MARLBOROUGH'S JUBILEE.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 13569, 2 November 1909, Page 7

MARLBOROUGH'S JUBILEE.

* YESTERDAY'S CELEBRATIONS. (press association telegram.) BLENHEIM, November 1. The celebrations in connection with •the Jubilee of Marlborough opened very inauspiciouely to-day. Heavy rain commenced to fall about 9 o'clock, and continued throughout the day. As a result, the procession, from a spectacular point of view, suffered considerably, and the children's fete set down for the afternoon had to be postponed. The Governor arrived in town shortly after 10 o'clock, and took part in a large procession, comprising bands, volunteers, cadets, fire brigade, friendly societies, and about a dozen gailydeco rated traction engines filled with children. After traversine the principal streets, the procession returned to Market Place, where an address of welcome was presented by four little girls attired in white. His Excellency replied acknowledging the welcome, and the Mayor of Blenheim (Mr A. McCallum) also made a short speech. The National Anthem and the Hallelujah Chorus were sung by the Blenheim Harmonic Society. In the afternoon the Governor attended a banquet given in honour ot the old identities of the province. The town was gaily decorated with flags and greenery, and thousands thronged the streets, despite the rain. A party of members of Parliament, including the Hons. T. Mackenzie, Buddo, Guinness, -Mills, Trask, and Mr W. F. Massey came over from Wellington and took part in the proceedings. Blenheim has never seen such a largo concourse of people, and had the weather been favourable the occasion would have been in every way a memorable one. Later. At the old identities' banquet, several members of Parliament and visiting Mayors spoke. Tho hope was expressed that the South Island Mam Trunk Railway, to connect Picton with Bluff, would bo speedily accomplished. A lengthy telegram was read from the Prime Minister, in which he paid a high tribute to the sterling charaoter of the pioneer eettlere of the province. In the evening, when the rain had ceased, a display of fireworks was witnessed by thousands of people. A cantata was given in the Town Hall by the Harmonic Society. His Excellency wae entertained at night at a Masorfic banquet. He will stay in town overnight, and will attend the A. and P. show to-morrow. The majority of the Parliamentary party left by the train in the evening, on their Teturn to Wellington.