THE ROYAL VISIT.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 22 June 1901, Page 3

THE ROYAL VISIT.

[PEE PBBSS ASSOCIATION.]

London, June 21,

The Duke of Cornwall is sending to London enthusiastic cables, and the King is immensely delighted with the reception, and is impressed with the potentialities of the colonies and the good that is likely to result to the Empire from the Duke and Duchess’s visit. The Departure from Wellington. As the day went on the weather became worse, but nevertheless large crowds lined the streets and occupied the stagings at wharf to see their Highnesses depart. They drove to the Ophir in a closed carriage, and the rain was at its heaviest. As they left Government House they were greeted very demonstratively. The cheernsg was hearty and spontaneous and handkerchiefs fluttered everywhere. Sufficient troops were left in town to line a portion of the route, and those without great coats must have got rather wet, not very good preparation for their trip this evening to Christchurch.

The Mayor, City Council, and Harbour Board occupied the goods shed, and took a brief leave of the Duke and Duchess, apologising for the weather which, as Lord Beauchamp puts it, waa in tears at their leaving.

No time was lost in casting loose and the Ophir drew away from the wharf at six minutes before the time announced, which was 4 p.m. Just at this moment the Premier and other Ministers who had been attending the luncheon to the returned troopers, rushed up with Sir John Anderson. The latter very nearly missed his passage, but assisted by the stalwart arm of the Premier ho was l\auled over the rail before the ship got clear. In ten minutes the Ophir was heading down the harbor followed by three energetic cheers from the small party on the pier, which were returned with equal good will by the ladies and gentlemen of the suite on deck accompanied by much waving of handkerchiefs. In the meantime the St George and Juno had got under weigh, and as soon as the Ophir reached the centre of the harbour took up their position in front and preceded her round Point Halswell, where the flotilla was quickly swallowed up in the murky evening. Despite the weather numbers of people swarmed on the railway and Glasgow wharves and breastwork and vigorously waved bankerohiefs to the departing yacht, while the ferry steamer, which made an excursion down the harbor, found enough people to fill her, in fact the way spectators turned ont on such a miserable day was most surpruiug.

The Premier and the Hon Mr Ward wont south to-night iu the Mararoa to be present at the Royal reception at Christchurch.

Over 1000 volunteers are also on board iho steamer. Christchurch Preparations.

Christchurch, June 21. The weather slowly _ cleared to-night and there is every promise of fine weather for to-morrow’s functions. The decorations are completed. There are four main arches. The Shipping arch in Manchester Street, the Frozen

Meat Company’s arch in High Street painted to represent real ice, the Agricultural and Pastoral arch in Worcester

Street, the bridge containing live bullocks and sheep in pens, and the Government arch on Victoria Bridge made of graceful festoons of native foliage, the West Coast Gold obelisk at the junction of High and Colombo streets (probably the most note-worthy of tho decorative structures) surrounded hy tree ferns on blocks of Westport coal picturesquely grouped. The cathedral spire will make a suburb spectacle. It is ringed and outlined from base to spire with electric lights. The town is swarming with visitors. Volunteers and cadets are everywhere. The troops are camped in the show grounds, Lincoln Road, and South Park. 2,000 arrived from the north to-day, also Col. Penton and staff. There are huge forests of tents in tho camps that are constantly extending their areas. The cadets are billetted in the Normal and East and West Christchurch Schools —8,000 already. The present arrangements at the schools are very rough owing to the lack of proper supervision. It is estimated that on Monday 11.500 troops will parade, of which 1,500 are mounted troopers and 3.500 eadete. This afternoon the mountad troops rode over the lino of procession, creating a mos. favourable impression. The Duke having expressed a wish to seo colonial horses jump wire fences, it is intended to give a private exhibition of jumping a single wire at Te Koraha on Saturday afternoon.

The following is the official programme for Saturday : —The Ophir arrives at Lyttelton accompanied by the St George and Juno ; received by the warships, and met at the heads by the Lyttelton fleet, which forms the procession. Their Royal Highnesses disembark at 11 30 a.m. The Governor, Premier, and Ministers receive ; the Mayor of Lyttelton and Chairman of the Harbor Board are presented ; arrive at Christchurch at noon. The Mayor welcomes and presents the citizens’ address. The procession proceeds to the Provincial Chambers, where the Mayor and Councillors attend. Other addresses will be presented. The Duke replies and proceeds to Victoria square, where he lays the foundation stone of the Canterbury Jubilee Memorial. The Friendly Societies march past; their Royal Highnesses drive to Te Koraha ; dinner at Te Koraha at 8, Reception by the Mayor at the Agricultural Hall at 9 'ls p.m.

Their Royal Highnesses will be present at the illumination of the city and the music by the bands.

On Sunday their Royal Highnesses will attend morning services at the Cathedral, and the cadets attend the afternoon service at the Cathedral.

Bishop Julius (Anglican), Dr Elms (Presbyterian), Dr Morley and Rev. W. Baumber (Wesleyan) have telegraphed to the Premier stating that the proposed rehearsal of the review of troops on Sunday afternoon would be a great affront to the conscience of many volunteers, and membeis of Christian churches say that the rehearsal could easily take place on Saturday afternoon, and they hope that the present proposal will be countermanded.

Dunedin Preparing. Dunedin, June 21.

Repoits have been current for some days that the Royal visit to Dunedin would bo cut short, but they were disbelieved. To-night an official intimation was received that their Royalties leave Dunedin at 11 30 on Thursday morning instead of 10 30 at night. Visitors are already flocking into town for the Royal visit.

The prolonged spell of fine weather broke to-day, when drizzling rain fell, interfering somewhat with the preparations.