THE PRINCES PROGRESS.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 499, 4 May 1869, Page 2

THE PRINCES PROGRESS.

(BY ELEGTBIG TELEGBABH.) (FROM OTJR OWN t CO3IEESPOXDENT.) ■Wellington, Monday, 6 p.m. The Duke of Edinburgh arrived here on Saturday night from Otago, and started for xluckland in the Galatea at three o'clock this afternoon. There were no public demonstrations during his visit, except a guard of Volunteers at Government House.

There was a cricket match on Saturday between eleven from the Galatea and a Wellington eleven. The latter won. The Challenger and the Blanche proceed on Wednesday to Auckland, where a court-martial is to be held on some of the officers of the Virago.

By the courtesy of Captain Turnbull, who was a passenger by the Lioness, we have Christehurch and Hokitika papers containing the following telegrams:—

April 28

On Tuesday the Duke held a levee, but it was not largely attended. In the afternoon His Eoyal Highness went to the Caledonian G-athering, where 5000 persons were present. The Duke remained in bis box for ten minutes, and then entered the enclosure where the games were going on, and remained there an hour and a half. He walked about watching the sports narrowly, and expressed himself greatly delighted. At his request, one of the competitors, whom he recognised, was introduced to His Eoyal Highness. The name of the competitor is Brown, brother of the Queen's favorite attendant. In the evening His Eoyal Highness went to a ball. He arrived at ten o'clock and remained until one. He opened the ball with Mrs Macandrew, the Governor's partner being Mrs Birch. A piper was introduced and the Duke danced a reel with Mrs Eobertson. At supper His Eoyal Highness said assure you it is with the greatest pleasure I have made a visit to the Britain of the South Seas. It has been a great satisfaction to me, and must be to all Englishmen, to find in New Zealand the oldest and most respected name in Scotland adopted as the name of the principal city of this important colony. My visits to other places in the colony have been to cities bearing the names of two of our greatest heroes, one associated with my own profession, the other with the army, a profession to which the volunteers of this colony, as a supplementary force, are a credit." Nearly 400 were present at the ball. On Wednesday the Duke drove four-in-hand to the races, where he enjoyed himself thoroughly. The results of the racing were—Maiden Plate—Tantrum, 1; Atlas, 2. Duke of Edinburgh Stakes —Captain Scott,

1; Southern Chief, 2; Croydon, 3. The firat named horse is protested against on the ground of his being over-aged, hut the protest is not likely to he allowed. Taieri Stakes—Bobhy Burns, 1; Eaven, 2 ; Miss King, 3. Ladies' Purse —Banjo, 1; Nelly Gray, 3 ; Trotting Bace —Magic, 1 ; Flora Temple, 2. i Mr Main has been elected to represent "Waikouaiti in the General Assembly, without opposition. April 30. To-day (Friday) the Prince received addresses at Fern Hill, and also visited the Horticultural Show. He left the wharf at half-past two o'clock this day in the steamer Peninsula, for Port Chalmers. The Volunteers mustered strongly, and fired a Eoyal salute. There was an immense crowd to see him off.

On reaching Port Chalmers, he at once went on board H.M.S. Blanche, j She had steam up, all ready for starting, and sailed at once for Wellington"Welt.ingtojs", April 28. The Panama Company's hulks and vessels were sold to-day. The ketch Sandfly fetched £l4O ; the Ada, £2O ; the hulk European was bought by Mr Martin for £SOO ; the hulk India by Mr Dransfield for £290. The moorings were bought by Mr Martin for £62. The City of Newcastle was bought in at £BOO. It is reported that the Superintendent of Otago, Mr M'Andrew, and Mr Vogel have disagreed, and the Council has been adjourned in consequence. The Executive of the province, however, will not resign until after the departure of the Duke.

April 30.

The whole of the ships of war on the Australian station assemble at Auckland next month to enable a General Court Martial to be held on certain officers of H.M.S. Virago.

An expedition leaves YVairoa shortly, composed of 200 Europeans and 300 Natives for Waikaremouna Lake.

The transport of the Commissariat | will be the greatest difficulty. Colonel Whitmore is supposed to be near the Uriwera country. At Blenheim there has been five days' excessive rain. All tho rivers are flooded, and there has been no communication by mails in any direction since Sunday. It is reported that the floods at the Pelorus are very heavy, and that a large number of cattle have been drowned.