SILVER BULLET CANNONADE

Nelson Evening Mail, 31 July 1916, Page 1

SILVER BULLET CANNONADE

MOBILISATION DAY. SPOILT BY .RAIN. To-day, mobilisation day in connection with the Silver (Bullet Cannonade, for which elaborate preparations had been made, ■unfortunately proved wet, necessitating an abandonment of all the side arrangements. After a few showers in the early morning, steady rain set in, and it became evident that the -procession' could not be held, and that the galia diay at Trafalgar. Park could not proceed. The Executive met and' decided that in the event of the weatJher breaking the procession would take place at 1.30, and the investiture ceremony conducted! at the Theatre Royal at 2.30 and repeated: at 4 p.m. ; if still too wet for the procession the investiture ..to "be at the Theatre at 2 o'clock, with a repetition at 3.45. The day turning out wet was a disappointment to thousands of people, one of *he largest gatherings ever, held in the city) having been anticipated. Visitors have been arriving in town from all parts of tlhe Province, and in spite of the weather conditions to-day- hundreds came in by train, car, etc. Great crowds were about the streets, and in order to furnish. some .amusement Mr Saunders opened the Empire Theatre and ran a continuous picture entertainment. The Guards brought from "Wakefield 'an exhibit which would have - been a special feature, of the procession, viz.,,,a model of New Zealand mounted on a motor lorry, and carrying several Eruns. The "battleship" brought in » ' large crew, and also a band. She "sailed" several of the city streets this "morning before "anchoring" in Trafalgar street. The band 'afterwards played a number of selections. AT THE THEATRE ROYAL. - The Theatre Royal was packed this afternoon for the closing ceremony, which. was under the direction of Mr "W. Lints, with the following officials :— Minister of War, Mr H. Everett; Minister of Finance, Mr D. OR. Edwards; Com-mandar-in-Chief, Mr A. Gould; War Treasurer, Ma-E. J. Allen; Secretary of, War, Mv-W.S. Snodgrassj Mistress of the Robes,. Mrs .Crawford ; Secret Service Officer, Mb J. Pitz-'Gerald. The programme was arranged as follows : "God .Save the King,"- Band. "Union of the Allies" (suggested- by National Anthems of our Allies and Great Britain), Nelson Concert Orchestra. ■■■ ', ," Trumpet Call. ■ ■ ■ •■■ Declaration of the, result of ttfie Silver Bullet Cannonade by Minister of Finance. , (Princess of successful Army, will be , placed' in Britannia's Chair by Mistress of the Robes. ;, "See the Conquering Hero Comes, J2tb Regiment (Band. Britannia invested with Helmet ana Trident by Cbmmander-in-Chieif. "Rule Britannia," 12th Band. Fanfare of Trumpets. . Presentation of Colours by the Minister of "War. . , Princesses presented to Bntanmai by Mistress of the Robes. "Coronation March," Orchestra. Financial Statement by Minister or Finance. Casket containing'the record- of treasure subscribed presented to Britannia by the War Treasurer. Trumpet Calls. -»«••• Britannia's Speech read by one Minister of War. concluding with one verse of "God Save the King," led the orcneePresentation to Britannia of Silver Bullet Mementp by Minister of War. National Afithem. THE PRINCESSES. The Princesses of the various armies and the colours were as follows: Bombardiers (red and black), Miflfi Treacher. ~»■.«•- /-i Fusiliers -{green and white), Miss Kx. Clark. . Grenadiers (blue and blue), Mrs Bobi(black and gold), Miss Best. Guard's {red 1 and white), Miss Fairey. Knobby Gordons (green and goi<HJ, Miss Nettie: Win. -,. ' Sharpshooters {black and white), MisdGoodwin. Lancers (blue), Miss Page. • Royal Marines (red). Miss Walker. Flying Squadron '(old; gold), Mrs W. Downie.