MR CHAMBERLAIN'S ARRIVAL AT DURBAN.
EXTRAORDINARY ENTHUSIASM. A SERIES OF OVATIONS.
Whatever bs the result of Mr Cham-lx-rkiin's vi: j it, wrote Renter* Dm ban corle.sponuent on Dei-ember 26th. it is at le-.tst impossible, judging by today's proceedings, to ignore the fact of the extreme enthu.vi'.-'ai. From, the moment the Colonial Secretary arrived ;:t the wharf until lie j;i:;cce'Jpd to the hotel, there w.is i;i tilling but an exhibition rm the part c>l the crowd <;f fr;:ist;o joy, which took sliiipo in vigorous chetrin:': and the tun»u!tir;u.s waving of hahs and sticks. The ijoecl Hope arrived in the roadstead at "> o'clock iv the morning, and a tug conthe Governor* aide-de-camp p.rocc'cr.'tri to the vessel, taking the mails, ac<i at ;\bnit 9.30 lhe tug Panther steamed out, «! i. riving alongside the cruiser a little before 10 o'clock. The weather was veiv au_;h, hiiU it pale blowing at tho time, and the difHciiltiea ■■f transhipment into tha tug were grcitt. As the tug started a way from the Good Hope the entire crew lined th.' liiiTrni], and cheeied again and n_cnin, the band pl&ving '"For He's & Jolly (Jood Ft-llou-.' , A*.s the tug crowed the bar and entered the harbour, the first, thbj, , Mr Chamberlain saw was '" Welcome to South Africa," written in hugis letters ncrocs the breakwater. The weene on tha wharf was picturesque. Tlie place was gay with bunting and floral decorations. Sir Henry McCallum, the Governor, lhe Prime Minister, the Mayor, a number of members of Pailioment, an-d prominent citizens, awaited the arrival of the distinguished visitors, while all around at the diiferent points of vantage stood an exciUd crowd. At about half-past ten the tug appeared, and immediately the crowd broke into wild cheers and cries of "Welcome." 'As soon as the gangway was fixed, Mr Chamberlain and his wife descended, and were greeted with a prolonged handshake from the Governor. They were then presented to the Prime Minister, the Mayor, and the rest of the representatives. Tho party afterwards moved out into the street. where carriages were waiting. Immediately they appeared in the street there" was a repetition of the previous welcome, which passed the bounds of ordinary cheering. As the carriages .approached, a" roar oi voices ran up and -down the line of men and women, closely packed, and from childitti, held on "the shoulders of their parents to see the great Secretary. Ail seemed crazy with excitement, and cr.es of "Good Old Joe,"' and shouts o? "Welcome" and "Glad you have come." were beard every moment. A guard of honour of the Durban Light Infantry held the space in front of the Town Hall. The Mayor (Mr Eilis Brown), accompanied by the" Councillors, ( led the way into the Town Hall. Here a sight never to be forgotten met the eyes. From floor to ceiling the place was crammed. The la-dies -were seated in the galleries, while the floor of the hall was packed with men. As Mr Chamberlain entered the somewhat narrow entrance, there was a moment's pause, .'.lid then, as if the people were E assessed, the whole of the assemblage roke into a frenzy of cheers. The body of the hall seemed like a forest of arras, waving hats and sticks, while above the ladies waved handkerchiefs, and could not I forbear cheers. Arranged around Mr. Chamberlain and his wife on the piatfoim were the leading nren of the Colony, while tue Town Clerk prepared to read the address of welcome. It sjenied, however, impossible to «top the cheering, which at last wore itself out. The address was then read, welcoming Mr Chamberlain. When it referred to the appreciation of the Colonial Secretary's aer- [ vice to the Empire, there was another wild burst of enthusiasm. One sentence 'evidently touched the audismce. "We," the Town Clerk read, " who lost many near and dear once on the battle-fields and in the hospitals, beg to assure you of our unqualified appreciation of your South African policy," A slight pause whs made, and the audience, taking in the meaning lof the nentenee, gave vent to cheers.
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Press, Volume LX, Issue 11494, 29 January 1903, Page 5
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678MR CHAMBERLAIN'S ARRIVAL AT DURBAN. Press, Volume LX, Issue 11494, 29 January 1903, Page 5
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