OPENING OF NEW SESSION

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27377, 16 June 1954, Page 3

OPENING OF NEW SESSION

AIR FORCE GUARD OF HONOUR

VAMPIRE JETS TO FLY OVER PARLIAMENT

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, June 15. Two runs by Vampire jet aircraft over Wellington this morning were the first rehearsal by the Royal New Zealand Air Force for the opening of Parliament next Tuesday. There, will be a flight of Vampires overhead when the Governor-General (Sir Willoughby Norrie) arrives for the opening, and the Air Force will also provide the guard of honour and the military band in attendance. The guard of honour will consist of 100 airmen—half from Headquarters, Wellington, and half from the Ohakea station —under the command of Flight Lieutenant J. W. Ritchie and two other officers. They will go into rehearsal this week-end at Trentham Military Camp, and will remain at the camp until Tuesday.

The guard will parade with fixed bayonets at the Town Hall at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, apd will march to Parliament. The guard will carry the Queen’s Colour for the first time at an opening of the New Zealand Parliament.

The Colour was presented to the Air Force by the Queen at the Whenuapai station on December 28. It has been carried once since then—when the Queen left New Zealand at the Bluff.

The band to parade with the guard will be the Territorial Air Force Band under the command of Warrant Officer R. H. Simpson.

Six trumpeters of the band will sound fanfares on the arrival of the Governor-General at Parliament House, and in the Chamber when Black Rod announces the arrival. The fanfare trumpets to be used arfe those acquired by the Air Force for the Royal visit. The guard of honour when the Queen opened Parliament was provided by the Ist Battalion, Wellington Regiment. The three Services take turns in providing the guard for the opening of Parliament.