THE TARANAKI JUBILEE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8529, 1 April 1891, Page 5

THE TARANAKI JUBILEE.

[BY TELEGRAPH. —rKKSS ASSOCIATION.] Nkw Plymouth, Tuesday. There was magnificent weather to-day for the celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of Taranaki. A jubilee procession took place, and included three bands, the Friendly Societies, the school children of the district, the Mayor and borough councillors, county councillors, members of Parliament, clergy, pioneer settlers. Local industry trollies and vehicles of ancient date were drawn in the procession, which was about a mile in length, and in which, it is estimated, 0000 people took part. The children of the district were given free luncheon. Sports were held, and were attended by between 3000 and 4000 persons. The exhibition was also largely patronised. A pyrotechnic display took place in the evening, and was a great success. The whole day's proceedings passed off with great eclat. The Agricultural Show was very successful.

Our peregrinating correspondent, "A. Tramp, Esq.," telegraphs as follows regarding the Jubilee celebration :- The most striking features of the procession were the. number of schoolchildren, 1500, well - dressed and blooming with health, and the veterans of the Waireka, who were marshalled under their old colours, which were carried by two of their number, and escorted by a corporal's guard. The absence of their old commander Colonel Staple, was much regretted by all present. In the matter of old identities, Taranaki will show a better record than any other provincial district in the colony. From the number of fossils in the procession, the impression was created that the cemetery had made up its mind to take a. hand in the jubilee celebrations. The procession over, the public gave their attention to the cattle show, the exhibition, and the athletic sports in the recreation grounds. The attendance at the show was- very meagre, but 5000 people applied for admission to the recreation grounds, the great attraction being a Maori war dance and haka, which came off better than these exhibitions generally do. . The cattle show was a rather poor affair, and might well have been left out of the programme. The exhibition is above the average of small productions in this lino. The opening ceremony was performed by the Hon. the Premier, whose speech on the occasion has satisfied the Taranaki people that they are not going to lose anything by the change of Government. A ball was given n the evening, to which the foreign representatives of the press were not invited. They had given no guarantee of their efficiency to trip the light fantastic, and the Taranaki ladies are particular about their dresses. Although the management was not all that could be desired, still it was as good as could reasonably be expected under the circumstances. Practice only makes perfect, and the management, with their jubilee experience to guide them, will be able to make a better show at the centennial. Taking all through, the Taranaki Jubilee celebration has been an immense success, and nobody has been more surprised at.it than the promoters. To-morrow and Thursday are set aside for the Jubilee native meeting.