THE ROYAL VISIT.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXIX, Issue 26, 27 June 1901, Page 15

THE ROYAL VISIT.

The weather during: the visit of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall to Wellington waß nnfavorable, and consequently many of the functions were shorn of much of their brilliancy. Their Royal Highnesses had a very busy time of it during their stay in the Empire City. They held a levee at Government House, and attended a reception given in their honor in Parliament House, which, by the way, wan the most brilliant function of its kind ever seen in Wellington. His Royal Highness laid the foundation stone ot the new Town HmII, and presented medala to returned troopers, besides attending several other functions and receiving- numerous addresses. The Duke and Duchess and suite left Wellington on Friday by the Ophir for Lyttelton, where they arrived on Saturday morning. After a short stay in Port they proceeded to Christchurcb, where they met with a most enthusiastic reception. The city was beautifully decorated, and the weather, which was threatening in the morning, was on its best behaviour during the afternoon. The Royal party were received at the railway station by the Mayor, and afterwards drove to the Provincial Council Chamber, where addresses were presented. His Royal Highnepa proceeded immediately afterwards to the site of the Canterbury Jubilee Memorial to be erected in memory of the late Queen, and performed the ceremony of laying the foundation stone. On Monday, in addition to other functions, a grand review of volunteers was held in Hagley Park, and in the evening a levee was held. On Tuesday morning the Royal visitors left by special train for Dunedin, and on arrival were received by the Mayor and other prominent citizens. On Wednesday morning; his Royal Highness received addresses, among which was that from his Lordship the Bishop, the Catholic clergy and laity of the diocese of Dunedin, and the text of which is given below. Among the other functions which their Royal Highnesses took part in on Wednesday were the presentation of South African war medals at the Octagon, the children's demonstration at the Caledonian Grounds, visits to the Winter Show and the Flower Show, with a citizens' reception in the Agricultural Hall in the evening. On this (Thursday) morning the Duke will lay tho foundation •tone of a statue to the late Queen, after which the Royal visitors and suite will leave by train for Lyttelton to embark on the Ophir for Hobart. The address from the Catholics of the Diocese of Dunedin was presented by his Lordfhip Bishop Verdon who was accompanied by the Rev. Father Murphy, Adm., St. Joseph's Cathedral, and Messrs. J. B. Callan and John Carroll. The address is in album form, beautifully illuminated i by Mr. Hawcridge, bound in red and blue morocco — the ducal colors, heavily embossed and profusly gilded. On a handsome raised white shield in the centre is placed a silver escutcheon on which the coat of arms of his Royal Highness is very artistically engraved. The text was as follows — To hia Royal Highneos George Frederick Ernest Albert, Duke of Cornwall and York, Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, Knight of the Most Ancient and Noble Order of the Thistle, Knight of the Most Illustrious Order of St. Patrick, Knight Grand Cross of the Most Distil guished Order of St. Michael and St. George, Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order, Rear-admiral in the Fleet. And to her Royal Highness Victoria Mary Augusta Louise Olga Pauline Claudine Agnes. May it please your Royal Highnesses. We, the Catholic Bishop, Clergy, and laity of Dunedin, beg to tender to yonr Royal Highnesses a cordial welcome to this young and prosperous oity, the most southerly outpost of the Empire that is embraced within the circuit of your present tour. We congratulate your Royal Highnesses on the marked enthusiasm of the receptions which have been accorded to you at every place which you have viuited during your progress through these new lands. We cherish the earnest hope that a visit so closely linked with eventß of nniqne importance in Australasian history, and so auspicious in all its circumstances, may result in enhancing the spirit of goodwill which should bind in one great and solid union of hearts the scattered portions of the Empire, under whose flag we live. We take this opportunity of expressing to your Royal Highnesses our condolence on the death of the good Queen, who, during her long and eventful reign, showed herself a model of true womanhood to her people. Looking, as we do, upon loyal submission to constituted authority as a sacred duty, and cherishing so dearly the tenets of our faith, we desire to express to your Royal Highnesses the sense of relief with which we view the action now being taken by bis Majesty's Government to remove from the declaration made at the accession and coronation of cur sovereigns words which must be as distasteful to the feelings of his Majesty as they are painful to the religious sentiments of eleven millions of his faithful Catholic subjects. We pray that your Royal Highnesses may have length of days, that your lives may be tilled with a Mowing measure of blessings for yourselves and those that are dear to you ; and that every part of the Empire may enjoy an unbroken era of peace, prosperity, wine and equal laws, and everything that makes for true and solid progress. We have the honor to remain, your Royal Highnesses' devoted servants, t£t M. Vebdon, Bishop of Dunedin, Signed on behalf of the Clergy, P. Murphy, Adm. Signed on behalf of the Laity, J. B. Callan. John Carroll.

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