THE ROYAL VISIT

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

THE ROYAL VISIT

(per press association.)

]by electric telegraph.—COPYßlGHT

Wakapuaka. June 6,

The Cable Coy is advised as follows from La Perouse; —“ South Head reports the Ophir and H.M.S; Juno and St George cleared for New Zealand at 12 38.”

Sydney, June 5,

When the Duke and the Duchess ■stepped into the pavilion at the landing stage the Captain of the Groraohoi, with much ceremony, presented the Duchess with a silver salt cellar let in to the top of the loaf.

The Duke presented the Premier with . autograph photos and the InspectorGeneral of Police with a silver smoker’s , companion.

Dcnedin, This Day. The preparations for the Royal visit are rapidly assuming shape. The Government arch is well advanced and the other arches are well under way. The Venetian masts arc going up and, given anything like decent weather, the line of route of the Royal procession will surpass anything yet seen in Dunedin.

Wellington, Juno 6,

The Chinese residents of Wellington will spend between £2OO and £OOO on their arch, in the decoration of which som j very expensive silks and other materials will bo used. One of the prominent features in their welcome will bo the presentation of a gold bird, emblematic of » heavenly blessing, to the Duchess of Cornwall. -*Tho,'mode of presentation is peculiar. does hot take the form of a flattering* address accompanied by the gift, but is "accomplished in the following peculiar way: A Chinamen conceals himself at the top of the arch, and, when the Royal carriage passes underneath, ho manages dexterous handling, to lower the golden bird into the lady’s lap. The idea this performance is desired to convey is that the ornithological visitor has flown straight from the Celestial as a harbinger from the gods of longlife and happiness.