THE WELCOME BY THE CHILDREN.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 11000, 25 June 1901, Page 7

THE WELCOME BY THE CHILDREN.

A CHARMING SPECTACLE.

YOUNG CANTERBURY TO THE FORE

One of the most interesting of the gatherings which have taken place-during the Royal visit was that of the Canterbury school children yesterday in Victoria square. The mere sight of the thousands of welldressed, sturdy, healthy, children, who sat tier upon tier in the stands, was in itself one worth going many miles to see. The marshalling of so large a number of children on to and off the stands was a work of considerable magnitude and responsibility, and the members of the Committee, end the teachers, who carried it out so successfully, are entitled to much credit for their zeal and exertions. The toi waving was not so successful as was hoped, and by no means in the matter of artistic effect compared with what would have been the result had flags of different colours been used. Besides the toi plumes having been stored so long shed their feathers when they were waved, a snow-like shower covering everyone within range with a thick coating. Still, it was worth this trifling inconvenience to hear the grand clear ring of the vast body of childish voices as they cheered—as children only can cheer—heartily, and sang the National Anthem. There is something in the sound of children's voices or laughter winch touches one deeply, and it is more pronounced when as yesterday, there were represented in such large numbers the flower of the youth of Canterbury.

Aa the time approached for the advent of the Royal party, there gathered together on the dais the personages who were to ceiVe them. His. Excellency the Governor and Lady Ranfurly were prompt to arrive, and received a most enthusiastic welcome from the children, who cheered vociferously. The Right Hon. the Premier, Sir Joseph Ward, end -Hon. Mr Carroll, were also loudly cheered on taking their places His' Worship the Mayor and Mayoress, Hon. W. C. Walker, Mr F. J. Board (chairman of the

Children's Committee), Messrs T. E. Donne, and John Holmes, were also present on the dais. _

The arrival of his Excellency the Governor was evidently mistaken for the Royal party, as the signal was given for the National Anthem to be sung. A hurried message from the Brenner to the conductor (Mr Trist Searell), however, put .matters right, and ensured the repetition Cf the anthem on the arrival oi the Duke and Duchess. The weather wa« lovely, just a touch "of frost in the air, and tine bright sunshine making one feel that it was good to be alive. It had been intended that the Royal carriage should come in at the gate near the Victoria street bridge, but the escort— which, by the way, . appears during the functions to have thought the longest way round the nearest —led the cortege through the gate facing&Armagh street. Had it not been for the thbughtfulness of her Royal Highness the Duchess in ordering the carriage to drive out at the Victoria street gateway, the children on the far side would note* have had so good a view ot, their Royal Highnesses as they did. As the Royal carriage drove slowly in, the children rose and cheered, and cheered,- and cheered again, the tuis waving wildly and sending forth cloud* of fleecy patches. The exuberant loyalty of the Right Hon. the Premier was responsible tor a little mistake in the singing of the National Anthem, the ohiktren—like good New Zealanders—taking their cue from the Premier, and preceding the band by a bar- or two. The Duke and Duchess, with whom were Lady Mary Lyron, seemed greatly pleased with their reception by the children, and looked round with evident appreciation of the interesting scene. His .xceUency the Uovernor carae down the steps of the" dais, and asked her Royal Highness whether she would come on to the platform. This, however, the Duchess did not wish to do. The four little girls chosen to represent the schools of Canterbury to present the bouquet, were then brought forward by the Mayoress, and showed much aplomb m advancing to their Royaj Highnesses. Miss Reese then advanced to the carnage, and said: "On behalf of the children°of the schools of Canterbury, I have the honour to heartily welcome your Royal Highness," and presented the bouquet. Her Royal H.ghness smilingly said, "Thank you, my dear," .and the little band of giris, who were clad in white with red, white, ana. bhie sashes, (retired. In addition to the names of the girls who supported Miss Reese in her presentation, Miss Madge O'Malley represented toe Convent scnoois. The presentation over, an_dst a storm of cheers the rioyal carriage drove away, going out by the Victoria street gate. The other carriages followed in quick succession,'and as his Excellency the Governor and Lady Ranfurly and tne Right Hon. the' Premier drove away the eni/iiusiastic cheers accorded showed their popularity. Three times three cheers were also most : heartily for his Worship the Mayor j and the Mayoress as they passed out, and one of the most interesting gatherings of the Royal tour came to an end. I

THE SCHOOLS REPRESENTED. In the unavoidable absence of Mr M. Murphy, F.R.S-, who had been obliged to leave lor Dunedin, Mr F. J. Board acted as chairman, and was ably supported by the othsr members of the Children's Committee —Messrs T. S. Weston (chairman of the North Canterbury Education Board), Mr H. C. Lane (secretary to the Board), and Messrs C. D. Morris, A. Kaye, Dr. Mickle, E. W. Seager, C. H. Winny, G. Andrews, H. B. Sorensen, J. M. Thompson, W. Rollitt, W. Bain, T. S- Foster, T. Hughes, Bro. Arthur, C S. Howard, H. English, C. W. Garrard, and the Misses Kitehingman, Baldwin, and Dynes. The battalions of young New Zealanders poured on to the stands in a steady stream, and were all seated nicely without hitch or trouble, everyone being in place some few minutes before the arrival of their Boyai Highnesses. The following State schools were represented as under:—

West Christchurch—-Mr T. S. Foster (headmaster), and Messrs F. J. Rowley, P. Menzies, T. Gates, Miss Jack (head mistress), and the Misses Grant, Menzies, and Morrison. Number of children present, 520. Svdenbani—-Ur ,J- Baldwin (headmaster) and Messrs F. McGallan, J. Wadell, Misses Dynes, Hall, and Morrison; 420. Normal—Mr E. Watkins (principal), Mr J. C. Adams (hoadmaster), and Messrs C. T. Aschman, F. T. Evans, A. W. Shrimpton, and J. R. Sinclair, the Misses Kitchingman (head mistress), Miss Meadows and Miss Smith; 410. East Christchurch—Mr J. L. Scott (headmaster), and Mr S. C. Owen, Mr J. S. Kennedy, Mr J. E. R. Smith, Mr A. Tavlor, Miss Baldwin (head mistress!, and Mrs Wagstaff, Misses Gilmour, and Scott; 370. St. Albans—-Mr J. B. Mavne (headmaster) and Messrs C. Hall, F. D. Waller, and Miss Douds; 250. Lvttelton Borough—Mr E. U. Just (headmaster), Mr D. Jack, Miss Olliver, and Miss Chanlin; 222. r Addington—Mr Wm. Seay (headmaster), Mr Poison, Miss Beck, Miss Dynes, Miss Shirtcliffe; 230.' Waltham—Mr T. Hutrhes (headmaster), Messrs J. J. Adams, and Newton, and Misses Bower and Reese; 250. Richmond—Mr C. S. Howard (headmaster), Messrs G- Schneider and A. Gray, and •Misses Spense and Osbora; 200. Burnham Industrial—Mr Archey: 120. Woolston—Mr A. Binnie • (headmaster) and Miss Glan ville and Miss Mills; 120. Kaiapoi—Mr R. J. Alexander (head master) and Mr Hilla; Misses L. Blackwell and Miss Smith; 125. Belfast—Mr W. D. Bean (headmaster) and Misses Sword, Kvan, and Morrow; 116. O^awa—Mr O. Petrie (headmaster), Mr D. S. Shirlaw, and Misses Banks and Rowley ; 100. s - New Brig- .on—Mr G. W. Bishop (headmaster), and Misses Orraandy and Brown ; 100. Xmberley—Mr F. -Alley (headmaister) and Miss Stanton; 60. Harewood Road—Mr R. J. Twose (headmaster) and Miss Hodgson ; 50. Riccarton—Mr H. England (headmaster) and Miss Wilkinson; 60. Burwood—Mr G. Davidson (headmaster) and Miss Speiice; 54. Rangiora—Mr T. Ambrose (headmaster). Mr S; G. Smith, and Misses Taylor and Chapman ; 70. Papanui—Mr C. W. Garrard (headmaster) and Misses Hodgson and Duncan; 80. West Lyttelton—-Mr J. McGregor (headmaster) and Miss Joyce; 90.

Spreydon—Mr F. W. .uunnibell (headmaster) and Miss Stephens; 65. Lauriston—Mrs Walker; 20. Akaroa—Mr Nicholls and Miss CracKock; 30.

Culverderf—'Miss Wetherell; 4. Southbridge—Mr T. Gates and Miss Taylor and Miss Tullock; 20.

Fendalton—Mr S. Bullock (headmaster), Mr Pavitt and MissDurose; 70.

Marshland—Mr Malcolm and Miss Reid; 50. .

Killmchy—Mr Tipkr; 20. Raupaki Maori School—Mr Hastings; 40.

Cust—Mr Henderson; 30. Mount Grey Downs—Mr Boyce; 12. Dunsandel—Mr T. Irvine; 30. Broadfield—Mr R. Ferguson; 25. Hornby—Mr Dunnett: 35. Southbrook—Mr Borthwick; 30. Greendale—Mrr J. H. Wilson; 30. Springston—Mr S. McCullough; 47. . Iteeston—Mr J. Anderson; 20. Waikari—Mr T. Stout; 30. View Hill—Mr R. Mounsey; 12. Greenpark—Mr A. Bramiey; 25. Ladbrooks—Mr K. Kippenberger 30. Burnham—Mrs Satchel!; 11. Kowai Bush—Mrs Savill; 12. Brookside—Mr J. Jones; 25. Flaxton—Mr H. BusseU; 23. Lincoln—Mr Cookson; 30. Prebbleton- —Mr J. Mahoney; 40. Sefton—Mr H. Thompson; 27. Eskvale—Miss Wardle: 15. Gretg, Valley—Miss Carpenter; one child present. The Peaks—Miss Roberts; 4. Sumner—Mr J. McLeod and Miss Bndden; 40. Tai Tapu—Mr J. Vosa; 45. Bromley—Mr H. R. Wilkinson and Miss Hill; 30/ Clarkville—Mr Herbert; 35. , Hurrunr—Miss Hare; 18. Ashburton Forks—Miss Doberiy; 14. South Malvern—Miss Sorensen; 8. Ashley—Mr H. A. Grant; 16. Kaiapoi Island—Mr J. MoGiliivxay; 20.

Rollestdn—Mr Bl O'ShaughneMf; 22, Saltwater Creek—Mr W. DickM 12, Kowai Pass—Mr J. hf. Ulanvilte; 32. Leithneld—Mr G. Anderson; 15." ■ Halkett—Mr G. Maber; 20. - Governors Bay—Mr G. W. E. Budd; 14. ... • - - ■ ■

YaldhuTstr—Mr. F. Bowler; 30-LownKffsU-Mx H. A. W. Caiman; 20. Ha&wall--Mr S. P-Guiner] 25. Ahnatrr-Mc James D&we; 12. - The Catholic Schools were represented by Marist Bro. Arthur (headmaster) and Rev. Bro. Charles; 110. Sacred Heart—in charge of several of the Sisters of the Order? 100. Colombo street Convent—in charge of Sisters; 80. Private schools had space allotted for about 300 odd children, St. Matthews, St. Michael's, and Mrs McKee's private school for girls being amongst the best represented. The pupils of the latter wore hats trimmed with blue, and carried a silk banner bearing the school crest, a representation of a key in a circlet, with the motto, "Ne earn in mc verte." At the conclusion of the ceremony in the . square the country children trooped away to the Canterbury Hall annexe, . quite an army of happy, hungry little ones, filling up the large building. Tho arrangements were not altogether perfect, but Mr jrfoard •and those with him did their best, and although there was some confusion at first, the children were supplied with cakes, lollies, biscuts, and cups of tea, and appeared to enjoy themselves very much. A Punch and Judy show was in full swing, and delighted the children. It was interesting indeed to hear the many expressions of wonder and the frank criticism indulged in by the little people on what they nad seen. But throughout there was excellent behaviour, and the looker-on had to admit that it would be difficult to find anywhere a better-behaved gathering of children, and still more difficult to find so many well-dressed, healthy-looking boys and girls under one roof. After obtaining some refreshment the children -had a look »* round at the decorations in the city, and then gradually separated as detachment after detachment left by train on the return journey to their quieter country homes, many of them tired with journeying, but satisfied to have at least seen the King's son and the Princess May.