THE ROYAL VISIT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIII, Issue 119, 13 June 1901, Page 2

THE ROYAL VISIT.

LAWQIMS IT rniAM. ADDRESS OF WELCOME.

THE DUO'S BEPLY. [per pbbss association.] Auckland, Juno 11. At 1.30 o'clock tho Governor airived at the wharf. Tlie Premior, dressed in Court ucifoim, tho Hons. J. G. Ward, similjily altircd, the Hon. J. MuQowau aail T. Duncan had preceded hiij Excellency by a few minntes, Mrs and Miss Ruby Selfeoa accomp.injiug the Piemiur,

The Governor, his attendants, and the Ministry proceeded aboard the Ophir, the Governor and Commodore Winslow leading the way, followed by Mrs and Miss Seddon, the Members of the Ministry, and Captains Boscowen i>nd Dudley Alexander bringing up the rear. The party proceeded to the Royal drawing room, where his Excellency Lo d Ranfurly introduced them, to the Royalties. The Premier then presented an address of welcome to the clony to the Duke, the text beisg as follows:

" On behalf of the prople of New Zealand we tender hearty congratulations on your Royal Hi gun rases' safe arrival, aDd Wulcome you to the fiist coloiy founded after the accession to the throne of jour illustrous relative, our late good and gracious Queen, whee good-works and virtues will ever live in pleasant and imperishable memory. Tbe visit of Your Royal Highnesses has caused genera) rejoicing, and we feel deeply indebted to his Gracious Msj j sty for contenting thereto, and to your Royal Highnesses for laying aside natural indications and home endearments at a trying time to come to this far distant pirt of the Empi'e. We assure your Royal Highnesses of the continual attachment and devotion cf tbe people of tbe land of the Maori and Pounamu to his Gracious Majesty the King, and the unflinching loyalty to the throne and constitution. We beg with pleasure to inform your Rnyal Highnesses that th« pejpla of both races are living in amity together, and the noble Maori r.'so now revise their present conditions and environments, and are taking part in self-government. They an loyal, happy, ciiitented, and iocieising in numbers. We hops that whilst you a> e with us the pleasures of your Royal Highne-ses m*y be innumerable and unalloje l , sad that our mountains, vi.loanoo ', g t .v or?, gliclor', bemtifnl bush, lakes, varied natural won'ore, fertile and favoured lands may favourably impress you and ever he a i leasant lecolteoion We venture to hope that it ouy be pleasing to your Royal Highnesses to know that the prospect of the boundaries of the colony being ex- . •e«d»d jgives satisfaction al k« to the people living in the islands and to the inhabi an*s of New Z.alandi. One aal nil join in wishing you long life, health, and happ'n-ss, and a safe return to the dear Motherland, R, J. Seddon, Prenie ; J. Q. Ward, Oolo_Ll Secreary ; J. Carroll, Native Minister; James MrGowan, Minister for Mines ; W. C. Walker, Minister for Education; W. Hall-Jones, Minister for.PuWic Works ; T. Y. Duncm, Minister for Lands ; C. H. Mills, Commissioner of Cu'tom"."

The addrrsa was eocWd in a be»uifn'cask t of true Mnori design and wo ked out wi h true artistii skill, The bare cafk-t is composed of ilabs of greenstone ret in solid gold; the mount'ngs are heavily chased with Maori patterns. On one side are the arms of ' l ie Duke of C) 1 mvall, and on the other the New Z aland colours in solid gold hi id enamel. The four cornets are fl-nk-d with squ ire pillars of polishsd gr oncto&e surmount d by a kiwi in •xidised silver. The pi'lars and caskis s'&nd on an inlaid platform t brautifu'ly worked in N w Zealand woods. 1 h« pi tform itself stands upon two •J'her bines of ra-e New Zealand woods. On the top of the casket is a Maori >v*r ccno3 carved in s : lver, wi»h a!) el 'borate prow and s'eru n his'oric lei cs. The fi urea in ca oe aro in silver, lift'iig up goldeq puddles in talu'p 'I |iih o nao\W< CODt : »i s a phot -g'nphic cpy of the address. The whole is enclosed in a c. sket of New Zaa'nnd wo da. There is an in-c ipti >n that it i* piweoted by ili> Misters for a> d on bihalf of tbe people of New Zo l<rd a« ti souvenir of 'l9 visit of their Royal H'gknessM, TioDik) having accepted the address and ca >'ie*, delivered the following reflj : - " Mr. S ddon and ge itl men,— " On belm'f < f tho D'icl-.ess and myself, I I hank you ai d the people ef New Zaltud most sinonrcly for the hearty we'o uo you rffer us, and for your nympn lictic r. fer-noe to the loss we have su t ined through the death of our beloved and ever - lamented Quten—a loss which we share w>th the whole. Empire. On behalf of the King, my dea- father, I d-siro also to thank you for your assuiar.ce of the contioual attachment and devrtticn of the people of New Ziabnd »o his throne and person, and of their unflinching lyalty. Of that loyalty tli-y have already given iiiOst signal p- oofs.. The readiness and promptitude with which tbe Government and p ople of New Z- alacd sprang to tbe a'S.s.viiM in the atruggh still unhippily puce.ding in South Africa will be remembered wiih gratitude by h ; s and the people of the United Ki gdom. Your action in that ma'ter h s proved to the world th«t your appreciation of the benefits you enjoy as citizens of the British Empire will, whenever the o casion aiisns, hn shown by Je d«, not words, and that you are prjpned to shire in tbe tespon-i'bility of rniint ining the glorious traditions and heritage which are your birth-r ght cs much as that of the poop'e of tha Mo'hrUnd, I am e'ad tn l arn tl-at the inhabitants of New Zr land are prosperous and happy, and that the Maoris, whose rumbers are now increasing, are living in complete ami'y with their fallow sub-

ject.s and are c l operi'ing with them .in 'he work of self • sove nment. ' T 1 e inclusion in this colony < f the Ci ok and othe.- islai.dn, a st«-p which I unl< island h s the full concurrence of i 'h« : r inhabitants, will, with tlo smni wise and sympathetic syntem of g iv.<rnnient which hia secured the rontentm -nt an 1 happinesi of th i Mnrs, I hiive no doubt ba of Im'ing adv-mtage ro the people. I ieg-ot that the hritf pe ioi of our stay will prwfnt u< from seem? Ms m'ich as we ©mid nigh of the mmy hevuties ard natural phe omma of your isl»n Is ; b'ifc wo shtll surely carry with us the pi auint and lastiie re oil c'ion» of the warm h and curr ia'ity of our rtcep'ion and your kindii'Bß and good wishes on our behalf." Miss Rnby Seddon then prrsen'ed her Royal Highnrss with a beautiful shower bouquet if white rosea and violets pioked out with maiden-hair

ferns and tied with white and purp'e ribbons-. This over, the actual landing was effected. Bsar-Admiral B aamont, accomptnied by aeveral officers of the squadron, preceded the R->yal party by , Je»eral minutes, marching up the >Wiarf. The party then entered the carriages and proceeded to the reception platform, where the civic addresses and presentations were made in a drizzling rain. Miss Kidd (daughter of the Chairnan of the Harbour Board) presented to tha Duchess a magnificent bouque' of flowers. A choir from the Choral and Liedertafel Societies sang the! National Anthem, being led by the Waibi Brass Band. His Royal Highness, upon stepping forward to speak, received a tremendous ovation. When quiet was restored be said:—

" It ia with fee'ingg ef intense satisfaction that after our long voyage we bava at last set foot on your countty, which we both have always been so anxious to vi»it. It is especially interesting to me that the first ceremony is which I take pirt is to hear bis Excel - lency the Go»error read by the Kieg's command the proclamation announcing the inclusion of the Ccok Islands with New Zealand." (Great applause and cheers.) Lord Rmfurly then read a foimal proclamation of the txter.sion of rhr boundaries of the colony of New Zsalt nd so as to include the Cook Island

group and all other islands within the boundary lines specified as from the date of 11th of June, 1901. The proclamation was a signal for renewed cheering. His Excellency then called for three cheers for the King, which were heaitily accorded. Mr. Seddon followed by calling for cheers for the and also for the Duke and Duchcfcs.

The Rojal party then re! urncd to the

carriages, and the procession started up Queen-ftreet and completed the route amidst enthusiasic cheering. The front portion of the Royal escort consisted of the Auckland Mounted Rifles and returned trooper?. Ths lear portion consisted of the Seddon Light Hot sc. Behind the Royal procession was a colamn of all the Friendly Societies of Auckland, and five band?. On arrival at Government Hou ethe head cf the profession continued dorcn Waterloo Quadrant and marched straight; back to their quarters, none of the troops enteiing Government House ground?. To-night the town is swarming with residents and visitors. Tbe illuminations and Preworks were never 1 efore approached in excellence. The stree'B weie packed to a late hour. The illuminations were can* d oat on a magnificent scale. Paine's fireworks surpassed anything evjßr seen is the colony. There was a fioe display of electric lights, and almost every commercial establishment exhibited illumitated deaigos, pictures, and mottoes, besides bang brilliantly lighted and set off with fairy lamp?. The Boyal yacht and tbe Royal Arthnr had a grand display of electric ligh'g.

Not a single serious mishap h9s been recorded. The Duke held 8 reception at Government House, at which 500 peisons were present,* YESTERDAY'S PROCEEDINGS. THE MILITABY RBVIK W—A SPLENDID PAGEANT. LAYING THE FOUNDATION BTONE MAORI GIRLS' COLLEGE. * AboklxArd, June 12.

The chitf feature of to-day's demonstrations was a review of military forces, at Potter's Paddock, of four thousan I me* and cadets, including eleven hundred b'uejacke's and marines from H.M.'s Ophir, Royal Arthur, Juno, and the Austialian Squadron.

Great numbers rf citizens and visitors viewed the brilliant ppec'aclp, which'was never befoie fcjuilfed here. Among the troof s wera about ri&y re'qr- ed tpK pers I'rouj South Africa, apd fchool cadttp, who a/quitted themselves splendidly. The grandstand and fi'ld presented a finesctne, fall of life and tnthasiasm. The Ministerial Party was present. Mr Seddon, in. Court unifrrm, was received with cheers.

Toe troopi were in position by eleven o'clock, and at half-pa-t tleven the Duchess of Oornwa'l and suite a>rived at the pavilion, accompanied by the Governor and Lord Wenlock. 11l the first carriage was Lady Ranfurly and Lady Constance Knox, and th< Hon. E. Hill-Trevor, A.O.C. Some o? Admiral Beaumont,'s st if accomp >n : ed the party. The carriages diove to the pivilion, where the pur'.y alighted and lock th'ir seats.

The Dake, shortly aftsr, with a brilliant staff, was ushered into <he field with ringing cheers. The cavalcade piovided a magnificent spectac'e as it rode np the fitld. Ths Duke wore the scarlet uniform of a colonel of the Guards, surmounted by a huge busby which ilmest buried his face. His staff included Piioce Alexandar of Teck, gorgeous in a Hussar uniform ; Viscount Crichton, and the Duke of Boxburg#, magnificent in the gleaming cuirastes acd waving plume* if the Royal Hcrae Guaids; Sir Arthur Bigg«>, M*jor Kcrek Keppel, and Major J. H. Ber, 'lhe Duke rode a pret'y chestnut horse, end was followed by the staff in two. line*, Princa Alexander oF Teck riding abreast of his Royal Highness. The party were received with & Royal Salute on arriving io fioat of the pivilion, while the Royal Standard was uufuiled on the pavilion 11 gats if. The party then wheeled, and faced the tloops with the D»ki in front, while the massed bands p'ay<d the opening bars of the National Anthem amid heirty cheers. His Royal H'gbness then rode round the l : ne accompanied by his s aff atd Col. PeDton. The cadets were inspected ! fjrst, then the Naval Brigade and the other difmouLted livops.acd finally, the moun'ed m> n. TijH over the Duke and staff to k up their prsition iU the saluting base for the much pist. Oa the pivilitn b-hind tie Duke andet tf were the Duchers of York and Lady: Catherine Coke, Lord Wenlotk, Sir. Dopal i MecKens'e Wallace ( f tha foyal Lord and Lady Ranfur'y, Jiidy Conistanco Klox, Captains Bosca'wen atd Hill-Trevor, A.D.C.V., Admirol B aun.ont and itaff, the Premier and Mrs. and Miss Saddou, Hod. J. G. Ward snd others.

The bands took up a p sitio i in front of the trcops. The marcb'pasfc commenced af. rocn, the I aorfs stiik ng tip a lively quicks* ep. The Naval Brigade leceived the greatest ovaticn of the day, as ccmpeny after company mirched past with machinelike precision, the white helmets marking pei feet lines, and each line moving Mgnenan. Anoth' r ovation awaittd the South African troopers, who

tmrch d pa-t n i xt, headed by Capt Tod-', D.S.O. Tmy marched in two lines at comp iiy distanc , \vtaring bandolier-', bu" carrying no : rms Tee tn unted troops agaiu got rouad to sfarti -i' po'nt and they n ;w rame pas'; his 11 y.il Highness a>. a tivt, re-c-iviDg another ery cordial rec> ptiou from th'i oi.lookers. Finally the whole force formsd up in linq of battalion in quarter column of division o , adv.incel in - r« view ordsr, and salutad. This enrled th? review.

The Duke subsequently presented the medals to relumed troopers. In the afternoon the Dunhesi laid the foundation etone of the Q iepn Victoria High School for Maori Girls. To-night the rity is throDged and the stree's beau'ifully illuminated.