HISTORICAL PAGEANT

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 25, 30 January 1924, Page 10

HISTORICAL PAGEANT

DISPLAY AT NEWTOWN PARK

PRELIMINARY MEETING OF

WORKERS.

It is proposed to hold from lst to Bth March next a pageant' at Newtown Park. It will be styled a "Grand Naval and Military Tournament and Citizen-Sol-diers' Pageant." The proceeds will be donated to the Commuuity Club and to local regimental funds. Last evening a public meeting was held in the. Council Chamber of the Town Hall, when all those workers interested in the movement attended to consider preliminary arrangements in connection with the week. The Mayor (Mr. R, A. Wright, M.P.) presided over a large gathering of supporters. In introducing the subject, the chairman saidthat the object the promoters had in view was to raise money for.a definite purpose, and that definite purpose was to assist the Community "Club. Half the proceeds were to be given to the Community Club. The work' of the club always appealed to him. He knew that a number of ladies and gcnt'emen had devoted a great deal of time and attention to the work of gathering up ■lads and endeavouring to educate them on sound civil lines. It was a work that must appeal to eevrybody, but it :also required money to teach these lads to grow up good citizens. It was pointed out by Mr. A. Gray, :K.C., that a large number of uniforms had been specially imported from the Old Country for the pageant, "The Army Throughout the Ages," which it was proposed to put on at Newtown Park, and which would depict the British Army in the various stages of its existence. The uniforms arid accoutrements had been imported at considerable expense, and the pageant would i make a very fine and attractive entertainment. Colonel N. Falla, chairman of the executive, on behalf of the Wellington Garrison, outlined the programme. On the first afternoon, he said, the intention was to parade the whole of the Wellington Garrison. - The grand historical pageant, "The Army and Navy Throughout the Ages," would be the principal attraction. Subseqeut to this the Territorial competitions would be - held, in' which crack corps would be seen in ac- j tion. During the week other Wellington interests had agreed to assist in displays, such as the Wellington Fire Brigade, the V.M.C.A., and other bodies. Jousting, as done in the days of Queen Elizabeth, with knights in armour and fitting accoutrements, also would figure on the programme. vAt night the attractions for the entire week would be I heightened' by lighting the Park, and in fireworks displays. ■ On behalf of the ladies, Mrs. M. H. Chatfield outlined the^proposals for the setting up of queen candidates, and arrangements in . connection with tli6 refreshment portion of the project. . '' General Sir Alfred Robin assured the committee of his support. It was explained that the four queen candidates would be Queen Elizabeth, Mary Queen of Scots, Joan of Arc, and Nurse Cavel.l. These queens would be supported by service unite. In' connection with the jousting, it was stated that Queen Elizabeth would be accompanied by six maids of honour, a retinue of 45 sailors and soldiers in the costume of the time, and Bhe would have with her a French Ambassador, in costume, a knight marshal,,.and,,fqur.knights in armour and four beralds. At nighttime the Park would be, lighted by 10,000 coloured lights. Another important ' feature, was children's day, which had-been fixed for the Wednesday. With the approval- of the Wellington Education Board and the Wellington School Committees' Association, the Wellington Headmasters'. Association, had decided, to stage a living Union Jack with SCOO children. Mr. J. B. Hopkirk was appointed as marshal for the children. .' It was stated by Mr. M'Laren that the proposals .had been heartily endorsed by the Civic League. . After a general discussion, a resolution that all the ladies and gentlemen present agree to act on the General Committee, and all the ladies present agree to acton the Ladies' Committee, Was. carried unanimously.