THE ROYAL VISIT.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 6 May 1901, Page 3

THE ROYAL VISIT.

(by electric telegraph—copyright) [Per Press Association.]

Melbourne in High Carnival.

Received this day at 11 36 a m. Melbourne, May 6. Lord Hopetouu visited the Ophir and welcomed the Duke.

The Royal Party are in good health,

Melbourne on a Sunday is the quietest city in Australia, but yesterday Sabbatarianism received a severe shock from the thousands on thousands who invaded the city from all quarters and paraded the principal thoroughfares inspirating the preparations for the reception. In every direction the sound of decorators’ hammers could bo heard, the workmen working at high pressure putting on the finishing touches. This morning the city presents a magnificent spectacle. Looking from the treasury and Parliament House at the top of Collins and Bourke streets respectively an imposingly, beautiful bewildering mass of colors broken at intervals by stately arches greets the eye. The movement of innumerable vari-colored pennants in gentle morning breeze, gives a kaleidoscopic character to the picture. On Hobson’s Bay, too, there is evidence that the day is one of unusual interest. The Royal yacht with her martine escorts and numerous war vessels of Britain and other powers, forms a striking spectacle. The huge form of the Russian battleship Gromoboi bristling with guns, was really a formidable object, together with the fine specimen of naval architecture sent by America to honour the young nation, and which dwarfed the British vessels which lie lower in the water.

The Dutch vessel is smallest of foreign representatives.

Signals passsed between the ships, and preparations were made to make effective the landing of the Royal Prince. At an early hour the populace began to stream into city. Admirable as the Victorian suburban rail tram system is, it will be taxed to its utmost to-day.

In the matter of numbers it is safe to predict that Melbourne will outstrip the Sydney record at the inaugural ceremony. Every precaution has been taken against accidents. Despite the wide streets the authorities deemed it wise to place barriers to keep the public from encroaching on the route procession.

None but mounted troopers will take part in the Royal pageant which will b two thousand yards in length. The route is seven miles in length. The present programme placed the New Zealand troops immediately in advance of the Royal escort, the balance forming part of the rear guard. At ten thirty this morning the Governor General and Lieut Governor and Federal State Premiers visited the Ophir and wore presented to the Duke. (pee press association)

Dunedin, This Day. The reception committee are anxious to carry out the programme for Wednesday as arranged, and they want to get permission from the New Zealand Shipping Coy to keep the Tongariro outside the Heads till Wednesday morning.