THE PRINCE'S PROGRESS.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 496, 27 April 1869, Page 2

THE PRINCE'S PROGRESS.

Beyond tbe fact that the Priuce had left Canterbury for Otago in the Blanche, we have no particulars of the Royal tour in the latter Province, telegraphic communication having been interrupted since Saturday. In Canterbury everything had passed off well. The enthusiasm was most intense. The procession was a mile long, and the streets were a forest of flags and evergreens. There were five triumphal arches. Five thousand children sang the National Anthem. The Duke held a levee and afterwards attended a dejeuner given by his Worship the Mayor in the Town Hall. There was a free banquet given to 1000 persons, an illumination, a cavalry concert, a ball, and other assemblies. The Westland deputation were respectfully received, but the Prince declined to visit Hokitika. At Dunedin the Prince is to stay in in the house of the late Mr John Jones, and a special box has been prepared at the theatre. WEIXINGTON. The morning of the Monday on which the Prince arrived at Wellington broke dully, but still with promise of a good day, which was amply redeemed. The Galatea,and Blanche were dressed in bunting, and the Royal Standard of England floated from the Galatea's main. Every building in town almost displayed flags of some sort or other. From a very early hour the streets were alive with people in all sorts of uniform. As 11 o'clock approached, things began to get into order. The Hutt and Wairarapa Cavalry formed on the reclaimed land, numbering together about 60 capitally mounted and equipped men. The No 1 Company W. R. V., the Veteran, Hutt, Porirua, and the Taiti Rifle Companies, and the Wellington and Hutfc Cadets fell in about 400 strong in all, and were marched to the wharf, where they took up position on each side. The Artillery mustered on the reclaimed land with their Armstrongs, to fire the salute. Now came a carriage containing His Excellency's Ministers, and then another containing Mr Justice Johnston in wig and gown, with black tights, silk stockings, and patent leather adorned with immense silver buckles—then eame His Honor the Superintendent with the address in his hand, and soon afterwards His Excellency and his A.D.Cs. These official gentlemen, the Chairman of the Town Board, a few Maori chiefs, and the Reception Committee, a representative from each public society or body, and the Militia officers, were the only people admitted within the guards on the wharf. Beyond the steps, however, some 200 Maoris, dressed (or rather undressed) in their warlike fashion, and armed with spears, meres, and ornamented with any amount of paint, were seated. Soon the yards of the Galatea were ordered to be manned, and then a gun told that the Prince had left. Then the Galatea, the Blanche, and the Artillery kept up a thunder of salute until the galley containing H.R.H. rounded the outer T ot the wharf and approachedthe steps. An immense cheer from some 5000 or 6000 throats then burst forth, and the Maoris, springing to their feet, indulged in most frantic yells and gestures. Their welcome consisted of standing on the left leg and beating time regularly with the right, and at the same time slapping the thigh with the right hand, and brandishing a spear in the left; uttering all the time, in a half sing-song voice, with slight touch of the howl and yell, " Haere mae, Haere mai, ugh ha, ugh ha." The effect of this, and the appearance

of the naked, daubed, and savagelooking men, must have been peculiar on His Royal Highness, whose first gaze at the wharf Tell on these howling gesticulating Maoris. But mingled with their yells, could be heard the right good English cheers, and amid all he walked up the steps and stood, hat in hand, bowing his acknowledgment, of our welcome. After a few words of welcome from His Excellency, he proceeded to the end of the wharf, where a large number of seats for ladies had been arranged. His Honor then presented an address and one from the loyal native tribes. This was rather unexpected, and the Prince was not prepared with a reply, but promised one afterwards. He seemed much interested in the appoarance of the Maoris. Taking his seat in the Governor's carriage, the procession, a very long, but not very orderly or well arranged one, moved on through densely crowded streets, past houses every window of which was thronged, to Government house, where on alighting from his carriage some 1480 Sunday School children assembled on the lawn, greeted him with the National Anthem. Then after some more cheering the Prince entered Government House. He and his equerry, the Honorable Eliot Yorke, were dressed in morning costume—their fingers covered with a multitude of rings of the massive character usually affected by lucky diggers. At one o'clock a levee was held in the Government Offices, when a very large number of gentlemen were presented. At the levee H. R. H. had his full naval uniform and the ribbon of the Garter. The Hon. E. Torke was also in uniform. After the levee H. R. H., the Governor, and a party of gentlemen rode out to Makara, about 19 miles from town.