The Star. THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 1904. THIS AFTERNOON'S CEREMONY.

The ceremony which is taking place_this afternoon in Victoria Square is serving a variety of purposes. In the first plaice, it marks' the completion of the design which had for its object the commemoration of the Jubilee of Canterbury and tie raising of a memorial to Queen Victoria; secondly, it is instrumental in placing on record Canterbury's appreciation of the troopers from this province who lost their lives in the South African War; apd, lastly, ib is serving as an opportunity for the people of Canterbury to bid farewell to their departing Governor. The work of completing the memorial has been ■delayed: by various causes. More than two years have elapsed since the province celebrated its Jubilee, and more than two years have gone by since the death of Queen Victoria plunged the Empire in mourning. But, although the work of erecting a memorial of these events nas taken some time, it hag nevertheless been finished at last, and this afternoon thex memorial stands completed, a lasting testimony to the loyalty, the patriotism, the courage, and the perseverance of the people of Canterbury and their predecessors. There is a peculiar appropriateness in the fact that the unveiling of the memorial should b© one of the. last public acts of the present Governor. For all the events which the memorial commemorates took place during Lord Ranfurly's term of office. The Jubilee of _ Canterbury was celebrated, Queen Victoria died, and the South African War began and ended. But Lord Ranfurly's qualifications, for presiding over to-day's ceremony do not end here. As a matter of fact, they lie chiefly in the part which his Excellency has played in what may be termed the military history of the colony. Not only did ho take a conspicuous part in the movement which led to the despatch of the New Zealand contingents to South Africa, but he took a very deep and personal concern in the careers of the various contingents. Moreover, he has since displayed an unfailing interest in the welfare of many of the returned troopers whose constitutions have suffered from either wounds or sickness contracted while on active service. Of this interest Lord Ranfurly has afforded a practical proof by his efforts to establish homes for the Empire's military and naval veterans. So successful ; have his efforts been that to-day the colony j possesses at least' one institution capable of affording comfortable accommodation for homeless veterans. Deeds of this kind have won for his Excellency the affection and admiration of the people of the | colony. That is why the citizens of Christchurch are glad to see him presiding over to-day's function.