THE ROYAL VISIT.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 129, 11 June 1901, Page 3

THE ROYAL VISIT.

THE OPHIR IN AUCKLAND.

ENTHUSIASTIC AVELCOME TO MAORILAND.

' [By Telegraph—Press Association.] Auckland, last night. The long expected event has now come to pass, and the Ophir, with the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall on board, in now in the Waitemata. Between five and six o’clock yesterday afternoon, the news was received in town that the Ophir had passed Cape Maria Van Dieman at three o’clock, and was coming down the coast at easy speed of eight knots. This morning, the Royal squadron reached port, the Ophir, accompanied by the cruisers St. George and Juno, rounding the North Head about half-past eleven, and dropping anchor opposite the Head.

It is a matter lor great regret that the Royal visitors, and those accompanying them, did not see the harbor under fine weather conditions. Even ships carrying Royalty are no exempt from the law of medical inspection and, as soon as the Ophir dropped anchor Dr Sharman, Health Officer, went 01 board. Captain Alexander also went or board, representing the Governor. The early arrival of the Ophir will nol interfere with the reception arrangements. Men are still working in Queen atreot getting the decorations into shape, and with fine weather the success of tomorrow’s ceremony will be doubly assured. Unfortunately Capt. Edwin predicts unfavorable weather, but tho enthusiastic loyalty of tho crowded city is so great that it is likely to shine out clearly through any rain or storm. The Premier said ho was pleased to find tho Auckland decorations in such an advanced state. He was well pleased with the nppoarance of tho streets, tho largo use made of New Zealand verdure as against purely artificial decorations being a specially attractive feature. He thought a groat (leal of the lighthouses on the wharf, and expressed the opinion that they were so appropriate that His Royal Highness would probably think them permanent structures

Mr AVard was specially struck with the municipal arch in AVellesley-streot. 110 states it is exquisitely finished, and is the prettiest arch that their Royal Highnesses will have seen in tho colonies. THE VOYAGE FROM SYDNEY.

Tho Duke and Duchess arc in tho best of health, their trip across having in no way inconvenienced them, but having the opposite effect, the rest after the continued strain of festivities in Australia being very

grateful. Leaving Sydney at noon on Thursday last, tho Ophir was escorted by H.M.S. Juno, and H.M.S. St. George, one on oithor side, and passod through tho Heads twenty minutes later. For tho rest of tho day and during tho next morning tho weather was somewhat rough, an easterly wind raising a modorato sea.

Tho weather then set fair and smooth seas and warm airs prevailed during Friday afternoon and Saturday. A slight fog came down on Saturday night, and tho vessels slowed down. Tho Now Zealand shore appeared over tho horizon about noon yesterday, and at 13 p.m. the most westerly part of tho northern coast of Capo Maria Van Dioman was abeam.

Coming down the coast, which was kept in view, another light fog crept up and again speed was reduced to ten knots poi; hour, tho rocky coast shooting up through tho mist. From tho line of threo abreast tho squadron changed on Saturday night to a single column, tho Ophir loading tho Juno, and tho St. George following tho luttcr vessel. This ordor was kopt until reaching the harbor, and on rounding the North Hoad, tho Ophir dropped her anchor, the others following suit at roasonublo intervals.

GISBORNE CELEBRATIONS.

To-day and to-morrow will bo observed as a public holiday in all Government offices in Gisborno excepting tho post and tolegraph and Customs. The official muling of the Duko and Duchess in Auckland takes placo this afternoon, and upon it being announced flags will bo hoisted at tho Courthouse and at tho public school. Tho Government build-

ings will bo decorated. Tho decorations at tho local post office will consist of a string of Hags erected in front of tho building, and illuminated transparencies, which will bo lighted aftor dusk. Outside Government oilieos no holiday will

be observed. UNFURLING THE FLAG. This afternoon, at two o’clock, the public school children will assemble at tho school for tho coromony of unfurling tho flag in honor of tho landing of the Royal party in Auckland, at 2 o’clock punctually. Word of tho landing will bo received at tho local post-office por inodium of Canon Wobb’s telephone,, and tho Hag will bo immediately hoisted. .After this portion .of tho ceremony has boon concluded, tho National Anthem will bo sung, and tho children will then march past and salute. Mr Fordo Matthews, Chairman of tho School Committee, requests us to say that lie' will bo very pleased if any of tho parents who caro to attond tho coromony will do so.

MILITARY REVIEW.

[By Telegraph—Press Association.) Wellington, last night.

Tho Defence Department now expects that about nino thousand volunteers will take part in tho review at Christchurch during tho Royal visit. Tlirco thousand volunteers and one thousand cadets will go South from Wellington, Nelson, and Westland volunteer districts.

PREPARATIONS AT CHRISTCHURCH.

(By Tolegraph—Press Association.] Christchurch, last night,

Work in connection with the decoration and illumination for the Royal visit are now being pushed forward. The Government arch in the course of erection on Victoria bridgo will bo composed as far as possible of Now Zealand flora, and will bear mottos in white chrysanthemums. In the Westland trophy there will be an obelisk representing the output of gold from tho province, and coal and tiuibor will be features of tho display. The Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association has so far not met with a very hearty responso to its invitation to kindred Associations in the provinco to subscribe towards erecting an arch symbolical of agricu’tural and pastoral interests.

The principal traders havo agreed to observe Saturday and Monday, during tho Royal visit, as close holidays. Preparations in connection with tho military review are well in hand.