MILITARY PAGEANT

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 136, 5 March 1927, Page 10

MILITARY PAGEANT

BIG CROWD ENJOYS UNIQUE DISPLAY. The military tournament and searchlight tattoo attracted a greater crowd last night to Newtown Park than it did on Thursday night, and it is confidently expected that the attendance will continue to grow till the final showing. The public apparently realises that it is something never previously attempted in Wellington, and last night clearly indicated appreciation of the endeavours of the Community Club and the assisting defence forces. ■ The pageant is the fruit of the combined endeavours of artistic civilian thought and regulated military achievement A. continuous display" of grand spectacle is witnessed. The battlefrcnt plan of action is seen in the private in khaki who kneels at the field telephone, sending the latest orders to castle wall, control station, band rotunda or royal enclosure, and the military authority is evident in tha precision with which each succeeding company sallies forth to stage its manoeuvre. ' The whole is under the direction of Major R. Miles, D. 5.0., M.C. The arrival of the Governor-General, Sir Charles Fergusson, and party last night was the signal for great applause. He was received by a guard of honour formed by the Wellington College Glowworn Party. From then on the pageant proceeded without a hitch. The contests in skill were continued from the previous night, and then the procession of queens with elaborate ancient ceremonial followed. The searchilgth tattoo was beautiful and impressive, the outstanding features being the precision and fine horsemanship displayed by lhe 6th Mounted Rifles and the Royal New Zealand Artillery, who performed their maypole and musical rides without a hitch. Each event in turn was acclaimed by the multitude, the glowworm evolutions, the Highland piping and dancing, the illuminated club swinging, and especially the firework display calling forth admiration. . The last scene "The Soldiers of the King,” was a fitting climax. The event was again brought to a close with "Onward Christian Soldiers," and "God Save the King."