The Royal Visit.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 13 May 1901, Page 4

The Royal Visit.

[by ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH. —COPYRIGHT.]

(per press ASSOCIATION.)

The March past—New Zealanders

Bandmaster Drops Dead While Conducting.

Received this day at 11 35 a m. Melbourne, May 13. In the march past the New Zealanders and particularly the Maoris, received an ovation. Eighty thousand witnessed the review; rain preventing a large attendance.

A fine display of fireworks \yas given in the Domain last night.

Lieut. Bryon of Westralia, while conducting massed bands at review, fell dead.

Honors Conferred upon Colonials. Melboubne, May 11.

Darley Lieut. Governor of New South Wales has been created a knight of the Grand Cross of bt Michael and St George; Dodds Lieut Governor of Tasmania knight Commander of bt Michael; Graham Mayor of Sydney, and Gillott Mayor of Melbourne knight Bachelor; Lewis, Premier of Tasmania, Capt. Wallington private secy, to Hopetoun, the Mayors of Adelaide, Brisbane and Hobart, and Forrest Ex-Mayor of Perth, companions of St Michael and St George. Honors and Ceremonies. Melbouene, May 11.

Tne programme to-day was opened with a great procession of the friendly societies and trades, and was the finest ever held in Australia.

Koyalty viewed it from the pavilion of Parliament House and were greatly interested.

Amongst the most elaborate tableux were those representing the Soldiers and Sailors of the British Empire. This was carried out witli strict attention to details as to the various uniforms of the army and navy. The Farriers’ Union had a forge working and a fine silver horseshoe was thrown from the car to the Royal pavilion, as the emblem of good luck, and it was handed to the Duchess, who bowed her acknowledgement.

The workman procession took about two hours to pass. Another tableaux that attracted notice depicted Austrslian flora and fauna. Real water falling off rocks and had a most realistic effect.

The annual commencement at 'the University was graced by Royalty. The great function was admirably arranged and carried out.

On the dais were representatives of various institutes of learning, including the Vice-Chancellor of New Zealand Vnivcrsity. The undergrads maintained the timehonored custom of enlivening proceedings with doggerel verse set to popular airs. The proceeding commenced with the academic procession escorting the Duke and the Royal party at the head. The lay Senate of the Melbourne University followed, then the members of the other Australasian Universities, with the exception of Sydney which was not represented. When the Duke appeared a great roar went up and the National Anthem was sung.

After conferring the ordinary degrees, the special list was the chief feature. The following were admitted to adeundem

JgMaster of Arts—Mr Barton, Bishop of Tasmania, Reverend Andrews, ViceChancellor of New Zealand.

Doctorship of Letters—Lord Tennyson.-

Doctor of Laws—Sir Samuel Way, Duke of Cornwall and York, When the Duke received his degree the outburst of cheering was tremendous, His Highness being * moved by the scene.

The function concluded with the Eresentation of an address in Latin to the lake with the expression of the hope that the Federation now established might have the greatest influence for strengthening the British Empire.

The Guard of Honor was furnished by the New Zealand Infantry with the regimental band.

In the evening one of the most imposing ceremonials of the series was the investiture of titles awarded to those who played a prominent part in the Federal movement. In England such functions arc exclusive, and only a privileged few arc permitted to witness the ceremony. Hon. J. G. Ward and the representative of the New Zealand Press Association were present. The noble ballroom at Government House was the scene of the ceremony. At dusk the Privy Council was summoned and the Australian members of that body sworn in. This was done privately, the Council afterwards entering the ballroom to participate in the investiture. Pound the table were grouped the recipients of the honors, together with other members of St Michael and St George. The guests were seated to the left and right of the dais, forming an avenue up which those to be invested approached the Koval presence. A few minutes before the Duke appeared the Duchess with the ladies-in-waiting entered and joined the visitors. The Duke, accompanied by Lord Hopetoun and Prince Alexander of Teck and suite, took up their position on the dais. Sir Arthur Bigge, private Secretary, read the charter commissioning the Luke to hold the investiture.

Sir John Forrest was the first to he mvested, the Duke of Eoxburghe carrying the crimson velvet cushion, on which reposed the insignia. He advanced to the dais. Sir John Forresb supported by Sir F. Sargood, and Sir Philip Fysh followed, all bowing low three times till they reached the dais Here Sir J. Forrest knelt. The Duke taking a sword from one of his suite touched Sir John on the left shoulder, then on the right with the blade. Sir John arose and the Duke placed the collar of the Order round his neck, pinned the grand cross on Ids breast, and shook hands with the recipient. The party then retired backwards, boding three times and the ceremony was finished,

The same proccednre was followed with M’Williara Symonds and with those receiving the companionships. Except in the latter case the Companions accompanied their new' hrethien. The Companions did not kneel, and the star was merely pinned on the breast, Sir John Quick and Sir Samuel Gillott were created knights not belonging to any order. They w alked to the dais unaccompanied, knelt, and were touched with the sword, arose and retired. The brilliant uniforms of the military were lavish with gold lace of the admiral and his suite mil gling with the evening dress of the civilians. The glowing setting off of the rich crimson carpet under the radiance of the magnificent electric candelabra will make the picture remain long in the memory of those privileged to w itness it.