The Evening Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News, and Echo. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23, 1902. AUCKLAND AND THE CORONATION.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIII, Issue 95, 23 April 1902, Page 4

The Evening Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News, and Echo.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23, 1902. AUCKLAND AND THE CORONATION.

For the cause that lacks assistance For the wrong that needs resistance For the future in the distance And the good that we can do.

Very little has been done anywhere in Australasia to fittingly celebrate the King's Coronation, which takes place towards the end of June next.

Time is getting1 short, and if the Antipodes are to suitably acknowledge what is always regarded' as one of the most joyful incidents in a.1 nation's history its public men must quickly take the initiative in the organisation of appropriate demonstrations. Strangely enough,in New Zealand's history as a colony this is the first. occasion upon which its loyal people have been called upon to acclaim the crowning of a new King. We have no precedent to guide in deciding on the character of our celebration of so auspicious an event, and, therefore, there is the more room for a display of originality.

It would seem that some steps have already been taken in Wellington, and that the Government, with its usual readiness to expend public moneys, for the edification and amusement of that city's people, is going to lay out £500 of the taxpayers' money on a fireworks display. If this is an occasion when the Government may justly be called upon to provide the necessary funds, either in whole or in part, it is an injustice to those from whose pockets tfte money is drawn to have it lavished in Wellington. Whatever money i*s voted from the public Treasury should be equally distributed between the four chief centres. Until a public meeting, however, has been called and steps* taken here in. this direction it is unnecessary to go into the question of finance.

As evidence of the faot that we are backward in making preparations for a fitting celebration of the Coronation we may cite what is being done in Capetown. A very strong committee, with the Mayor at its head, was formed there some six .weeks ago. The

numerous suggestions considered inincluded the offering of prizes for a Coronation ode, a project that was sensibly quashed. Eventually the committee decided on the erection of a

statue of "the Kingr. and a children's

festival, to embrace ;i. representation of part of the Coronation ceremony, maypole dances and calisthenics. In connection with this demonstration, it was decided to place an order in London for some ten thousand Coro-

natioTi mugs'for presentation to . the children. In the event of the weather being unpleasant it was arranged that the outdoor demonstration be replaced by a gathering in the Drill Hall. ■

While the erection of a ■ statue is"

we think, a suggestion it were inadvisable to bring forward at the present juncture, some scheme calculated to leave pleasant memories; of the occation with our young people is a man-

ner of commemorating the Coronation which could not, be bettered. These, however, are questions which a representative committee of citizens should consider, and.the1 first step to the organisation o»i smih a committee is the calling of a public "meeting by

the Mayor