The Landing.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXVI, Issue XXIV, 15 June 1901, Page 53 (Supplement)

The Landing.

PRESENTATION OF AN ADDRESS. SPEECH BY THE DUKE. The official portion of the reception commenced shortly after halfpast one o'clock, when His Excellency the Governor arrived -on the wharf. The Premier,' the Right Hou. R. J. Seddon, P.S.. dressed in court uniform. the Hon. J. G. Ward, Colonial Secretary, similarly attired, and the Hons. J. McGowan and T. Y. Dunean had preceded His Excellency by a few minutes, driving down from the Departmental Buildings, Mrs Seddon and Miss Ruby Seddon accompanying the Premier. The Ministerial party were greeted by His Excellency, who was accompanied by Captain Dudley Alexander and Captain Bosca wen, A.D.C.’s. Together the Goternor and his attendants and the Ministry proceeded on board the Ophir, His Excellency the Governor and Commodore Winslow leading the way, followed by Mrs and Miss Seddou, the other members of the Ministry,

tains Bosca* eu. and Dudley Alexander bringing up the rear. The party proceeded, to the Royal drawing-room, where His Excellency Lord Ranfurly introduced them to the Royalties. The Premier then presented the address of welcome to the colony to the Duke, The address was enclosed in a beautiful easket of true Maori design, and worked out with true artistic skill. The bare casket is composed of slabs of greenstone set in solid gold. The mountings are heat ily chased with Maori patterns. On one side are the arms of the Duke of Cornwall and on the other the New Zealand colours in solid gold and enamel. The four corners are flanked with square pillars of polished greenstone, surmounted by a kiwi in oxidised silver. The pillars and easket stand on an inlaid platform, beautifully worked in New Zealand woods. The platform itself stands upon two other bases of rare New Zealand woods. On the top of the easket is a Maori war canoe, carved in solid silver, with elaborate prow and stern modelled in historic relics. The figures in canoe are in silver, lifting up golden paddies in salute. This ornament contains a photographic copy of the address. The whole is ■ enclosed in a easket of New Zealand woods. There is an inscription that it is presented by the Ministers for and on behalf of the people of New Zealand, as a souvenir of the visit of Their Royal Highnesses. The Duke graciously accepted the address and casket, and then delivered the following reply; — THE DUKE'S" SPEECH. “Mr. Seddon and Gentlemen: On behalf of the Duchess and myself I thank you and the people of New Zealand most sincerely for the hearty welcome you offer us. .and for your sympathetic reference to the loss we have sustained through the death of pur beloved and ever lamented Queen —a loss which we share with the whole Empire. "On behalf of the King, my ; dear .father. T desire also to f thank you for your assurance of the continued attachment and devotion of the people of New Zealand. "Ob behalf of the King, my dear father. I desire also to thank you for the assurances of the continued attachment and devotion of the people of New. Zealand to his throne and person, and of their unflinching loyalty. “Of that loyalty they- have already given most signal proofs. The readiness and promptitude with which the Government and people of New Zealand sprung to the assistance in the struggle—still unhappily proceeding—in South Africa will be remembered with gratitude by His Majesty and the people of ■ the United Kingdom. “Your action in that matter has proved to the world that your appreciation of the benefits you enjoy as citizens of the British Empire, will, whenever the occasion arises, be shown by deeds, not words, and that you are prepared to share in the responsibility of maintaining the glorious traditions and heritage which are your birthright as much as that of the people of the Motherland. “I am glad to learn that the inhabitants of New Zealand are prosperous and happy, and flint the Maoris, whose numbers are now increasing. are living in complete amity with their fellow subjects, and are eo-operat : big with them in the work of self-government. “The inclusion in this colony of the Cook and other islands- a step which. I understand, has the full concurr cnee of their inhabitants will

—with the same wise audtym pathetic ay stem of government which has secured the contentment and happiness of the Maoris—l have no doubt be of lasting advantage to the people. “I regret that the brief period of our stay will prevent us from seeing as much as we could wish of the many beauties and natural phenomena of your islands, but we shall surely carry with us the most pleasant aud lasting recollect ions of the warmth and cordiality of our reception, and of your kindness and good wishes on our behalf.”

Miss Ruby Seddon then presented Her Royal Highness with a beautiful shower bouquet, of white roses aud violets, picked out with maiden hair ferns, and tied with white and purple ribbons.

At the head of the gangway were gathered the Reception Commissioners. Messrs John Holmes, S. T. George. J. McLeod, and 11. Brett, and the following members of the Auckland Harbour Board:—Messrs AIL Kidd (chairman), J. H. Witheford, M.H.R., W. J. Napier. M.H.H., W. W. Phi sou, ('. C. Dacre. J. Gunson. M. Niccol. J. Stichbury. and G. Cozens