THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH AT WELLINGTON.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XIII, Issue 1015, 17 April 1869, Page 2

THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH AT WELLINGTON.

The Prince has come and (by this time) gone, leaving sunny memories behind him in Wellington. A record of his visit will be interesting. On Sunday forenoon the Galatea hove in sight, and the boom of a cannon announced the fact to the expectant public. We fear the several services in church fell upon rather inattentive ears. The Prince landed privately and dined with the Governor who had a few friends to meet him.

On Monday forenoon he made his public entry into the town. We gather from the Independent's report that at 11.30 the sound of the Galatea’s gun announced that the Duke of Edinburgh was leaving the Royal vessel. The Maori band who faced the edge of the wharf began to move their arms and limbs. The excitement of the Maoris became uncontrollable. They gesticulated ; they danced ; they threw their arms and weapons wildly in the air, while they yelled like fiends let loose from Pandemonium. But all this fierce yelling was of the most friendly character. They were bidding the Duke welcome. Haere mai ! Haere mai! they yelled with stentorian power, and the boat’s crew seemed profoundly puzzled to know what on earth they meant. Still there was no doubt about what those hearty British cheers meant, which pealed forth from thousands of throats —making the welkin ring with their melody. And now

the Duke had landed, accompanied by the Hon. Elliot Yorke. —A procession was formed, and all proceeded down the wharf at the end of which his Royal Highness was met by his Honor Dr. Featherston, who presented him with an address of welcome, to which the Duke made a suitable reply. The town was partially illuminated at night, and a number of transparencies were displayed. They were horrible daubs, and it is sincerely to be hoped his Royal Highness will not form liis ideas of colonial taste from the exhibition thus afforded him. On Tuesday his Royal Highness visited the paddocks adjoining the Thorndon Barracks and witnessed a war dance executed by some two or three hundred Maoris. There were a large number of persons present, and the Greytown Cavalry under Captain Boys acted as a guarl of honor. His Royal Highness (says the Independent) with his Excellency the Governor and suite left the carriage and mixed freely amongst the crowd. In a little time the Maoris had squatted on the grass and the war dance, such as it was, commenced. To tell the truth it wasn’t anything like the real thing. However, the Maoris gesticulated, waved their arms, turned up the whites of their eyes, quivered their limbs, and yelled most diabolically, and his Royal Highness must consequently have got some faint idea of how our black brethreu get their steam up when they are going in for a fight. Afterwards a regatta took place. On Wednesday the great event was the ball which took place in the Government Offices, and was certainly the best arranged and most brilliant affair of the kind which has ever taken place in Wellington. The halls of the House of Representatives and Legislative Cauncil were appropriated to dancing, and the various offices were apportioned to other uses. The gallaries were occupied by the bands and by a very large number of ladies in evening costume. His R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh accompanied by his Excellency the Governor and their respective suites arrived punctually at halfpast nine, and were received in due form by the bands playing the National Anthem. Almost immediately afterwards his Royal Highness led out the Hon. Mrs Stafford, and opened the ball with her, the quadrille being danced ala Francaiae. The dresses of the ladies were of the most recherche character, and the whole scene was a brilliant and impressive one. The scanty space available in Bellamy’s as a supper room, considerably marred the completeness of the arrangements, only a few of the most distinguished gentlemen being provided with seats the rest of the sitting accommodation being insufficient to accommodate even the ladies, and the gentlemen, as a matter of course, having to shift for themselves. His Honor the Superintendent presided at the supper, and proposed the toast of the night, to which the Prince replied. For once the Wellington people were enthusiastic—honestly so, we verily believe — and the Prince’s visit must have cost some of them a good deal of money. The Prince has a fair soft face, with large light blue eyes—a face indicative of much amiability but little force of character. He looks well in his uniform as a naval officer, and seems to have a great partiality tor jewellery, especially rings, sometimes wearing five or six of them on his fingers at once.

H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh is to leave Wellington in the Galatea on Saturday (to-day) ; and will make his public landing in Nelson on Monday morning, the 19fch ; he will stay two days in Nelson , and then proceed to Lyttelton, where he will land on Thursday the 22nd. After a stay of three or four days in Canterbury, he will proceed to Dunedin for a visit of similar length, from thence sailing to Auckland.

LATEST TELEGRAPHIC NEWS. MORE MURDERS BY TE KOOTI. Napier, April 12, 10.45. The following was received from Waikau, dated Sunday, at noon:— T“ Kooti is in full possession of Mohaka. The Mohaka natives held their pa against him for about 24 hours. Early this morning, Te Kooti proposed that if they gave themselves up, they should not be hurt. This was agreed to, but when Te Ivooti entered he began to kill all he could lay his hands on. Some thirty or forty, on perceiving Te Kooti’s treachery, escaped across the river, and are now safe. Te Kooti is estimated to be from 400 to 500 strong. Ten to twelve of the enemy were seen dead. April 14, 8.8 a.m. Mr Russell’s boat returned from Mohaka at 1 o’clock this morning, and brings the following information. Towgood and his men, Tanner’s and the whole party arrived at Mohaka this morning, numbering in all about 100 men. Found that Te Kooti had left yesterday morning. The Mohaka natives held out in the big pa, reinforced by a smali party from Wairoa. Te Kooti said to be killed. Loss on our side—Bavin’s family, Cooper and Wilkinson (known), and about 40 natives, principally women and children. Plauhau loss said about 12 killed. Enemy retreated towards Putere. Our main force under Tanner at the pa. Twenty men under Braithwaite at Mohaka blockhouse. Colonel Lambert is expected to-night at Waikere. Our force wait his arrival here. Most of the second class militia returned to town to-day, the remained will remain with the force untill tiie whereabouts of Te Kooti is known.

From Putere it is only a day’s march to Petane.

Sim, wife and childen, who were missing, are safe.

We (Independent) have received the following private telegram : A European from Taupo reports that a pa held by 50 friendly natives had been attacked by Paora Toki, that the king sanctions Te Kooti’s nioveuirnt, and that an attack inland from Patea will be made on the outlying districts Hawke’s Bay. The attacking force is said to have been 200 strong. Overland communication between Taupo and Napier stopped.