The Welcome in the North.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 12 June 1901, Page 4

The Welcome in the North.

The Duke’s Reply.

The scene from the reception platform was magnificent, as far as the eye could reach the buildings of the city were covered with flags, greenery and devices. An immense but good humoured crowd waited patiently for hours to see the Royal visitors and everyone was orderly though excited.

At ten o'clock the streets were cleared by the Mounted Rifles and the surging crowd driven back to the side walks which were roped off and a line of Navals took up a position opposite the stand.

The wharf itself was cleared of all except persons specially privileged to enter the barrier about the Royal yacht. At 1 30 the Governor and suite and Messrs Seddon, Ward, Mills, Mrs Seddon and Miss Ruby Seddon, the Mayor and City Councillors went aboard the Ophir where Mr Sedd.m,on behalf of the people of New Zealand, presented an address of welcome.

The address'was enclosed in a bcautifu casket of Maori design.

The Duke having graciously accepted both made the following reply ;

Seddon and gentlemen : On behalf of the Duchess and myself I thank you and the people of New Zealand most sincerely for the hearty welcome you offer us and for the sympathetic reference to the loss wo have sustained through the death of our beloved and ever lamented Queen, a loss which we share with the whole Empire. On behalf of the King, my dear father, I desire to thank you for the assurance of the continual attachment and devotion of the people of Now Zealand to his throne and person, and of their unflinching loyalty, of which th. y have already given signal proof.

The readiness and promptitude with which the Government and people of New Zealand sprung to assist in the struggle still unhappily proceeding in South Africa, will be remembered with gratitude by His Majesty and the people of the United Kingdom. Your action in that matter lias proved to the world that your appreciation of the benefits you enjoy as citizens of the British Empire will, whenever occasion arises, be shown by deeds not words, and that you are prepared to share in the responsibility in maintaining the glorious traditions and heritage which are your birthright as much as that of the people of the Motherland. I am glad to learn that the inhabitants of New Zealand are prosperous and happy and that the Maoris, whose number are now increasing, are living in complete unity with their fellow subjects and are comparing with them in the work of SelfGovernment. The inclusion in this Colony of the Cook and other islands, a step which, I understand has the full concurrence of their inhabitants, will with the same wise and sympathetic system of Government which has secured the contentment and happiness of the Maoris, I have no doubt be of lasting advantage to the people. I regret that the brief period of our stay will prevent us from seeing as much as we could wish of the many beauties and natural phenomena of your islands, but we shall surely carry with us most pleasant and Ifisdng recollections of the warmth and cordiality of the reception and of your kindness and good wishes on our behalf."

Miss Ruby Seddon having presented a shower bouquet of roses and violets and maiden-hair fern to the Duchess, who after haviug touched an electric key announcing their arrival, the Royal party landed, entered their carriages and proceeded in drizzling rain to the platform where they were welcomed by the Mayor, and Miss Kidd presented a bouquet to the Duchess. Mr Seddon and Mr Ward in Court uniform were conspicuous figures on the platform.

The procession then formed and moved along the route to Government House, the Duke and Duchess receiving an ovation throughout. To-night the city is splendidly illuminated and is alive with people. The warships have made a special display on a magnificent scale.