DEPARTURE OF PRINCE ALFRED FOR JAPAN.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 517, 15 June 1869, Page 2

DEPARTURE OF PRINCE ALFRED FOR JAPAN.

His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh took his final departure from Auckland on June Ist. In accordance with the express wish of his Royal Highness no public display was made, and early in the morning he embarked privately from the YYynyard Pier. A boat containing his Excellency the Governor, the lion. Elliot Torke, Lieutenant Haig, Captains Pitt and Smith, and Lieu-tenant-Colonel Elliot, afterwards put off; and his Excellency, with other gentlemen of his party, remained on board the Galatea until a few minutes before the departure of the vessel. At a quarter to ten o'clock the Galatea was observed to be under weigh, and the yards of the Blanche were quickly manned. As the vessel steamed slowly down the harbor, under half steam, a royal salute was fired by the 18th Regiment, Royal Irish, from Fort Britomart, which was taken up by H.M. steamer Blanche, in quick time, and for some minutes the Galatea was completely hid from the

view of the spectators standing on the wharf, by the dense smoke which' issued from the guns. His Royal Highness will proceed to Yokohama direct, his intended visit to the Friendly Islands having been abandoned in consequence of the delay he has experienced in NewZealand. The Prince's private charities were most liberal, and before his departure he left £l5O for the five Provinces which ho visited, to be distributed by their respective Superintendents. Among other presents which he made were a handsome diamond and turquoise bracelet to Lady BoWen, and diamond pins to Captains Pitt and Smith, the aides-de-camp. The Maori chiefs who presented his [Royal Highness with meres, mats, &c., each received gold ornaments. Mr "Wbiteman, steward at Government House, was presented with a massive gold signet ring ; and Mrs Day, the housekeeper, with a gold brooch. The other servants also received handsome gratuities.