VISIT OF THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF CORNWALL AND YORK: VALEDICTORY LETTER FROM HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS TO HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1901 Session I, A-06c

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1901. NEW ZEALAND.

VISIT OF THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF CORNWALL AND YORK: VALEDICTORY LETTER FROM HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS TO HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR

Laid on the Table of both Houses of the General Assembly by Command.

H.R.H. the Duke of Cornwall and York to His Excellency Lord Ranfurly. Dear Lord Ranfurly,— Dunedin, 27th June, 1901. On the eve of our departure I am anxious to tell the people of New Zealand how happy we have been in their beautiful land, with what regrets we leave it, and what lasting feelings of gratitude we carry away for the loyal enthusiasm, cordiality, and kind-heartedness so universally accorded to us throughout our stay. I would ask you to convey to the Government our warmest thanks for all their thoughtful and admirably-carried-out plans for the accommodation, comfort, and entertainment of ourselves and pur staff. In addition to Government Houses at Auckland and Wellington, where you so kindly entertained us, both there and in other cities and towns, hotels were engaged for our use, private individuals and members of clubs most generously placed their houses at our disposal, and we know that similar hospitality awaited us at those places which, unfortunately, from want of time, it was not possible to visit. The railway arrangements have been invariably excellent, and everything possible was done to ensure the safety and comfort of our journeys, though I fear this must have entailed much extra work upon the officials and employes, as well as inconvenience to the travelling public. Every attention was shown by the Post and Telegraph Departments, and their work was promptly and efficiently carried out. The police service throughout the colony was most satisfactory, and performed with conspicuous tact and judgment. The reviews at Auckland and Christchurch, at which all branches of the New Zealand Forces were represented, enabled me to form some idea of the colony's splendid fighting material, and brought home to me more than ever the enormous accession of strength which the Empire can count upon if need should arise. The zeal and cheerfulness with which the Volunteers came together, in many instances travelling long distances both by land and sea, was worthy of the highest praise. I was proud beyond measure to witness'the enthusiastic reception which was everywhere accorded to the contingents which have returned from South Africa. I was particularly interested in the cadet corps, some of which showed marked steadiness on parade and when lining the streets, and the appearance and inarch past of the corps at Christchurch was especially creditable. I venture to think this movement is deserving of every encouragement, particularly as regards the provision of properly trained instructors, as, apart from its physical benefits, it infuses into the rising generation a spirit of discipline and esprit de corps which may tend to make better citizens as well at good soldiers. I learn with much pleasure that among the contingents sent to South Africa were many representatives of the school cadet corps, and in one instance no less than between sixty and seventy from a single corps joined the force. I was especially glad to meet face to face the Maori people, to have witnessed their vast and interesting gathering at Rotorua, and to have had personal friendly intercourse with their leading chiefs and representatives. It was gratifying to hear their assurance of loyalty to the King, their expressions of sorrow for their dearly loved Queen, and to experience their enthusiasm and warmness of heart towards ourselves. I am glad to think that this ancient and chivalrous race is living in peace and prosperity, and sharing with their pakeha brothers the duties and responsibilities of good citizenship. To your Premier, who has accompanied us on all occasions, I would ask you to convey our warmest thanks for his courtesy, kind attention, and untiring energy, which has in no small degree contributed to make our stay in New Zealand so enjoyable.

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The Duchess and I are sincerely grateful to you and Lady Ranfurly for your kind hospitality, and for the unceasing care, trouble, and forethought which you have displayed on our behalf. We shall look back with the pleasantest recollections to those happy days which we spent as your guests. . . My best thanks are also due to your staff for the cheerful and assiduous manner with_ which they have coped with the vast increase of work thrown upon them in consequence of our visit. Though, unfortunately, our stay has from force of circumstances been a short one, I earnestly trust that the experience and knowledge of the country which I have gained, and my personal intercourse with its people, may in some measure tend to sustain and enhance the existing feeling of sympathy and interest between the Mother-country and New Zealand, and thus draw still closer those ties of affection and brotherhood by which we are so happily united. Heartily wishing that the steady growth and prosperity of the country may ever continue, Believe me, dear Lord Ranfurly, Very sincerely yours, George.

His Excellency Lord Ranfurly to the Right Hon. the Premier. Government House, Wellington, 2nd July, 1901. Memorandum for the Right Hon. the Premier. The Governor has been commanded by His Royal Highness the Duke of Cornwall and York to convey to the Government Their Royal Highnesses' warmest thanks for all their thoughtful and admirably carried-out plans for the accommodation, comfort, and entertainment of themselves and their staff. . To the Premier personally they have commanded him to convey their warmest thanks for his courtesy, kind attention, and untiring energy, which Their Royal Highnesses state in no small degree contributed to make their stay in New Zealand so enjoyable. Their Royal Highnesses regret that force of circumstances has made their stay in the colony but a short one. They, however, earnestly trust that the experience and knowledge of the country they have gained, and their personal intercourse with the people of New Zealand, may in some measure tend to sustain and enhance the existing feeling of sympathy and interest between the Mother-country and New Zealand, and thus draw still closer those ties of affection and brotherhood by which both are so happily united. His Royal Highness expresses the hope that the steady growth and prosperity of the country may ever continue. The Governor begs to enclose full text of the letter he received from His Royal Highness, from which the Premier will see his appreciation of the services of the various departments of the State. The Governor personally desires to thank the Premier for his kind attendance throughout the visit, and for his unceasing efforts to add to its pleasure and success. Ranfurly. Approximate Cost of Paper.—Preparation, not given ; printing (1,375 copies), i'l i!s. Od.

By Authority: John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington.- 1901. Price 3d.]