PAGEANTRY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 139, 15 June 1939, Page 15

PAGEANTRY.

FOR CENTENNIAL.

DETAILS OF PROCESSIONS.

SPECTACULAR PROGRAMME

Details concerning the historical procession, scheduled as the most spectacular pageantry event in the programme for the principal phase of Auckland's Centennial celebrations, were given to-day by the Mayor, Sir Ernest Davis, in his capacity as chairman of the Provincial Centennial Council. The procession, he said, was designed to represent the historical, cultural and industrial growth of N'ew Zealand from earliest times. It was intended to divide the procession into 12 sections, covering the Maori race,

the discovery and first settlement of the Dominion, pioneering, the beginning of industries, and public services, women's activities, the Boer War, the Great War, industrial, cultural and commercial growth, other New Zealand and overseas cities, and famous New Zea landers.

Sir Ernest said that it was hoped that there would be at least 50 decorated floats and that the marching units would comprise 3000 people. It was also anticipated that 15 bands and various road units would take part. The procession would be headed by heralds and luounted officers, and then would follow the floats depicting the 100 years of New Zealand's progress, interspersed with the marching units and the bands.

Our Achievements. i lie theuie of the tableau which would Lie enacted after the floats and marching units had lined up in massed formation was to be that of "'achievement of nationhood," with the central figure supported by players representing, 011 the one side, agricultural and pastoral development, and, on the other side, industry, profession and art. Wearing symbolical costumes, the personnel would lay an offering at the feet of the central figure. Following completion of the tableau, which would lie presented on most colourful lines, provision would be made for an inspirational presentation to the future, after which the Hunts would be available for inspection by the public. ihe dress rehearsal of floats and marching units planned to be held in the Domain on .January 26, would be an e\ent in itself, since -it would give members of the public a prior opportunity of inspecting the floats, and, in addition, of witnessing pageantry tableaux depicting scenes from early New Zealand history, the march of time in Xew Zealand, and, finally, the portrayal of the tableau to be presented at the Domain the following day.

Floral Fete. Arrangements were now being finalised for a floral fete and battle o7 flowers to be held on the Domain on -March f), in conjunction with a procession of decorated vehicles, as distinct fioui the historical procession, said Sir hrnest. 1 his would be divided into nine groups encompassing entries bv ci\ ic bodies, business firms, groups and organisations, clubs and associations, educational and religious units, youth organisations, and decorated bicycles, fete itself would be held in two sections. the afternoon being devoted to the children and the evening to adults. The evening performance would conclude w itli a masked dance on the green. The committee proposed to conduct a floral queen carnival and to hold the coronation ceremony at the fete.