THE ROYAL VISIT.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 7 May 1901, Page 4

THE ROYAL VISIT.

(by electric telegraph—copyright)

[Per Press Association.]

The Landing in Melbourne

Melbourne, May 6. The weather prophets having succeeded during the past few days in making the Melboumians miserable people with their doleful predictions of bad weather for the landing of Koyalty, turned out to be a set of falso prophets. When the morning broke fine and clear the heart of the people gave a sigh of relief and set about joyfully to make, the most .of the great occasion.

The splendid Carnival, so anxiously looked forward to and so ardently prepared for, commenced under the most auspicious circumstances. The present day proverb enjoins that to get a fair trfal of speed make the pace, and Melbourne has availed herself of tha pace made by Sydney at the beginning of the year, and the result has been a fair trial of speed between the two great Australian capitals to make the intimation of the Federation a never to be forgotten event in history. To get a good make up is the part of the play itself, an axiom which is also not forgotten, and Melbourne succeeded in securing Eoyalty for its leading part. The city was converted into a scenic triumph. The miso en scene was complete, and the plaudits of tha multitude testified to the brilliant success.

St Kilda, with its pretty beach esplanade, was the spot chosen for the landing. Tne pier was richly carpeted along its length. The view from the pier disclosed a fine navel spectacle. The sun shone brightly, the sea was smooth. The sparkling sunlight and a heavy haso along the sky caused the line of 11 warships to stand out with great distinctness. On the pier head stood a floral canopy supported by eight chastely designed pillars relieved with silver and gold ornamentation and decorated with bannerettes of the Duke's colors—red and blue. An inscription surmounted the pillars, bearing the words " Welcome to Australia's shores. "

The greatest precautions were taken by the authorises. Shortly before the landing was effected the officials passed underneath the pier and examined the structure.

On the St Kilda pier head the attendance was absolutely restricted to the Federal State Ministers and one reDresentativa of each leading journal. The representative of the New Zoaland Press Association was also present. Just on 2 o'clock the warships opened fire in Eoyal salutes, the Eussian being the only vessel using smokeless powder. Amid the heavy booming of guns and a rolling smoke cloud the tender Hygiea with the Koyal standard at the masthead slipped away from the Ophir with the illustrious visitors and rapidly approached the pier between the flotilla gigs from the warships. As the ltoyal salute on the warships commenced, Lord Hopetoun, accompanied by Admiral Beaumont and staff, came down the pier. As the Hygiea steamed alongside the small party on the wharf cheered the Royal couple.

A few moments later a gaily decorated gangway was run aboard. The Duke descended, followed by the Duchess, Lord Hopetoun receiving them and introducing them to the Ministers.

The Duke was dressed in full Admiral's uniform, and the Duchess quietly attired in a plain .tight fitting black coat and skirt with a black toque trimmed with jet greto. The quiet charm of her manner impressed all. Her photographs

do not do justice to her features, which are animated and pleasant. The Duke's bonhommie will make him popular in the colonies. The party walked ashore to the spot where the Royal equippagc was waiting. The troops lined the bridge, the Maori contingent being drawn up opposite the Royal carriage.

As they landed the Battery of the Victorian Artillery fired a Royal salute. The Mayor of St. Kilda welcomed the Duke and Duchess, who entered the carriage preceded by brilliantly adorned postillions and outriders followed by two Life Guardsmen.

The journey citywards commenced the following order: — Assistant-Quartermaster General. Victorian Mounted Rifles. N. S. Wales Mounted Rifles. Queensland Mounted Infantry.

South Australian Mounted Rifles.

West Australian Mounted Infantry. Tasmania Mounted Infantry. New Zealand Mounted Infantry. A. D. C. to Governor-General. Orderly Outrider., Three Staff carriages. Orderly Sergeant of escort. Advance party to their Boyal Highness's escort. Chief of Staff to the Governor-General. Outrider of their Royal Highnesse's carriage. Equerry second in command of escort. Officer commanding the escort. Naval and Military Commandants. Rear party of their Royal Highnesse's escort. A. D. C. to Commandants. Headquarters Staff officers of all States Battery of N. S. Wales Field Artillery. Battery of Victorian Field Artillery. N. S. Wales Lancers. Australian Horse. N. S. Wales Mounted Rifles. Queensland Mounted Infantry. South Australian Mounted Rifles. West Australian Mounted Infantry. Tasmanian Mounted Infantry. New Zealand Mounted Infantry. Victorian Mounted Rifle 3.