THE ROYAL VISIT.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 8 May 1901, Page 3

THE ROYAL VISIT.

(BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH. —COPYRIGHT)

(PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

Received this day at 9 21 a. ra. Sydney, May Bth.

The women of Sydney are collecting funds to present the Duchess of York with a mirrow frame mounted in gold with monogram in Australian jewels. The secretary of the Citizens committee says that although the decorations in the streets may not bo on such a scale of splendour as at Melbourne for beautiful completeness anch harmony they will bo far ahead of anything previously seen in Australia.

Eeceived this day at 12 19. Melbourne, May 8.

The Duke in replying to numerous addresses of welcome from all parts of the State said he would accept them with the sincere satisfaction of assurances of unswerving devotion and attachment to. the throne and in person to the King, my dear father, to whom I shall make known without delay my sentiments which have given my expression.

In deeply touched reference to .the mournful event which so recently had plunged the whole empire into grief and mourning, the death of my beloved and reverend grandmother, her grcatjqualities and wise, proved an inestimable blessing to the people over whom she reigned over half a century. She left a noble example for her successors. I thank you for the good wishes for the health and happiness of the Duchess and myself. I regret the short space of time at our disposal prevents us from becoming as well acquainted as we should wish to the interior districts of this • favoured land. I hope the journey wo have undertaken raaj not only be fraught with much pleasure and interest to ourselves, but also to have the effect of promoting in no small degree of unity and soliditary the King’s dominion with the happiness, which I enjoyed during my former visit in company with my dear brother, ever fresh in my memory. I rejoice to find myself amongst you again, and that on this occasion the Duchess accompanies me. I wish to take this opportunity of assuring you how truly our hearts are moved by this splendid and enthusiastic reception which has been accorded us on our entry into this city. An outward testimony indeed to loyalty, and affection to the throne is my earnest prayer, and that Divine Providence may be with the people of Australia in all their undertakings. Received this day, at II 49 a.m. Melbourne, This Day. Some idea of the crowds in Melbourne can be gained from the approximate returns of railway traffic on Monday.

Four hundred thousand persons were safely carried on the railway. This included tram travellers. Those from

different colonies, who reside chiefly in the city, make nearly seven hundred thousand, who must have .welcomed the Royalty. Hopctoun states that the Duke was quite delighted with the magnificent pageant, and remarked to the GovernorGeneral that he had seen a good many of these kinds of processions in various part of the world, but this one was equal if not better than anything lie had previously witnessed. He was equally pleased with the illuminations. In regard to his own feeling. Hopetonn declares that nothing could have been holler. He was pleased beyond measure. It had been an anxious time for him, but everything went oil without a hitch.

The Duke inspected, within the Government House ground, the men of the Victorian Naval Brigade just returned from China, and desired the Olliccr Commanding to congratulate the men upon their valuable services, and on their safe return.

A touching incident was the enquiry of the Duchess in regard to a tree that was planted by the Prince on their first visit to Australia in ’Bl. Her Highness was informed that the tree planted by (he Duke of York was still alive and flourishing, but that by the Duke of Clarence had withered and died despite all care soon after Clarence’s death.

Received this day at 12 26 a. m. Peacock has received a wire from Seddon conveying tiie latter’s thanks for the position conferred on the New Zealand troops in the Royal procession. He expressed the delight of the New Zealand people at Line safe arrival of the Royalties, and congratulated Victoria on the splendid manner in which everything passed oil. Peacock replied, thanking Seddon for the congratulations, and said they were pleased to welcome New Zealand troops and give them a good position. At the levee, with such a number of the general public in attendance, it developed at one time into a scrimmage more suitable to a football match than ballroom work. [Shaking hands with several thousand people was rather tiring for the Duke’s baud, but he manfully saw the thing through.