THE CORONATION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22722, 7 May 1937, Page 13

THE CORONATION

CEREMONIAL PARADE AUCKLAND OBSERVANCE ill JUNCTION AT TOWN HALL MX SERVICES TO ATTEND One of the central features of Auckland's celebrations of Coronation Day next Wednesday will be the ceremonial parade associated with the reading of ' a civic address of loyalty outside the Town Hall. The. march up Queen Street of Navy. Army and Air Force detachments, the music of bands, and the firing of a feu-de-joie by the Royal Marines will give to the city's observance some slight touch of the pageantry which will be witnessed by London's cheering crowds. The par side will be representative of jiiost of the various defence units centred in Auckland, but in some cases an estimate of numerical strength is somewhat difficult. There is still a measure of doubt as to what extent Coronation Day will be observed as a public holiday and in consequence it is not known how many men of the various territorial units will bo able to parade. However, the defence authorities report that the men themselves arc displaying a keen interest in the ceremony and it is anticipated that the parade will be fully worthy of the occasion. Absence of Cadets The cadets from the secondary schools, whose fine bearing and vigorous marching have distinguished many ceremonial parades in the past, will not be present. This is a very necessary precaution dictated by the continued prevalence of infantile paralysis. The troops will form up in fairly restricted area in Queen Street and Grev's Avenue and in all probability will be surrounded by a largo gathering of the public. The decision not to allow the'school cadets to take part in the parade is fully in keeping with the official warning that young people should not be congregated in large numbers at public gatherings. The Town Hall ceremony will start at 11 o'clock in the morning, but it will be preceded by the march up Queen Street. This will be led by the Royal Navy detachment, which will move off from Queen's W T harf shortly after 10 o'clock, preceded by the band from H.M.S. Achilles. Detachments from the Royal Marines and the Auckland Division of tbe Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve will follow. Then will come the band of the Ist Battalion of the Auckland Regiment, followed by detachments from the Royal New Zealand Artillery, the Royal New Zealand .Air Force and the various territorial units. Salutes and Address The parade will be drawn up in Queen Street and Grey's Avenue, facing the balcony at the apex of the Town Hall, with the detachment of Royal Marines directly across the intersection of the two streets, where a flagstaff will be in position. After the parade has taken up its formation, Rear-Admiral the Hon. E. R. Drummond, commodore commanding the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy, will arrive and will be accorded n general salute as he leaves his car. On the sounding of a fanfare of trumpets, the Mayor, Mr. Ernest Davis, and members of tbe official party will advance on to the Town Hall balcony and the Mayor will proceed to read an address, proclaiming the significance of the Coronation and the continued loyalty of the city to the Throne. A second fanfare will bo .sounded at the conclusion of the address. Firing the Feu-de-Joie Then will conic the main ceremonial of the occasion. The Royal Standard, furled, will be run up to the masthead, and, as it is broken out, the whole parade will present arms in a Royal Salute. With the standard ol the Kings of England floating overhead —a llag which is seldom flown officially iu the absence of Royalty—the Roval Marines will load and fire their feu-de-joie. As the last shots are fired the bands will play the National Anthem. R ear-Admiral Drummond will call for cheers for the King and Queen and the parade will again present .arms in a Royal Salute as the Royal Standard is lowered at the conclusion of the ceremony. Apart from the military ceremonial, simplicity -will bo tbe essence of the civic observance of the Coronation. It will give Aucklanders a chance to join in the Empire-wide demonstrations of loyalty which have been arranged for Coronation Day, just as the numerous church services will enable the people to share in the religions rites which mark the hallowing and crowning of their King and Queen. OTAHUHIT CELEBRATIONS COMMEMORATIVE FOUNTAIN Arrangements for the celebration of the Coronation at Otahuhu were finalised*at a meeting of the Otahuhu School Committee on Wednesday night, when it was decided to hold a public function in the school grounds. A sub-committee reported that it had arranged for the construction of a fountain in the school grounds to commemorate the - occasion. Thd fountain, winch had been designed and constructed by the caretaker, Mr. H. Weir, had been completed, it was oi a pleasing and unique design, the basin being supported on a circular column set on a series of concrete steps. The principal and staff of the Otahuhu Technical High School bad undertaken tbe designing and construction of a commemorative bronze plate, which would be inserted in the side ol the structure, it was proposed to unveil the lountain at the public gathering. '1 he chairman. Mr. J. M. Deas, said the Technical High School, had offered to co-operate in the celebration and it was recom mended that a public ceremony be held to which members of the Borough Council, the clcrgv and the public he invited. The -Mayor, 'Mr. C. R. Pctrie. M.P., had agreed to deliver a short address. Prior to the ceremony, which would commence at ( J. 30 a.m., the planting of Windsor oaks would be carried °nt at both schools. The Auckland Mounted Rifles band had also been invited to participate in the ceremony. The recommendation was adopted, fijul it. was also decided to invito the children-of the Convent School to the function. It was anticipated that there *ould be a muster of about 1-300 scholars, WAIHI BOROUGH DECISION HOLIDAY OR PAY FOR STAFF [BY TELEGRAPH—OWN CORRESPONDENT] WAIHI, Thursday The Waihi Borough Council decided last evening to give as many employees possible- a paid holiday on Coronation Day and to pay those obliged to "work on necessary services time and a-half. The council also decided to pay accounts up to £4O in connection with the children's fete on Coronation Day.