THE ROYAL VISIT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIII, Issue 119, 12 June 1901, Page 3

THE ROYAL VISIT.

THE UHOIH6 AT jTuCHLANO. THE DECORATIONS. ▲ SPLENDID 81GHT. [PBB PBHSB ASSOCIATION.] Auckland, June 11. For heartiness and enthusiasm the initial we'eome to the Duke and Duchtsa of Cornwall to New Ztalaod ■hoi e«>, which took plies at 2 o'clock to-day in Auckland, could sot have been excteded in any part of tbe Empire so far visited by tho regal party. Tho arrangements made for the reception were as perfect as enthusiasm and loyal ingenuity could devise, * nd the Royal p irly could not fail to be impressed with the demonstration ac corded them. Many weeks of loving labour on the part of the Government, c : vic authorities, and tbe Auckland public had fulminated in a display which, the population considered, could no> havefa'len short of anything done by way of welcome to the Heir Apparent and the Duchess in Australia. Deorative ait was exhaused ie the city and the picture presented thereby wjs unique in tbe history of tbe colony. Auckland to day wfsa seething mass of peripatetic humani'y. iJn'il noon, when all had sat tied ioto their pi c s, the ferry botts, omnibuses and coast 1 •te imtrs con'inued to land their living freight to swell tbe multitude already gathered along the live precessioo, but great as was the concoursa and intense as was tbe excitement, i>o mishap of serious import had to ba recorded. This morning broke glotiously, though not unclouded, and a mild north-westerly breeza spread out the bunting with charming effect. In line between the City and North Shore were the war vesse's, and the Ophir, aod her pilet steimers, the Royal George and Juno; and a pretty picture they formed. The Mrdieval and the Modern beiag represantei in the naval display. Loikisg city-words from the pier head, the wharf and city blossomed with bmnerett*B and flags of all colours and nation?. Q ieen Street was panoplied with natural and artificial decorations of .great beauty, and enhanced the ordinary charm of the " Corinth of the South," as Aucklanders love to call their city, Fiom the h«ad of Queen-streat wharf to Wakefidd-street Venetian masts bad been erected on each Bide, and from these depended a continuous chain of greenery, with intervening laps of similar material from each mast. The themselves were decked with nikau palms and ferns, and the eflect was very floe. From mastheads flew bannerettes cf red, white abd blue, and underneath each was fixed a shield round which the Prnoe <>f Wal s f«,athera were imitated in toi' toi grass. Generally gp;aking, this kind of stieei decoration characterised the entire route. The arch a were solidly and artistically built. The fi'st one (at tho pier heid) through which the Royal party piseed after the landing, was one compared of pa'm and fern froids, surmounted by the Royal arms aod bearing in silver letters " Wei com?." At the foot of the whirf, near the reception stand, was an arch between two lighthouse towers. Tb'S bore tha Maori word " Haeremai." At the intersection of Queen and Victoria streets was the Government, arch—a copy of the splendid marble arch in Hyde Park, London. The crown of tho arch rises to a be-gbt of 42 feet above the roadway, and 30 feet over the side arches. The tatil length across the street is 90 fs-t. At the top of the structure is written in large letters " Welcome," and over the side Arches are the words " Cornwall" and' York," with the distinguishing shield of each country draped with flags. Over the aentre of the arch is the Maori greeting "Ka Aroha tonu, ake ! *ke! Abe !" which may be interprrted, " Unjhmgins love, forever, forever, forever !" Near the Town Ha'l was a living . 'Union Jack compos-d'of children. The private decorations are exceedingly fin», representing numerous loyal devices and abounding in p!fc";uresque illuminations intended to be still more brilliant through the nigbt. By noon all the line of route war densely thronged in the open ard on the htu33 tops, but there was no confusion or disorder. The arrangements at tbe whraf and in Princes-street were entirely satisfactory, and reflect credit upon the Government Commissioner* and the several committees and functionaries. Everything worked automitioilly, and a'l offic als and guests were comfortably settled in their places long before the duc»l pvfcy landed. Tha landing wis a great sue 'ess, though a brisk shower fell throughout the reception. The horse 3 in the first carriage, occupied by Lidy Liggon and Cok», Lidies-in-Waiting, became restive, and one fell twice. T'e ladies go's into another carriage and were unalarmed. The Duke of York announced the proclamation of the King annexing Cook Island amid great cheering. | [Just as we were going to press a long account of the landing came to hand.]

PROOBBDING3 elsewhere in the COLONY. Wellington, June 11. On tho signal being given to-day of the Roval landing in Auckland salutes we r e fired by tho Permanent Artitlerv and flags hoisted from public and priva** b'lildings. To night all Governm nt buildings are brilliantly illuminated, and arrangements will provide for a strikingly brau'iful dis play of illuminations on the night of the Duke's arrival in Wellington. The general Pjs6 Office press's a fine epictatfe, being lit by fully two thousand lights. The gene: al arrangement here are well forward. Nelson, June 11. This affcernoin a Royal salute w<s fire! by th<? Artillery, and a*; eic l \ s?hool flags were hoVed and salut d. the childran singing the National Anthem. In the eveaina the street? were crowded to see the il'utninations, and a procession of Volunteer?, including the Wakitu M >nnteds and the Fire Brigade with torches and coloured firej. The most effective illuminations were at the Post Office. The proee-sion mirchel up Church Hill, where the p:ople sang " God Save the Kin?." Blenheim, June 11. Tee demonstration h- Id this af'erBO>n to celebra'e the landing ( .f t'ej Duke was lirgely atteidad. Th* Mayor addressel a large gathering of children. Tne G-.varnment bu ldiogs are illuminate-!, and festivi iei are being continued to-night. Dunboih, June 11. On receipt of tho message of the |aadiog of tho Roy*! party a Royal

salute was fired by the B Battery, ibgs were run up on public btii'diugs and tho principal places of bu-ines?, while at all school* th • U u i m Jac't was also hoisted. In the tiv<niog tha Po*t and Teleiiaph Offij-c, Customs Hops-, aod J Govexuie'.t li.suianca buiklirgs wete illuminated HOISTING THE ENSIGN AT THE SCHOOLS. At the Central School the hoisting of ' the New Zealand Ersign was a very j fffec'iveceiemony. There were present 1 in addition to the teaching st ft', His Worship the Miyor (Mr. E. Dockrill), ' Mr. AllsKorih, rtpres nting theEJucation Board, several- members of the ■ Town School Cemmitte?, Captain Taunton, and a large number of parents and 1 friends of the scholars, The children ' of the three town schools assembled in ' tbe playground at the back of the Central Schoj), wher?, with the c»deta in uniform, they made an imposing array. On tbe tower was s'atione i a bty who watched lor the hoisting of the flag at the Government Buildirgi and immediately this signil was given if tho landing of the Riyal pirty tha fchool bell rang out, as did o'hew in town, engines shrieked, an ! a writable babel of Found rent ths air. Imraedii'ely on the signal be'n;; received th.< cadets were c lied to attention and pre-en(td arms. Then the 1 xhildtrn, under the leade r ship of Mr. i G-ay, sang tbe Nifnnnl Antbem. Mr > Dempvy, thq headmaster, bo : stei the ' fl.g, but i*. was such a low pola that if. • could not citch sufficient breez? to lift it from it 3 hanging posit'on. The ' r ade s then fired a feu dejoie, the fik ! fi'ing being very gooi. Mr. Fred Bell- • ring"", in the absence of tbe ObairmaD of the School Committee, Mr. Colli?, i th"n addressed a few remaiks appropriate to the occasion, and cil!ed for three cheers which were heartily given. Hia Worship the Mayor, Mr. Dockril 1 , ' also addressed the children in a pitri--1 otic strain. " Rula Britannia" was ' then sung. The eidets were then put thiongh some evolutions and justly earned the hearty applause which greeted the intelligent and preci-e manner in which they acquitted themselves, especially in tbe march past, which was very perfect for su'h young soldierc. The assembly then dispersed. At the Hieh School the flag was not hoisted until some twenty minutes after the proper time.

THE ILLUMINATIONS. In the matter of illuminations the Government had no competitor?, as the only attempt made in this direction was cinfined to the Government Buildings, where there were two large tran»parencies, which had b' on sent from Wellington, aod a seiies if smaller ones occupying the space of the upper sash at each of the windows oa the first floo ■; thesn «re the handiwork of the local t u staff. In the centre of the building » as a 1 »rgs g is jet Crown flanked with the letters " E R," Had this on the tip of tbe building the general eff-ct would have been greatly enhanced, but notwithstanding the d'sadvan'age which the transparencies were under f/om the of this flaming devic, the gpneral effect was very pretty, and elicited much admiration. Mis-ra Smart Brolht-rs carried out all the lighting work, while Mr Brooking was responsible for the structural portions. Though little tine was given for prepar itior, the result was most creditable to all conearned. The portrait transparencies were very real, and it almost eeemed as if the Royal pprsoniges were actually standing at the w.ndows, and appreciating the attendance of tbe vast concourse assembled in front of the building. The Guards turret out, headed by tbe City Bind, which phyfid a selection of music which added just that finish to the gathering which it nred< d tj give a plensent recollection of the occasion to all present. We undeistand tVe illuminations will bi repeated when the Royal party land-i at Wellington. Possibly fomo efforts may then be mada to enlarge the attraction, so that our country neighbours may participate in the event.

• ARRANGEMENT FOR VETERANS. Captain Webster has rt ceived a telegram from Mr. stating that all vtterans having railway pass s from «tati".ns north of Wamganui may usi the Manawatu lino, the company] honouring tin Government pa«s<s. The guird on the Marawafcu line may ask for the war medal to ensure that the h"ld«tr of tha piss is a ve'eran. Anyone found using a fr e pass unless fn'itled to do so may be proceeded against, therefore those not intending to ti to Wellington sh >uld ®post tbe free pass back to ensure against it getting into wrong bands. In another column will be found fn advertisement relating to the matter.