THE ROYAL VISIT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIII, Issue 123, 19 June 1901, Page 2

THE ROYAL VISIT.

RECEPTION- AT WELLINGTON. (PK PBBSS ASSOCIATION.) Welmngtoh, June 18. Drenching rain fell at daylight, and for an hour the clouds threatened a further downpour, but fortunately the rain held off for the remainder of the Jay. There is no doubt the weather | irgely aflVctcd the at' u lanco in the strrets, for instead of being uncomfortab'y crowded, everyone had ample I room to view the proceedings. The absence of crushing was helped by the fact that thousands of spectator* war* ibsorbed by the public and priaate stands erected all along the route. The reception of their Royal Highnesses was marked by the utmost enthusiasm, the cheering being genial and hearty and the peeple were evidently really glad to see their distinguished visitors. The officials ■•ate also that they hrve seldom seen so orderly or good tempered a crowd, and visitoi* from other places are loud iu their praise of the effec'ivene-s and thoroughness in which the proceeding* were carried out._ Four thousand infantry were oa parade, and some < ight hundred raoußted acted as escort, and with the D Bittery really formed tha procession. The volunteers wore ample to line (be whole two miles of the route. At 9 30 the Opbir mov>d up to tbe whaif. The main avenue of Qieen'e wburf was lined by veterans 200 strong, and on the outer tee the navels formed % guard of honour. The Governor, Admiral Beaumont, ard the Ministers pub in an appearonce at 10.45, Messrs S.iddon and Ward being in Windaer uniform. All the Cabinet were present 'except Mr Carroll. Precisely at 11 o'clock their Royal Highnesses cams down the gangway, and the salute pealed forth. The Chairman, Mr Beaucamp, and members of the Harbour Bjard received them, and tie Chairman, and Mr Fergoson the Sec* retary were presented, The former's lit la daughter baring handed the Duchess a bouquet, no time waa lott, and the canitges were imm diately filled and moved off to tbe whatf gates. The Duke was attired in an Admiral's uniform and tbe Duchess in black. As soon as their Highnesses appeared outside the gate* thty f< und themselves confronted by a dense mass of people who filled the lofty staging erected along Jervois Quty, and cheered heartily. The band played md the people eu-'g the Nat'onal Anthem. The Mayor (Mr. Aitken) who was dre eed for the first time in official robts, presented the municipal addrefg, at the sime time welcoming their Highnesses and expnesing a hope that the weather would be good enough to alio* them to eojoy thtir visit. Tne Duk« courteously replied "Thank Yon," and without more ado the pro-c-ssion started off along the Quay, pi-ceded by carr ages bearing the suite, mid fo'lowed by an escort of mounted inf.ntry about 700 strong. Along most of tbe rcu'e the Dukv. aud Duchess woe bus : ly engaged returning the greetings of the people. Upon their arrival at Government House ithe Doke inspected the City Rifiee who were drawn upas a guard of honour,flanked by the Garrison Band, and, without delay, the Consul', ten in number, were presented.

CONFERRING HONOURS. Tben came tha surprig 3 bonne boueht, which had been k' p', out of 4>e official program me, and w s only netifieJ at tha la-t m >morit, tha inve«titu?ej ti tha Or Jet'of St. Mch <el and St. George, Upon the dais, at the end of the draw-mg-room, stood the Duke and Duchess, acs rap-.n ed by Lady Ranfurly ani Prlnco Alexander of Ttck. In tha centra of the to m Yi«oount Criohton d reidy with the irs ; gnia of tha orrie>' on a vtlvt t cushion. The mars of lvavily lacel un'fi ring of the suite, lie Consul* and others had a fire effeo*, und gave an imposing character to the e*-remo ny, In n clear voire Sir Arthu Rigee, rad the Letters Putcnt under the sign Manual of' h ■ King; empowering his t-on to confer iti;iiitiea on h<s «e'l beloved subjects. His Excellency tli» Governor w«s first c+lled foith, and supported hy Lord Weolock and Sir A. Bigg", and preceded by Visoouot Origh'o >, he advanced to tha dais, kn ding on a cushion. His Royal Highnes* touched him lightly on 6'ch shoulder with a sword, and then affixed tha Grand Cross «f th« Order. Retiring backwards with repeited biws, Hia Excellency d;ew sside, and tha Hon. J. Q, Ward, supported by Sir J. An ergon <> d Sir R. Stout, can>e forward, th same cer mony being r.peated. Col. GudgfOi and <he Hon. W. C. Walker, Vippor'ed by Col. Byron and Major B>r, »ir« 'hen decorated with tha ird' rof C.M.Q, which they rrcsived siding. The Duke of York shook each recipient by 'hi hand aa he pinned n the badge of the Ordrr. Aa soon stbe ceem.ny was over, Sir J. G. Ward, the Hon. J. C. Walker, and Go), Gudgeon were heartily congratulated by their brother Ministers and frieqds.

INSPRCTION OF VKTKUNS. Aft°r a sVrt in'erval the Duke aad Duchess in petted the veteran*), who were drawn up ia two line* ru'vde Gov rnn ent Home, Accomp&ri'd by Mr. Sodd'-n and Sir J. G. Ward they passed down tho tanks, shopping oooatonally a' some conspicuously decora'ed ,wairior of ether days to converse with him about his experience and achievements. This over, the old men narohrd off to the drill shed, where luncheon awaited them. LAYING THR FOUNDATION BTONK OIP THE TOWN HALL. In tho afurnoon their Royal High* nessea drove frcjn Government Hooae 0 the centre ef the city to lay the founda'ion s'o e of the Town Hall in 'ower Cuba atreet. The ro'ite was (gain thronged with p-ople who ch»errd no' only the Dukeand Dches*, ut tt;o Gov- rno- ao<Lother noiabilitU a. \t the site 1 of p'oplf were iccommo'atel on the (üb'is « n d iriva e s'ands, and a'l Contiguous < re<*'s were crammed. On tha platform were the Admiral, Members of the Mini-try, Councillor-, Judges, Members of Pailiamen', Consult and other no'abilities with many ladiei. The Royal Party were reo-iv.d with the National An'hero and a volley of nh'ers. An ode specially written for the occasion was sung by the ohoir, the Guni«on B.nd supplying the instrunental music. The Mayor, win with In Councillors and nc'ing Town Oleik hud been formally pr*rented "hen stopped fo war! and invitul the I >nto to I y vho s'one. Mr. Ait.krn -aid he duly apptecia'ed the saoriSoe made by the Sovere : gn in illowitg them to come so far. He need not dwell en the loyalty of New Zealand,g« he frit we were p>rt of the Great E«. piro and were as much ittaohtd to 1)^

Mother Country at if living there ourselves. Up to bow there had been no town hall, bat as the town had developed through various stages from a village to a city of considerable dimensiobs, he thought the time had arrived to change things, and they seized the opportunity afforded by the Duke's presence to ask bint to do them this great honor. The Duke was then presented with a trowel of greenstone and gold with a silver blade, a mallet of New Zealand woods with a gold inscribed plate, and a level of gold with greenstone pendent. After going through the forms prescribed on such occasions the Duke said " I declare this s'one well and truly laid." { The Duke then delivered a brief address in which he made reference to the coincidence that the difficult task of arranging dates for so long a voyage should have brought them to Wellington on the Anniversary of Waterloo. He was glad in this way, the new hall would be specially associated with the great Duke's memory, and with the glorious victory that was the corner stone of his preat carer. The Duchess and he would always remember the splendid recei tion given them in Wellington." The Duke's speech was received with great applause, and afte- the Rev. Patterson had off red np a prayer the function ended. After laying the Town Hall foundation stone their Royal Bigness visited the f& e in aid of the Home for Incurables. They remained for abut 20 minute?, and after partaking of afternoon tea, made numerous purchase?. The Duchess was presented with a; bouque f , and appeared very pleased with the proceedings. The following guests are invited to the banquet at Government House tcniehtH.R.H. the Duke of Cornwall, H.R H. the Duchess of Cornwall, Lord and Lady Ranfurly, Prince Alexander of Teck, Rear-Admiral Seymour and staff, Lidy Mary Lygon, Lidy Kitherine Coke, the Right Hon. R. J. and Mrs. Saddon, Lord Wenlock, Mrs. Ktppel, the Hon. C. H. and Mrs. Mills, the Hon. H. and Mrs. Euller, Sir John Anderson, Mrs. Williams, Count and Countcsa DeCourte, Chevalier Marlino, Lord Ciichton, Duke of Roxburgh, Miss Miry Seddon, Captain Alexander, and Colonel Penton.

LUNCHEON TO VRTKRANS AND CONTINGENT. The luncheon given by the Goyernment to the veterans and returned contingents was a magnificent success, over 800 being present, including the Premier, Sir J. G. Ward, G.C.M.G.; the Hods. W. O. Walker, C.M.G.; Cncc&n, Mil's, Colonel Pole Pennon, Lieut-Colonel Newel, and officers of the returned contingents, including M*jor Maddock, Cip'ain Chaytor, Sir Djnald Wallace, and other members of the Duke's suite were also present, and among the vetrans were men wearing decorations for probably every war Bri'ain has been engaged in for the past half century. Most of them weie hale and hearty despite their years. The returned Sou'h' African Contingents received a great ovation on entering the hall. The Premier proposed the only toas'p, receiving a storm of appease in prop'sing " The King." He raid it w»s a greit proof of the love her la'e Majesty Lad for the colonies and the unselfishness of King Edward in cairying out the late Queen's wish that the Dake should visit the colonies. In proposing the toast ef "The Duke and Duchess" Mr. Seddon sa<d he was commanded to apologise for their akgenre from the function on the ground that they were absorbed with wiifc a number r>f other duties, and to state that His Highness appreciated highly the work that the vetprans and South African Continjen's had done for the Empire. In proposing Che hetl'h of the Governor, "the Premier said he hid a'so been commarded to apologise for his abftejice. He eaid it was due to Lord Ranfurly to state that he bad sought out the veteracs and wished 'odo them honour. The colony had been singularly fortunate in the representatives Her Late Majesty sent out, in none more so than the present Governor, who had grave responsibilities cast upon him, but who, as far as possible, can ied out his. duties in a manner to meet tbe wishes oftte people "The veterans and returned con'iegents" was also proposed by the Premier, who said the behaviour and achievements of th« New Zealand Con'ingents in South Africa had ctlled forth the commendation of the Greatest British General, Lord Roberts. He believed if an emergeccy again arcs*, their services would be available. The proceedings closed with the national anthem. The Hoe. John McKerzie is to be gaz<tfed forthwith K.0.M.G., and the Hon. Cidoan, C.M.G. Later.

THIS ILLUMINATIONS. The dull afternoon gave p'ace to s fire clear night, and thousands of prople throngpd the streets to view tV>e illuminations locomotion io the principal throughfares being at almost out of the question. As soon as darkness set in the city broke out into a blaze of light snd co'oar, the spectac'e presented being on« of the brightest and gayest ever seen in Wellington Although many private b lild'ngi mode a good show, the palm must ba given to the various Government edifices, on! of these the Post and Telegraph Office stood out as s brilliant eight. The building from the top of tho flagstaff to the base was a bl-ze of light. .The dfg'gn of the tower in red, white and blue was particularly effect've. On the top of tbe fhgpole was a 1-trge star in comhinat'on dors, and from the dome to the ends of bai'dings ftrinps of colored lights were d ; splayed, the effect beingmost striking, esprci«lly when viewed frrm a distance. The front of the building was *l*o brilliantly lit up, ircluded in illuminations being several appropiiite devicts and mot'o*, wViil each of the windows contained a tranrpirescy Parliament Bui!d>ngs, Government House, printing offices, departmental buildings, and the Government L : fe Insurance were all splendidly illuminited, each hai'ding being picked out by rows of colored lights, which ran up the sides, an-1 alot>g the tops, their fronts being resplendent with many coloured devices mot'os and trar sparaocies. The tower of Government House stood out prominently—a mass of respondent, colour—and tbe scheme of the fruits! illumination on parliament buildings was particutorfy pleasing. Far away in the distance Mount GVk barracks shone out 8 brilliant blaze of Many private fcu'ldirgs were decorated with transparancie* and devices, and Feveral of the arches showed up conspicuously. A splendid show was made by the Wellington G«s Co., which dis-j played forty-two powerful incandescent lamps along the tm of the building. Ijljp Maeipipl pud ffait»nr Bpaad

offices were also tastefully lit up. The Government steamer IVanekai, lying a*; the Railway wii f, was a mass of light and colour, hor ou'line being p'ckfd out with myriads (f lights. Several >onfiie-i were lighted on distant hills. . Taken on a who'p, the city's d'sp'ay to-night, far exceed t.d expectations, snd will long be remembered by many thousands who witnefpsed it. _ A Riyal reception is being held tonight at Government House, large numbers being present. Gisborne, June 18. Much en'husiasm. was evinced here I as the cade's were lowing f r Christchurch to-night. They number 92, Th« trouble as to some being invited and others ovet looked was got over by a message from the Piemier " L?t 'em all come," and there was much cheering for Mr Seddon as the boys left, VALUE OF THE NATIVE PRESENTS. Auckland, June 18. The total value of (hs native presents given to the Duke and Duchiss of York at Rotorua is no v estimate J at between £IOOO and £2OOO. Victo ia K»mp and htr own people alone gavo 87 6ne mats, r-O'th, probably, on an aver ge £5 each. The grtens'OLe weapons given were wo.th a very large sum, one of tho-e having been in the I hands of the dinar's tribe for eome 13 ! generations, Tr.reo of tho wholuhono weapons were loDg swords undo (from the ribs of the sperm whale, and ornamented with tuf's of dog's j four near the handle. Those relics of | the pass are far rarer than o'.hrr weai pors, and th=ir value in Maori eyes is very considerabls.