AT PARLIAMENT HOUSE

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21966, 15 December 1936, Page 11

AT PARLIAMENT HOUSE

♦ PROCLAMATION READ BY GOVERNOR-GENERAL IMPRESSIVE CEREMONY (press association: telegram.) WELLINGTON, December 14. The accession of King George VI. was proclaimed from the steps of Parliament House this afternoon, the proclamation being read by his Excellency the Governor-General (Lord Galway). The grounds were thronged with people, who followed the ceremony with close attention. The setting for the reading of the proclamation was ideal. The public gathered on the grassy slopes of the parliamentary grounds and the grey marble Parliament House, seated on the steps of which was a distinguished assemblage, made a fitting background to the scene. The brilliant sunshine of a perfect summer afternoon, the colours of the naval and military uniforms, the glint of the bayonets of the guard, and the brave display of flags made a scene not easily to be forgotten. The official party on the dais included the Governor-General, the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage), members of the Ministry, the leader of the Opposition (the Hon. A. Hamilton), the Chief Justice (the Rt. Hon. Sir Michael Myers) and other distinguished citizens. After the firing of the Royal salute, the ceremony concluded with cheers for his Majesty. Gazettes Extraordinary containing the words of the\ proclamation, also notification that 'the proclamation had been read, were later issued. ABOARD WARSHIPS ROYAL SALUTE FIRED AT AUCKLAND (PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) AUCKLAND, December 14. Simultaneously on the quarterdeck of each ship the proclamation of the accession of his Majesty King George VI. was read on H.M.S. Dunedin, H.M.S. Achilles, H.M.S. Wellington, and H.M.S. Philomel at 2.30 o’clock. Then, after a guard of marines had presented arms, a Royal salute of 21 guns boomed out over the harbour in honour and acclaim of the new King. Comment was caused in the city by the absence of bunting on the warships, which provided a decided contrast to the gaily-be-decked merchant vessels lying at the city wharves. It was stated that the warships were not dressed as is usual when the King’s birthday is celebrated because of a wish expressed by the King that his birthday should not be celebrated by the customary official observance. Instructions to this effect were received at the naval base. At the conclusion of the ceremony the commanders of the four ships led the officers and men in three cheers for the new King, which were given so lustily that they could be heard far across the still water. The proclamation was read in the city and all the suburbs by the mayors. NEW BRIGHTON The proclamation of the accession of his Majesty King George VI. to the Throne was read from the New Brighton Municipal Band Rotunda to a large gathering of residents and visitors by the Mayor (Mr E. L. Smith) yesterday afternoon. Before the reading of the proclamation, the New Brighton Municipal Band marched from the bridge to the rotunda on the foreshore. “To-day we assemble to proclaim a new King.” said the Mayor. “Pages in history have been filled rapidly since December 10 of last year, and the nation has passed through a great crisis, but the common sense of the people of the great British nation has triumphed, and the constitution has been preserved. I appeal to you to be more than loyal to our new King and Queen. When we remember the great privileges enioyed by citizens under the British Constitution, to-day more than ever, we must uphold our monarchy, and thus preserve the rights of the people of all classes.” After the reading of the proclamation, the band led the singing of the National Anthem. Associated with the Mayor were the Mayoress. Dr. W. T. Glasgow (deputyMayor). Captain H. Manse Read (Commanding Officer of the New Brighton Salvation Army Corps), the Rev Kenneth Schollar (Church of England), the Rev. F. H. Bailey <Presbyterian Church). Cr. A. E. Lawry (Methodist Church), the Rev. Father T. ORegan (Roman Catholic Church) Captain A. P Hopkins. Mr C. T. Middleton (Town Cierk), and Cr. C. V. Lester. GERALDINE [THE PRESS Special Service.] GERALDINE, December 14. To hear the reading of the proclamation of accession of King George VI., a representative gathering, numbering more than 60 people, assembled outside the Geraldine Post Office this afternoon. , . The proclamation was read by tne Mayor of Geraldine (Mr B. R. Macdonald), and associated with Mr Macdonald were the chairman of the Geraldine County Council (Mr K. Mackenzie). the town clerk (Mr L. F. Grimstone), and the county clerk (Mr A. A. Readdie). The Mayor’s call for cheers was heartily responded to, and the gathering ended with the singing of the National Anthem. TEMUKA [THE PRESS Special Service.] TEMUKA, December 14. The proclamation of accession was read before a gathering of Temuka townspeople by the Mayor (Mr A. W. Buzan) to-day. The ceremony was held at the Post Office building, the borough councillors and town clerk being present. After the singing of the National Anthem, three cheers were given for the King. RANGIORA In the presence of members of the borough council and a number of residents, the Mayor (Mr C. W. Tyler) read the proclamation of King George VI. outside the Rangiora Council Chambers yesterday afternoon. jL.ed by the Rangiora Brass Band, the National Anthem was sung and three cheers were then given for his Majesty. There was a small attendance at the Rangiora County Council Chambers, where the chairman of the council (Mill. Tallott) read the proclamation. The ceremony ended with the singing of the .National Anthem,