THE ROYAL VISIT

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 27 June 1901, Page 3

THE ROYAL VISIT

(fee press association) Dunedin's Welcome. A Fitting Climax. Dunkdin, June 26. Tlif welcome afforded the Duke and Duchess by Dunedin, put a fitting climax on the loyal acclamation of the colony. Street decorations equalled if not excelled those of Auckland, tlje the illuminations were second only to Wellington. .There was clear cloudless weather, and dense crowds throngedthe^stmets.

At the lunch to the veterans and returned troopers, Mr Seddon read a letter from General Hutton to Col Bobin, con--1 gratulating the latter on his C.B. General Hutton referred to his contingent as the most gallant of all the gallant mounted troops. His old comrades the N.Z. Mounted Rifles, General Hutton would always recall for steadiness, dash, and gallantry upon all occasions. Of Robin's battalion he would always associate Robin, Craddock and the New Zealanders as being connected with all the best work done by the first mounted infantry brigade.

At 2 30 was the great children's demonstration on the Caledonian ground, 23 public schools were represented by 3000 children. Royalty was present. The children and cadets went through marching evolutions, physical drill, dum bell exercises, sang some songs and concluded by a march past, the whole being directed by Mr John Hanna, musical director. The Duke was presented with a stone chair and laughingly sat in it. While the Duchess was waiting an old lady rushed up to her and kissed her hand. The Duches3 smiled and gave the old lady a flower from her bouquet. The Royal party paid brief visits to the Agricultural and Horticultural Shows. They were received at the Agricultural Hall by H. V. Fulton, president, and others. At the Horticultural Show they were received by Mr J. W. Munro, vicepresident, and others. Then they returned to dinner at Fernhill.

This evening the ciiy is illuminated and there is a fireworks display. A Royal reception was held at the Agricultural Hall, there was a brilliant attnndance, all the guests being presented.

To-morrow the Duke and Duchess will leave by the train for Christchurch, first laying the foundation stone of the Queen's statue at the Triangle. The Duke, in his speech at the Octagon remarked, that "were proofs needed of the Colony's attachment to the Throne they have been given a hundredfold in the gallant services rendered to the Empire by your sons and brothers, and in the glorious, and unfading memory of loved ones, who, alas, sleep on the African veldt." Referring to the death of the Queen, His Royal Highness said: "We take comfort in the knowledge that in her great and noble life will surely be found one of the most certain sources of that spirit of loyalty, unity and solemn determination to share the common burden which has now declared itself with such an irresistible force throughout the free nations which form the British Empire. We have eagerly looked forward to visiting this favoured district of New Zealand, knowing that we should find here a community of pure Scotch origin, who some half century ago left their native shores for this distant land. They infused into their new life that courage, perseverenoe and tenacity of purpose which together with the spirit of enterprise are inherent characteristics of their race. What must then have been but a mere hamlet, but in which they saw with prophetic eye its present greatness, they honoured with the Celtic name of that fairest of cities, the proud and historic capital which is the pride of all Scotsmen. The Fourth Contingent is renowned in this colony, manned as it was by your sons, equipped and mounted by the generosity of the people of the province, while Dunedin stands unique in having sent from amongst its brave self-sacri-ficing daughters nurses to tend and care for the sick and wounded in South Africa. Most heartily do I reciprocate the hope expressed that our visit may enhence the spirit of goodwill which should bind in one great solid union of hearts the scattered portions of the Empire. It is deeply to be regretted that owing to the numerous engagements we have not been ab'e to remain longer and visit other portions of the islands. We shall quit your shores with feelings of profound gratitude for the generous and unfeigned kindness which has been extended to us throughout the length and breadth of the colony, and it is our earnest prayer that Divine Providence may continue to guide and watch over the destinies of its people.