THE NEWS IN THE COUNTRY DISTRICTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 12002, 26 June 1902, Page 6

THE NEWS IN THE COUNTRY DISTRICTS.

POSTPONEMENT OF CELEBRATIONS. MESSAGES OF SYMPATHY. [BY TEMSGBAPH.—OWN correspondents.] Huntly, Wednesday. Upon the official news of the King's illness the Huntly Coronation Celebration Committee met and sent the following telegram to Sir J. G. Ward, at Wellington: — " Our sympathy and regret concerning the King's-illness. Anxiously await further news.—-(Signed) H. Mason (Chairman), E. S. Wight, James Elliot, M. Friar, A. Wilson, J. E. Ward, J. Parke, and J. Harrison (Coronation Celebration Committee)." D argaville , Wednesday. On the receipt of the news of His Majesty's illness, the Coronation Festivities Committee met, and it was decided that all festivities in connection with the Coronation be indefinitely postponed. It was also resolved that the chairman of the committee (Mr. F. F. Day) forward the following message to His Excellency the Governor: — " The residents of Dargaville and district respectfully wish to convey to Your Excellency their sincere regret at the illness of His Most Gracious Majesty King Edward, and earnestly pray for his speedy recovery." Quite a gloom spread over the district on receipt of the news of the King's ill-health. i ' Rotorua, Wednesday. Much regret is expressed at the state of the King's health, and all celebrations have been postponed. Paeroa, Wednesday. The news of the King's illness was received here with keen regret to-day, and though the committee at first had decided to cany out the programme in the absence of any official information on the matter, everything was eventually cancelled indefinitely, with the exception of the children's feast. Thames, Wednesday. The sad news of the King's illness and the consequent postponement of his Coronation was received here, to-day with great sorrow and regret. Very elaborate arrangements had been made for carrying out the festivities that were to have been held in connection with the Coronation ceremony, the greatest enthusiasm having been displayed in the matter all through the district, but these have now necessarily been postponed. The local Coronation Committee met this evening, when the Mayor, after feelingly referring to the sad news of His Majesty's illness, announced that he and the secretary had taken upon themselves to countermand all orders as far as possible that had been given in connection with the proposed celebrations. * It had been found impossible, however, he said, to countermand the order for the bags of confectionery for the school children, and he requested that the. committee should decide when the same should be distributed. A resolution was passed to the effect that the bags of confectionery should be forwarded to the various public schools of the district to-morrow, for distribution amongst the scholars, and the matter of dealing with other perishable goods ordered in connection with the country school children's luncheon and social for the volunteers, etc., was left in the hands of a committee to deal with. Before the meeting concluded' the Mayor expressed the hope that the King's life would be spared to his people, and that when the Coronation ceremony did eventuate, the people of Thames would then show as much enthusiasm as they had done on the present occasion. At a meeting of the Thames Ministers' Association this evening, held in the Central Hall, after the transaction of business in connection with the association had been completed, special prayer was offered by each member present of the King and Royal household, especially asking that the King might be restored to health. It was also resolved w to hold a meeting for public prayer for the King's recovery tomorrow evening in the Central Hall. A. J su , e'K2a"-£j-W--h'M" v 'at St. ' forge's Church by Dr. O'Callaghan, on behalf of His Majesty. It was well attended, •amongst those present being the members of the Hauraki Rifles.

Waihi, Wednesday. Preparations were made for a magnificent display worthy of the King's Coronation, but the message that reached here this morning that the Coronation had been postponed in consequence ot the illness of the King, dispelled all hopes of joyous demonstration, and created instead general consternation and sorrow. On learning the news the town . clerk quickly informed the councillors, and a hasty meeting of the Council was summoned, and they, in conjunction with the Coronation and Hospital Committees, held a brief meeting, and decided, in consequence of the news as to the King's health, and the postponement of the Coronation, to cancel everything in connection with tomorrow's celebration. The laying of the hospital foundation-stone was also postponed meantime.

Corosiandel, Wednesday. Universal regret was expressed by everyone when the news came to hand this morning that the Coronation was postponed owing to the serious illness of the King. All arrangements for to-morrow's celebration, with the exception of the distribution of the lollies, etc., to the children, have been cancelled. A good number of Maoris and country settlers have already arrived in town for the festivities. The concrete foundation for the Queen Victoria memorial tablet and a new flagstaff at the Government Buildings were completed to-day. WhaNGarei, Wednesday. Great sympathy is expressed for the King on all sides. All the celebrations here have been postponed.

THE NEWS IN THE SOUTH WANGANUI. [BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Wanganui, Wednesday. The news of the King's illness caused a shock here. The Coronation celebrations, the preparation for which had been made on an elaborate scale, were postponed indefinitely. A large number of country people had arrived in town, and nearly all the tableaux and decorations were ready. A united service is to be held to-morrow, when prayers will be offered for the King's recovery. PALMERSTON NORTH. Palmerston North, Wednesday. At a meeting of the various committees set up in connection with the Coronation, held late this afternoon, it was decided to postpone all the festivities previously arranged, and to hold a service of prayer and intercession for the King and Empire in the square to-morrow afternoon. The annual Prohibition Convention opened here to-night with a public meeting, but at present it is not decided as to how far its programme will be altered by the postponement of the Coronation ceremonies. MASTERTON. [iiY TELEGRAPH. — PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Mastekton, Wednesday. The news of the King's illness caused a great shock in Masterton. All preparations for the celebrations were suspended, and the school children only will be presented with medals and memorial card*. There will be special service?! to-morrow, with prayers, for His Majesty's recovery. THE BANK HOLIDAY. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION'.] Wellington, Wednesday. The banks having advertised the holiday, will have to close to-morrow, there being no machinery under the Act by which they can cancel a holiday once announced. *" WELLINGTON. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Wellington, Wednesday. The news of the illness of the King caused consternation in the city to-day, and the newspaper offices were surrounded all day by crowds eager for the latest news. The profession and other demonstrations have been postponed, but the distribution of refreshments to the children will take place tomorrow. A service of intercession for the King's recovery is \o be held at St. Paul's I pro-Cathedral..

NAPIER. [BY TELEGRAPH. ASSOCIATION.] J . • aimer, Wednesday. A feeling of profound depression was caused by the news of the King's serious illness, and all the Coronation functions have been postponed. A great crowd of people were in the streets to a late hour to-night besieging the newspaper offices for the latest bulletins of the King's health. ASHBURTON. [BT telegraph.— association.] Ashbubton, Wednesday. News of the King's illness and the postponement of the Coronation was received with manifestations of great regret, business for a time being almost suspended. Crowds were waiting outside the newspaper offices to hear the latest bulletin. The celebrations have been indefinitely postponed. A united religious service to pray for the King's recovery will be held to-morrow afternoon. CHRISTCHURCH. [BY TELEGRAPH.PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Christchurch, Wednesday. Great consternation was caused when the news of the King's illness became known. Coronation celebrations postponed. DUNEDLN. [by telegraph.—press ASSOCIATION.] Ditnedin, Wednesday. The news of the King's illness caused widespread consternation. The Mayor called a meeting of the executive at noon to cancel all to-morrow's functions. It is proposed to hold to-morrow night a monster religious service to offer prayers for the King's .recovery. At the Agricultural Conference the chairman made appropriate reference to the King's illness. The City Council to-night passed a resolution expressing deep sympathy with the Royal Family in the circumstances necessitating the postponement of the Coronation, and trusting that in the good providence of the Almighty His Majesty may be speedily restored to a state of health, which will give his subjects in all parts of his dominions an opportunity of expressing their loyalty and devotion to the head of tbe Empire. The Mayor was requested to convey the resolution to the Governor. POST AND TELEGRAPH OFFICES. [BY" TELEGRAPH. PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Wellington, Wednesday. By instruction of Sir J. G. Ward all telegraph and telephone offices reopened to-night at seven o'clock and again at ten o'clock, and arrangements were made for an all-night telegraph service between here and Sydney. There will be no post and telegraph holiday to-morrow. The offices will open as usual.