represented by Commodore Lambert, Colonel Waddy, Captain and Adjutant Baynes, Lieutenant Barker of the 50th Regiment, and Captain Lyons. "Members of the Executive Council, including the Hon. J. Martin, the Hon. H. Parkes, the Hon. J. Byrnes, the Hon. J. B. Wilson, the Hon. J. Eager, and the Hon. J. Docker. Members of the Reception Committee. Members of the Suite of His Boyal Highness. Members of the Suite of his Excellency the Governor. The Consular Body. •Judges of the Supreme Court, represented by their Honors Mr Justice Hargrave, Mr Justice Creeke, and Mr Justice Fawcett. Members of the Legislative Council. Members of the Legislative Assembly. The Mayor and Aldermen of the City,' of Sydney. The Chancellor, Vice Chancellor, Senate, Professors, and Officers of the University.

On the evening of the same day the •city of Sydney was illuminated. A •description of the most noticeable of the transparencies and illuminations, occupying over eight columns of the Sydney Morning Herald, says : —"By all forms of mechanism and artistic skill was a welcome to the Prince proclaimed in burning words. The view •of the city from the most elevated places was most magnificent, and unsurpassed for splendor in the Southern hemisphere.