DRUIDIC CELEBRATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 9807, 30 April 1895, Page 5

DRUIDIC CELEBRATION.

One of the best organised, and certainly one of the most picturesque sights witnessed in Auckland for a very long time past, was tho celebration and procession held last evening, under the auspices of the two Auckland lodges of the Order of Druids, one of tho oldest and besb of friendly societies. The point of assembly was St. George's Hall, Newton, and from hero to the City Hall, where a concarb was to bo held, thousands of people thronged the entire line of march. The procession was headed by the Newton brass band and a brother of the order, dressed as a Roman soldier, on horseback. Then came two magnificos. Following was a trolly on which was an allegoric group representing tho United Kingdom, the central figure being Britannia and at * the sides Ireland and Scotland. Next came a second vehicle with a representation of Queen Boadioea with Druidic attendants, in costume. The federation of America, New Zealand, and Australia formed a third tableau ; a fourth trolly bearing a Druidic Council, the central figure here being an old Druid sitting in the hollow of an oak tree. All these were very effective. Following the vehicles came a long procession, including about 60 members of the .Fire Brigade in uniforms, vikings, druids, and druidesses, etc., wreaths of flowers and evergreens, with fairy lamps interspersed, greatly enhancing • the effecb. The City Hall— where a concert was given in aid of the benevolent fund of the order—was crowded in every part, and a first-class programme was rendered. Herr Zimmermann gave two masterly violin selections, "Vieuxtemps " Fantasie Caprice in A," and " Souvenir de Haydn," by Leonard. Mr. A. H. Gee contributed " The Desert," and " Leb me Love thee." For each ho

was recalled. He gave as encores "Vanity," and " The Yeoman'is Wedding." Mr. John Fuller took the audience by storm with "Only Giice More." He was twice encored for his rendering, and ho could nob retire until ho had sung " Geraldine." As an encore for " 0, Summer Night" he also had to give " Sweeb Marie." Madame Goldenstedb was in fine voice. She first gave Blumonblial's " Sunshine and Rain," and in response to a not-to-be-denied recall "The Land of the Leal." Her rendering of Stelezki's "Dreams" was most arj tistic. She, with . Mr. (lee, also gave " When the Wind Blows in From the Sea." The VVaiata Glee Club gave Spring's Delights" and "The Web Sail and a Flowing Sea." MiesM. Sampson, who is rapidly improving gave a " A Dream within a Dream" and "Call Me Back." Mr. Leslie Dix first sang the humorous song, "The Polka" (and as an encore a recitation) and the "Bogie Man." •> The accompanists were Mrs. A. H. Geo, Miss Flora Thorpe, and Mr. Alf. Barfley. Th<j programme concluded with a well staged JDruidic tab* leau, the solo being sung by Brother Broughton. Great praise is due to Brothers P. Mackie, A. 'Vyvyan Hunt, and others for . the way the whole celebration was organised and carried through.