1418
THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.
No. 65

The most pleasurable event, since the founding of the colony, was the recent visit of their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York, and the enthusiastic and loyal reception given them by the people of this colony will, I feel assured, ever be remembered with pleasure. The addresses presented came spontaneously from a free and devoted people, and breathed loyalty to His Majesty, his throne, and royal person. The enthusiastic welcome and receptions given to their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York were, in all parts of the colony visited, heartfelt, sincere, and universal.

The demonstration by the people of the Native race at Rotorua was magnificent, unique, and historical, and it is questionable if ever again there will be another such gathering of the noble Maori race.

The following passages taken from His Royal Highness’s farewell message in a letter conveyed to me on the eve of their Royal Highnesses’ departure places on record the pleasure experienced and impression formed during their visit:—

DEAR LORD RANFURLY,—

On the eve of our departure I am anxious to tell the people of New Zealand how happy we have been in their beautiful land, with what regrets we leave it, and what lasting feelings of gratitude we carry away for the loyal enthusiasm, cordiality, and kind-heartedness so universally accorded to us throughout our stay.

I was especially glad to meet face to face the Maori people, to have witnessed their vast and interesting gathering at Rotorua, and to have had personal friendly intercourse with their leading chiefs and representatives. It was gratifying to hear their assurances of loyalty to the King, their expressions of sorrow for their deeply loved Queen, and to experience their enthusiasm and warmth of heart towards ourselves. I am glad to think that this ancient and chivalrous race is living in peace and prosperity, and sharing with their Pakeha brothers the duties and responsibilities of good citizenship.

Though, unfortunately, our stay has, from force of circumstances, been a short one, I earnestly trust that the experience and knowledge of the country which I have gained, and my personal intercourse with its people, may in some measure tend to sustain and enhance the existing feeling of sympathy and interest between the Mother-country and New Zealand, and thus draw still closer those ties of affection and brotherhood by which we are so happily united.

Heartily wishing that the steady growth and prosperity of the country may ever continue,

Believe me,

Dear Lord Ranfurly,

Very sincerely yours,

GEORGE.

With the dawn of the new century the birth of the Commonwealth of Australia was celebrated: New Zealand was officially represented by the Right Honourable the Premier and the Honourable the Native Minister. The Commonwealth Parliament was opened by His Royal Highness the Duke of Cornwall and York on the 9th May, and was a most imposing ceremony: the Honourable the Colonial Secretary and the Honourable the Minister of Education officially represented this colony.

It will be pleasing to all well-wishers of the colony and the inhabitants of the Cook and other islands to know that by Letters Patent, dated the 13th day of May, 1901, His Majesty has approved of the extension of the boundaries of the colony so as to include the islands mentioned in the resolutions passed last session by both branches of the Legislature, and by Proclamation issued by me and read in the presence of their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York on their arrival at Auckland. The boundaries have been so extended as from the 11th day of June, 1901.

As you are aware, Representative Troops of the Imperial and Indian Armies were present at the inaugural Australian Commonwealth celebrations, and subsequently arrived in our colony, and it was with sincere pleasure I noted the hearty reception extended to them by the people of New Zealand. The hospitality shown them was very much appreciated by the officers and men. The officers in command, on leaving, expressed their appreciation of the hospitality and kindness shown.

I am pleased to inform you that the United States warship “Brooklyn,” under the command of Rear-Admiral Remey, visited New Zealand, and, after a short stay at Auckland, came on to Wellington.

The Rear-Admiral, his officers, and men were accorded a very hearty welcome, and will, I feel sure, carry away with them a kindly remembrance of their visit to this colony.

I regret to say that the war in South Africa still continues. The successes however, that have attended the vigorous efforts made by Lord Kitchener afford every reason to anticipate that ere long the war will come to a close.