Local Intelligence.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XXII, Issue 53, 17 June 1863, Page 2

Local Intelligence.

PUBLIC REJOICINGS AT THE MARRIAGE J OF THE PRINCE OF WALES. ]

Tuesday, June 16, was the day set apart by our local Government for celebrating, by a general holiday, the nuptials of H.R.H. the Prince of Wales with the Princess Alexandra, of Denmark. Many of our citizens, feeling that such an occasion was one on which both young and old should unite in testifying their loyalty to the distant Crown under whioh we are governed, determined on the collection of a public subscription in order that thereby gratuitous public amusements might be provided throughout the day. The subscription lists were liberally received, and a sum of upwards of £170 was collected within but a few hours ; this, being supplemented by the local Government with a grant of an equivalent amount, placed the committee in a position to determine upon the erection of triumphalarches,decoratingcertainother port ions of our principal street s with flags, banners, evergreens, &c, regaling all the children and adults of the province who might attend ihefete, roasting a bullock whole, a performance in the street by Mous. Houdin of his tricks of magic and representation of characters, a grand display of fireworks, a torchlight procession and a ball. A programme of amusements which could not fail, if properly carried out, in promoting general enjoyment. Tuesday morning broke cloudily, and was wellnigh as unpromising for a gala day as it possibly could have been. Occasional showers of rain pattered upon the shingled roofs, plainly telling to those beneath that the clerk of the weather regarded in no favourable mood their intended day of sports ; yet, at early daylight, several of Nelson's more youthlul inhabitants were to be seen strolling in varidus directions, some jußt taking a peep at the bullock which was being roasted whole, and wondering if it could be accomplished, others looking for the flags and banners which had not yet been displayed, but all seemingly bent upon a day's amusement, spite of the then unpromising weather. As the day wore on, the rain, which at no time fell heavily, partially ceased, and, at eight o'clock in the morning, a gun was fired from the Flagstaff-hill, to announce the commencement of Nelson's jubilee. Immediately the several vessels in harbour displayed their gayest flags, the two signal flagstaffs were dressed, and all commenced their preparations for taking part in the day's rejoicings. At ten o'clock, a second gun was fired from the Flagstaff hill, when was beard the bugle call for our Volunteers, who were to commence the day'a proceedings. At half-past ten o'clock, the Nelson City Volunteers assembled on their parade ground, all of them being present, and, having formed fours right, proceeded along the Waimea-road and received with a Balute the Volunteers from the Waimeas. The whole body of Volunteers, under their respective officers, then lormpd fours, and, headed bytheexcellentbandsofNo9.land2Companie9,marched along the Waimea-road to the Fleece Tavern, where they were joined by members of the Odd Fellows' Society with their full regalia, the teachers and children of our several town schools, with flags and banners flying, and a large number of spectators. This procession traversed the Waimea-road to Bridge-street, thence to Bridge-street bridge, up Tasman-streer, and along Hardy-street to Trafalgar-street, thence up and down Trafalgar-street to the foot of the Church hill ; the band, during the whole time, enlivening the procession with various popular airs. The Volunteers during the day were under the command of Captain Edwards, of No. 1 Company. The procession took place in the following order : — Volunteers' Band of Mu9io. Captain Lockett, Adju- Sergeant - Major Albotant Nelson Militia and HOUGH, of Militia and Volunteers. Volunteers. Captain Edwakds. Volunteers, four deep. Flags, &c. Odd- Fellows. Children. Citizens, &c. Flags, &o. Carriage with Printing Press, which struck off copies of the following verses, written for the occasion. OUR FUTURE KING AND QUEEN. [AN ADDBE6S TO THE PEINCE OB WALKS.] Aib— " Partant pour la Syrie." Excellent Prince, we offer thee, - From Nelson people here, Congratulations, humbly sent, Yet hearty and sincere. Between us and our fatherland Long spaces intervene ; So, Breezes, waft our wish of joy To future King and Queen. We give congratulations to Your fair and youthful bride, As good as she is beautiful, Botli Danes' and Britons' pride. We know the time will come, but trust It now is long foreseen, When you with her will share the throne, As England's King and Queen ! For, Prince, we watch'd thy growing up, From youth to manhood's state, And, pleased, we saw parental care, Wise, just, affectionate, Bestowed to make you what you are — A MAN ! — not mere machine ; And fit, with your fair bride, to be Our future King and Queim ! Time was when Princes passed their days In constant wars and strife, But now more honour is attached To quiet, useful life. So, like your sire, may you be famed : Like him, may you be seen Patrons of Industry and Art, Our futuro King and Queen ! The whole world knows your travels, and The great esteem you won, And hearts have joyed at homage paid To England's hopeful son. We heard the welcome when your bride Was first in England seen ; And echo sends our welcome back To future King and Queen ! And, now we've met, both old and young, Tlie best that we can do To forward your felicity Is being happy too. So, Prince, accept our hearty prayer, That health, long life serene, And richest happiness may bless Our future King and Queen! J. L. B. Arrived at the Church, hill, the Volunteers ascended it to tho right and left, formed in line in front of the Church, and, precisely at noon, commenced firing a feu'de-joie, gave three hearty cheers, presented arms, ordered arms, and then, descending the hill by the central flight of steps, marched to the Militia orderly room, piled arms, and separated to enjoy the day's amusements. The scene on the Church hill, as the Volunteers in position awaited the arrival of noon, was, we think, one of tho finest sights during the day. High above all, and with no background save the dull grey clouds, appeared the English Church, while upon the terraces in its immediate front stood a large concourse of spectators, whose guy dresses placed the uniforms of the different Volunteer companies in high relief; below the Volunteers, and formed on each side of the wide flight of steps, stood the Odd Fellows with their gay banners, medals and sashes. It was a scene well worthy of perpetuation, and we hope that some among our photographic artists secured it. At the conclusion of the firing by the Volunteers, and while they were marching from the ground to the gay strains of their music, a royal salute waß fired from the Church hill, under the direction of the Captain of the Swedish barque Mina, now lying in our harbour. The guns and all ammunition having been supplied by the Captain of the Mina. During the performance of the preceding martial

portion of the day's entertainments, there was a more peaceful, though by no means a less pleasing scene being enacted in another portion of the town. In the centre of Trafalgar-street, stretching from Hardy to near Bridge-itreet, had been erected one long table, at which cakes, sandwiches, biscuits, buns, and other refreshments were most bountifully supplied to the hundreds of children who were present. These refreshments were given in fact, as stated in the programme of the day's proceedings, to the " children of the province," and heartily were they partaken of, while the smiling faces of hundreds of those of more mature age who were lookers-on told plainly and unmistakably of the general enjoyment of both young and old. In the street had also been placsd hogsheads of ginger-beer, which were served out gratuitously to the children, and, in fact, to all who chose to partake of it.

While the children were thus being regaled, a walk through Trafalgar-street was rewarded by seeing the following decorations : —

At the junction of Trafalgar and Bridge-streets, a triumphal arch of imposing and elegant proportions had been erected, which was handsomely decorated with evergreens, flags, &c., while above all appeared a representation in evergreens and flowers of the royal crown j across the street were placed numerous flags anil devices, on one of which appeared the words " Our future King," ; at the junction of Hardy and Trafalgar-streets was a second triumphal aroh of similar proportions to the first, also decorated with evergreens, flags, &0., but surmounted by the Prince of Wales's feathers ; opposite the Freemasons' Hall a covered tent was erected, in which sandwiches, &c, were given gratuitously to all who came. Inside this tent were also placed several hogsheads of beer, for gratuitous public use. Opposite the Examiner office was another tent, which had been erected for the performances of Mons. Houdin, who had been engaged by the committee to give gratuitoua performances during the day. On the Church hill appeared what all must have regarded with respect, if not with great delight — it was a Rojal standard, with the mark of many a bullet left upon it, which had been carried successfully through the great battle of Waterloo. The decorations which appeared on several of the houses in Trafalgar-street were remarkubly good. At the Masonic Hotel appeared a large flag, with St. George's cross upon it, while on another portion of the building there was a less pretentious decoration than perhaps any other in the town, yet one full of meaning, and which was a most pleasing addition to our manifestations of loyalty — it was the suspension, from poles ornamented with evergreens, of the tin dish, pannikin, pick, shovel, and billy of the gold diggers now in our town ; at Mr. Hoby's there appeared, in artificial flowers, " A.A.," and wreaths of evergreens ; at Mr. Phillips' e, "A. A.," and a wreath of flowers; at Messrs. Rentoul Brothers, some wreaths and portions of the nikau palm ; at Mrs. Bird's the windows were very tastily ornamented with branches of nikau palm, flags, aud flowers ; Mr. Usher had flags ; Mr. Drew, some handsome globes, a wreath of evergreens and flowers, surmounted by portions of nikau palm, and the letters " A.A. ;" at Mr. Baker's, I there was a large flag, with St. George's Cross ; at Mrs. Bartlelt's, flags and evergreens, with a transparency ; at Mr. Drew's, evergreens were placed around the windows ; at Mr. Baly's, a nice decoration of evergreens, and a large flag with St. George's Cross ; at Mr. Murrell's there appeared a large transparency with the Prince of Wales's feathers and the letters " A.A. ;" at Mr. Burn's, a similar transparency, with the letters "P.W.j" at Mr. Phillips' there were some flags; at Mr. Wiesenhavern's, the tobacconist's, there appeared in tobacco, the words " Albert and Alexandra ;" at Mr. Marks's, there was exhibited a flag, and, on black velvet, a representation of the Prince of Wales's feathers, done in. ostrich feathers ; at Mr. Hadfield's and Mr. Jackson's, there were two flags, with the initials of the Royal bride and bridegroom ; at Mr. Levien's, some flags ; at the Trafalgar Hotel, were flags ; at Messrs. N. Edwards and Co.'s, flags and banners ; at Messrs. Lightband and Jackson's, the house was ornamented with evergreens, flags, &c, while over the shop was placed a large representation of a Royal crown, surmounted by the Priuce of Wales's feathers ; while at the Wakatu hotel appeared flags and a transparency with the Prince of Wales's feathers, tho initials "A. E. and A.," and the wordß "Long may they live;" the Marine hotel also exhibited flags, while many of the houses and other portions of the town also presented decorations of various sorts all giving a gay and gorgeous appearance to our town malgrt the intermittent showerß which, pour down as they might, fuiled to put a stop to the sports or, apparently, to damp the ardour of the extraordinarily numerous concourse of spectators who had determined on a day of amusement.

At half- past one o'clock the rustic sports commenced, which consisted of foot-races, jumping in sacks, climbing the greasy pole, &c, &c. ; while these were going on, some persons, disposed for more active amusements, introduced foot-balls, which were speedily to be seen bouncing and flying about the street in all directions, doing no further mischief than the breaking of one window and conveying mud in quantity to the dresses of those persons against whom the ball struck.

While these sports were proceeding, a bullock, which had been roasted whole, was taken on a wagou in procession along Trafalgar-street, headed by the band playing " The Roast Beef of Old England." It was finally cut up and distributed at the corner of Hardy and Trafalgar-streets, and, to the astonishment of many persons, who, remembering the difficulties presented by the rain of the previous r.ight and early morning, had expected the " Roasted Ox," to be a failure, it was found to be remarkably well cooked.

After dusk there was given a grand display of fireworks near the windmill, iv Trafalgar-street, and, at its conclusion, a large bonfire was lighted, which consisted of tar barrels and other inflammable materials. This, while burning, gave to the old mill a most pleasing appearance, and spread the glare of its flame some distance around.

While all eyes were intent upon tho bonfire, our ears caught the sounds of martial music, which was preceding the Volunteers, who were marching round the town in a torchlight procession. The Volunteers had formed at the orderly-room, in columns of four, right in front ; they then proceeded to' the Church hill, where they were joined by a large number of persons carrying lighted torohes, and then marched along Trafalgar-street, Bridge-street, CoHingwood-atreet, Hardy-street, and Trafalgar-street, to the Church hill, where the torch-lights were ranged on either side of the steps, while the Volunteers ascended and formed into line. The toroh-lights were then placed in the rear of the Volunteers, who fired volleys, ordered arms, and gave three cheers for their Queen, three more for H.R.11. the Prince of Wales and his bride, and cheered again and again for their Beveral officers, and also for Captain Lockett and Sergeant-Major Alborough. They then descended the hill, and marched to the orderly-room, where they were dismissed. The holders of the torches again proceeded to the foot of the Church steps, where had been placed a transparency of the Prince of Wales's feathers, with a motto, and here the band played " God Save the Queen," the torches were extinguished, and thus ended ttie outdoor amusements.

The torch-light procession was the first that had been witnessed in Nelson, and was certainly a grand and imposing finish to the day's sport. As seen marching along Trafalgar street, and again in Hardy street when the holders of the torches halted and formed two lines through which the Volunteers passed, the sight was indeed grand. The night being extremely dark, the torches gave forth an almost un. eartlily glare which, illuminating the bayonets and alternating portions of the Volunteers' rifle?, while it also fitfully played upon their faces and the brighter port'ons of their accoutrements, gave to that body a most grand appearance, which will not be easily forgotten. In concluding our notice of the Volunteers we must not omit to thank them for their share in the day's amusements. They acquitted themselves manfully and thus succeeded in promoting no mean portion of the day's success. The illuminations at night consisted of a large transparency at the upper end of Trafalgar-street with the Prince of Wales'B feathers, the English aud Danish flags, and the words " God bless the Royal pair " j at the junction of Hardy and Trafalgar-streets were also large transparencies, one witli the ltoyal crown, the English and Danish flags, and the words " Alexandra and Albert/ the other with the Royal crown

and the words " God save the Queen." The Nelson College, being at a short distance from town, had its windows illuminated, and presented a most pleasing appearance. At the upper end of Tra-falgar-street, in the window of Mr. Bailey, appeared a transparency of the Prince of Wules's feathers, with a motto ; at Mrs. Bartlelt's was another transparency ; at Messrs. Murreil and Burn's were representations of the Prince of Wales's feathers, with mottoes ; at Mr. Jackson's were two trunspaiencies ; at the Wakatu Hotel was ouo with the words " Long may they livej" at Mr. Thornton's was a Prince of Walea's feathers, with an inscription ; at the Colonist office was one with a coat of arms, surmounted by the Prince of Wules's feathers, with the words "Albert Edward and Alexandra." At the Institute was a representation of the Prince of Wales'a feathers ; while in Beveral portions of the towu many windows were gaily illuminated.

The rejoicings of the day closed with a ball in the Provincial Hall, for which about 3UO tickets were issued, but, as the eveningjturned out so unfavourably, the number of persons who attended did not exceed 260. The Survey, and other offices in the west wing of the buildings, were kindly placed at the disposal ot the committee to be used as refreshment rooms ; while others, in the eastern wing, were made use of as ladies' and gentlemen's cloak aud hat rooms. The large company in the Hnll, although rather crowded, found space sufficient in its noble dimensions to enjoy their dancing, and grey morn nearly overtook many of them before they brought their pleasure to a close. Of the severul committees who arranged all the various enjoyments of the day, too much cannot be said for their indefatigable zeal and exertion. When so large a programme was put forth, it was natural to expect that partial failures would be inevitable, but so well did the various committees exert themselves in preparing for the duy, and in superintending what was separately allotted to them, that we are able to declare the whole proceedings went off with remarkable spirit, notwithstanding that the weather was anything but what might have been desired.