DEPARTURE of PRINCE ALFRED.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IV, Issue 134, 10 June 1869, Page 2

DEPARTURE of PRINCE ALFRED.

His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh took his final departure from the colony on June Ist, carrying with him, we are sure, the good wishes of all its inhabitants. In accordance with the express wish of His Royal Highness no public display was made, and early ia the morning he embarked privately from the Wynyard Pier. A boat containing his Excellency the Governor, tbe Hon. Elliot Yorke, Lieutenant Haig, Captains Pitt and Smith, and Lienteoant-Colouel Elliot, afterwards put off; and his Excellency, with ihe other geutlemen of the party, remained on board the Galatea until a few minutes before the departure of the vessel. Ata quarter to ten o'clock the Galatea was observed to be underweigh, and the yards of the Blanche were quickly manned. As the vessel steamed slowly down the harbour, under half steam, a royal salute was fired by the 18th Regiment, R.L, .from Fort Britomarf*, whicli was taken up by H.M. s. Blanche, in quick time, and lor some minutes the Galatea was' completely hid from the view of tho spectators standing on the wharf by the dense smoke which issued from the guns. His Royal Highness will proceed to Yokohama direct, his intended visit to the Friendly Islands having been abandoned in consequence of the delay he has experienced in Now Zealaud. The result of the Prince's visit to this colony will probably be viewed in different ways by the inhabitants of Auckland, and some who expected great political benefits to accrue frora it may be possibly disappointed ; but, regarded simply as a private gentleman so far as political influence is concerned, and it is iv that character he has been received in the other colonies, there cannot be two opinions as to the manner in which he has acquitted himself. His private charities while here were most liberal, and before his departure he left £150 for the five provinces which he visited, to be distributed by their respective Superintendents. Amongst other presents which he made we might mention a handsome diamond and turquoise bracelet to Lady Bowen, and diamond pins to Captains Pitt and Smith, the aides-de-camp. The Maori chiefs who presented his Royal Highness with meres, mats, &c, each received gold ornaments. His Royal Highness before leaving, expressed the great pleasure he had experienced afc the hearty reception given him iv all the places he has visited, as well as the personal enjoyment he has felt in visiting the various parts of the colony, and that he will ever carry with hira the best wishes for the future prosperity of the Britain of the South. — Weekly News.