THE EVENING CELEBRATIONS

Grey River Argus, 13 November 1918, Page 3

THE EVENING CELEBRATIONS

REMARKABLE ENTH USIASiU

(Priced with a beautiful night, the day's rejoicing was iiitiijgly and en-tluisi;i.stJi-aJ)y concluded last evening with a great procession through the main streets oi the town. By eight o'clock a crowd of from two to three thousand had gathered between the ■Band .Rotunda and the Fire Brigade Station. Soon alter the line of the procession was formed, being headed by. the Union Jack, followed by the united Citizens' and Battalion bands. Then came a carriage bearing representatives of the Allied Nations, they being ais follows: — Britannia (Miss Anderson), France (Misses Clark and McKay), Italy (Miss Orr), Belgium (Miss Brefoner), America (Miss Kettle), Serbia (Miss Smith). Scotland (Misses Ferguson and Stewart), Ireland (Misses M. Deere and Donovan), New Zealand (Miss Heaphy)j # Japan (Miss Rundle). A squad of Darktown gentry marched next, singing and eliciting more or less musical sounds from a strange variety of instruments. A company of schoolgirls bearing flags, were next, and were followed by the Port- Waterside Workers representatives in a vehicle, those aboard insisting that they had a "full" band. The Kiro Brigade's hook and ladder carriage, with a party of the firemen, came next in the line, and, its. progress was marked by the firing of a rapid succession of beautiful .rockets and other pyrotcchnic-al displays throughout the evening. The Grey Old Boys' carriage followed, being crowded and well decorated. There was a piano aboard, and with the aid of concertinas the Old Boys emitted much melody in the course of the journey. Half a dozen more motors and a couple of other illuminated vehicles preceded the ranks of the general public, who lengthened the procession to such an extent that it x reached from Boundary,, to Tainui Street, along Mawhera (Jiuiy, whilst the footpathis and neighbouring streets were filled with large numbers. The procession, with the bands -playing, and the firing of rockets, and innumerable crackers and bombs, as well as displays of coloured lights, moved at a smart pace along the whole length of Mawhera Quay and turned at the Railway Station into Mackay Street. It proceeded thence to the Post Office, where the scene from fhe balcony of the Post Office Hotel, as the j|reafc crowd massed in the street, around the- Illuminated vehicles, was an animated and impressive one.

On the balcony the bands played several martial and patriotic airs J'fis Worship the -Mayor (Mr J. D. Lynch) then made his appearance, and was given an ovation by the assemblage. He said that lie was sure they were not there to hear long speeches. They were there that evening to give united expression to the universal spirit of joyfultiess and thankfulness that reigned throughout this community. It was their great peace day, the day for which they and the whole world had been eagerly .waiting. He thought they could do nothing better than join in singing the National Anthem. (Applause).

The National Anthem was then heartily sung, and at the call of His Worship several other patriotic songs followed, including "Sons of the Sea/ "Tippearaj-y," "Keep tlte Home Fires Burning," "La Marseillaise/ and •'The Star Spangled Banner."

The Mayor, in the course of his remarks, alluded to the presence of a Red Flag which was to be seen in the procession and was still in evidence amid the gathering, and said that that was no place for it. There was absolutely no justification for the insinuation that their brave soldiers had sympathy with that which the red flag represented. There were black sheep in every family, but the great body of their soldiers were loyal to their own flag — the Union Jack. (Applause). He regretted having to refer to this matter, but he repeated that he did not like to see ' the red flag there. His Worship then introduced to the gathering

Lieutenant. K. S. Skoglund, who -said that as a returned soldier, he wished to assure them that the returned men had nothing whatever to do with the red flag. As an Old Boy he could say the same for that organisation, and he added that the Old Boys' carriage had in the procession driven down the flag in question, and would drive over it again. (Applause). Lieut. Skoglund, went on to refer to the next day's celebrations, and said the returned^ soldiers would then be seen in their true colours, as they would be 41l found participating in the demonstration. On behalf pf the Old Boys also, he extended to all present a hearty invitation to join them the following afternoon in celebrating the glorious peace which had been won. (Cheers). Private Oxenham then came forward and said he wished to endorse what had been said by Lieutenant Skoglund, which properly expressed the sentiments of the returned soldiers.

Mr W. H. Parfitt (Deputy Mayor) who was received with applause said it, gave him the -greatest*. pleasure to participate in their- glorious peace celebrations. This was perhaps The greatest and grandest moment in lifehistory of modern nations. They were now to enjoy the fruitg of victory, the blessings which had been won for them on the field of battle by their noble soldiers. All honour then to the men who had done this great thing for them; all honour to the boys who were still there and to those who had come back/ to them; and all honour to their mothers who at- home had .borne patiently the trials and auxieties of loss and separation while their sons were away lighting for the cause of hUerty. The German bully was crushed at last; the world .was once more free from his menace, and they -all were sincerely thankful for the great victory that had been won. He concluded with the hope that each and all would bo present at the great celebration on the following day to commemorate that victory. (Applause).

His Worship the Mayor, said that he had intended having the bandsmen, firemen, Old Boys and other participants in the, procession meet him after the procession, but .on account of the influenza and the precautionary regulations, such a meeting was prohibited. He was glad they had sung the French and American National Anthems so enthusiastically. Both had been valiant Allies,; and the Americans coming in at the critical time as they did, had made wonderfully good. He thought, the best tiling they now could do, would be to continue the procession for another turn or so, back to the starting point, and tTien return to their homes, happy and hopeful in the thought of their great victory and the triumph of right in the world's greatest war. They in New Zealand should feel happy in the thought that they remained still free and ijnhnrmed in their own dear country. As a last Avord. he asked them air to remember the following afternoon's united thanksgiving service, at which they hoped for «reafc demonstration. (Applause).

The procession then passed a'opo; Guinness Street, back to Hip FW Brigade Station, where, after further music, by the band, the great assemb^ lage slowly dispersed.