END OF THE PAGEANT

Evening Post, Volume 65, Issue 65, 17 March 1924, Page 2

END OF THE PAGEANT

A HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL FUNCTION.

On Saturday, at the Town Hall, the concluding ceremony of the Pageant which lias provided such a happy and successful carnival time for the people of Wellington, took place, when Queen Elizabeth (Mrs. A. C. Ashford) was crowned as the winning queen of the contest. The large hall has never looked more gay, for flags, draperies, and lights Were all of vivid colours, theeffect being extremely bright and cheerful. The dancing began at eight o'clock, the coronation beipg arranged for nine. The hall was well filled with dancers, who enjoyed the music and floor, while the galleries were filled with interested spectators, many of whom were thos_e who had done good work at the Park, and were happy in looking on at the successful conclusion of a great deal of work by a great many people. Before the entrance of the queens, Mr. Alex Gray, X.C, representing the Community Club, made a brief speech and thanked all those who had worked so hard and so successfully. He extended congratulations to Queen Elizabeth (the winning quoeii) and her maids of honour, and the other queens also, whose friendly rivalry had resulted in such a large addition to the funds. The queens' committees, too,, were .worthy of much praise, and especially they wished to thank the ladies' committees who had done very fine work of a less spectacular kind. They also thanked the Headmasters' . Association, especially Mr. Hopkirk, who acted as marshal in the fine display" given by the children, and the children, too, deserved praise for the way they had performed their part; also the ladies who arranged dancing displays, the bands, Captain Duthie, and the V.M.C.A. gymnasium displays! Mr. Gray mentioned specially the Heturned Soldiers' Association, which was the only committee not personally interested in the results and yet the members threw themselves whole-heartedly into the campaign to help the younger generation in their club. The : Press was thanked for reports, Mr. A. R. Atkinson for writing historical articles, Mr. J. I. Goldsmith for much help with the hoods'for the children's flag display; the Master Carriers' Association for free cartage; the Director of Reserves, Mr. M'Kenzie;. Mr. Brewer, custodian of Nowtowu Park; the Bristol Piano Company for loan of a piano; the proprietors of the Park Kiosk, and all the Workers at the-Park. The. procession next appeared in stately manner, led by two charming little girls, Suzanne Williams and Nellie Bosher, in pago costumes, who were the bearers of the crown and sceptre, carried on velvet cushions. Next came "Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth," followed by her maids of horfour. Then followed the other royalties, Miss Joan Kirkcaldie (Joan of Arc), Matron Wilson (Nurse Cavell), Miss Marjorie O'Shea (Britannia), Miss Hilda Miles (Mary Queen of Scots), each lady being followed by her maids of honour. Queen Elizabeth then ascended the stage, a crimson carpet having been put down for her passage up the centre of the hall,- and Colonel Melvill, C.8., C.M.G., D.5.0., performed the crown- j ing ceremony. The crown was not the one Which had been worn on previous appearances of Elizabeth, but. a. much larger one and more befitting '.the - dignity of the occasion. Seated lipoii "the throne," she received the obeisance of her former rivals,, who took, their, places, with their maids of honour, upon the stage; forming a . most effective tableaux; At the close of the ceremony, Queen Elizabeth presented Captain Aldridge with the Regimental District Challenge Cup, and the Area Championship Cup was presented to Lieutenant R. 0. Marks, D.C.M., of Scots College. In the course of a brief speech, Colonel Melvill paid a tribute to the organising work of Major W. I. K. Jennings, D.5.0., and to the commissioned and non-commissioned officers and men of the Territorial Forces, who had worked heart and soul for the success of- the Pageant. He also thanked the Community Club committee and workers who had given a great amount of time to the Pageant. The Community Club, he told the audience, had been started for the bene.fit of the Territorials and. Senior Cadets, and it had achieved its object nobly, and the thanks of the Defence Department were due to the committee and workers. Colonel Melvill also thanked the queens and their ladies-in-Waiting, and said that much of the success of the Pageant was due to their work. The descent of the queens and their ladios, to whom bouquets were given by their supporting committee, was the signal for general dancing, which was kept up with enthusiasm till midnight, thus concluding one of the happiest and most successful big undertakings ever organised in Wellington.