THE ROYAL VISIT.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 143, 28 June 1901, Page 2

THE ROYAL VISIT.

(By Telegraph—Press Association.) Dunedin, last night. There was splendid weather for to-day’s proceedings. The Duke and Duchess ■ took their departure from Fernhill Club, and proceeded through dense, cheering crowds. At the Triangle the Duke laid the foundation stone of the Queen’s Memorial Statue. Sir Henry Miller, President of the Memorial Fund Committee, eulogised tho late Queop, and tlie Duke laid the stone. In reply, His Royal Highness said he would remember with pleasure. the last ceremony before leaving New Zealand was tho laying of tho foundation stone of a monument to our great and overbeloved Queen. “ Y’es,” he continue 1, “ we are glad to be thus united with you in doing honor to tho memory of howho, during a reign unparalleled in history, ever strove for the welfaro and prosperity of her people. We have a right to perpetuate that memory by the highest powers of tho sculptor’s mind and hand. May each of us strive to raise our hearts and heads to tho national ideal based upon the noble example of lior lifo. In bidding farewoll, we sincerely thank the citizens of Dunedin and people of Otago ■ for their warm and friendly welcome. We shall leave these beautiful and hospitable islands with deep regret, and shall go away with the hearty cheers of your people still ringing in our ears, bearing in our hearts grateful and unfading recollections of the happiness experienced at their hands. Kia ora.” The Duke and Duchess then drove to the railway station, amid enthusiastic cheers. The Duke, in saying , good-bye to Mr Donniston, the Mayor, expressed extreme pleasure at tho Dunedin visit, and tho hospitality extended to them. Their Royal Hignessos presented Mr Dcnniston and Mr It. Chisholm (President of the Reception Committee) each with autograph portraits. Mrs Denniston, on tho invitation of tho Duchess, travelled by tho Royal train to Christchurch. The presentation of guests at tho Royal reception occupied an hour. Mr Donne, Tourist Commissioner, and ; Sir John Holmes, Royal Commissioner, attended Fernhill Club on Wednesday i evening, and wero thanked by the Duko for the arrangements made on behalf of i the Royal party. Mr Holmes was presented with a cigarette-case, on which were portraits of the Royal pair. . Two children, who tramped to Invercargill to soo the Duke and Duchess, j were received by their Royal Highnesses and givon presents of autograph photo- . graphs. Major Perry, of the Salvation Army, who had the contract for kinematograph- . ing the Royal tour in New Zealand, used | 5000 ft. of film, securing 260 pictures, i mostly at Rotorua.

GIFTS. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) Dunedin, last night. Before the Royal party left Fernhill Club, the members of the Imperial Troops Billeting Committee presented three copies of a souvenir issued in connection with the scheme, one being for tho King. Mrs Denniston (wife of the Mayor) presented for the women of Dunedin greenstone handle teaspoons, gold mounted, which the Duchess said would be in constant use in her own room. Miss Alice lxaretea made a presentation on behalf of the Otago Maoris. Mr A. Hamilton, on bolialf of the New Zealand Institute, presented the Duchess with a copy of Maori art, and Dr Ilockon, President, a copy of his early history of Otago, and Abel Tasman and his journal. The Royal couple made a number of presents, including ono to Sir Joseph Ward, an autograph photograph to the Mayor, and to Mr Chisholm, chairman of the Reception Committee. Mr C. E. Bird, steward of the 'Fernhill Club, was specially thanked, ana in addition do an autograph photograph received a silver ash tray, embossed with the Royal arms.

As the train was moving away, tho Duke, in a loud voice, thanked the Mayor for the cordial reception'they had received from the citizens of Dunedin.

The illuminations were in full swing again to-night, and crowds moved about, admiring everything. The country visi-. tors never seem to tire of viewing the scene.

FAREWELL MESSAGE. TO LORD RANFURLY. [By Telegraph—Press Association.] Christchurch, last night. The following farewell inossage lias been given by the Duke of York to the people of New Zealand:- — Dunedin, 27th June, 1901. “ Dear Lord Ranfurly,—On the eve of our departure, I am anxious to tell the people of New Zealand how ' happy wo have been in their beautiful land, with what regrets wo leave it, and the lasting feelings of gratitude we carry away for the loyal enthusiasm, cordiality, and kind-henrted- ; ness so universally accorded to us throughout our stay. I would ask i you to convey to the Government i our warmest thanks for all their thoughtful and admirably-carried out plans for the accommodation, comfort, and entertainment of ourselves and our staff, in addition to Government Houses at Auckland and Wellington, where you so kindly entertained us. Doth here, and in other cities and towns, hotels were engaged for our private individuals, and members of clubs most generously placed their houses at our disposal, and we know similar hospitality waited us at those places, unfortunately, from want of time it was not possible to visit. The railway arrangements have been excellent, and everything was done to ensure safety and comfort on' our journeys, though I fear this must have entailed much extra work upon officials and employees, as well as‘ inconvenience to the travelling public. Every attention was shown by the Post and Telegraph Departments, and their work was promptly and efficiently carried out. The public service throughout the colony was most satisfactory, and performed wijh pqnspicuous tact and'judgment. The rc. | views at Auckland and Christchurch, at which all branches of the New Zealand forces wore represented, enabled mo to form some idea of the • colony’s fighting material, and brought home to me more than over the enormous accession of strength which the Empire can count upon if heed should arise. The zeal and cheerfulness with which the volunteers came together, in many instances travelling long distances both . by land and sea, was worthy of the highest praise. I was proud beyond measure to witness the enthusiastic reception which was everywhere accorded to the contingents which have returned from South Africa. I was particularly interested in the cadet . corps, some of which showed marked steadiness on parade, when lining the streets, and appearance, and the march past of the corps at Christehurch was specially creditable. I venture tb think this iiioveriieni is deserving of 'more encouragement, particularly as regards the provision of properly-trained masters. Apart from its physical benefits it infuses into the rising generation a spirit of discipline and esprit de corps which must tend to make better citizens arid good' soldiers. I learn with much pleasure that among the contingents sent to South’Africa were many representatives of school 'cadet corps, and that iri one instance no fewer than between 60 and 70 from a single corps' joined the force. I was especially gjad to meet the Maori people,' to have witnessed their vast and interesting gathering at Rotorua, and to have had personal and friendly intercourse with their leading chiefs and representatives. It was gratifying to hear their assurances of loyalty to the King, their expressions of sorrow for their deeply-loved Queen, and to experience their enthusiasm and warmness of heart towards ourselves. I am glad to think that this ancient and chivalrous race is living in peace and prosperity, and sharing with

their pakeha brothers tho duties and responsibilities of good citizenship. To your Premier, who has accompanied us on all occasions, I would ask you to convey our warmest thanks for his courtesy, kind attention, and untiring energy, which Inno in no small degree contributed to making our stay in Now Zealand so enjoyable. Tho Duchess and I arc sincerely grateful to you and Lady Ranfurly for the unceas* ing care, trouble, and forethought which you have displayed on our bohalf. Mo shall look back with tho pleasantest recollections to thoso happy days which wo spent os your guests. My best thanks are also due to your staff for tho cheerful and assiduous manner with which they have coped ]with the vast incicaso of .\vork throw'll on them in consequence of our visit. Though unfortunately our stay has from force of circumstances beon a short one, I earnestly trust that tho experience and knowledge of tho country which 1 have gained, and mv personal intercourse with its people, may in some measuro tend .to sustain and cnhauco the existing feeling of sympathy and interest between 'tho Mother Country and New Zealand, still closer those tics of affection and brotherhood by which we are so happily united. Heartily wishing that steady growth to prosperty of the country may ever continue,

Believe mo, dearest Ranfurlyljk Very Sincerely Yours, Gkoruk.