A GREAT DAY IN DUNEDIN.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 9993, 24 March 1898, Page 5

A GREAT DAY IN DUNEDIN.

THE HISTORIC PROCESSION.

(Br Telegraph.) (FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.) DUNEDIN, March 22. The jubilee day of Che province of Otago dawned bright and clear, the brilliant sunshine being more that of midsummer than autumn. In fact, had the promoters of the festival had the ordering of the weather no more auspicious day could have been selected. The streets were filled from a comparatively early hour with crowds of expectant ■ sightseers, the rallying poiut being the site of the inspection of the different trade exhibits entered for competition. The citizens themselves mustered in strength, and were reinforced by visitors from all parts until the main streets, particularly, Prinoes street, and every other point from which the procession could be seen were blocked with tinge crowds of eager spectators. v The start of the procession had been fixed for 11.30, but, as is the case with all public functions, strict punctuality was not observed. The marshals, however, deserve great credit for the. admirable manner m which they discharged their duties, not a hitch oocurring throughout the whole . long line of the procession.

As the hour draws on towards noon the crowd in Princes. street stretching from the Town Hall, to beyond Brown and Ewing's corner grows denser, and as one loofci down towards the, south and the north nothing but a sea of heads and a mass of variegated colours meets the eye. All the windows commanding a view of the procession blossom out like flowerbeds with the colours of the dainty costumes of the ladies who crowd every inch of available space. The roofs of the verandahs and of the shops themselves are also covered with spectators, and here and there along the route the busy photographer is seen taking a pictorial record of one of the grandest scenes that Otago has ever witnessed. Very appropriately, to young New Zealand, in the shape of the Public School Cadets, is delegated the duty of keeping the way clear for the representative Band of pioneers in whose honour as the descendants of the original settlers the rejoicings of the day are mainly held. To us who are waiting expectantly for the procession the time seems to lag somewhat* Still the people continue to pour into the space between the two points already mentioned. A pretty picture is made by the green lawns of the Octagon forming a kind of setting to the varied colours worn by the multitude gathered round the Town Hall and in the streets, and the purple hills at the back give a finishing touch to the beauty of the scene.

As the hands of the Town Hall clock approach the hour of noon, the roll of drams and skirl of pipes heralds the approach of the procession, the bead of which is seen turning into George street. The trappings of the fire brigade, which is in the van, flash and glitter in the sunlight, and from the closely packed masses runs a hum of expectation along the line. One misses in the Fire Brigade portion the steamers and chemical engines which form soprominent a part of similar displays in Chriatchurch. Instead there are only hose reels. The \men, however, look smart and active. As the next section comes into view the patriotic and clannish sympathies of the Scots break oat into wild cheering, for these are the Hielan' laddies in the shape of the pipe bands, which march proudly along headed by their pipe majors, whose noble bearing rouses the crowd again and again to enthusiasm. One would have expected to see the members of the Gaelic Society in their tattans and trews instead of, ac was the case, the somewhat prosaic costume of the nineteenth oenturjb

The green banners of the Foresters and the emblems of the Shepherds head the Friendly Societies, who make a very excellent show. The Druids have several, tableaux, one especially of a group of ancient Britons, somewhat fearsome to look at, being specially creditable. The Oddfellows, whose purple and blue sashes make a pretty note of colour in the procession, have also some emblematic tableaux. One of these, representing an invalid in bed attended by a nurse, illustrating the benevolent objects of the Order, has rather a comic side, inasmuch as the patient, besides having a rosy complexion, lifts his head from the pillow at intervals in order see what is taking place around him. The green banner and sashes of the Hibernians, and the orange of the Protestant Alliance and Orangemen, closes the Friendly Societies , section.

Now comes one of the most interesting portions of the procession, viz., the trade display. These are varied and elaborate, and amongst the most noticeable are four distinct representations of industry. The first is illustrative of the making of paper from the commencement to the finish. The raw material is drawn on a bush sledge by a team of six fine bullocks, the sledge being artistically decorated with fern trees. The succeeding vehicles contained the article in various stages of manufacture. A noticeable feature of this unique display is a man on horseback clad in a suit of paper, attended by two pages also attired in the same material. Although the spreading chestnnt ia not in evidence, the village blacksmiths, with their ringing strokes on the anvil, are represented by the employees of Messrs Reid and Gray,' all the processes of ironwork being shown m full operation. Whether it was that the sight of an immense wedding roused the sympathies of the crowd or that the excellence of the display made by Mr Wright excited their admiration, it is impossible to say. The fact, however, remains that this portion of the trade displays received more public commendation than any other. Quite a forest of models of ships and a gigantic boat on a lorry proclaim the advent «f the shipwrights, who have a very interesting show.

A roar of cheers ripples along George and Princes streets as the Maoris make their appearance in the procession, and a very pretty appearance it is. In the front carriage a stahvurb young chief stands erect, gracefully saluting the onlookers as he passes, giving the Maori welcome. In the next carriage ie a bevy of Maori beauties, who wave greenstone meres in response to the hearty cheere which greet them. All these are attired in handsome and picturesque costumes.

A noticeable point, emblematical of progress, is made in connection with the display of the Painters' Union. This consists of two doors placed upright in a vehicle, with the figures 1848 and 1898 respectively above them. The, latter is being painted and grained in the highest style of decorative art, whilst the former remains in its primi tive state. ' ■

Weighty with memories of the past struggles of the pioneer settlers was the advent of the lino of old identities", and one could not help joining heartily in the cheer which rang out spontaneously as the little band came into view. The banners, which they carried bore dates from 1848 to 1859. Many of the mothers of Ofcago formed part of this historical gathering, and the name of nearly everyone of the pioneer settlers had ics representative. Almost as interesting was the appearance of the pioneer miners who, ewag on back and prospecting diah in hand, tramped as sturdily along the street as they had done in years gone by amongst the rugged hills. A reminiscence of bygone days—one, too, which must have evoked many old-time memories—was fitly brought up here. This was a six-horse old-fashioned Cobb's coach filled inside with moleskinattired diggers and guarded by two police troopers.

As one looks towards the Octagon the windows on either side break out iotapatches of white as handkerchiefs are waved enthusiastically, and cheers co up, denoting the approach of Lady Ranfurly and his Excellency the Governor. The carriages advance slowly through the cheering crowd. Lady Ranfurly bowrog right and left ia acknowledgement, whilst the Governor lifta his hat almost continuously along the line of the etreet. In the carriage with the Governor is the Mayor of the city and the Premier. .■..•■■:

The procession is closed by the different companies of Volunteers, the Highland regiment coming in for a large share of public approbation. As the last file of the military passes along, the vast crowd closes in behind. From both Bides of the Octagon and from the other streets people pour in dense masses until Princes street is like one moving sea as far as the eye can reach. .