ARRIVAL OF THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH.

Marlborough Express, Volume IV, Issue 172, 24 April 1869, Page 4

ARRIVAL OF THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH.

Abridged from the Independent. H.M.S. Galatea, 26 guns, Captain H.R.H. Duke of Edinburgh, was signalled on Sunday morning about a quarter past eleven, and vexy soon after was seen coming in under easy steam with all sail stowed. She left Sydney on the 3rd, and encountered a strong head wind, which soon increased to a fierce gale. On Tuesday morning the gale abated, and she steamed the remainder of the passage, the weather being fine and pleasant. She brings Commodore Lambert, of H.M.S. Challenger, which was to have left Sydney on the 4th. As is the custom with her Majesty’s navy, the Galatea was piloted in by her own officers. ARRIVAL OP THE GALATEA. The first intelligence of the Galatea’s arrival was the boom of a gun from the Wild Duck, as the royal ship steamed into the Heads. As the intelligence became known, the excitement displayed was very great, and hosts of people were to be seen eagerly making for the Queen’s Wharf. By-and-byo the vessel came to anchor, and then several boats put off. No one, how-

ever, was allowed to go on board, except representatives of the Press, who obtained through the courtesy of officers, a few loose copies of Sydney papers. It soon became known that the Duke would not land that day, so, in the afternoon, his Excellency Sir George Bowen went on board the Galatea, and had an interview with his Royal Highness. After a short time his Excellency returned, and as the salute guns of the Galatea were heard when he left the vessel, it was supposed the Duke accompanied him, and a very large crowd of people collected on Brown’s Wharf in the hope of welcoming the illustrious visitor. But it was not to be. The Governor landed, but the Duke was still on board, so the excitement was allayed for a time, and everybody looked to the morrow when he was to land and have a public reception. Monday moining dawned with gloomy weather, but by-and-bye the sky cleared up. But it is now past 11 o’clock, and soon the Duke will arrive at the landing place, so preparations are quickly made for his reception. The Cavalry, the members of the Fire Brigades, and the Bands, are formed into procession in the street, while the various Rifle Companies are arranged in line along both sides of the Wharf, from the Reclaimed Land to its first T on the right. This leaves the centre of the wharf, which is laid with a long strip of carpet for the Royal procession. At the landing there is a select group of persons collected. The crush and jostle is so great that it is diffi cult to see who altogether are there. We notice his Excellency Sir George Bowen, the Hon. Mr. Stafford, the Hon. John Hall, the Hon. T. M. Haultain, his HonorDr. Featherston, Mr. J. C. Crawford, R.M., H. D. Pitt, R.A., A.D.C. to his Excellency the Governor, Lieut.-Colonel Reader, Commodore Lambert, Archdeacon Hadfield,and a host of other people.

LANDING OF THE PRINCE. "We are all standing in suspense, when suddenly the boom of the Galatea’s gun is heard, as the salute is given when the Duke leaves the royal vessel. All is now expectation. The Maori band who face the edge of the wharf begin to move their arms and limbs ; the rest of us press forward to get good places. Then there is a lull for a little, and at this point Captain Mcßarnet steps between the lines of troops, and says in a clear stentorian voice that three cheers are to be given when his Royal Highness lands. Only a few moments elapsed, and then the galley rounds the outer T of the wharf. Nearer and nearer comes the boat bearing the sailor Prince. The excitement of the Maoris becomes uncontrollable. They gesticulate ; they dance ; they throw their arms and weapons wildly in the air, while they yell like fiends let loose from Pandemonium. But all this yelling is of the most friendly character. They are bidding the Duke welcome. Haere mai ! Haere mai ! they yell with stentorian power, and the boat’s crew seem profoundly puzzled to know what on earth they mean. Stil there is no doubt about what those hearty British cheers mean, which pealed forth from thousands of throats—make the welkin ring with their melody. And now the Duke has landed, accompanied by the Hon. Elliot York—a procession is formed, and all proceed down the wharf, at the end of which his Royal Highness is met by his Honor Dr. Featherston, who presented him with the following address : “ To His Eoval Highness the Duke op Edinburgh. “ May it please your Royal Highness, “ We, the inhabitants of the Province of Wellington, unite in offering to your Royal Highness a sincere and hearty welcome to the shores of New Zealand. “ We hail your speedy return to these seas as a proof of the interest taken by our beloved Sovereign and your Royal Highness in these the remotest dependencies of the British Crown, and the confidence which her Majesty reposes in the loyalty and devotion of her colonial subjects, unabated by an occurrence which must have caused her great anxiety, and which postponed for a year the honor and pleasure which we now enjoy in your presence among us. “ The general financial depression which has taken place during that period, and the sad tragedies which have recently been enacted at our very doors, have necessarily cast a temporary gloom over the Colony, and your Royal Highness will hardly expect or desire that at such a time we should endeavor to rival the other colonies of the Australian group, in the extent or completeness of the 1 preparations for your reception. “ We shall, however, hope to vie with them in earnestness and cordiality. “ We also believe that on your travels through the Islands, your Royal Highness will discover the certain indications of great natural resources destined to reward in the future the industry and enterprise of a great population. “You will likewise see an interestingaboriginal race, many members of whom have long been, and still are, faithful subjects of the Crown: and in the European colonists you will recognise a body of British people not to be surpassed elsewhere in fidelity to the Throne, in love and admiration of-the Sovereign who, they pray, may for many years occupy it, and in respect for the

memory of the illustrious Prince who so long shared her cares and counsels. “ It is a source of extreme satisfaction to us to see you in health among us, and we humbly pray that Almighty God, whose Providence has so signally shielded you in your hour of danger, will be pleased to preserve you during a long life of health, happiness, and usefulness, to be an ornament of that noble profession which you have adopted, and with which the greatness and glory of England must for ever be associated.”

His Royal Higlmess replied : “ Mb. Superintendent and Gentlemen.—

“I thank you sincerely for the address which you have just presented to me, and I avail myself of this occasion to request you to express to the inhabitants of the Province of Wellington my warm acknowledgement of the hearty welcome with which they have greeted me to-day. ‘ ‘ The impression made upon me this day by the kind and cordial reception which has been accorded to me on this my first visit to New Zealand, can never be obliterated from my mind, and deeply will the Queen, my mother, be gratified by the proof which it affords, that the great interest which she takes in the welfare of this distant portion of her empire, and which she has been anxious to mark by my presence amongst you, is met on their part by feelings of affectionate devotion to Herself, throne, and Family. “ It is my most earnest prayer, gentlemen, that in the portions of this island now so unhappily disturbed by the savage hostility (characterised by the greatest cruelties) of certain hostile natives, the blessings of peace may speedily be restored, through the energy which has already been displayed by the colonists, and the guidance of Almighty God. “Your expressions of affectionate interest in all that concerns my future welfare and usefulness in the career wbifeh I have chosen, are such as to demand ano less cordial response on my part. I assure you they will never be forgotten.

“ Alfred. 11 To the Superintendent on behalf of the inhatants of the Province of Wellington.” His Honor then read an address from the Maoris, to which his Royal Highness made a suitable reply. THE APPEARANCE OF THE DUKE. As his Royal Highness read the reply, there was an excellent opportunity of observing his personal appearance. He is middle-sized, and slightly built, and yet possesses a well-proportioned figure. His dress, a very dark blue frock coat and tweed trowsers, with the orthodox black hat, was at once quiet and gentlemanly, though there was a certain florid taste shown in the large amount of jewellery worn in the shape of rings. His features are regular and well shaped ; the nose aquiline, the brow smooth and large, the mouth and chin cut cleanly as a sculptor’s work. He read his reply to the address rapidly, but in a clear voice. THE PROCESSION. After the reply had been read, the Duke entered a handsome barouche and four, accompanied by his Excellency Sir George Bowen, the Hon. Elliott Yorke, and Commodore Lambert. A second carriage contained the members of the Ministry, and a third the American, French, and Belgian Consuls. A procession was then formed. It was an imposing spectacle. The whole volunteer force looked remarkably well in their neat and pictureresque uniform, and were apparently thoroughly efficient in drill and training. Captain Boys’ troop 6 Greytown Cavalry made quite a feature in the spectacle. The men were all picked plucky fellows, mounted on excellent nags, which they managed to perfection, and their arms and accoutrements were in perfect order. The Hutt Cavalry also turned out admirably, while the city and country volunteers, the members of the Fire Brigades, the Bands and the Friendly Societies, all made up a procession more imposing than has ever yet been seen in any part of the Colony. THE SCENE AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE. Rapidly the procession moved along past the houses, crowded with gaily dressed gazers, at the windows; past the Odd Fellows’ Hall; past the hotels with their prominent transparencies ; past Mr Owen’s establishment, whose large windows, instead of being filled with temptation to extravagance in the form of bareges, silks, and muslins, were filled with infinitely more dangerous temptations by the presence of a bevy of pretty girls ; past Brandon’s corner; up Molesworth-street, and Government House is reached at last. Here the Duke’s carriage was driven in, and all the other carriages formed in line up Molesworth-street. The volunteers also lined the street. On entering <aie domain we found a pretty and interesting scene. Ladies gaily dressed, and gentlemen in orthodox black were marshalling in order 1500 little children, who, on the signal being given, sang the National Anthem, with infinite spirit and effect. It was pleasant to hear their silvery voices pealing forth in that beautiful National Anthem, so expressive of devotion and loyalty, and the effect was very impressive. THE GALATEA. The following particulars regarding the Galatea, will be read with interest :—The

Galatea was built at Woolwich, and launched in 1859. Her length over all is 317 ft., . breadth 50 ft., horse-power 800, tonnage 3227. Her speed under steam, when new, was 13 knots, the indicated horse-power being 3515, She carries the following armament, namely,—On the main deck, 18 guns, 10-inch 6-J tons ; on the quarter-deck 2 guns, rifled 64-pounders ; on the forecastle, 2 guns, rifled 64-pounders. The 6J-ton guns throw a shot of 115 lbs., and a large double shell weighing 1361b5., with a bursting charge of 121bs. powder. Her draught of water, with three months’ pro visions on board, is—aft, 22 feet 7 inches, forward 21 feet 8 inches ; the height of the foremost port above the water line is 12 feet 9 inches ; the height of the middle port 10 feet 64 inches ; and that of the after port 12 feet 5 inches. She can stow 700 tons of coal in her boxes, and 72 tons of water. » / ' / THE VISIT TO NELSON. / /The Galatea arrived at Nelson on Sunday last, at 11 a.m., with the Prince, accompanied by Sir George Bowen, but our space will not allow us to describe the whole particulars as detailed by the Nelson papers. At 10 a.m. on Monday, a salute from the Galatea was replied to by the Volunteer Artillery. On landing, the Duke was received by the Superintendent, and the Reception Committee, the Volunteers, under Major Morse, forming a guard of honor. The Duke entered a carriage in waiting, drawn by four greys, and a procession was formed, of members of friendly societies, police, firemen, school children, the Government officials, members of the Council, &c., who accompanied him to the Government Buildings. The reception is described as most enthusiastic on the part of both the settlers and the natives, who mustered in great force. The latter gentry 'decorated themselves in the traditional x costume, with the head-dress and paint complete. After receiving a number of ■ addresses, the Prince held a levee, when numerous persons were presented. He then went to lunch at Panama House, and afterwards, accompanied by Sir David Monro, he drove out to the Waimeas, returning to dinner at the Panama House in the evening. At 10 o’clock he entered the ball-room, the whole of the company present being drawn up in one grand quadrille. With Lady Monro for a partner, the Prince opened the ball. Sir George Bowen, with Mrs.- Richmond, being their vis a vis. Supper was served at 12 o’clock in a splendid niarquee, beautifully decorated for the occasion, when tables'were laid for 300 persons. : /£he Prince took in Lady Monro, and the Governor Mrs. Richmond. After the supper, the usual loyal toasts were followed by the toast of the evening—The Duke of Edinburgh. The Duke replied as follows : “Ladies and gentlemen, —I thank you most ‘ sincerely for the warm reception which you have accorded to the toast that has just been proposed, as well as to the two toasts which preceded it. it affords me much gratification to be present here this evening, and to receive the evidences of your regard and good wishes. In referring to this Colony, his Honor the Superintendent termed it an inconsiderable Colony ; but I assure you that no Colony of the Empire is in the eyes of her Majesty an inconsiderable one, for her Majesty takes a lively interest in all parts of her dominions, however distant they may be, and that interest is as great with respect to small Colonies as to large ones. For myself, I can only say that I have experienced great pleasure from the visit which I am now making to New Zealand, and I have to thank the profession to which I belong for the opportunity it has afforded me of paying this visit.” The ball lasted till past 4 in the morning, and is described as, without doubt, the most brilliant ever held in Nelson. On Tuesday, the Prince attended the races, in which, we learn, he took a lively interest, making wagers with many wellknown gentlemen, among whom Mr. Stafford, the owner of Lacenfeed, was most prominent, enchanting everyone by his courteous and affable manner. In the evening the Prince took her departure for the Galatea, when the people turned out en masse to bid him farewell. Early on Wednesday morning, he took his departure for Lyttelton."" ' ~" ’"" "~”"