The Royal Visit.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume III, Issue 162, 13 June 1901, Page 3

The Royal Visit.

Auckland, June 11. The morning broke delightfully and an easterly breeze spread out Ibe bunting with fine effect. The Queen’s wharf and street and all the city literally blossomed with flags of every design and color, and the picture looking from the pierhead up Queen street, with its dense crowd of eager humanity, was a brilliant one, and spoke eloquently of the keen interest ef the people of the colony in the Eoyal visit. Fjom an early hour the harbor was alive with crowded ferry steamers and vessels arriving from all the coastal porta. At 10.15 the meu-of-war in line off North Shore fired a Royal salute, and then the Ophir steamed towards Northcote. The seaman on the rigged men-of-war manned the yardarms, and those on the others lined along the decks to salute the Royal Yacht. Lusty cheers broke out from all as the Ophir sedately steamed past, accompanied by her the St. George .and Juno, while the band on the Eoyal Arthur played several bars of the National Anthem. Then the Ophir turned and steamed up to a berth at the head of the Queen street wharf, which was closely barricaded. At half past one o’clock the Governor arrived on the wharf. The Premier dres ed in Court uniform, Mr Ward, similarly atlired, and Messrs M’Gowan and Duncan had preceded his Excellency by a few minutes, Mrs deddon and Miss Ruby Seddofi {flocompanymg the

Premier. . .Together the Governor, tendants and Ministry proceeded m board the Ophir, the Governor ind Commodore Winslow leading .he way, followed by Mra,and Miss seddon, the other members of the Vlinistry, Captains Poscawen and Dudley, Captain Alexander bringing up the rear. The party proceeded to the Ptoyal drawing-room, where His Excellency Lord Eafffurly introduced them to the Royalties. The Premier then presented an address of welcome from the colony to the Duke. The Duke, having accepted the address and casket, delivered the following reply : “Mr Seddon and gentlemen,—On behalf of the Duchess and myself, I thank you and the people of New Zealand most sincerely for the hearty welcome you offer us, and for your sympathetic reference to the loss we have sustained through the death of onr beloved and ever lamented Queen, a loss which we share with the whole empire On behalf of the King, my dear father, I de ;ire also to thank you for the assurances of the continued attachment and devotion of the people of New Zealand to his throne and person, and of their unflinching loyalty. Of that loyalty they have already given most signal proofs. I regret that the brief period of our slay will prevent us from seeing as much as we could wish of the many beauties of ycur islands, but we shall surely carry with us the most pleasant and lasting recollections of the warmth and cordiality of our reception and of your kindness and good wishes on our behalf.” Miss Ruby Seddon then presented Her Royal Highness with a beautiful shower bouquet of white roses and violets, picked out with ma denhair ferns and tied with white and purple ribbons. This over, the actual landing was effected. Rear Admiral Beaumont, accompanied by several officers of the squadron, preceded the Royal party by several minutes. Marching up the wharf, the party then entered the carriages and proceeded to the reception platform. The usual civic address and presentations were made in drizzling rain.

His Excellency called for three cheers for the King, which were heartily accorded. Mr Seddon followed by calling for cheers for the Queen, and also for the Duke and Duchess. The Royal party then returned to the carriage, and the procession started up Queen street and completed the route amidst enthusiastic cheering.

The Duke held a reception at Government House, at which 500 persons w r ere present.