WHAT ROYAL VISITS COST LONDON

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 256, 4 December 1909, Page 4

WHAT ROYAL VISITS COST LONDON

"To one meal and presentation, £2000." This practically sums up the outlay of the Corporation of London when Royalty or other distinguished people honor the City with a visit. Almost half the amount is spent on the actual meal, while the remainder is swallowed up by various etceteras, particulars of which are given in the accounts of the Corporation of Loudon for last year. The reception of the President of tlie French Republic in Jla.v, 11108, for instance, qost exactly ii'Jl'J Is 3d, and that of the King and Queen of Sweden, in November last, about £fl less. In each case over £1)30 was spent on the contained dinner plates from tne (Jjoa, dejeuner, £2lO on a gold casket, and a similar amount on street decorations. Another big item in each bill iof expenses was over £IOO for upholstery. Some remarkable items go to make up the balance. In the case of the reception to the French President the menu cards cost no less than £25, while £2l 18s was spent on cigars, ' cigarettes, and bouquets. To herald the honored guest it cost £5 5s for Iranipeters, and another £4 4s for the gentleman who proposed the toasts. Further entertainment was provided by the Royal Artillery Band, the services of which cost £l7 17s, while the guard of honor having refreshed itself at lh ( . expense of the Corporation, the latter was called upon to pay a bill aniountiiiL' to £lB 7s Od.

Furthermore, there is plenty of allowance for tips, fifty-live guineas being expended in this manner, while the i-u.ii mittee's expenses ran away with just £52 10s. Floral decorations at CiJ, and various disbursements by the town clerk, Comptroller, Remembrancer, sur veyor, and hall-keeper, amounting in all to about £l3O, are also included in the cost of the lavish entertainments which the City of London provides for Royal and other distinguished guests.