THE ROYAL VISIT.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 87, 22 April 1901, Page 2

THE ROYAL VISIT.

THE ROTORUA RECEPTION.

A GREAT MAORT GATHERING,

MR CARROLL’S ARRANGEMENTS.

(Spec!.. to Times.) Auckland, last night. r The Hon. James Carroll, Native Minis- t ter, returned to town last evening from t Rotorua, where he has spent several days f in making arrangements for tho great t native meeting which is to be held there in June to welcome the Duke and Duchess 1 of Cornwall and York. Mr Carroll in- \ forms me that preparations are going on r well for the Maori gathering. A com- f mitteo has been appointed bv Mr Carroll, t consisting of chiefs of the Arawa tribe and | others, and Captain Gilbert Mair as chair- , man, to carry out the arrangements. A , contract has been let for ploughing and t sowing in oats some twenty acres in the centre of the Rotorua racecourse, so that i there will be a good ground as “ maree ” , for the Maori parade dance, etc.,-before tho ( eyes of royalty. The pavilion for tho j accommodation of the Royal visitors and j suite is to be erected on the side of tho i racecourse nearest the Rotorua-Whaka-rewnrewa road, with seating acconnuoda- , tion for a thousand visitors on each side. A charge is to be made to visitors for the seats. The Native war dances, liakas, and “ powhiri ” (dances of welcome) are to bo held immediately in front of the pavilion. The present grand-stand on the racecourse is to be altered, and used as a store-house for provisions, of which from 200 to 400 tons will be stored there. The Maori encampment will be located on tho opposite side of tho racecourse to tho pavilion, jwith a wide assembly ground between. The “ marac ”or parade-ground will be divided frem the camp by a belt of manuka scrub, which will bo left standing. The]camp will consist of a great many tents, and temporary rapau and nikau whares. Mr Carroll made thoughtful arrangements for providing the Maori visitors with hot baths, as the work of making temporary baths at some hot springs on tho shore of the Lake near the Postmaster Bath is to bo commenced on his initiative for the convenience of the Natives from other parts. The water is to be laid on by pipes and various other details arc being axranged, and due regard is being given’'to , sanitary requirements for such a large gathering, Several thousands of Natives from all parts of New Zealand are expected to bo present, and the assemblage 1 will bo a most unique one in the history of tbo colony. The Maoris from tho South ; Island are announcing their intentions of journeying up here to join in the welcome [ to the King’s son. Fifty Natives ropreL senting the various settlements from Kaiapoi to Foveaux Straits will at?ond as ] delegates from the Waipounamu. The ! Otago Natives are expected to bring with ’ them liberal supplies of preserved mutton > birds as their contribution to the menu at ’ the meeting. Some very fine war dances arc expected from the Native tribes pre- ' sent, especially from the Ngatiporou tribe . of the East Capo, 250 of whom are reckoned , on to attend and dance the “ peruperu ” f in the old war stylo. Amongst othor tribes i will be a large contingent of Uriwera or i Tuhoe natives, who will rido overland by t way of Galatea, and who will bo looked'on , with deep interest as being tho last of the 3 Maori tribes to acknowledge the mana of 3 the Government. Mr Carroll, who has f gone to a good deal of trouble working up - this big meeting at Rotorua, expects f to leave for the South on Monday or ’ Tuesday. 1 Press Association—Copyright. J Auckland, last night. * A. sub-commtttee met on Saturday to 3 consider the competitive designs for two 3 city arches, for which the executive decided > to offer two prizes. Some twenty-five de- >. signs were submitted, but for the greater " part they were of a disappointing character. 3 Some of tho designs were of a most extra--3 ordinary nature—either of a most frigid * classical design, or full of the most ornate 3 details. Maori designs were numerous, 3 while the mining and flax industries were * also represented. One design for the arch was considered to be very fair, but its y adoption would have meant tho expendie turo of UIOOO, and even then the work 5 could not have been fully carried out o without foreign help. It was decided that l no prizes be awarded, as none of the c designs were suitable. s (Received April 21, 1.10 a.m.) j Singapore, April 21. ’

The Opliir and escort arrived at seven o’clock this morning, all well. The Duke and Duchess and party land at ten o’clock.