THE ROYAL VISIT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIII, Issue 127, 24 June 1901, Page 2

THE ROYAL VISIT.

GREAT ENTHUSIASM SHOWN. RECEPTION AT OHRISTOHURCH. PER PRESS ASSOCIATION. Oheistchurch, June 22. Heavy rain fell during Friday night, culminating in a downpour at dawn. The morning broke fine, and there was sp'endid brilliant sunny weather for the whole of Saturday's pageant. The sun rapidly dried the decorations, which had b en severely affected by the weather. The streets presented a brilliant appearance, being faetooned and garlanded, each street possessing a properly graduated scheme of harmonising colours. Taken altogether, the decorations do not equal those in Wellington, tbe arches being of smaller size, and several very flimsy in appearance. At 7.15 the Rayel yacht entered Lyttflton harbour, and the war ship? and batteries gave a salute, but no procession of the Lytte'.ton fleet was formed. The hill tvas crowded with sight-seers aa the Ophir camo alongside the whatf at 8.45. The lauding stage was gaily decorated, and the Garrison Artillery formed the guard of honour. The Governor, Lady Ranfurly, Mr. S addon, and the Ministers welcomed the Duke at 11.35. The Duke was in an Admiral's uniform, and the Duchess in a black costume. The May*r of Lyttelton and the Oh«irmin of the Harbour ihatd were presented to th Duk<, and Mias Waymouth har ded the Duchess a bouquet. The Duke irspec l ed the guild of honour, and the school children fang the National An'.hem as tbe Riy.il train moved off. Tbere was enthusiastic cheering all along the lin\ At ncen the party arrived at Ohristchurvh railway station at noon, which, by a livish use t f ferns, was transforms! into a bower of verdure, being thj most artistic decoration in Christchurch. The Mayor (Mr. A. E. G. Rhodes, Mrs. Rhodes, Miss M. Rhodes (who presented the Duchess wi'h a bouquet), the Commissionersard others were on the platform. The Duku shook hands with the Mayor and Mrs Rhodes, and an address from the citizens was r- ad to the Duk«. Tne immense crowd cheered the Royal party all along the line of procession. Thirteen companies of mounted riflis, and twj gun* of the E Battery formed the procesMon, while inf intry Hned the streets. Everywhere was the greatest enthusiasm and loud chear*ng-. At the Piovincial Chambers an address from Orangevec, old age pensions was pr.sented, and the Duke replied stating that tbe working of the old age pension system had been carefully watched in tKe Mother Country, Councillors end r-thers were presented to tha Duke, and their Royal Highnesses proc eled to Yictoria Square, where the enthusiasm oulnin-' ated. There was laid the foundation stone of Can'erbury jublee memorial to early pioneers, &n l to the Cint- r'-ury soldiers who had died in the Transvaal L'he Ca' hedr.il bells rang a pe«l, and the Friendly Societies thin marched pasc, | each Socibty cheering the Duke. Ihe Royal party then drove to Te K irshi. Chbistohurch, June 23. After lunch at Te Koraha on Sa'urday the R'iyal p-uty went for a wa'k near the Avon, and liter they tvi'nessed a displ iy of wire jumping at Te Koraha over t> nc s three feet high with five si rands of Mack*wir<| by several officers of the Amurt Mounted Rifles. Col, Ponton took part, and St£\ Tubman, Canterbury Mounted Riflss, gave a display of horsemanship with which His Highness was much plea'ed. In the evening tbe Mtyor held a brilliant and crowded r«cep ion at the Agricultural Ha'l. Th-) Royal pirty were exp cted at 945 but arrived a f . 10.35. '1 hey occupied fea's on a raised d lis and listeaed to a short concer*, the performers being Mrs. Burns, Ml«s Graham, Messrs, Wallace, Eugh Reeves, and A, Millar, Afterwards their es moved through the crowd to private rojms supper wai provdel for t l >e guests. The Duchess wore a diamond ti-ra, and her nrck c 'tsigq blazed with diamond*. Oi Sa'urd-.y after-oon at the rehearsal of the r (view ia the Park there was an ex r«ordintrily large attendance tf the public. Troops sra still arriving at the cimp'. Slight rain fell. At tight the city was illuminated, the sphere of the Cithelral being a splenlid spectacle, the cross being illuminated by a search light, Toe;e were no fireworks. Sunday was delightfully fine. The Duke and Du hess and sui'e attended morning servl e at the Qithelrnl. It was a short service occupying 1 ss that) one h >ur, Bishop Jul u~'s sermon only taking 12 minutes. Th« front p irt'oo of the Cithelral was cleared for their Highne-se 3 , who occupied special Feats. The Rev. A. E. Julius and C<non Harper assi<'ed at the specia' service for cade s, the cathedral p-orly attended. TO-DAT'd PHOGRAMMTC. The programme for Monday is a» follows:—Thuir Hiuhne.-ses will nt'enl the children's demor.stration in Victorii Square at 10 30, the D iks will th n proceed to review thn troops, and present the African war medals a' Hagley Park, Colours are ti be presented to the re'urned Contingents. Thar Highnesses then return to Te Koraha. The Government enter'ain the veterans and returned Contingent* to lunch in the Art Gal'ery. At 8 o'clock dinner at Te Koraha. The Savage Club entertain the v'sit ng journalist to dinner at the Provincial Chambers. OAMARU ARRANGEMENTS. To-morrow to the Royal party will appear on a rai<ed pla form specially erected at Oamnru to afford tbe public an opportur ity of sit ing theao.