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| Contemplative study of the Prince |
While the German community of
Toowoomba were seething at the snub provided by the prince’s brief stopovers,
the regal train made its way down the Range and through the Lockyer Valley to
Ipswich.
The newspaper reports are
wonderfully tongue-in-cheek, as was the style of the times.
THE PRINCE AT IPSWICH[1]
Our royal visitor returned on Thursday afternoon from his
trip up the railway line, arriving at the station in Ellenborough Street
shortly after 3 o'clock. He drove off to the Club immediately.
About a dozen men of the Ipswich Volunteers, rifles and
artillery, formed a guard of honour at the railway station under Sergeant
Phelan, the remainder of the corps, under Captain Hodgson, numbering about seventy,
being stationed at the Club House. They did duty in their usual efficient
manner and, having left a guard in front of the building, returned to quarters
with the band and were dismissed.
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| Ipswich Railway Station ca. 1868 |
The Prince was not particularly
loquacious during his visit to the Grammar School. However he did honour them with his signature
in their visitor’s book.
The Grammar School was visited by the Duke of Edinburgh
on Thursday afternoon An arch of evergreens had been erected at the gate, and
here the boys assembled and gave H. R. H. three hearty cheers as he entered.
They also managed to reach the building before the carriages-the hill being
rather steep-and cheered again as the visitor entered. The Duke was received in
the principal entrance by the trustees and the masters, and was conducted into
the hall, where a number of visitors had assembled.
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| Ipswich Grammar School ca.1868 |
Here Dr. Challinor, on behalf of the trustees read an
address, as did also Mr Hawthorne on behalf of the "governors, masters,
and pupils." The Prince said nothing. The party afterwards went over the
principal part of the building spending a few minutes in the museum and also at
the top of the tower, from which a fine view of the surrounding country is
obtained. H.R.H left his autograph with date as a memento of his visit.
The prince was not any more forthcoming
that evening.
Having honoured the members of the North Australian club
by accepting their invitation to take up his quarters at the Club House as
their guest, the committee were guilty of the presumption of thinking it
possible that His Royal Highness might further gratify his entertainers by
dining with them in the evening. Several gentlemen, including the Mayor, the
Premier, the Colonial Secretary, and others, were accordingly invited. We need
hardly say any more. The Prince dined in his own rooms. His health, however, as
well as that of Her Majesty, was drunk by the members and then other guests
with proper enthusiasm.
After resting in his quarters,
the prince summoned up enough energy to make a brief appearance at a ball held
in his honour.
The ball at the School of Arts was in many respects a
decided success. The Duke of Edinburgh, who arrived at 10 o'clock, danced the
first quadrille with Mrs Geo. Harris, and the waltz which followed with Mrs J.
P. Bell, after which he retired. His Royal Highness was in plain evening dress.
The artillery formed a guard of honour at the School of Arts, and presented
arms as the Duke entered, and also as he left the building.
Those at the ball were set on
enjoying themselves and danced on into the night.
The total number present was about 120. Dancing was kept
up with spirit till 3 o'clock yesterday morning. As regards the decorations of
the hall, nothing could have been more admirable. The band was Seal's, from
Brisbane and the music was everything that could be wished. Supper was laid in
the leading room by Wright in a style that could hardly be excelled anywhere,
either for quality or elegance.
Following an address by the
Mayor, the Prince made his way to the river wharf. His mood has not improved. He is not impressed by the river steamer
provided.
The approaches to the wharves were decorated in
anticipation of the departure of His Royal Highness being by water. The sides
of the road (which was gravelled) were neatly ornamented with evergreens, and a
pretty little arch was fixed against the stone abutment at the foot of East
Street. The steamer Kate was awaiting, but the Prince declined availing himself
of her services, and she left with Mr. Mackenzie and others at an early hour.
So highly was the efficiency and good service of our men
appreciated by the authorities that a firing party of twenty of the artillery,
under Captain Jetter, were sent to Brisbane by the Kate steamer, to assist in
the farewell demonstrations.
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| The Paddle Steamer Kate |
The Prince elects to proceed back
to Brisbane by coach.
Yesterday morning, between 8 and 9, accompanied by
Captain O'Connell, Commodore Lambert, and suite, he started for Brisbane,
driving a team of handsome bays supplied by Cobb and Co. H.R.H. was cheered everywhere, but he
acknowledged the attention in the most perfunctory manner possible.
Thus ended Prince Alfred’s visit
to Ipswich and the loyal subjects of his mother Victoria, ruler of the British
Empire. Ho Hum!
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