THE ROYAL VISIT

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 27 May 1901, Page 4

THE ROYAL VISIT

[BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.—COPYRIGHT]

[PBE PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

Sydney, May 25.

The Royal train reached Honeysuckle Point station from Brisbane at noon, and was welcomed by LordHopetoun, Darley, the State Premier, and the Mayor of New castle.

There was a large gathering of residents and the Mayoress presented a beautiful bouquet in a gold and opal holder from the women of the city, one of the streamers bearing the words “ Many happy returns of the day.” To-morrow is the Duchess’s birthday. 1200 children sang the National Anthem Then the party drove through wildly enthusiastic crowds.

The route was beautifully decorated to Neweastle station. Sn route 5000 children sang “ Eule Britannia.” The Royal party rejoined the train and reached Elawkesbury bridge at 3 o’clock, and boarded the steamer General Gordon, and were conveyed to the Ophir lying down the river, where they will spend a quiet to-morrow, and come to Sydney on Monday, About 50 of the Eoyal party, including the Duke and Duchess, went to a picnic to-day up to Hawkeshury in the river steamer General Gordon.

The cruiser Inno fired a salute in honor of the birthday of the Duchess. Salutes were also fired at the forts by the warships, including the Eussian Gromoboi, at Sydney, in honor of the occasion.

The outlook for to-morrow’s functions is not promising. The sky to-night (11.30 p.m.) is completely overcast and rain has been falling for the last couple of hours, with every prospect of more. As there is no great rush of visitors from the or other states there is not likely to be so great an attendance as at the Commonwealth celebrations.

The decorations are practically complete, except a few final touches tomorrow.

Wellington, May 24,

The First Contingent of 500 Maoris is now on its way to Rotorua. On its arrival war dances will be the orde? of the day. Major Perry, who is now here, is under contract with the Government to kinematograph the Royal reception throughout the Colony. All the Maori functions will bo taken with great completeness. The machines to be used are of the latest pattern and can be operated for 35 minutes continuously, 1250 feet of film being used without a stoppage. The reception at Auckland wharf will be taken on arrival at Government House, the gates presentation, war medals and reception. At other places in the colony the views will be duplicated, one set being exhibited and the other retained by the Government. The Premier received an advice from the Governor, now at Sydney, stating that the decision been arrived at that His Highnesses will return from Dunedin to Lyttelton and leave the latter port ,for Hobart, There is no chance of this arrangement being altered.