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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5143, 17 September 1877, Page 2

It is no wonder that the laud north of the Tweed is attractive to the R iyal Family, for whenever its members visit Scotland they are sure to meet with a hearty enthusiastic welcome. It will be remembered tb it the Prince and Princess of Wales visited Glasgow in October last, when his Royal Highness laid the foundation stone of the new Post Office. The 17th of that month must have been a great day in Glasgow, judging from the amount disbursed by the Town Council in providing the trappings and accessories to the splendor which usually surround the presence of Royalty. It will be noted that the local magnates of the second centre of population in the Empire are content to be called plain Town Councillors, the more dignified appellation of “ City" not yet being the prefix of the local body. The bill of expenses in connection with the Royal visit presented last July to the Glasgow Town Council and passed tots up to over £9OOO, an outlay which would swallow up the whole general rate of the city of Wellington, or almost that of any other place in New Zealand. This was completely independent of the disbursements of private parties. The items in the amount were of the most varied character, scarcely a trade not being engaged in the work of preparation. The flags and their fixings alone cost £2OOO, which are put down after the display as an asset worth about £3OO. They must have been tolerably numerous, or Glasgow dust must be of a peculiarly adhesive nature, tor we notice that after they had done duty on the great gala day the washerwoman’s bill for making them again presentable amouitel to ten guineas. The illumination of the University buildings cost the Corporation £4so— expenditure which should throw a strong light round that noted seat of learning. The cost of official robes and court hats for magistrates, river bailies, treasurer, master of works, &c.—sixteen in all—was put down at a trifle over £3OO. Birmingham also some short time ago was most enthusiastic in the reception of Royal visitor's, and such events are instructive, as showing the feeling with which the reigning family of Great Britain is regarded by the inhabitants of the. large manufacturing towns, which are generally supposed to be imbued strongly with republican principles.