The Royal Visit.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume III, Issue 156, 30 May 1901, Page 1

The Royal Visit.

London, May 29, All the British newspapers are eulogistic of Sydney's reception of the Rjyal visitors.

Svdn-kv, May 27. The Ophir left Hawkeabury about 7.20. a.m proceeded under easy steam and entered the heads about 10.3 c, escorted by the Juno and the vessels of the Australian tquadron in line formation. As the vessel proceeded up the harbour the boys ol the training ship Sobraon lined the fore-hore on the southern head of the entrance. Coming abreast of Bradley's head, the Itussian warehip opened fice with a salute of twelve gnns. The vessels of the Australian squadron took up a position in Neutral Bay, the Ophir

proceeding to her moorings of" the

flagship's buoy. Dt>.nso crowds occupied every coign of vantage along the fore shore, where a view of the naval demonstration could be obtained.

Daybreak was ushered in with overcast weather and showers of rain. As the Royal yacht entered the heads tho clouds lifted and the sua shone out and gave the visitors a view of the harbour in all its beauty. Thß fates, too, were hind throughout the day. Although the pageant through the city was under an overcast sky no rain fell to mar the spectacle. The streets were lined with crowds, and at points the enthusiasm was even greater than that afc Melbourne. The landing took place at 2 o'clock. The Royal Barge from the Ophir rowed between 'two lines of guards of bluejackets in boats to the landing stage at Farm Cove. As they stepped ashore the forts and war ships commenced "to fire a salute, the echoes of which had not died away when the gieat assemblage which had gathered on the slopes of the Domain took up the shouts of welcome* The Royal pair thence proceeded to the pavilion erectad near the 1 inding place, where they wore welcomed by Lord Hopetoun, the Lieutenant-Governor, and the Mayor, Mr Bam.n, and Sir W. J. Lyne, representing the Federal Govern» ment. The pivilln was a beautiful structure, each corner bearing heraldic emblems, the exterior being covered with a profusion of flags, flowers and foliage. A stainviy, which was carpeted and embowered with ferns and greenery, led from the pavilion to where the R yal carriage was waitins. Cheers broke out with renewod vigour as the visitors took their seats, and with the New South Wa'es Lineers as a guard of honour, commenced to drive citywards. In some respects the narrow streets oi Sydney were an advantage and gave the throng a closer view of the guests, and the concenlracion of the crowds gave the appearance of greater enthusiasm. After the Royal visitors, the greatest) demonstration was made as the New South Waks Seo'.tish Regimens passed. This force had given up the life-blood of Lieutenant Grieve at Paardeberg prior to the capture of Cronje, and the Sydney public did not forget the proweßS of the Black Watch, with whom Lieutenant Grieve was associated at the time of his decease.

I In Melbourne the procession, owing to the leng hy route, wsa confined to mounted troops. Here the infantry had their opportunity and greatly added to the irupre3siveness of the function. Colonel Ponton, representing New Zealand, rode with Maj >r - General French, and preceded the Royal carriage. Entering Kinu street one met with the cit'zens' tribute to the dead Queen. Royal purple and white were the pre* vailing tones, and from every mast wag suspended beautiful wreaths from every municipality in the State, while a huge wreath across the roadway bore the inscription " Victoria the Good." Right up to the Queen's statue were emblems of mourning from the people. Surrouadi g the statue of Queen Victoria were many beautiful wreaths. An elegant expression of the appreciation of the visit of Royalty was tha principle laid down in beautifying the city. No effort was put forth with the object of outrivalling the great display at Melbourne. The Sydney authorities wisely resolved to concentrate theif energies in the direction of the illutnina. tion of the central portion of the city, with the result that to night Sydney affords one of the most brilliant spec* tacles ever witnessed in the two hemispheres. Suddenly entering Pifcfc street, the spectator wiineases a scene of marvel* lous beauty. As far as the eye caa reach is a sparkling canopy of emeralds ot varying shades, wi'h heavy festoons of rubies along each pathway, the vibration of the suspended lamps giving to them the realism of sparkling gems.

Square is lighted by aro Jamp3, representing forty-eight 1000 candle-power lamps Royal purple is wound round tha statue and the flower* beds are planted wi<h the initials "George and Miy," while a quantity of growing plante represent the Prince of Wales'feathers. Nineteen countries extend a welcome in the Avenue of Nations. On each mast is a graceful golden dove bearing & silver olive-branch in its mcuth. Nearly 5000 electric lamps throw their radiance over the avenue.

May 28.

Yesterday's crowd, though not so large, on the whole, as at the Commonwealth celebrations, was more deuasv owing to the shorter route traversed. la some places the police had a difficulty ia preventing the people from breaking

hrough the barriers, but altogether the rowd was orderly, good-humoured and veil behaved. Tho Royal outriders, with their oowdered hair, came in for a good deal of chaff. Public men and the Press generally expreis themselves highly delighted with the success or the functions and the * behaviour of the people. It is claimed that the Commonwealth inauguration street decorations were eclipsed, and tint yesterday's display was the most beautiful and effective ever seen in Australia. The military display was very fine, and was splendidly carried out under the direction of Major* General French. Six thousand troops in full dress uniform of all arms, including 1200 cadets, tojk part. The parade through the crowded embowered streets was a triumphal progress. The Duke returned the. salutes of the crowd with his hand raised to his hat, and the Duchess bowed slightly. Both looked weary after their journey; as though they had been going through a task.

J There were no addresses or formal speeches at the landing ceremony, whiih occupied only a few minuses. Nteady ra<n commenced to fall almost simultaneously with the arrival of the* R'.yal carriage at Government House, wh-ne Lord Hope'ru i had ridden forward to welcome the Duke and Duchess. The rain continued throughout the night,;i)ut did n .* damp the ardour of the crowds, who densely packed the streets till very late hours, viewing the illuminations.

Yesterday's functions concluded with a dinner at G vornment House, given by Lord Hopetoun to the Duke and Duchess. A number of influential gue U we e present, including Lord Ranfurly. The Royal review at Centennial Pa k to-day was one of the most effective sights ever witnessed in Australia. British journalists who have seen many similar displays uniHmously declare that it was one of the finest they hava seen.

! The weather wag threatening early in the morning, but dared beaut fully before operations commenced, and the sun shone down on a b-illimt picture. On the rising ground i. front of th<s Rcyal pavilion were massed nearly 9000 munted men, the infantry behind them ag-in, and a dense throng of sp ctator< # ' The Duke of York, accompanied by t. e Duke of Teck alVd fstaff, with MajorGeneral French Penton, rode abng the lines.

After the inspection waa finished a grand march past was commenced headed by the Lancers and Fir t Australian Horse, with massed band 3 I paying them past the saluting base.