THE CITY REJOICES.

WILD ENTHUSIASM. A RECORD PROCESSION. GREAT CROWDS IN THE STREETS; Never before in the history of the-i city has such intense enthusiasm been displayed as yesterday, when, the news of the signing of the armistice with Germany was received.! The people streamed into the town,; leaving the suburbs all hut deserted.! Throughout, the tramwaymen stuck | heroically to their tasks, this factor being a large one in the general success of the celebrations. The procession arranged for in the afternoon proved not only brilliant and inspiring, hut easily the largest which has yet heen held here. It was, in fact, a demonstration of the manner in which the enthusiasm sought expression, and although really an eleventh hour affair, the feverish preparations which had been lavished on it by the many firms and individuals who participated, ensured its striking success. It would seem that there was hardly a motor lorry or vehicle in the city which had not heen pressed into service, and the marshalling of them along Moorhouse Avenue was a decided feat. Shortly after the advertised time the. procession, moved oft, amid an indescribable medley of sounds —bands played, concerted parties "concerted," musical and other instruments (principally the latter) added to the din, syrens and motors helped to the further annihilation of melody, whilst, throughout the route, the surging crowds cheered and threw flowers and confetti, and in the case of returned men showered chocolates and other gifts. The procession was headed by the Boys' High School and Territorial cadets, who swung along to the stirring strains of several bands, and assisted to increase the excitement. Then, along the Manchester High and Colombo Streets routes came the tramway band, the city fire brigade, spick and span and beflasged. and the Defence staff headed by Colonel B. A. Chaffcy, officer commanding the district. The marshal to the proceedings, Mr B. C. Bishop, leading a united band, passed along to the accompaniment of cheers, which were increased to a furore when some hundreds of returned men, headed by Colonel G. J. Smith, came into view. A captured German gun, drawn by four horses, driven bv members of the E Batterv helped the enthusiasm to swell. The civic group (Mr H. Holland in his Mavoral robes), was cheered repeatedly. There were also representatives of the City Council, members of Parliament and the Legislative Council, the C.D.C., the Bov Scouts section, the Red Cross and St. John Ambulance Societies, the Navy League, the Women's Temnerance group, Salvation Army, the Ladv Liverpool organisation, the "Women's National Reserve, the Y.M.C.A., and Victoria League. The carnival spirit was evident throughout. There were many humorous skits, one of the best being a "Peace Conference." There were model tanks, battleships and representations of victory, "Peace with Honour, Peace with Victory," was a favourite legend. The Addington Workshops were well to the fore with some novel effects, including a submarine, "000 Saveloy." A carrying company advertised, "Kaiser Removed," whilst the New Zealand Farmers' Co-op. was strikingly original with its many lorry displays. To attempt to enumerate the whole, however, would be difficult. The procession turned from Colombo Street into Kilmore Street, wending its way to Victoria Square. Here, there was a further large crowd and from a temporary platform, the Mayor, Colonel Chaffey, and several representatives of patriotic bodies addressed the assemblage. SOLDIERS' DEMONSTRATION. GATHERING IN VICTORIA SQUARE. The largest concentrated assemblage of the day occurred in the evening at Victoria Square, to participate in the Returned Soldiers' demonstration. The men formed up at the Returned Soldiers' Club Rooms, and a torchlight procession was held, about 200 men being present under the command of Lieut. 11. Batchelor, the parade as a whole being under the command of Colonel G. J. Smith. The Fire Brigades participated and the greatest enthusiasm was displayed by the public as the men marched by, headed by Derry's band playing the Marseillaise. The band rotunda at the Square was lit up and the proceedings opened by the band playing the National Anthem, the people singing the verses. The Mayor explained that the demonstration was for the purpose of naying a tribute to the returned soldiers, who had fought so nobly for the cause of civilisation, on the memorable fields of Gallipoli and on the Western and Eastern fronts. After further eulogising New Zealand's magnificent soldiers, Mr Holland said that it was intended to raise a permanent memorial to the men in celebration of this, the greatest of all victories. Mr O. T. J. Alpers, chairman of the Returned Soldiers' Building Campaign Committee, referred to the great meeting that had been held four and a-half years ago, pro-