THE ROYAL VISIT.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 20 June 1901, Page 3

THE ROYAL VISIT.

Weather Bad in Wellington.

The Prince and the Maoris.

[per press association]

Wellington, This Day.

Rain is still with us, and the morning is again showery. Owing to the heavy rain of yesterday, and the possibility of slips the trip to Wairarapawas abandoned and the Duke will limit his railway journey to Petone, where he will visit the Frozen Meat Works and Woollen Factory.

Government have made presents of gold nuggets and greenstone to the Duke and Duchess,

The Prince has taken great interest in the Maoris during his tour in New Zealand, and at his request, Fraser, M.H.E. for Napier, who is a recognised Maori scholar, supplied him with a considerable amount of information about native customs and legends, and explained the phrases and salutations His Highness had heard in use in the colony. The Duke was particularly interested in the legend of Te Ika a maul mythological fisherman who angled New Zealand up from the ocean. One effect of the Prince’s coaching was to be soon in the ending of his reply to the Friendly Societies with the Maori salutation “kiaora.” The weather has cleared and the sun shining almost for the first time this week ; the wind is strong, and the water none too smooth for aquatic snorts organised by the seamens’ mission. They are principally intended for the crews of the squadron and not of very serious order, but serve to give the people something to look at.