CROWNING THE MAY QUEEN AT KNUTSFORD.

Auckland Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 54, 2 July 1887, Page 3 (Supplement)

CROWNING THE MAY QUEEN AT KNUTSFORD.

Presence of tho Prince and Prin-

cess of Wales.

Notwithstanding the grey drizzle which prevailed, the early trains brought considerable numbers inbo Knubsford to witness the departure of the Prince and Princess of Wales for Manchesber. The Prince and Princess lefb Tabbon Hall, accompanied by Lord Egerton, in a landau wibh four bays and oubriders. The weabher was by bhis bime rabher brighber, bub bhe air was still raw, and the carriage was left closed bill bhe drive through the park—some three miles in extenb-hadbeenaccomphshed,andbhegreab gate had been reached, which debouches close bo bhe libble bown of Knutsford. The people of this quaint old English place, whose sanded devices had been effaced by the feet of hundreds of sighbseers on bhe previous day, had been ab work very early in bhe morning wibh bheir funnels and sand, and one could read upon bhe highway bhe emblems and senbences of loyalby. There was no military escort ab bhis bime, bub bhe Cheshire Consbabulary were present in great force under Colonel Hamersley, who, with several of his officers, was mounted. The journey through Knutsford the previous day had been via King-street, and the return was through Princes-street. The principal public inberesb of Tuesday was bherefore concenbraced upon bhe labbcr and upon bhe presentation of a bouquet to bhe Princess by bhe May Queen of .Knubsford, who, wibh her courtiers and obher abbendanbs, : was seabed upon a throne raised in front of the Town Hall. The •-.loyal carriage arrived opposibo bhe Town Hall ab 10.40, and bhe cover of bhe carriage having been leb down, bhe Prince and Princess were greebed wibh mosb enthusiastic cheering by tho thousands assembled. The Queen of the May, Miss Mary Ellen Howarbh, who was dressed in cream satin and lace, advanced from her throne, along a crimson-carpeted approach, .to the carriage and presented bhe Princess wibh a lovely bouqueb, composed principally of bhe beautiful orchid, odonboglossum Alexandra. The Princess kindly engaged bhe child in conversabion for a few minubes. Lord Egerton bhen beckoned bo Mr Nicholls, the chairman of the May-day Festivities Committee, to come forward,and thePrinceandPrincessthenentered inbo conversabion wibh him aboub the quaint old May Day customs which have been revived in Knubsforcl for some years. During the conversation, the retinue of the May Queen were ranged round her, including six maids of honour, two pages, crown bearer, scepbre bearer, a number of miniabure beef-cabers, court clowns, and many obher characbers. Her Royal Highness readily acceded to the request that she would witness the crowning of the May Queen, and Master Holt, tho crown bearer, then advanced and placed the crown upon the head of her mimic Majesty, amidst much cheering. The commibbee, having 'obtained tho Prince's permission bo add bhe bible of Royal bo bhe Knubsford May Day sporbs, bhe carriage was driven forward to bhe sbabion amidsb renewed cheering, '