SCENE IN THE TOWN HALL.

Evening Post, Volume 27, Issue 77, 27 September 1907, Page 2

SCENE IN THE TOWN HALL.

AN IMMENSE GATHERING. The doors of the Town Hall were oponed ,at 7.15, and in a quarter of an hour all the seats, save those of the chorus T^d those specially reserved for the procession, were filled. But the public still pressed in, standing against the walls, and in the gallery enterprising juveniles climbed upon the mouldings whore they held a commanding if precarious position throughout the proceedings. There was a long wait, during which Mr. Robert Parker, whoso performances on the great organ, to borrow Wordsworth's phrase, are "alas, too few" — played a stirring march from Handel, and a selection of familiar national airs — Scottish, Irish. Welsh, and English. Then the viceregal party arrived, and the public rose while Albani sang the National Anthem. Each stanza was repeated, the audience joining-in the second time. The platform at this i time presented a brilliant spectacle, leading citizens and representatives of the city and the various Government departments, with their wives, being grouped in the foreground. After the National Anthem, the troops who had taken part in the procession marched in and took their places, preceded by the band, playing a brilliant march. Then came the real crush at the doors. Heedless of the warning j "House full," thie late-comers pressed in, securing every available inch of standing-room, sitting on steps, choking j every exit &nd standing in the en- ! trances, forced ever forward by the crowd outside. Certainly, the assem- : blage was by far the largest ever ! gathered in any building in Wellington, and ono could not avoid misgivings as to the possible effects of any sudden alarm. The crowd was good-humour-ed and curious; but there was little if any sign of enthusiasm from beginning Ito end. At times, especially %vhen the | incomers began to stand between the rows of seated spectators, there was hustling, and one or twice a quarrel seemed imminent, but thoro was no breach of the .peace. A woman in the gallery had a fit of histories, and a few bars on the organ created the necessary diversion while she was looked after. A whole battery of cameras at the back of the choir seats, was turned upon the audience and many snapshots obtained, and at the close a, flashlight picture was secured. _ ' There was little enthusiasm among .the speakers. The Mayor was not very distinctly audible in the gallery. Bis Excellency spoke briefly, clearly, and to the point, and Sir Joseph Ward's address, though distinctly audible, lost its effect to some extent through being read from manuscript-