ON ROUTE OF MARCH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 14375, 21 May 1910, Page 8

ON ROUTE OF MARCH.

THOUSANDS LINE THE STREETS. The majority of the assembled troops, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Wolfe, marched by way of Shortland, Queen, and Wellesley Streets, into Hobsonstreet, where a portion of them branched off to attend the service at St. Patrick's Hall, and the remainder, totalling some 700 or 800, marched into St. Matthew's Church. Thousands of people, the greater proportion of whom were dressed in black or wore signs of mourning, lined the route of procession. All silently watched the troops as they slowly marched by. The spectacle was an impressive one, especially as viewed from the bottom of Shortlandstreet, as the troops descended tho incline. The effect, was made all the more striking by the fact that as the territorials marched along the muffled bells of St. Matthew's were heard tolling mournfully, while many of the buildings en route were draped in. deep mourning. The tram service was suspended as the procession passed along. The immense crowd that had gathered in Princes-street broke in all directions as the troops moved away on route of march. Many crossed"- Albert Park and made for Queen-street, to view the march again, while others stayed to watch some 70 of the Empire Veterans parade to St. Paul's Church. A large crowd gathered outside the church, and watched the veterans enter, and then waited patiently for the defence cadets to arrive. The cadets' progress was followed with interest up Wellesley-street East by a large crowd, there being over 200 on parade. Attached to them was a battalion of boy scouts. The Highland Rifles in their new full dress (kilt) uniform, attracted the admiring gaze of many. They broke off in Princes-street, and proceeded to St. David's Presbyterian Church, Khyber Pass, via Symonds-street. At the conclusion of the service at St. Matthew's, the troops formed into line again, and moving off down Wellesleystreet, marched past Lieutenant 1 Wolfe and Mr. L. J. Bagnall, Mayor of Auckland, who were stationed at the tower door of St. Matthew's. The line of 1 route was by way of Wellesley-street West and East to Princes-street, where the companies formed into quarter column, and the band playing a few bars of the National Anthem the troops were dismissed. Lieutenant-Colonel Wolfe, officer commanding the district, expressed his pleasure at the fine muster and appearance of the men of the garrison, and said their bearing merited high praise. LieutenantColonel Holgate, officer commanding the parade, also spoke highly of the men, while under his charge. The parade passed off without a hitch, and reflected credit on the arrangements made by Lieu-tenant-Colonel Wolfe, O.C. district, Captain Carpenter, A.A.G., and LieutenantColonel Holgate, parade commandant.