PAGEANT OF EMPIRE.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 169, 18 July 1924, Page 5

PAGEANT OF EMPIRE.

GREAT DISPLAY AT WEMBLEY. FIGURES OF HISTORY. LONDON, July 8. Preparations for the resplendent Empire Pageant, which, beginning with J Children's Week on July 21, will draw ! a world-wide attendance to Wembley, are now in full tide. The pace has increased with new hands at the helm. For instance, whereas the War Office designed 1276 costumes in i nine months, 15,000 have been completed in the past seven weeks, covering the entire range of history from the medieval to the present. Particular attention is devoted to the Australian and New Zealand sections. Mr. Frank Willinm Lascelles, Lord of tne Manor of Selfonl Gower, Oxford, the world-famous pageant master, talked fns-cinatinply to Ihe "Herald" special representative in his busy office at the Overseas Trade Department. He was sitting at a table crowded with plans, sketches, historical drawings and scenarios. He had just settled with Lady Diana Cooper, a charming blonde, in a. picture hat and eau-de-nil frock, the details of her appearance as the Queen in the Henry Vll. court scene. While telephones tinkled and secretaries entered excitedly, Mr. Lascelles detailed his masterly plans, his words ! cf.njurini» up the glorious pictures which J constitute the proud history of the i Empire. i "Not the least interesting," he said, 1 "is the section devoted to Newfoundland, our oldest colony. It begins with Henry VII. dispatching John Cabot on a voyage of discovery, and includes the annexation by Sir Humphrey Gilbert. "The fishing industry is depicted, also a reproduction of the laying of the first cable. I "Tho first Transatlatic flight will be represented with a ceremonial escort ,of planes overhead, and tho dispatch pi the first wireless message in which Senor Marconi and assistants will participate with the original instruments. These will be paraded across the arena, forming a picture as significant as tho Holy Grail. AUSTRALIA'S HISTORY. "All other sections of the Empire will be dealt with, including the most stirring srenos of English history, but doubtless Australia will be most interesting to your readers. This section begins with Governor Phillip's settlement at Port Jackson. The scene is set on a rocky hill above Sydney Cove. "Three sailors, soldiers and aborigines will participate in the scene, showing the Union Jack hoisted for the first time in the great southern land. "Then comes the exploration era, with riaxland, YVentworth and Lawson set- j ting forth on their journeys, and the ! thousand wheels of the pioneers hard upon their he A note of cblour is struck with' the advent of the gold diggers in their scarlet shirts, with their tin dishes, picks and shovels. The daring of their great adventure is well shown. ] Traffic in mon settled country follows with such divergent incidents as the Kelly gang exploits, scientific expedi- ■ tions, and the operations of water I seekers. I "There is a tremendous number of candidates to be diggers. The character of the procession changes to the triumph of industry, showing the volume of products increasing with the passing years. Beautiful girls with costumes designed Ly Gerald Moira, and vigorous youths represent the vineyards, orchards, grain fields and gems, mineral and gold. They will form a map of Australia while Lord Linlithgow reads a cable of congratulation from the King. NEW ZEALAND B STORY. "The orchard, vineyard and other appropriate scenery is being designed by Frank Brangwyn, and will form a background. The scenes will be displayed to the accompaniment of Blgar's "The Golden Chain" from a choir of 600 and j n band of 300. Australia's and New Zea- , land's participation in the war will be adequately portrayed. "New Zealand's history begins with Cook's discovery of the islands in the 1 Endeavour. The Maoris arq now trainl ing at Olympia for their participation in I characteristic scenes and dances. j "The grand finale is a march-past of the heroes who made the Empire what it is, beginning with Richard Coeur de Lion, and including the funeral of Nelson jwith minute guns and muffled drums. I "Lastly, with clashing bells and crashing music, the Dominions come streaming in to complete the magnificent 'allegorical display." It would be too much to expect if there was no red tape to cut. Befor» sr-curing the necessary firearms the ' organisers must secure a personal license for each man who carries a gun, must provide an arsenal, and specify the number of rounds of ammunition and the number of each gun and the name of tho user. The pageant will provide a sp.endirf object lesson, being a sermon on the text of the lines: — "Pray Ood our ereatnesa may not fail Through craven fear of being great."