gowned in their flowing sarongs, wearing their long Papuan pampooties
and followed in turn by a group of instrumentalists playing on conchs,
nose-flutes and a species of mouth-organ closely resembling the
jew's-harp, but much larger and more penetrating in its quality. The
crowds in the street were enormous; hundreds of strong women fainted,
and the casualties are estimated at upwards of five thousand.

The proceedings in the Town Hall were brief but most impressive. After
the freedom of Southampton had been conferred on the Prince by the
Mayor, in a gold casket, Lord READING in a touching speech announced,
amid tempestuous cheers, that the Government had resolved to signalise
Prince Ongtong's services by conferring on him a dukedom and a grant
of two million pounds.

Continuing, Lord READING said that the Solomon Islands had always
appealed to him with peculiar magic. He believed that they were the
authentic seat of King SOLOMON'S Mines, in spite of the rival claims
of Africa put forward by Sir RIDER HAGGARD.

The Prince, who acknowledged the honour in fluent Melanesian,
was understood to say that he had only done his duty, that he was
speechless with gratitude and that he would always regard Lord READING
as a brother. A _recherché_ vegetarian luncheon was then served, after
which Lord ROTHERMERE presented each member of the choir with a cheque
for ten thousand pounds, and Mr. SMILLIE invited them to give evidence
before the Coal Commission.

The Prince and party were anxious to proceed by special train to
London, where rooms had been engaged for them at the Grand Palestine
Hotel, but, on leaving the Town Hall, were surrounded by the crowd,