Queen Heather Laing’s Coronation Otamatea’s Biggest Event

Northern Advocate, 22 July 1939, Page 5

Queen Heather Laing’s Coronation Otamatea’s Biggest Event

[Special to “Northern Advocate ”l

PAFAROA. This Day. QEVEN HUNDRED PEOPLE CROWD EE THE GARRISON HALL. PAPAROA, ON THURSDAY EVENING WHEN MISS HEATHER LANG WAS CROWNED QUEEN OF GTAMATEA. At no time in the long history of the county has such widespread interest or such great enthusiasm been manifested. For weeks much time and voluntary effort had been expended preparing the caste of performers and the dresses and pageantry necessary foi: the coronation. Preliminary staging of the ceremony at Ruawai and Maungaturoto were well attended and on Wednesday afternoon at Paparoa when children from all parts of the county were invited, the estimated attendance was 900.

Well before the hour of commencement the hall was becoming thronged and the people had opportunity to admire the enlarged stage, and the' fittings and decorations which had made the roomy building specially attractive.

piano. The children’s work in the performance added much to its interest and attractiveness.

The programme concluded with the singing of “God Defend Now Zealand” and the National Anthem. Dancing followed, music for which was supplied by Ces. Wright’s orchestra. Door receipts were approximately £9O. surpassing all records.

Roof decorations were of coloured streamers, in tone with the colours of the various district queens. On the platform, steps led up to the throne, and, at the back, were the flags of various nations. A large decorated crown hung from the centre of the ceiling adornments. Apologies for absence were received from the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates and Mr J. G. Barclay, M.P’s.

The following are the dresses.— Queen (Miss Heather Laing), shell blue satin; maids of honour. Miss D. Finlayson. stiffened white lace; Miss D. Blong. white silk lace. Princess Royal, Kaiwaka (Miss Gwen Bowmar). silver spotted parchment crepe; maids of honour, Miss Alice Jackson, purple embossed taffeta; Miss Norma Stewart, purple net. silver lame.

The Programme, The coronation programme commenced with an overture by Mr Ces Wright’s orchestra (Whangarei) and this was followed by a Maori welcome, in which the natives from Batley, Tinopai, Ruawai, and Maungaturoto took part with much vim. Then, following a fanfare of trumpets, came the entrance of “Britannia” (Mrs Cyril Jenkins), and the arrival of the Court, with the court crier, trumpeters and ushers. Next was the cavalcade of nations, performers typifying many nationalities in their varying and sometimes romantic costumes. Entrance of the Lord High Chancellor, Lord High Chamberlain, and the Royal Pages, completed the order of court dignitaries. Then the Queen-elect with her guard of honour, .and the district queens: Princess Royal (Kaiwaka), Princess Loila (Matakohe), Princess Audrey (Maungaturoto), Princess Mary (Paparoa), Princess Aileen (Mareretu) ,and Princess Bai’bara (Whakapirau) took their places. The Queen assumed the sceptre and orb as symbols of office.

Princess Loila, Matakohe (Miss L. Parker), stiffened net, with appliqued flowers over net, over taffeta; maids of honour, Miss Padget, pink organdie; Miss E. Parker, pink georgette with sequins.

iPrincess Audrey. Maungaturoto (Miss A. Snelling). silver l.ame'f maids of honour. Miss C. Gregg, ice blue lace over taffeta; Miss J. Cox. ice blue taffeta.

Mrs MacKey sang the “The Coronation Waltz.” The Maoris now contributed their native ceremonial, symbolising the coronation with a song composed by themselves.

The Crowning. The actual crowning of Miss Heather Lang as “Queen of Otamatea and Empress of Ruawai,” was then performed by the Lord High Chancellor, amid much applause. This was followed by the reception of the Princesses, and the reception of the chief citizen and his wife (Mr and Mrs G. P. Peake), upon whom honours were conferred as Duke and Duchess of Otamatea. The Queen’s proclamation, in which she wished her subjects health, happines and prosperity, congratulated the Centennial committee on the splendid fund raised for memorials, and thanked the people for their efforts. Honours Conferred. This was followed by the conferring of honours on the chief citizen, on the chairmen and secretaries of district committees and the finance committee. A very humorous interlude ensued, in the entrance of a cow, which, however, gave evidence of being a human make-up, designated as a “Princess’’ whoso name included all the ridings with names jumbled together, and which kicked vigorously when a fair milk-maid essayed to draw her milk. The conferring of honours by royal command of the Queen, included the raising to the peerage, raising to the peerage or knighthood of a number of well-known local residents, who found it a rather sudden promotion to have “sir” prefixed to their names. The chief citizen (Mr G. P. Peake), in his reply acknowledging the honour. also thanked all the committees, officials and helpers who had done such splendid service throughout the county, in ensuring the success of the Centennial effort, which he thought was an achievement unsurpassed in Ctamate.a. He hoped the people would keep straight on with the work, and look forward to their reward in the establishment of the various memorials. Effort Appreciated. “Sir” Hartley Dallas (secretary ot the general committee), also acknowledged his honours, congratulated the Queen on her election, and the Princesses, and paid sincere tribute to the performers who had come from long distances from all parts of the county for 12 days for rehearsals. The popularity of the Queen has helped the work of the committee. Lenders of district committees also briefly spoke in appreciation and j thanks. Presentations were then made to each of the district queens of a solid silver serviette ring, suitably inscribed. A bouquet was presented from the Queen to Mrs Briscoe, of Stratford, who had done such splendid work in supervising the production of costumes and assisting in the arrangements for staging. Sixty performers were on the platform. Mr J. Dewar presided at the