THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH'S VISIT.

Southland Times, Issue 891, 31 January 1868, Page 2

THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH'S VISIT.

(to the editor of the southland times.) j Sir, — It is at length officially notified that the , Duke of Edinburgh will visit Otago, and it may be i inferred that through tliis means the whole of the Southern Provinces from which invitations may have been received. Shall we invite His Royal Highness to visit Southland ? There can be no question as to a deep settled feeling of loyalty existing in this Province, and a very general wi-h is expressed to see and welcome the Queen's sailor son, Prince Alfred. The question is, can we afford to parade our loyality at the present time? If we should be foolish enough to ape the insane extravagancies that have been displayed in South Australia, Victoria, and other places, I would most emphatically answer — no. But if, on the other hand, we could content ourselves with aiming simply to give the Prince a hearty, unostentatious, and inexpensive welcome, the reply i 8 — y e8 1 There can be little question that the Royal visitor should not be allowed to leave New Zealand without an effort being made to secure his inspection of this Province, it being the lands' end, as it were, of New Zealand, however humble our efforts might bs, as far as demonstration was concerned, the last port visited would long remain green in his memory. Shall we invite His Royal Highness to pay Southland a visit? We should. By corresponding with the Otago Reception Committee, it is probable that its programme might be so arranged as to ensure the Royal party visiting the Lake District, and from thence pass through a large portion of the best country in the Province, and the best cultivated in New Zealand. This overland journey would be pleasing to the Prince, satisfactory to all the communities en route, and most completely meet the wishes of the people of Southland. It is now known that the Duke of Edinburgh is fond of inland journeys, and that he has experienced so much fulsome homage that a trip from Dunedin would not be objected to ; and the simpler the reception at Invercargill, the better he would be pleased. Sometime since a committee was formed for the purpose of inducing His Excellency the Governor to recommend His Royal Highness to visit Invercargill. At that time it was extremely doubtful if he would visit any of the Middle Island Provinces, and consequently action was suspended. Now that it is certain that he will visit Dunedin, some steps should at once be taken to forward an invitation to him to visit this city, coming via the Lakes ; and also secure the co-operation of the Otago committee in carrying out the suggestion. The Bluff being the final port of embarkation, the noble ship " Galatea" would remain some days in the harbor, and no doubt every facility would be afforded the inhabitants to inspect her. If anything is to be done, it should be done at once. — Yours, &c., Citizen Invercargill, January 30, 1868.