NOTES AND INCIDENTS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17946, 13 November 1918, Page 7

NOTES AND INCIDENTS.

The Hon G. W. Russell. Minister of Internal Affairs, sent the following telegram to the Mayor: “On .this glorious day, I deeply regrot that I am unable to be in the district to share in the .joy and thanksgiving of the people of our city- The people, especially the women, have done noble work. . Although our joy at the victory is alloyed by sorrow and regret for the brave ones whom we lost, and who will not return, yet our feeling will be of deep thanksgiving to Almighty- God that right has triumphed and that the liberty and peace of the world has been secured.’’ One of the motor-cars was painted in streaks with all the colours belonging to the Allies, ranging from Belgium’s black and yellow to the reddest of British reds. One of the simplest devices, and one of the most popular, in the morning’s demonstration was a benzene tin trailed by a string at the end of a motorcar. It rattled over the road and the tram rails, and hundreds stepped out to give it a kick and add to the din. At first the demonstration was utterly disorganised. The first sign of organisation was a squad from the Boys’ High School, which marched through the Square, and their band, together with the bugle hand of some Boy Scouts, were the first hands on the sceneThe first organised procession in the Square was the ICaiapoi Woollen Company’s. It arrived soon after, ten o’clock, and, with its banners, its Red Cross nurses, and its girls in fancy costumes, soon claimed the lion’s share of attention.

The stars and stripes—and there were plenty of them—never failed to raise a cheer when they came along in the procession, and anything in any way associated with Uncle Sam could rely on a splendid reception. Air W. S. Malaquin, who had a seat beside Mr G. Humphreys, French Consul, in the procession, has composed, in French, “The Marseillaise of Peace,” a poem of five verses, to be suric to the same tune as the stirring war song of his country. The sick and wounded soldiers and the returned soldiers received the heartiest applause as the procession passed the crowds at Cranmer Square, but the ladies of- the Red Cross came a close second, and as they smiled in response to the cheers a loud voice said: “They’re jolly good fellows.” A procession will be held at New Brighton to-day, residents assembling at the Council Chambers at 10.30 a.rn. A demonstration will be held at Leeston to-day, a procession leavin Market Square at 1 p.m. for the Recreation Ground, where speeches will he given and children’s sports held. The evening’s programme includes a torchlight procession and a bonfire. Friends of the Bishop of Christchurch yesterday took notice of an unexpected huskiness early in the morning, and wondered if the prevalent epidemic had captured his Lordship, but he cheerily explained that the end of the great war had reunited him with an old friend from whom he had been separated for four years—his pipe. Early in the war Bishop Julius, to supplement the K. of K. pledge, renounced the weed, and when the news of the armistice was made public the/Bishop took his first smoke for four years—the sweet reward of a pledge kept with unrelenting firmness through • years in which the solace of tobacco would have been blissfully welcome.

“ Pa?te a ‘ Star ’ poster on my back,” demanded a woman early ‘ yesterday morning of a member of th© “ Star ” publishing staff, who stood armed with paste-brush ancl paper impressing all manner of conveyances for the purpose of spreading the good news. He gazed on her black costume and warned her that it would be spoilt. “ What matters it?” sh’e went on, “paste it on-’’ Thus commanded, the knight of the paste-brush gave her back two generous administrations of paste and she became a walking signboard, a conveyor of the best news the war has known since August, 1914AT RANGIORA. ' On receipt' of the anxiously awaited official' telegram conveying the news of the signing of the armistice, the Mayor (Mr C. 1. Jennings)’ made the joyful announcement to the citizens by -ringing the firebell. The other bells in the town were quickly clanging in concert, and railway and other whistles joined in. Within a few minutes flags were flying in all directions, and High Street, the main business • thoroughfare,. was speedily an animated scene of excitement, people crowding into it from all parts of the borough. Within half an hour, although it was the weekly market day, all business places were closed. Hilarity reigned supreme, the rejoicing being such as never before seen in the place. The small boys had the time of their lives with bombs, crackers, the beating of petrol tins, and the use of any other available device for noise making. The bigger boys joined in and for a time there was a perfect pandemonium. At eleven o’clock the brass band turned out and played patriotic airs, and the Mayor, speaking from a car in tlio street, read the Prime Minister’s telegram and voiced the feeling of thankfulness that prevailed for the glorious victory after the strain of the loiig years of war. lie announced that the formal peace and victory celebrations would take place on the morrow, commencing with services in the various chui'ches at 11 a.m., and a procession in the afternoon at 2.30 p.in., followed by a great gathering in Victoria Park. In the evening a united service would bo held, after which the day’s proceedings were to end with a display of, tireworks and a bonfire. At the Mayor’s call cheers were given for the King and Queen, and the National Anthem was sung. There was further cheering for tlie Army and Navy, for the New Zealand hoys who had borne'themselves so bravely in the war, for our Allies, and lor the wives and mothers of our soldiers. At midday the excitement bad died down somewhat, but the demonstration went on throughout the afternoon and evening. Although a considerable number of stock was brought into the market, there having been no sale last week, all idea of bolding a sale was abandoned, and country people who .came in for the market joined in the general rejoicing. The fortnightly sitting of the Magistrate’s' C-ourt was adjourned until November 26, and the post and telegraph office and telephone sub-ex-change were closed. Dr Chesson’s order prohibiting the holding of church services in buildings during this' week has necessitated an alteration in the programme at Rangiora to-day. The services fixed for 11 a.m. in the different churches will be

held in the open air, and the united service arranged for this evening will be held in Victoria Park some time after the procession and before the patriotic meeting. .AT LYTTELTON. On receipt of the news at Lyttelton the shops in port immediately sounded foghorns, bells and whistles. The official announcement was made from the Post Office balcony by the DeputyMayor (Mr M. J. Miller), and speeches w'ere delivered by Mr Miller and Captain Marciel. In the afternoon a big procession was organised, representative of local bodies, friendly societies, patriotic organisations and trades. The procession marched to the West Lyttelton recreation ground, where a short united service was held and addresses were delivered by the ministers of various denominations AT SPRINGSTON. When the news came through that Germany had surrendered, whistles were sounded at Spririgston and bells rung. The people quickly gathered and joyous scenes w r ere witnessed. In. the evening a united thanksgiving service was held in the hall, which was crowded to the doors. The Rev J. C. Paterson (Presbyterian) and the Rev J. Harris (Methodist) conducted the service, at the close of -which the National Anthem was sung. Afterwards a monster bonfire was lighted in the grounds of the public school. AT CULVERDEN. On receipt of the official news at Culverden that Germany had signed the armistice, the residents turned out in full force with flags, bells, whistles, etc., and the school children were marched in a procession through the streets. Mr Mockett placed his motor-lorry at their disposal, and after singing the Doxology and the National Anthem a procession was formed, headed by a traction engine with whistle blowing. The chairman of tjie County Council (Mr M. Bothell) turned out, although suffering from the prevailing influenza, and at his request the school children were granted' a holiday for the remainder of the day.