CITY CELEBRATIONS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17946, 13 November 1918, Page 5

CITY CELEBRATIONS.

remarkable demonstrations. PEOPLE WILD WITH JOY. In Christchurch the ihtenso feeling of tho people found expression in a series of the most remarkable demonstrations the city has seen. In ad parts of the community, and amongst ail classes, there was delirious, unrestrained joy. It was demonstrated from the time the nows arrived until late at night, when the city usually sleeps. Expectant people went to look for the morning newspapers early, only to find that tho tidings wero still delayed. One of tho first signs that tho joyful nows had arrived was a battery of big guns clanking at a rapid pace through the streets from King Edward Barracks to Hagley Park between 8.30 a.m. and 9 a.m. The sound of the 1 firing was heard for a fairly long distance, but did not give the news general dissemination. The first announcement to the public was given from tho 1 ‘ Lyttelton Times ” office. • A vigil had been kept in tho office, as the nows was expected at 12.30 a.m. The official message, bearing the time 8.46 a.in. was received in the office at 8.48 a.m. . At 8.49 a.m the “Star’s” first pester was issued, and at a.m. the first peace copy of that journal was sold in Cathedral Square. At 8.49 J a.m. a bilge streamer was displayed on the. “Lyttelton Times” office facing Cathedral Square. Posters then were fixed to tramcairs; motor-cars • and vans were held up and were asked te carry posters into outlying districts; and special' mounted runners were sent to carry the news still further. In this way the public was informed that tho nation’s greatest enemy had surrendered and that the dreadful anxiety was past.

With an amazing unanimity, the people poured into tho streets. Ini a few minutes, even tho suburban thoroughfares were fringed, with flags. Every shop and every office was shut'. Motor-cars seemed to spring up out of tho ground. Tram cars rushing into town were immediately crowded. In Christchurch at that time all roads led to Cathedral Square. Thousands of people assembled there as if by magic. They camo in tram-cars, motor-cars and traps, and on motor-bicycles. There was hardly a vehiclo that did not fly a Union Jack or a Stars and Stripes. These, in miniature, wero attached, to men’s hats and to ladies’ jackets.

, By eonio kind of common consent, lanes were made through tho crowd where tho tram lines run, and along the lanes tho gay vehicles pnssed from High Street through Cathedral Square to Victoria'’ Street and back again, up.' and down, in an endless chain. In a short time, fancy began to run riot. Grotesque costumes wero brought out, strange musical instruments wore used, and, to suit the moving • and bewildering colours, 'there wns an absolutely indescribable noise, in which great bursts of cheers came out clear abovo tho rest. In more subdued strains, the Cathedral bells were heard, and side by side with the merrymakers, and not out of harmony with their methods, some hundreds of citizens, standing in front of the Godley statue, sang the National Anthem, f< The Old Hundredth,” and other hymns that had been sung in the dark days of tho war. Perhaps tho most noticeable feature of the gathering was duo to its unpreparedness. It was utterly disorganised, and more demonstrative, moro effective, more genuine, moro picturesque, more heart-touching, than it could have been inado by tho most elaborate plan of tho ablest designer. There was a smile on every face. There was a hearty grasp for every hand. Congratulations were repeated again and again, and yet again. Tho setting supplied by tho weather befitted a peaceful and glorious occasion. It was an absolutely perfect day. SCENES IN CATHEDRAL. SQUARE. THE MAYOR’S ADDRESS. Few people watched the scene in Cathedral Square without being deeply moved. Soon after 9 a.m. tho Mayoi drovo up hi a car, which pulled up in front of tho Post Office, and immediately the peoplo rushed round it. Mr Holland, smiling happily, stepped out and was surrounded by people eager to shako him by the hand. He made his way to' tho hotol. On appearing on the balcony he was greeted with loud and prolonged cheering. .Meanwhile the, Cathedral bells rang out a merry peal. From tho Sqilare arose the sounds of all sorts of instruments, from penny whistles to tin cans. The many flags added a bright touch to tho scene, on which the sun shone down in all his splendour, and last, hut notleasfc, wero tho happy smiles on tho faces of all to make tho scene ono of perfect splendour, perfect beauty and perfect joy—a scone that will live in the memories of all. It was a scene befitting the great day to which the Empire has looked forward, often when clouds were very dark, but always with confidence that sooner or later it would eomo.

The Mayor said that it was the proudest day of his life. After all these years of waiting he could now announce the official news that Germany had signed the Allies’ terms. (Applause.) Everyone lmd been on tip-toe. sineo last Friday, and at last the good news had come. There, in public, ho wished to render thanks to Almightv God for having given the Allies the victory over the forces of evil. (Applause) They could now go on and give full vent to their pent-up feelings, but let them also join in thankfulness to God and the Anzac boys. (Cheers.') Cheors were also given for Great' Britain and tho Nnvy and for General Fooh.

Tho Mayor, in conclusion said that he wanted the people to let themselves go and have a real good time.

Councillor A. Williams also spoke a few words and callod for cheers for the Allies, which were given with - unbounded enthusiasm. One verse of tho National Anthem was then sung, and also “ Rule Britannia.” There were loud cries for the “Marseillaise.” A few on tho. balcony made a gallant attempt to sing it in French, but without any great measure of success. Then Mr Arnand sang it in French, and was rewarded with thunderous applause. After this the crowd gave itself up to cheering. Cheers were called and enthusiastically riven for each cf the' Allies, for the Red Cross, the Lady Liverpool Fund, the soldiers, the sailors', for Mr Holland and for all and sundry. A little later Mr 0. T. J. Alpers delivered n short address. - He said that tho first feelings should be gratitude to God and then gratitude to our soldiers and sailors. He asked the peoolo to show their gratitude to the soldiers by attending the Returned Soldiers’ meeting to bo held in Victoria Square that night. Tho speech was received with, great applause. A good portion of all the speeches was drowned in the noise of exploding crackers and other sounds of mirth and gladness, and very few peoplp could have heard any of them. Still tho people were not anxious for speechesTho fact that the news was official was enough for them and all they wanted wits to give expression to their pent-up feelings of four years. At ono stage a'' gentleman on the ,balcony called for three hoots for the Kaiser and the few who heard him responded with great gusto. Hut jn the joyousnoss of the day tho Kaiser was not given much thought of, though, as one

member caressed it, “ that will como later on—a great day of reckoning.