THE FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CV, Issue 12535, 24 June 1901, Page 8

THE FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.

MARCH PAST THE DUKE AND ’ DUCHESS. Though it was the lost of the Vic* toria Square functions, the march-past of the Friendly Societies attracted much attention, and doubtless was of some interest; to their Royal Highnesses. Certainly tho display was neither as large as was expected nor as'thoroughly representative of the Friendly Societies, as „ could have been wished, but nevertheless was effective. The causea which led to so comparative- i ly small agios ter were many. la .titers# -j

place the weather at an early hour on SatunJay miormnig, particularly bad in the country districts, had the effect of preventing many members of societies from leaving their homes to suffer a probable drenching. Another and important factor was, the fact ' thrafc the great bulk ■ o'l the members, of, town and country societies** are also Volunteers. The duty of a' Volunteer supersedes all other duties, and' when his commanding officer issues an order, that order ranks before any other, and that Volunteer is faithful to bis King and countin'. All city, suburban and rural corps having been summoned, by the officer commanding the district to attend to the duty of lining the Royal :|oute, that duty stood first, with the result that however much they might have .wished to join in the Friendly Societies’ proytatshm, their military duties called them Dlsewbere. Anyhow, at the appointed hour •of noon, it Was apparent—that instead of “going one better” (as the at their last meeting hoped to do) —that there would be a consol •-able number short of the 4000 which the Wellington records give , as the , numerical strength of the Friendly Socie- - ties of the Empire City and district. Tim actual number which marched past was 3160, made up os follows ;* —Oddfellows Man oh ester Unity, North Canterbury and Ashley Districts, with their respective' banners, ftOd marshalled by Brc F. J. Caterer, : 1170; Reohabites, with two banners, and marshalled by Bro A. Palmer, 70; Loyal Orange Institution, with four banners, reSuiting lodges between Timaru and , -marshalled by .Bro J. Caygill, 460; Hibernians, with on® banner, and mar•haUed by Bro P. Shannon, 120; Protestant Alliance, with a banner and several bannerettes, marshalled by Bro J. Hanna, 62; Foresters, with three banners, representing Courts in Christchurch, Sydenham, Kaiapoi, etc., marshalled by C. It. Bro H. Crooks, 282 j United Ancient Order ol Druids, many ol the officers'in full Druid,kal costume and With their banner, marBhallled by P.A. Bro W. Newton, 260; and lastly, Sons and Daughters ol Temperance, with banner, but no lady representatives, marshalled by Bio T. Moore, 76. The wholes procession was tinder the control of Mr J. M. Douglass, wearing the Loyal Orange colours and numerous order# of merit. His aide-de-camp was Mr F. J. Ranker, who had previously acted as Chairman of the Delegates Conference which led to the procession feeing held. Four bands took pant art the precession., The Woolstpn Band, thirty members, under Bandmaster A. F, Libh- ‘ pww, led Ihe way, playing “ Full Dress Parade” (Hill), “King’s Carnival” (Hall), and “The Commodore” (AUsopp). The (Elite Band, twenty-nine members, Band- : master A. G. Heath, followed the. RechaV bites, and played " Constellation ” (T. - Clark), “Under the Red Cross” (Hume), “ The Relief ” (Holloway), and “ St Elmo ” (Keller) during the Wait in Armagh , Street; and during the march past. Denys Profeinional Band, twenty-five members, Bandmaster E. C, Deny, played “Big Four ” (Southwell), " Battle 01. Alajcfit» (Marie), and “Palmer House” (Petfe). The Engineers’ Band fust arrived in Armagh’ Street & time' to bring up the rearguard, and as the procession .Was halted iri ffCnt of the Royal dais struck up the National Anthem, after joining in which the Friendly Society men raised their hats and ■ gave three vigorous cheers, which his ' Royal Highness acknowledged by raising his hand toils hat and keeping it thete during the applause. The procession then marched out by the north-east comer .of the Square, and after crossing Victoria (Bridge dispers- - td. '