THE ROYAL VISIT.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 20 June 1901, Page 4

THE ROYAL VISIT.

[per press association.]

Wellington, Juno 19,

The only function connected with th( Royalties open to the public to-day, was the presentation of medals to the returnee soldiers at Parliament Buildings. *-

Heavy rain fell during the night and morning, but had almost ceased at thi time appointed for the ceremony. Greai pains were taken to ensure the rapid despatch of the business on hand, and the men were arranged in order in which they were to come forward, so that no stoppage should occur. They were drawn up on the lawn and all the surrounding space and streets leading to the buildings were crowded by the public. In the portico of Parliament House seats were provided for tho officials and members of Parliament, many of the latter wore present with hdies. Staging was erected on either side of the steps andjapproaehes, and carpeted. The bands were in attendance and salute after salute was given as tho tdmiral and Governor, and finally tho Duke and Duchess, drove up. Tho Ministers, Duoal suite, Officers of the Fleet, and other officials made up the assemblage, which would have presented a handsome sight had tho sun only deigned to shine. Their Royal Highnesses arrived punctually at noon, tho Duke arrived in scarlet and wearing the tall busby of tho Irish Fusiiliers. The Duchess, as usual, was plainly attired in black. She was presented with a bouquet by Miss Dyer, the Premier’s grand daughter, a little mite of four, clad in white. No time was lost in proceeding with the object of the function. The Duke of Roxburgh* stood by the Prince and handed him packet after packet of medals, each enclosed in a white card-board case. Colonel Penton called the names in the order of the contingents, and almost as fast as he could read man after man—colonels, captains, sergeants, and privates intermingled—stepped up, saluted, received the memento of his campaign, and as rapidly made way for his successor. 311 medals were given, and the whole operation was a most creditable display of military organisation and promptitude, as it only occupied 17 minutes, and there was not the slightest hitch. The various contingents were represented as follows : —First, 67; Second, 91; Third, 96; Fourth, 2d ; Fifth, 23 ; miscellaneous, 5. It is understood that the medals for those dead will be handed to their relatives. While the presentation was going on Trooper Morgan, of Hokitika, who had rendered some service to Prince Alexander of Teok in Africa, was introduced to the Duchess af York, who entered into conversation with him, and inspected a ring which her brother had given him as a momento. Prince Alexander catching sight of what was going on, stepped over and shook the trooper heartily by tho hand.

When Lieut Collins came forward Hia Highness spoke to him sympathetically about his wounded hand, and at the conclusion Colonel Collins was introduced to tie Prince. Ho expressed to him his satisfaction at hia son receiving a commission, and hoped that ho would be able to take it up, and that he would soon recover irom his wound. After a few minutes spent in conversation wi?.h the Governor and the Premier their Royal Highnesses drove away. No sooner had they gone than a drenching rain squall drove the spectators to shelter, but notwithstanding this knots of happy men could bo seen standing about the lawn with their equally joyous women folk pinning medals on their breasts. According to present arrangements which, however, may be upset by the weather, the Duke will visit the frozen meat works at Petone to-morrow, while the Duchess will be taken for a trip over the Rimutaka.

Daring the afternoon His Eoyal Highness received numerous deputations, who presented him with addresses from the citizens and public bodies in the central portion of the colony. The deputations in every case consisted of four persons. They were received in the ballroom of Government House, where their RoyaHighnesses stood on the dais with Loid and Lady Ranfurly and the members of the Royal suite. After all the addresses had been presented the deputations formed a group close to the dais and His Royal Highness made a speech in reply, expressing his thanks for the loyal and kindly sentiments expressed in the addresses. Ho expressed the pleasure he had derived from meeting the Maori people and viewing the volcanic districts of the North Island, and said that he regretted that time did not permit their visiting the Marlborough bounds. His Eighness concluded by saying that they all would certainly carry away a delightful and lasting recollection of beautiful Te Ika a Maua and its people, Kia Ora. The levee of Government House to-day was well attended. The Duke and Duchess were received in the ballroom, and each shook hands with everv person presented. The Governor and Countess Ranfurly gave a second State dinner to-night to meet their Royal Highnesses. Among the guests invited, in addition to members of the Ducal suite and officers of the Squadron, were Sir Joseph and Lady Ward, the Hon F. and Hon Mrs Arkwright. Nearly three thousand invitations were issued for the Parliamentary recaption at the Parliamentary Buildings to-night, which was attended by their Royal Highnesses. The. interior of the building has been handsomely furnished and decorated, the Legislative Council Chamber being usad as a drawing-room aud tha Lower House as a recaption room. Their Royal Highnesses arrived about nine o’clock and remained a fairly long time.