ANCIENT CEREMONY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20112, 24 November 1928, Page 2 (Supplement)

ANCIENT CEREMONY.

" WEDDED TO THE SEA."

LIVERPOOL'S GREAT PORT. The most striking event in Liverpool's Ci vie Week celebrations look placo on September 25, when the Venetian custom was revived and the city was wedded to the sea. Before this ceremony, men from the Royal Naval Reserve and the largo shipping companies, cadets from tho Conway, and boys from the training ship Indefatigable and the Lancashire sea-training homes marched in procession from tho pier-head through crowded streets to tho St. George's Hall plateau, where a civic procession had been formed. In the march to tho Mersey naval men and territorial troops led tho way, and at the rear of tho procession was a lifeboat drawn by six Corporation horses. Tho "wedding ring" carried by two Conway cadets, preceded tho civic regalia, ami a largo laurel wreath was carried in tho prow of tho lifeboat. At the pier-head another procession was formed by Dock Board workers, seamen, tho polico band, and 300 children, who sang sea shanties and civic songs. A platform had been erected on tho river wall opposito tho Dock Board offices, and it was hero that tho symbolic ceremony took place. Mr. E. Cook, of tho Dock Board, said that it was really not a wedding ceremony, for Liverpool had been wedded to tho sea over since whatever land there might have been between it and America foundered and left a vast uncharted ocean. That day's ceremony was a renewal of vows.

Sir Archibald Salvidgo said the sea had enabled Liverpool to grow from a tiny fishing haven to a port of world-wide renown, and tlio sea would enablo Liverpool to make an ever-growing contribution to tho sum total of human happiness and wealth. As Venice was sovereign of the Adriatic, so Liverpool's sovereignty over those northern waters was unquestionable.

Tho people of Liverpool had revived the ancient symbolism of Venico to express their own gratitude to and lovo for tho sea and their hopes and aspirations. Ho proceeded:—" In token of our association with tho river, and as a sign of our partnership with tho sea, I now throw this ring into tho waters of the Mersey." These words said, Sir Archibald Salvidgo committed tho ring to tho water It was Bin. in diameter, and weighed 101b., being made cf bronze with a gold covering." Tho Lord Mayor, Miss Beavan, cast tho laurel wreath into tho river "in memory of thoso who sleep in tho great deep" j "Last Post" was sounded; tho Bishop of Warrington dedicated the river to Liverpool's servico; tho people sang "Eternal Father, Strong to Save"; tlio bishop pronounced the Benediction; and the ceremony ended with tlio National Anthem,.