PATRIOTIC SCENES

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 32, 6 August 1914, Page 4

PATRIOTIC SCENES

A WAVE OF ENTHUSIASM CROWDS PARADE THE STREETS. Last night in Wellington was a night to be remembered. It was not, however, a "Mafeking night," and there was a reason for it — the occasion was different. In the case of the relief of Mafeking the public gave full vent to their joy at the raising of the protracted siege upon the remote citadel that had so gallantly upheld the prestige of the British race ; last night there was nothing to rejoice over — the Empire was in for trouble, and behind the outward expressions of patriotism there was an evident feeling of anxiety. Early in the evening people com : menced to make their way into the principal thoroughfares, and as the night developed Willis-street, Lambtonquay, Manners-street, and Cuba-street became so densely crowded in places that it was difficult for the ordinary traffic to get through. The crowd outside The Evening Post Office was specially dense throughout the whole of the evening, the posters on the windows being read with the greatest interest, and the special war edition being rushed, with unprecedented eagerness. Towards 9 o'clock, it is estimated, there must have been from 15,000 to 20,000 people parading the principal streets of the city. The majority of them, while not making themselves specially heard, betrayed the keenest interest in the momentous happenings, and in discussing the pros and cons of the situation displayed general confidence in G-reat Britain's ability to hold her own and a determination that in whatever happened eyerv one was prepared to see it through. Among the younger members of the community, from about 30 years of age downwards, less restraint was displayed, and, forming processions of varying size, they . marched up and down the streets for several hours, singing /patriotic airs, such a-s me British and French National j Anthems, . "Rule Britannia," and "Soldiers of the King." One of these j processions was headed by the Tramways Band with a standard-bearer cari rying a Union Jack, and another by a corps of Territorials, all of whom very vigorously cheered. On every hand there was a display of enthusiasm which was Temarkable, inasmuch as that it had been worked up in such a short epace of time. Another remarkable feature of the evening's proceedings, which not a few observant people commented upon, was the military order which the various processions assumed. In every instance without exception ' the crowds formed themselves into processions and marched in rows, four, five, and six deep upon military lines. This doubtless was due to the effect of compulsory military training, and was in marked contrast to the mob processions without shape, form, or anything else which characterised such demonstrations during the Boer war. The street demonstrations were continued until close upon 10 o'clock, when the majority of people returned to their homes.