THE QUEEN'S RECORD REIGN.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1321, 24 June 1897, Page 15

THE QUEEN'S RECORD REIGN.

THANKSGIVING- SERVICES IN LONDON.

AN IMPRESSIVE CEREMONIAL AT

ST. PAUL'S.

London, June 20.

Special services in connection with the Record Reign proceedings were held today in all the churches and chapels throughout Great Britain. There were enormous congregations, the municipal and other corporations attending in state. Prolonged peals of bells were rung in all i;he churches.

The eight visiting Premiers were at the services at St. Margaret's k Church, Westminster and Westminster Abbey. Amongst those upon whom Cambridge "University conferred the degree of Doctor of Laws was Mr Escombe, A.ttorney-•G-eneral of Natal; The Public Orator eulogised each recipient in Latin. To-day the troops who are to take part an the State procession marched through the East End, the streets of which were gaily decorated. Immense crowds lined the entire route, especially in the poorer ♦districts. The Australian troops were ■wildly cheerad. The Indian Princes who have arrived to take part in the Jubilee proceedings watched the march past from the Mansion House. Arrangements have been made for 800 ♦colonial troopa to pay a visit to the fleet at Spithead on the 30th. London, June 21. At the thanksgiving service at Sfc. George's Chapel, Windsor, yesterday in honour of the Queen, the Dowager-Empress Frederick, Prince and Princess Christian, Duke and Duchess of ConnaugM, Princess Beatrice and Prince Louis of Battenberg attended. The Queen's Indian attendant assisted Jier from her armchair to a seat in front of the altar. At the conclusion of the service the Queen embraced her children and grandchildren. Dr Bradley, Dean of Westminster, preached at Westminster Abbey. The peers attended in their robes. Dean Farrar preached- at St. Margaret's, where the members of the Commons attended. The Speaker of the House of Commons afterwards entertained the colonial Premiers at luncheon, as well as Mr Balfour (First Lord of the Treasury) and Sir William Vernon Harcourt (Leader of the Opposition). An impressive commemoration service was held at St. Paul's yesterday. Amongst -fche congregation were the Prince and .Princess of Wales, the Duke and Duchess -of York, Duke of Coburg, Duke and Duchess of Fife, Duke of Cambridge, Tetany members of the House of Lords, foreign Ambassadors, leading representatives of the professions and prominent Wjiembers of the operative classes. Dr Creighton, Bishop of London, _ reached at the afternoon service, the chief F \taxß at which was the procession of Jug. ,^B ' Sheriffs, Aldermen of City and Guil o ' "aal thanksgiving services were held •.? ■' eii.ur.ehes of all denominations in London yesterday. There were crowded congrega,. >JQS « *be National Anthem

™™* W>* jf *g° Mr Stmrcreon Tabernacle, Dr HerAdle* < <&&£ rabbi, at the Great Synagogue, deL>T ec ff of the Queen.. C.V*M* Yaughan Archbishop of W estimate*, celebrated Pontifical High Mass iSt• Oratory assisted by Cardinal Lamfeetti, Papal Envoy in England, Man? f <*<s£*■ princes •were present. . Special services w€«# '-held u# tne Anglican churches in all iJ&e .capitals on -.the Continent, and chief cities of America ; and all the British colonies. The foreign, newspapers applaud the <sueen, and admit the amazing progress of •Great' Britain during her reign. The IFreneh and German journals are specially <cordiaL and the American newspapers are :almost nananimous in their eulogy of the <Queen, publishing several columns of the Jubilee preparations. Tab English newspapers are seriously displeased that the .colonial troops will not witness tiw review of the £eefc at Spithead on the 26fch tnst. , iLord Wolsetey has selected JLassetter, of the Now South Wales troops, {to command the forty colonial troops who sawe to form the bodyguard of. the Queen in the procession. At the service at St. Paul s yestasd.ay, Chief Justice Way occupied a position immediately behind lord Hal&bury, and :T)r Harmer, Bishop of Adelaide, who Dr Creighton in the service, paid : h striking tribute to the Queen, eulogising iher patriotism and philanthropy. At the invitation of Lord Carrington the New South Wales Lancers attended the church parade at Wycombe yesterday, and received an enthusiastic welcome.

THE CELEBRATION THROUGHOUT THE EMPIRE.

A MAGNIFICENT DISPLAY OF

LOYALTY.

■TTHE DEMONSTRATIONS IN AUSTRALIA. Sydney, June 21.

r The weather xtas perfect to-day. The public offices were closed, but the »vnaiority of the business places were open. harbour is gay with bunting flagsttoa/biag from staffs and windows 4vwywnwe, iM &e streets are a blaze of

colour with [streamers of flags and arches of greenery. The principal event to-day was the public school demonstration at the Cricket Ground.

A choir of 3000 children sang national songs and gave an athletic display. Tho Governor addressed the attendance, which was estimated at 50,000.

The city, harbour and parks are brilliantly illuminated to-night, and bands are stationed at different parts discoursing music. The second Record Reign concert was held in the Town Hall.

Enormous crowds are parading tlie streets.

Melbourne, June 21. weather is fine, and the city is thoroughly en fete. Bunting is displayed everywhere, and the streets are packed in view of the illuminations and Fire Brigade's tox'chlight procession. Adelaide, June 21.

There is Queen's weather here. The decorations and illuminations are on a most extensive scale, and tho streets are thronged with visitors. Brisbane, June 22. The city is brilliantly decorated and illuminated. DEMONSTRATION IN WELLINGTON. JUBILEE SERVICES AT THE CHURCHES. st. peter's. Tho celebration parade of the Volunteers in honour of Her Majesty's Jubilee was ham on Sunday morning-. The various corps assembled at tho Driilshed at 10 o'clock and marched to St. Peter's Church. The following was tho order of parade : Garrison Band (25 strong;, under SergeantMa j or McDonald. Permanent Artillery (55), under Major Messenger. Torpedo Corps (IS), under Captain Falconer.

Wellington Navals (59), under LieutenantCommander Campbell and Lieutenants Bias, Cooper and Bell. Petone Navals (-1G), under LieutenantCommander Kirk and Lieutenant Panning.

D Battery (34), under Captain Warren and Lieutenant Hume.

City Rifles (45), under Captain Duthie and Lieutenant Muir.

Wellington Guards (51), undsr Captain Paterson and Lieutenant Harcourt.

Kelburno Rifles (59), under Captain Davis and Lieutenants McDonald and Henderson. Wellington College Cadets, No. 1 Company (41), under Captain Bee ; No. 2 Company (45), under Captain Ward. Boys' Institute Cadets (42), under Captain Wallace. The naval division was under command of Commander Duncan and the rifles under Major Collins, while the whole battalion was under Lieutenant-Colonel Newall. Staff-Lieutenant Hislop and Staff Sergeant-Major Finn also attended the parade, and a detachment of men from H.M S. Fy lades joined in. fcst. Peter's Church was packed and many were unable to obtain admission. The Administrator of the Government and Lady Prendergast, Colonel Pole-Penton (Commandant of the Forces) and Major Madox were present. Tho Rev W. C. Waters preached, and took for his text Isaiah 53rd chapter, second verse : " For he shall grow up before Him as a tender plant." After dwelling on the remarkable prophesy of the prophet, the preacher applied it to the growth of the British Empire. He needed not, he said, to give them a history of the Queen. They could r<sad that from the various excellent newspaper articles which had been written about her. He would ask them to consider the subject of "growth," and particularly the growth of the nmglish nation throughout th 9 world. Going back to the seventh century, thirteen hundred years ago, ho traced the rise of Christianity from the landing of St. Augustine on the coast of Kent, and with it the rise of the British Empire. The British nation was proud of the growth of that thirteen hundred years. He spoke of the merging of the seven Saxon Kingdoms into one, the annextion of Ireland and the union with Scotland, which had gradually made England stronger and more powerful, and then he went on to speak of the progress of colonisation, for which Englishmen had always been remarkable. America, India and Canada had witnessed ■otiX} rise of the Colonial Empire, then came the Jnditea and the Cape, and then Australia and Tasmania, and, last of all, the beautiful land jn which we lived, the colony of Sfew Zealand, the gem of the sunny south. Now it was the proud pleasure of Englishmen to know that there was no quarter of the globe where the English flag did ngt wave. Mr Waters said that one of the most wonderful features of Her Majesty's reign was the growth and progress of the nation. It would ho written in history that the reign of Queen Victoria was pre-eminently a reign of growth, a reign pf progress. Tho last 60 years had witnessed <trt£6 perfection of many inventions, and among others lis mentioned steam and electricity. Her Majesty bs-d during her reign seen some of the Btrife c£ war, and occasional defeat in battle. On the whole, it had been a peaceful reign, and the growth t,i £f£3 Empire had been more through peace titan »'ar. In Church, in State, in commerce and in fiance, those GO years had been a period of perpetual growth. Grcwth, it had been said, was a sign of God's approval. J.z that was so it was a glorious thing, but it was §. sign of grt<at responsibilities. They bid many duties to perform. Ho exhorted them to "fight the good of faith. Mr Water.-; then wont on to ?peak of what he called tha foolish doctrino " that all shquld govern and everyone be governors." Sensiblo .• people, he said, must know that such a doctrine was entirely wrong as well as foolish. Someone must hold the reins of government. Out Queen had in grace and ij goodness far exo2 r led3 any &ther sovereign. Tho preacher concluded by saying that tJiey should constantly have in th" ir hearts the good old English prayer, " The Queen, dbd. Bless Her." l£v T, T. Trimnell presided at the organ. Instead ©£ the benite tho hymn " Oh, Lord our Governor" yv.as substituted, and special psalms and hymns (the latter sent out from Home for the occasion) were sung. The service concluded by the whole congregation eing£»g tho National Anthem. During tho offertory Mi? Trimnell played Batiste's " Offartoire," &ud the concluding voluntary was '.' Tho Coronation Marofc,"

The church was handsomely decorated with festoons of flags, appropriate mottoe3 I and bunches of flowers, the work of the ladies of the pariah. After tho service the Volunteers marched back to the Driilshed. Before they were dismissed Colonel Newall called tho officers to the front and impressed on them the necessity for an early and a punctual muster tomorrow morning. The Litany was said at 3 o'clock in the afternoon, and a service was held for children at 3.30. In the evening the church was if possible even more densely crowded than in the morning. Une special feature of the service was tho singing of the famous anthem (Psalm 21, verse 1), "The King shall rejoice in Thy strength, oh, Lord," originally composed by Handel for the coronation of George the 11. Another feature was a magnificent tune, composed for the occasion by Mr T. T. Trimnell, Mus. Bac, for the special hymn " Let all the land with one accord." The Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis were sung to a netting of Mr Trimnell's own in F. After the thanksgiving a solemn Te Deum in D, also to music of Mr 'I rimnell's own composing, was sung with fine effect. The National Anthem was sung as a recessional. Weber's Jubilee Overture was played as the concluding voluntary. The vicar again preached, speaking of the Queen's public and private life. A feature of the decorations was the arrangement of some magnificent white and red flowers (,the Royal colours) in the altar vases, kindly sent by Arthur Pearce, Ross and Linnoll, and arranged by the latter. Mr W. F. yhortt was responsible for the tasteful arrangement of flags and banners.

st. patjl's. St: Paul's Church was beautifully decorated for the commemoration of the Queen's accession. The chief features were the letters V.R. exquisitely wrought in violets and water lilies on the pulpit front. Vases of purple iris and rose 3 were placed on the altar, which, with the sanctuary, was draped in rich crimson flags, kindly lent by the captain of H.M.S. Pylades, and gracefully draped by some of the crew. Hothouse plants were placed round the altar, pulpit and prayer desk. The first service was the celebration of Holy Communion at 8 a.m , in which tho Vicar (Rev T. H. Sprott) was assisted by the Venerable tho Archdeacon of Wellington. The second was the Accession Service at 11 o'clock, when the service specially compiled by tho Convocations of Canterbury and York, and authorised by the Queen tor this occasion, was used. A hundred men of H.M.S. Pjdades attended. The music, which was of an appropriate character, was splendidly sung by tho choir. In the sermon tho vicar spoke of the value of the throne as the visible symbol of our connection with the past, the recognition of such connection with a just reverence being an essential element of national security, permanence and progress. Ho spoke also of the throno as the visible symbol of oar unity as an Empire, and of such a celebration as the present one enabling the Empire to feel its many-celled heart beating with one full stroke. There was a crowded congregation. At 330 p.m. there was a children's service, fully choral. The vicar gave the children an account of the Queen's infancy, childhojd and youth, and described the coronatiDn service. At 6.30 p.m. there was again a crowded congregation. Portions of the Accession Service were used. The vicar took as his text Psalm 45, " Thou hast loved righteousness and hated iniquity, therefore God, even they God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows." He spoke of the great moral influence which the Queen had exerted during the famous sixty years and of the bearing of that moral influence upon the great material and moral progress which had characterised her reign, and for which that day they gave thanks throughout the Empire. The music was again almost faultless. After the offertory a solemn Te Deum was sung, followed by the hymn of the Colonial Church (>lo. 477), the Benediction and the National Anthem. After all the services " joy bells " were rung.

ST. MARK'S. The services at St. Mark's on Sunday wore fully choral at both morning and evening. E'rccessiorial hymns, special psalms and responses were sung, and also the oommemoration hymns and versicles composed for the Diamond .Jubilee. In the morning the Ven Archdeacon Fancourt preached, taking as his text Psalm 106, v. 1, " Oh, give thanks unto

the Lord," dealing with the glorious reign of the Queen. In the evening the anthem was " The Queen's Song," tho words by Sir Edwin Arnold, and music by the church organist, Mr Laurence F. Watkins, which was, together with the whole service, rendered in a manner fitting the occasion. The large congregations joined heartily in the services,. and especially in tho singing of the National Anthem. In the evening the Uev R. Coffey preached from Timothy XL, v. 1, " I exhort, therefore, that first of all supplications . . . be made for all men, for kings, and for all that are in authority." He reviewed at length tho Queen's excellent character and the many viriues that enabled her to fulfil so nobly her high position, and remarked that it was mainly due to the early training she received from her jnother, the Duohess of Kent. ST. THOMAS' CHURCH, NKWTOWN.

In his sermon at St. Thomas' Church, Newtown, on Sunday morning, the Rev J. de B. Galway roviowed the progress made in the 60 years of the Queen's reign, especially in ecclesiastical matters, pointing out that there wa> cause for rejoicing in tho unparalleled progress of the reign. The National Anthem wa-s tning at the morning service, and also in the evening, when the t.'ev J. Je Ti. Go.)way again preached, t.-ikir.g his text from Deuteronomy 4,2:). The' anthem in the evening was Elyey's " Rejoice in tho Lord," and the service, was Bunhett'a. Mr fipaclr.-. man was the conductor, and Mr Barlcrqp tho organist.

oT. rtAKi'fl e.VTHKbIiAti

In liis sermon fit St. Mary's Cathedral on the subject of the .Record lifcign, the Rev Father Dawson said that all the Catholic Church claimed was liberty of action, freedom to preach the Gospel of Ciirist, and that she shad not be in:p fei'&d with in her Divina mission, it mattered not to her what form of government existed ; but Catholics claimed that they were not inferior to any branch of the British Empire in their loyalty to tho State, because they founded their loyalty on something'more solid and lasting than personal wants or individual whims. The foundation of Catholic loyalty was conscience ; and this was wby Catholics wore always the most loyal of all subjects of the State, because they recognised in the words of St. Paul that the power £q

force tliem -were simply the delegated power and authority of God Himself In the reign of Queen Elizabeth, those who first rose to defend the country against the foreign foe were Catholic noblemen, even though the banners of the Spanish Armada were blessed by the Pope. So in like manner in the reign of James 1. and that ofs Charles I. Was it therefore to be wondered at that, when the whole Empire was ringing with congratulations, and with thanks to almighty God, Catholics should not be behind the rest of their compatriots. The Queen of England had given a bright example to every Court of Europe. She had succeeded to a line of profligate Kings, who were without honour and almost without honesty, and she had reigned for GO years, an example to perhaps more brilliant but certainly more profligate foreign Courts, for during the whole term of her reign the Coart of Queen Victoria had been as far as possible spotless and beyondroproach. Father Dawson went on to point out the progress of the Catholic Church, and in concluding said that while the British Empire had extended from land to land, and the valour of England's sons had colonised most distant parts of the world, her younger sister, Ireland, had gone on side by side with her in poverty and with weary steps, planting the Cross of Christ. Though Ireland's claims for civil rights had been denied, that could not be ; justly attributed to the Queen, and no Catkoj lie, he added, would fail to thank Almighty God for the blessings received during this most signal reign. After Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, the choir, under the direction of Mr M. C. Kowe, sang the "To Deum," priests and congregation standing.

ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH. Preaching at St. Joseph's Church, Buckle street, on Sunday morning, the Rev Father Ainsworth, having pointed out that Catholics joined in the congratulations on the completion of sixty years of tho reign of Queen Victoria, went on to say that during that period the Catholic Church had extended and progressed in a most remarkable degree. Catholics above all others should rejoice in the welfare of Groat Britain, because from the landing of St. Augustine to tho 16th century the Empire was built up entirely by Catholics. Amongst the 100 million people who rejoiced to-day, Catholics yielded to ,none in point of loyalty to Queen Victoria. Contrasting the condition of the world in the year 1837 and its condition to-day, he said that New Zealand 60 years ago had not been heard of, whilst at the present time the Church flourished in these lands, and Catholic schools were established in every piovince. In Samoa and Fiji and the other islands of the Pacific 60 years ago cannibalism prevailed ; now in those lands thousands of n-vtivos assembled to offer thanksgiving to Almighty God in the sacrifice of the Mass. Forty years ago in Leeds a priest was stoned so badly that he had to be taken to the hospital ; at the presant day in no part of the world did the Church receive such encouragement as under the British flag. After the mass, the "To Deum " was sung by the choir, under tho direction of Mr H. McCardell, tho congregation standing meanwhile. Father Ainsworth also preached at St. Mary's of the Angels, where the " Te Deum " was sung both morning and evening, Mr F. J. Oakes presiding.

st. john's. Services were conducted morning and evening by the Rev J. Paterson, and were appropriate to the occasion. The service both morning and evening was begun by singing the 100th Psalm, and concluded with the National Anthem. The choir sang Tour's " Te Deum " in the morning and Stainer'a "O Clap Your Hands all Ye People "in the evening. In tho morning the preacher chose for hia text 11. Samuel xxiii., 3, " One that ruleth over men righteously, that ruleth in the fear of God " (revised version). The text, said the preacher, describes the perfect ruler, and finds its complete fulfilment alone in Him who is_ King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Only in a subordinate sense can it be true of any other ruler. But in this subordinate sense it is true of some who have ruled over men, and it is emphatically true of our beloved Queen, whose Record Reign we are now celebrating. From the day when she ascended the British throne, now sixty years ago, it has been manifestly her constant aim and endeavour to rule over her people righteously in the fear of God. And therefore are we thankful for her long and beneficent reign. Her excellencies as a constitutional Sovereign were then dwelt upon, and her virtues shown in every relationship of life—as daughter, as wife, as mother, as Queen ; also the influence of her high character and pure life in maintaining a _ high moral tone in her Court and in commending what was pure and good to all her subjects. Her love for her > Highland home among her Scottish subjects was also touched upon, and her free and simple life there where she was known in the cottage of the poor as well as in the castles and mansions of the nobility and gentry. The preacher concluded by referring to the great progress that had been made in everything truly national during the Queen's long reign, the vast cxtensi.-n of the Empire, the gveat increase of population, the advance in the arts and the sciences ; also in trade and commerce, in colonisation, in the education of the people and in the amelioration pf many social evils, in the spread of Christian int;,uonco and the development of tho missionary enterprise. Remembering all this, well may we offer up our thanksgivings -0-day, and join in the universal rejoicings I this week, and pray '"God save the Queen." 1 In the evening Mr Paterson chose a* his iext | Proverbs xiv., 34 : " Righteousness exalteth I i a nation, but sin is a reproach -0 any i people." Mr Maughan B. rnetfc u.vQ»iJcd at the organ, and the si;;yiug was led by a full choir. There wore large congregations at both services. ' / ST. ANPKjrw'B, The Rev Mr Ogg preached two sermons, Caqh bearing on tho event of the present celebration. We make the annexed extract. A i; -i, certain point in his evening discourso Mr Ogg said :—" Here it would be natural to yield to tho temptation to make a panegyric, on the Queen which might easily degenerate into adulation. I will tius£ myself only to caliber by a name which ia applied to her by a tribe of ths poorest and moat barbarous of ail her subjects. The British monarch has pages of titles attachable to her name. She is the Princess and Duchess of many States ; she is the Queen of England, and Scotland, and Ireland { she is Empress of India. Among 40 millions of Mahommedan subjects she is the Padishah, that is the King of i Kings. But in the picturesque and poetical j language of the nomad and half-savage tribes i who wander amid the woods and lakes and 1 snows of North America, and who have dimly < conceived of the powerful and humane o Princess whose subjects they delight to j suppose themselves, she ¥5 galled: the/ 1

Great Mother. The Great Mother this suggestive and touching! name de« scribes the real character of our Queen, a:.d reveals the sources of her immense popularity. She is by far the most powerful Princess that history knows of. She is probably the most powerful monarch on the globe. Her subjects number one-fifth of the human race. Her capital, London, is the heart of the world, her navy is invincible, her armies could be recruited to any extent by brave Hindoo and Mahommedan soldiers. Yet her great position has in no way spoilt, by the flattery to which it has exposed her, her natural goodness. She is a Great Mother, with a mother's sympathies for even the humblest of her subjects. She had all the affection of a wife, she has all the faithful regrets of a widow indeed, and throughout hor long reign, which has now exceeded in duration that of any of our Kings, she has exhibited all the social and moral excellencies that could adorn the character of a true woman. It is our good fortune to be the subjects of so great and virtuous a Princess. May her seed be established, may tho children of the Great Mother imitate their mother's virtues and may her throne be built tip to all generations." Both discourses displayed an intimate acquaintance with the history and social, educational, commercial and scientific progress which the last sixty years have witnessed, the reduction of pauperism and crime, and the great advancement in the comfort and well-being of a free people. The National Anthem was sung by the whole congregation both morning and evening. ST. JAMES'. i The Rev W. Shirer, at the morning service at this church, took as his subject "Rejoicing and Responsibility," the text being Nehemiah, chapter 12, verse 43. A wise ruler, he said, had much to do in building up the State. The events of sixty years were written in the chronicles of the Empire, on millions of human hearts. The nation rejoiced in our Queen as a Christian ruler,whoin her Court had maintained tho ideal of upright character, whilst among her people she had preserved civil and religious liberty. In affairs of State her influence had been for unity over all. Men. may be opponents without being enemies,, continued tho preacher, and all may work for the good of the Empire. Our Queen has: sympathised in her people's joy and sorrow; the nation rejoiced in our Queen as a Christian woman who has lived before her people in youth, in home life, like a queen. Our privilege implies our responsibility. At the evening service Mr tjhirer preached on " Tho Responsibility of Empire" (Proverbs 14, 34). Our nation, said he, has had stability and increase, and gratitude should be expressed, as well as shortcoming realised. Decay and fall have come to other empires, and our continuance is conditional under God upon character, home life, education and true liberty. Appropriate anthems and hymns wer© sung at both services.

KENT TERRACE. Both Beivices on Sunday had special reference to the Record Reign, and the National Anthem was sung morning and evening. The 21st Psalm was ohanted, with the word Queen substituted and the ponouns ohanged accordingly. The morning text was from Proverbs xxxi., 29, *<Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou exeellest them all." The minister, the Rev J. Kennedy Elliott, spoke of the Queen as a pattern woman, and descanted on the domestic virtues which she exemplified in her various positions of daughter, wife, mother and widow. At night the subject was the duties of loyal subjects as suggested and inculcated in Psalm lxxii 15, " And He shall live, and to Him shall be given of the gold of Sheba, prayer also shall be made for Him continually ; and dailv shall He be praised." Dealing with tho kingly office of Jesus reference was made to His victories, intercession, condescension, tenderness, oratory, immortality and antiquity topics suggested hy the letters which compose the name Victoria. It was stated that the duties whicl w« oweto the Supreme Ruler are equally due. m a limited and less degree, to earthli majesty, and that, therefore, we shonld cordially offer prayers for our Sovereign and thanksgivings for the blessings which signalised her reign. The National Anthem was also sung in the Sabbath schools belonging to the congregation.

TRINITY WSSIiETAN. "Render unto Csesar the things which ari Cresar's, and unto Christ the things whicl are Christ's" was the text of the sermon preached at the Trinity Wesleyan Church Newtown, on Sunday morning, by the Rev j' Smalley, of Masterton, who exchanged pulpits W *H? e Kev Lawr y- The preacher dealt with the remarkable progress of Queen Vici tona's reign. The Rev J. T. Nott was the 1 preacher in the evening. The National Anthem was sung at both services. 1

WESLEY, TAK.A.NAKI STREET. At the Wesley Church, Taranaki street on Sunday the National Anthem was sune al the beginning of the service, the " Hallelujah Chorus was given during the offertory ant the organist played Handel's Coronatioi Anthem at the close of the service The Rev Mr Baumber took for his text " Because the Lord loved His people He hath made tht King over them/' The rev. gentleman saic that it at the beginning of Solomon's reirrr such words could be used, we, who hac before us the lnstory of the past 60 years | and who know something of the prosperous ! rei-n of our beloved Queen, might use the sam< ■ words of her, Kef erring to the longrei«n oi Her Majesty, Mr Baumber said she°ha securect a place m the affection of her i>eo»l€ that few sovereigns ever enjoyed, failed tc the throne while still young and compara tively TOknowa, she, by her self-possession ! discretion and true womanliness, had wor | all hearts and had continued icveign wi*eh and well over a loving and j&yal people Hei I personal character had been without reproac&l : bar influence had alwaya been for good 'mM life had not boon, without, sorrow, bat in 9 she had aWayathe sympathy of her ueojH When, hey reign was ended—and sa&y day oo ftur distanS-of her it would bo sail ; She wrought her people lasting good* Turning from Queen to country, the preaehu, compared the England of to-day with+h~~ t 60 years ago. It seemed scarcely tioffiftil that w so bvief a time so manyanSSl ohanges oouU have taken phW 111 reign had been a period of advance ment which the , world had n*v* before known. Seeing that. Lhey en?oye< great privileges, political, social and r i ligious, they might well say, " The Lord hafi done great things for us whereof we ar glad bowal and moral improvements wer alluded to, the advance of educating „1 the removal of disabilities, solas' noS conformists were concerned, the imnro™ ments re women and children onnhWV gard to the latter Mrs the Children," Increased prxvillgeshroTghi

increased responsibilities. Mr Baumber concluded by urging that there should be loyalty to Christ as a great King. COURTE NAY PLACE CONOKEGATICNAIi. Alluding to England's greatness in the above church on Sunday morning the Rev Mr Evans said the rise of the Empire dated back 20u years. He considered that Cromwell was a greater character in this particular conneetion than historians gave him credit for. He was the real founder of Britain's magnificence. The persecution of the people of Flanders and the * Huguenots had assisted Britain greatly, because they flocked to her shores, and their industry and commercial instincts served to lay a good foundation. It was the Spanish'Armada tight that showed England the great position she held in consequence of being sea-girt. England seemed to have stumbled upon greatness unconsciously ; colonisation came to her by accident rather than by consideration, and the Australasian colonies appeared to have progressed in spite of Downing street. Early . writers had said that the relations between the colonies and the Mother Country was of a dissevering tendency at the outset rather than a strengthening one, and this was fulfilled in the case of America. The British Empire was the greatest the world had ever known. The Queen's life had been an event- J ful one in a great many respects, but nowa- j days the royal perogative was at such a j minimum, so to speak, as to make her but a mere figure-head of State. The real power | was the British Government. The Queen was I a pure woman who had led a pure life, and any student of history could ascertain that Her Majesty's Court, when compared with past Courts, was as sunlight to rushlight. TEBBACE CONGREGATIONAL. In dealing with the religious aspect of the reign at the Terrace Congregational Church on Sunday, the Rev J. Reed Glasson began by pointing out the impossibility _of drawing arbitrary line 3 and stating positively when these movements began. With the beginning of the present century, more markedly as we approach the early years of the Queen's reign, important and far-reaching changes begin to manifest themselves in the theological thought of England. After briefly tracing the history of the three great parties in the Church of England —Low, Broad and High Church —Mr Glasson spoke of the Free Church Congress as one of the most important and significant movements in the religious life of England in the reign. At the morning service the Rev Reed Glasson dealt at some

length with the mechanical and scientific progress of the past sixty years. Both morning and evening appropriate hymns were sung.

SYDNEY STREET PRIMITIVE METHODIST. At both services in this church on Sunday the congrations were large, and special hymns were sung. In the evening the Rev Mann delivered a most interesting sermon on the illustrious reign of Her Gracious Majesty, and dwelt at some length upon the gcod deeds of the Prince Consort, Albert the Good. BAPTIST. The thanksgiving services at the Vivian street Baptist Jhurch were conducted by the pastor, the Rev C. Dallaston, and were largely attended. Special hymns had been printed and included one composed for the occasion by the late pastor of the Church, the Rev H. H. Driver. The subject of the sermon in the morning was" An Untarnished "Crown," the preacher drawing attention to the religious liberty enjoyed during the Queen's reign and to the great spread of Bible truth. Unrestricted religious liberty was a blessing, which they greatly appreciated. The success of missionary enterprise was also referred to by Mr Dallaston. The National Anthem was sung at both morning and evening services. THE SYNAGOGUE. At the Synagogue on Sunday afternoon a choral service of prayer and thanksgiving was held, in celebration of the sixtieth anniversary of Her Majesty's accession to the throne, and special prayers,for the Queen and Royal Family were offered up. The Rev H. Van Staveren conducted the service, and preached a short but powerful sermon, dwelling on the beneficent effect of the Queen's reign on her Hebrew subjects. The choir, which was under the conductorship of Mrs Alfred Levi, gave some exceptionally beautiful hymns, and at the conclusion of the service the National Anthem was sung. SALVATION ARMY. Ensign Rowley, officer in charge of the Wellington corps, during the course of Sunday's meeting, referred specially to the Queen's Record Reign. He' said that we were chiefly indebted to the present reign to freedom and liberty of speech in the matters of religion, and as Salvationists they were indebted to the British Government for the aid they had at all times afforded them in carrying on their work in all parts of the British dominions, and when others would have endeavoured to crush them 'British liberty and British law had come to their rescue, and the right had predominated. He also referred to a remark made by General Booth when in the colonies, and speaking with reference to the " Over-the-Sea Colony Scheme," said that whilst other countries had made him valuable offers, he felt that he could not accept them until firmly established under the British flag. In the afternoon 'the Ensign spoke in a similar strain, and at the conclusion of his address, in response to his invitation, the whole audience rose and joined in singing the National Anthem as a token that they sympathised entirely with the opinions expressed in regard to the reign of our Gracious Sovereign. CHURCH OF ENGLAND. The Rev F. H. Spencer preached an eloquent sermon at the Church of England, Oddfellows' Hall, on Sunday morning, making special reference to the 60 years' reign of SLWc Majesty the Queen. He mamHroincd tiiat the monarchical form of ■government was preferable to any other, Kid briefly traced the progress which Engifland and her dependencies had made founder this system during the last 60 years. ( : Continuing his subject in the evening, the rev gentleman gave it.as his opinion that the

' Queen was a descendant of the tribe of Judah, j and quoted authorities in support of this j view.

1 UNITED FRIENDLY SOCIETIES' / t PROCESSION. / j A MONSTER GATHERING. ,! The friendly societies, to the number of j over a thousand, held a procsssion, followed I by % gathering in the Opera House, on fcunday j afternoon. The streets had been rendered j rather sloppy by recent rain, but the members of the lodges were undaunted, and each corporation was largely represented, with the result that the spectacle was a most imposing ' one—the coloured sashes of the Orders, surmounting the somewhat sombre clothing of their members, being thrown into bold and striking relief. The order of the procession was as follows : Jenkins' Band, Sons and Daughters of Temperance. British United Order of Oddfellows. Protestant Alliance. United Ancient Order of Druids. Independent Order of Oddfellows. Foresters' Band. H.4.C.8.5. Independent Order Rechabites. St. Mary's Band. Ancient Order Foresters. Manchester Unity Oddfellows. Band.

District and Executive Officers of each Order.

The members of the different organisations fell into order as above at the Government Buildings (Mr Isaac Clark, P.P.G.M.. Manchester Unity being the chief marshal), and proceeded via Lambton quay, Willis street and Manners street to the Opera House. The footpaths were thickly crowded with interested spectators along the whole line of route, and when the procession reached its destination, a great crushing and crowding at once took place, consequent on the rush of persons eager to obtain access to the building. Preference of course given to members of friendly societies, and. when they were fully accommodated there was not a great deal of room available for anybody else. However, all the passages and galleries were speedily filled up by onlookers, who stood, packed closely together, appreciative spectators of an animated and interesting [scene and listeners to a programme which, as will be seen from the appended report, was a varied, apropos and very spirited one. Large num- i bers of people, on the other hand, were obliged to turn away, though some hundreds stood disconsolately about the streets for aome time after all hope of admittance was gone.

IN TEE OPERA HOUSE. After the singing of the " Old Hundredth " by all those present, prayer was offered by he Rev E. Walker. The Mayor, who presided, congratulated in the name of the city the friendly societies for having brought together that splendid gathering on the day of Her Majesty's accession to celebrate the occasion in the chief city in this part of her dominions. We, at all events, in this colony knew no other Sovereign ; every other institution of ours had been begun in the reign of the Queen, for our colony itself was founded in the first year of her reign, and amongst the earliest associations of our colony were the foundations of several friendly societies, which number now so many in our midst. The organisation of friendly societies owed almost its history to the reign of the Queen ; for though the first Friendly Society Acts were passed in the year 1793, and though for years after that statutes were passed in the Imperial Parliament providing for the organisation of such associations, yet it was not until the ninth year of the Queen's reign that the first statute was passed providing for registration, for actuarial investigation, and for the quinquennial returns of the funds. He was informed that though the Manchester Unity of Oddfellows —which he presumed was the largest of friendly societies —was founded in the early years of the century, yet in the first years of the Queen's reign it numbered not more than 80,000 members. Let them consider the difference of that great organisation to-day. None of those present could fully recognise how much they owed to the self-government which had been under the present Sovereign accorded to us, to the Democracy, to the power of each organisation to rule itself. They had in these societies two objects —one of brotherhood and the friendly relations created by association in their lodges, and the other the great principle of friendly cooperation one with the other. He hoped that the fact that those great societies had led the way in the celebrations which are to take place this week in the whole Empire would lead more of them to share in the advantages which accrue to members of such societies, and enable them to provide by mutual cooperation against that which so many of them saw before them—an organised pauperism by the creation of a pension fund for old age otherwise than by the instrumentality of the people themselves. On behalf of the citizens of Wellington, on behalf of the people of New Zealand, he expressed their appreciation of the services of the friendly societies, and their desire to share with the members of those societies in the one wish that is throbbing throughout the Empire to-day—that for many years to come the Sovereign under whom we have had so many years of peace and prosperity may live in honour and happiness to rule over this great Empire of which we are all a part. (Applause.) The Rev W, Baumber said there had been change—he miaht say a change for the better —in every direction during the past sixty years. Education had become better, and health better ; we are better fed, we are better clothed and housed. Ho had no sympathy with those who said that the world was getting worse. In nothing was the growth of the past 60 years more marked than in the devolopmont of the humanitarian feeling. It needed but a Brunner disaster or a Hawko's Bay flood, or an Indian famine, and the sympathies of the people are at once i aroused ; and it needed only the Armenian I massacres to touch the hearts of the British people throughout the world—(applause)—and . though political considerations might prevent the Briti-h people from standing forth on behalf of the oppressed, the hearts of the people were with them in their great trouble. He did not believe that this advancement of which he was speaking was the result of intellectual movement. Benjamin Kidd, in his great work on social evolution had taught —and it seemed to him had taught conclusively—that this humanitarian feeling especially had been generated by that ethical system on which our civilisation is founded, and which is the very essential part of the Christianity of Christ. It was the Carpenter of Nazareth who taught us the great truth of the Fatherhood of God, and the truth which follows from' that the. brotherhood of man. This principle

of bearing one another's burdens was an essential part of friendly societies. Mr Baumber quoted figures showing the remarkable growth of friendly societies, and said the good done by those societies could not be too highly estimated. There were, he said, large numbers of men in New Zealand, members of Iriendly societies, who, but for the help given them by their fellow-members, would now have been down in the dust. Friendly societies had taught men the spirit of self-reliance which had gone so far to make the British race what it 13. These societies had trained men in the art of practical government, - and the most intelligent voters to-day were the members of friendly

societies. Moreover, these societies had diminished public burdens, and those taught to help themselves, he pointed out, are the firet to help others. A collection was then taken for the Victoria Operating Theatre and Hawke's Bay Flood Funds, and realised .£2O 14s o|d. Meanwhile the Garrison Band, conducted by Sergeant McDonald (in the absence of Mr Herd), played " The Holy City " with splendid effect. The Rev C. Dallaston said the Queen by the purity of her life, both as ruler and as wife, had set a splendid, example. The Duke of Devonshire had recently said at Liverpool that the colonies had never occupied a larger i place in the minds of the English people than was occupied to-day. Perhaps this was due to the presence of ,the colonial Premiers, who blushingly wore their academic honours — (laughter)—hut he would reverse the statement, and say that the Old Country never hold a warmer place in the hearts of the people of our colony than she did to-day. (Applause.) It had been said that the colonies were willing enough to be interested in the Mother Land so long as they could borrow at cent., but that if the old land fell upon evil times the colonies would cease to . be interested in her. That would never be true of New Zealand. (Applause.) The Rev J. tt. Glasson was proud of one of the greatest Sovereigns who ever sat upon an earthly throne, but he was still prouder of the great race of which Queen Victoria is only one conspicuous member, and when he spoke of loyalty he was thinking of loyalty not only to Queen Victoria but to the magnificent country. He spoke strongly of the mutual advantages resulting from friendly societies.

Mr Kershaw said the members of the friendly societies had mustered in very large numbers that afternoon, and he made no apology for a gathering of that kind even on a Sabbath day. (Sear, hear.) All those present sang the National Anthem, and the proceedings closed with the Benediction, pronounced by the Rev W. Baumber.

BRILLIANT ILLUMINATIONS. AN IMPOSING REVIEW. A MAGNIFICENT PROCESSION. BONFIRES AND FIREWORKS. From Monday morning- onwards the Record Reign fever seemed to be in the veins of the Wellington public, for from early morning till late at night, and, indeed, right through the hours of darkness till day dawn, the streets were thronged with restless crowds, hurrying hither and thither in search of novelties and sensations. Many of the establishments in town were brilliantly decorated and lighted, including the Government Buildings, Government House, the Union Company's premises, the Government Insurance Buildings, the Bank of New Zealand, the- Ranfurly Hotel and many other places. The majority of the shops were closed.

On the hills the small boys were at work lighting: bonfires and exploding fireworks, but their displays as a whole were not very imposing. At midnight the bells were rung in various parts of the town, and at an early hour in the morning again the bellringers of St. Peter's rang out a merry peal. Tuesday, morning broke fine, but a stiff biting breeze blew from the north, stirring the waters of the harbour into choppy waves, and flicking the dust from every hole and crevice in the streets into the eyes of the populace, which turned out en masse, determined to participate to the fullest, even at severe personal inconvenience, in so unique and imposing a demonstration. THE MILITARY REVIEW. The proceedings opened at 10 in the morning with a parade of the Volunteers. At 10 o'clock the various corps assembled at the Drillshed, where they fell into line, and marched to the reclaimed land opposite the Manawatu Railway Station. The corps represented were the D Battery Artillery, with four Nordenfeldt guns, under Captain Warren and Lieutenant Hume; the Permanent Artillery, under Major Messenger; the Torpedo corps, • under Captain Falconer; the Wellington Navals, under Lieutenant - Commander Campbell and Lieutenants Biss, Cooper and Bell; Petone Navals, under LieutenantCommander Kirk and Lieutenant Panning; City Rifles, under Captain Duthie and Lieutenant Muir; Wellington Guards, under Captain Paterson and Lieutenant Harcourt; Kelburne Rifles, under Captain Davis and Lieutenants McDonald and Henderson; Wellington College Cadets, No. 1 companv, under Captain Bee ; No. 2 company, under Captain Ward. A detachment of bluejackets and marines from the Pylades, under Lieutenant Willis, were present at the parade, but did not take X>art in the proceedings on the reclaimed land. There was a full muster of each corps, and the men presented a smart and soldierlike appearance. Lieutenant-Colonel ]Newall directed the operations, and was attended by Captain Coleman. The naval division was under the control of Commander Duncan and the rifles under Major Collins. Staff-Lieutenant Hislop and Sergeant-Major Pinn were also in attendance. The Garrison Band was also present in full force under SergeantMajor McDonald. On arrival at the reclaimed land the corps were lined out in review formation in the presence of 3000 or 4000 people, and they presented a most brilliant and imposing appearance. Some delay was caused by the late appearance

of the Acting-Governor, but His Excellency arrived in his carriage about 11 o'clock, attended by Colonel Fox, Major Madocks, Captain Adams, Lieutenant Taylor and Dr Andrews, of the Pylades, and accompanied by the Hons T. Thomp- | son, Minister of Justice ;' W. Hall-Jones, I Minister of Works, and A. J. Cadman, Minister of Railways. The party took up a position fronting the battalion, and immediately the D Battery commenced the 60-gun salute. Each of the 20 rounds was punctuated by a volley from the Volunteers, and the playing of fcur bars of the National Anthem by the Garrison Board, followed by three hearty cheers from the troops at the instigation of Colonel Newall, which were heartily joined in by the large crowd assembled. The march past next took place, a performance reflecting the highest credit on the corps engaged, the majority comporting themselves with the steadiness of veteran regulars. The corps then reformed line and marched to the Government Buildings to take part in the procession.

THE PROCESSION.

A" GREAT DISPLAY AT THE BASIN I RESERVE. The Record Reign procession was the best ever witnessed in Wellington. It comprised all classes of the community, and as the procession made its way along the streets, the brilliant uniform of the military men and the regalia of the friendly societies thrown into relief by the crowds I who thronged the line of march, the sight was one to be remembered. There was a delay of nearly half an hour at the outset, as the Volunteers were away at the reclaimed land (where the Royal salute was fired), and it was not until about a quarter to 12 that they were able to take their places in the line near the Government Buildings, when the procession at once moved off. There was a dense crowd in the street at this time, while the windows overlooking the street were packed with groups of people, and the high ground on the Terrace overlooking the quay was also taken advantage of by crowds of people anxious to witness the spectacle.

THE ORDER OF THE PROCESSION. The procession was ia the following order:—

Detachment from H.M.S. Pylades. Garrison Band. Colonial Forces. Jupp's Band. Veterans. Cyclists. Fire Brigade. Wilson's City Band. Members of Citizens' Committee. Trade Unions. Scandinavians of Wellington. Staff of Wellington Harbour Board. B.U. Oddfellows. Salvation Army Band. Druids. Protestant Alliance. St. Mary's Brass Band. Hibernians. Rechabites. Foresters' Band. M.U. Oddfellows. Representatives of the Press. Civil Servants. Mayor and Councillors of the City of Wellington. Members of the Chamber of Commerce. Chairman and Members of the Wellington

Harbour Board. Clergy. Members of the House of Representatives. Members of the Legislative Council. Ministers of the Crown. Judges. His Excellency the Administrator of the Government. ON THE WAY TO THE BASIN RESERVE. About 40 bluejackets, a company from H.M.S. Pylades, headed the line, Lieutenant Willis in command, wearing his striking naval uniform, while the men marched with swords fixed, and. had with them also two field guns, and behind the bluejackets came 20 marines from the Pylades. The Volunteer forces came next, headed by the Garrison Band. The order was : D Battery, with two Nordenfeldt guns, 34; Permanent Artillery and Torpedomen ; Wellington Naval Corps, numbering 75; Petone Navals, 53,- City Rifles, 59; Wellington Guards, wearing their busbies, 51; Kelburne Rifles, in their smart new uniform, 62, and the Wellington College Cadets, 90. The "Volunteers -were surrounded by the cyclists, who rode their machines at walking pace, some of them with only fair success. An enterprising firm took the opportunity to advertise the virtues of the Red Bird bicycle by sending one of these machines with three men crowded on to it, whilst another held up the three riders, in accordance with the eternal law of gravitation, as they travelled at walking pace. Only one bicycle was decorated, an enthusiastic devotee having adorned the wheels with gailycoloured paper. After Jupp's Band carne the veterans, the good men and true who fought in the Maori war and elsewhere in the service of the Queen. The veterans, who rode in two brakes, wore their New Zealand war medals, which were pinned to their breasts with red, white and blue ribbon. Each medal has an engraving of the Queen, and on the reverse side a laurel wreath, with the words "New Zealand " and the motto " Virtutis honor." Amongst the veterans were Messrs F. Stevens, E. Tregear, W. Lingard (who also wore the New Zealand cross), E. H. Beere, S. Sbidolph, Shauaghan, H. W. Brewer, R. Evans, R. Tingey, Malley, Connor, and others. Next came the Eire Brigade, in their black uniforms and burnished brass helmets, as they rode on two combine hose and ladder vehicles, Captain Kemsley in command, with Foremen Lawrence and Woolcott. A brake followed, in which rode the red-uniformed Petone contingent. Foreman Home in command.

A trap driven by a little boy, whose coin-

panions (three other children) gaily waved bannerettes in which the national colours were conspicuous, was next in line. Then followed the City Band, and after these the Citizens' Committee in open carriages. The trades unions represented in the

procession were the shipwrights and the bakers. The shipwrights numbered about 40, and at their head was the splendid banner painted for the Society by Mr Cantrell, the front of the banner showing a picture of a ship on the stocks, while on the other side is a striking picture of a ship at sea. With the Society were the officers—Mr S. Williams, chairman; Mr G-. Colvin, treasurer; and Mr E. Hurlston, secretary. The bakers numbered about 30, and at their head walked Mr AndrewCollins, president, wearing a baker's apron, while the other officers of the Union present were Mr Freeman, treasurer, and Mr Jyde, secretary. The Scandinavians of Wellington, who followed, bore the three standards, those of Norway, Sweden and Denmark, which were carried by Messrs Hansen, Heidenstrom and Dixon. The members of the Scandinavian Society, of which Mr A. Nannestad is president, were included in the procession, as were also a number of captains of vessels now in port. After the Scandinavians came the Harbour Board staff, numbering 63, with Mr William Ferguson, secretary and engineer. After the Harbour Board staff walked a number of clergymen. Then walked the first of the friendly societies, the British United Order of Oddfellows, whose officers are : —P.D G., Bro. Higginbottom ; P.G.C., Bro. Johnson ; Bro. W. Murdoch, G.I. ; Bro. Jordan, V.G-. ; Bro. Biggs, P.G. These were followed by the Salvation Army Band, under Bandmaster Morris, Ensign Rowley in charge. At the head of the Druids, who numbered 70, were four men wearing Druidical costume. The Pacific Lodge is under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of the North Island, whose officers were in the procession :—Bro. Snaddon, Grand President ; Bro. J Mackay, P.G.D.P. The Excelsior Lodge is allied to the Victorian Lodges, represented here by Bro. Donnelly. The Protestant Alliance and Orangemen walked next, at their head the sword and open Bible. The district officers in the line of march were : -D.M., Bro. M. Thew; D.D.M., Bro. B. Clayton; District Secretary, Bro. George Petherick. St. Mary's Brass Band preceded the Hibernians, whose number was small, owing, it is stated, to some misunderstanding as to the hour. Next in line came the Rechabites with their handsome banner. The Rechabites numbered about 55, and comprised three adult tents—the Hope of Wellington, the Perseverance and the Excelsior, preceded by the members of the Juvenile tent. The district officers were present as follows : Bro. Piper, C.R.; Bro. Gaudin, D.C.R. ; and Bro. F. H. Fraser, D.S. (who with the other members of the Harbour *Board).

Next walked the Foresters' Band, preceding about 150 Foresters, whose district officers are: —D.C.R., Bro. Harman ;, D.S., Bro. A. Whiteford ; D.T., Bro. H. Birch. Then came about 130 Oddfellows of the Manchester Unity Order—first the Wellington Juvenile Tent, of which Bro. A. Perrin is secretary; then the adult lodges, with the following district officers : Bro. C. W. Johnston, Prov. G.M. ; Bro. E. C. Ludwig, D.P.G.M.; Bro. J. Kershaw, Prov. C.S.; Bro. J. Riddick, Prov. Treasurer; Bro. R. Smith, Prov. Warden ; and Bros. J. Smith, jun., I. Clark and J. E. Godber, Prov. Trustees.

Then followed a large number of carriages, containing members of the Harbour Board, the Mayor and City Councillors, members of Parliament, including Dr Grace and the Hon C. J. Johnston, M.L.C/s, Sir Robert Stout, the Hon G. F. Richardson, and Messrs John Hutcheson, Charles Wilson and J. O'Meara, M.HR/s ; Archdeacon Fancourt, Revs Waters, Sprott, Baumber, Glasson, and a number of other clergymen; Judge Edwards; the Hons T. Thompson, W. C. Walker, A. J. Cadman and W. Hall-Jones, Mr Knight (private secretary of the Acting-Governor), Mrs Knight, Lieutenant Taylor (H.M.S. Pylades), and closing the procession he carriage of His Excellency the Administrator of the Government, who was accompanied by his niece, Mrs Booth ; Colonel Pole - Penton and Captain Adams, of H.M.S. Pylades, also occupying seats in the carriage. The procession marched by way of Lambton quay, and Willis, Manners, Cuba, Vivian, Tory and Buckle streets to the Basin Reserve. The whole route was densely crowded, and the scene was unusually animated. At the west gate of the Basin Reserve the ranks opened, and the order of the procession was reversed, Sir James Prendergast entering the grounds first and proceeding to an enclosure, where he watched the procession pass through the crowded ranks of the people down the pathway and out on to the Reserve, facing the pavilion.

AST THE BASIN RESERVE. As the military marched down to the open space they were watched with eager interest by the thousands of rosy-cheeked, happy-eyed children gathered on the slope in front of the pavilion. There was a burst of enthusiasm of the fresh young voices when some more than usually striking uniform appeared, and as the Jack tars marched down they were greeted by a spontaneous cry that ran .along the whole line. When His Excellency appeared, cheers were.given with great heartiness. Sir James Prendergast and Ministers, the Mayor and City Councillors, the members of the citizens' and school committees ascended the platform, the Volunteers and man-o'-warsmen having in the meantime formed a hollow square. UNFURLING THE ROYAL STANDARD. The word of command was shouted in succession by half a dozen voices, at the , game moment the Royal standard, of the,

top of the flagstaff was unfurled, the forces presented arms,' the band struck up the National Anthem/the cannon on the hill at Mount Cook boomed out the first note of the Royal, salute of HO guns, and the children burst into the National Anthem, Mr Robert Parker, from a bench on the reserve below the slope, wielding the baton. It was a truly inspiriting scene. After the National Anthem, Mr H. D. Bell, Mayor of Wellington, called for " three cheers for Her Gracious Majesty the Queen," a call responded to with great effect. The children then sang " God Bless the Prince of Wales" and "Rule Britannia" while the guns at Mount Cook continued with the Royal salute. The singing of the children was excellent, and Mr Parker was personally complimented by His Excellency.

HIS EXCELLENCY'S SPEECH. Sir James Prendergast, after the firing of the Royal salute, addressed the assemblage. He said : —Ladies and gentlemen and schoolchildren, —The committee that has had deputed to it the organisation of the proceedings to-day has requested that I should, on this the celebration of the 60th anniversary of Her Majesty's accession to the throne, offer some words expressing the reverence and affection which the people in this part of her dominions feel for her. The time which I shall occupy will be very brief. Very many of you, you children especially, have been assembled here for some time; that alone would be a sufficient reason for not dwelling too long upon the great topic which otherwise might have been dwelt upon at length. We, both old and young, have the greatest reverence for our Queen. The old, those who own New Zealand as the country of their adoption, whenever they may have left the old home—whether it was early in her reign or later on —they left our Mother Country possessed with the highest respect, the deepest affection and. reverence for Her Majesty. (Hear, hear.;) You thousands who have been born in New Zealand have, I venture to say, been imbued no less with the sentiments of reverence and respect for our Sovereign. As wife, as mother, as Queen, she is entitled to the highest reverence of her subjects, and she possesses the respect of all nations. A GREAT FEDERATION. . The present is no doubt an occasion when we have to consider rather the personal aspect—we have to consider and to speak of our regard for the Queen ; but no one can doubt that throughout the British dominions this is a day which has, I think, a greater significance. No one can doubt that there is throughout the world a determination that r-he British dominions shall be united as one whole. (Cheers.) No one can doubt that it will the the highest satisfaction to Her Majesty, though she is desirous and pleased to have the testimonies of regard which she shall receive from all parts of the world—there ■can be no doubt, I say, that the highest satisfaction which she can have will be the faithful evidence that her kingdom, that her dominions throughout the world, that hev people are united, and that there is actuating them a determination for unity stronger, perhaps, than when she took the sceptre in her hand. THE BRIGHTEST JEWEL IN HE It CROWN. Now, ladies and gentlemen, I have to speak of New Zealand. New Zealand, as you know, did not form part of the British dominions when Her Majesty came to the throne. We are, therefore, more especially her offspring. Now there is no brighter jewel in her crown than New Zealand. ((Cheers.) Now, in addition to our countryanea. of the Maori race, there are more ithan 700,000 people who are here to testify their love and reverence and <the regard which they have for our Queen. (oheers.) I have a few words more to say. Britons throughout ifche world are now calling to us as we are calling to them. The myriad voices, Britain's myriad voices, call; they are calling to us to weld the British dominions into one Imperial whole—that there shall be — One life, one flag, one fleet, one throne. (Cheers.) Now have you no message to send to your Queen ? Have you no word ihafc she shall receive perhaps to-day, jlash&d around the circuit of the world? Have you nought to lay before her, the offerings of veneration and regard, the offerings from 700,000 people—a tree, contented, happy and grateful people—grateful to Almighty God, the Giver of all good things, who has bestowed upon us tfche inestimable blessing of a wise and virtuous ruler. (Cheers.) Now say by ;your acclamations loud and prolonged sthat you give me the mandate to send Home such a message. ("Aye, aye" and cheering, in which the children joined with great vigour.) At the call of Mr Bell, three cheers wore given for Sir James Prendergast.

PRESENTATION TO SIB JAMES PRENDEBGAST. Mr J". R. Blair, chairman of the Wellington Board of Education, said he was there ■ representing the school committees of this district, who had asked him to present, on, their behalf, to His Excellency a medal commemorative of the present occasion. (Hear, hear.) Mr Blair went on to sketch the progress of education in this country, salving that it was as late as 1870 that the Education Act was introduced in .SSngi&zid, and the Act was passed in this ..colony in 1877, and he made bold to say that if wo were not the first, we were a •very good second. (Cheers.) We were in jaome things a little in advance of the older .countries, and lie was perfectly satisfied • that in no country of the world could have •been produced such a show as they saw j ; there that day. ((Hear, hear.) Before the , colony was founded Her Majesty ascended the throne; sixty years ago it would have Ifoeen impossible to assemble ten white •children upon those grounds. The gather-

ing that day showed what had been done in the meantime, and if he were speaking from to-day until to-morrow he could point to no better proof illustrative of the progress of this colony. The medal they were presenting that day to Sir James Prendergast was a small one, but there was no smallness about the feelings behind it. His Excellency had upheld the best traditions of the Bar and Bench of an English-speaking country—(cheers)—and much he might elaborate he *could say nothing more honourable to him than that.

Mr Blair then presented to His Excellency a gold medal supplied by Mr S. Kohn, of a like design to the Jubilee medals, Sir James Prendergast briefly returning thanks. PRESENTATION TO MR BLAIR.

Mr David Robertson said he had been asked, on behalf of the school committees, to present a similar medal to the chairman of the Board of Education. It was a great gathering of the children of Wellington, and they desired, therefore, to acknowledge the great and active interest taken by Mr Blair in the education system in this city and province, and the admirable and efficient way in which he had discharged his duties. (Hear, hear.) Mr Blair acknowledged the presentation in a few words, and, at the call of Mr Robertson, three cheers were given him.

Mr R. E. Bannister called for three cheers for the Mayor of Wellington, a call that was responded to with great heartiness.

MR SEDDON A PRIVY COUNCILLOR

Sir James Prendergast, again addressing the assemblage, said ho had to announce that Her Majesty, in order to show favour to this part of the world, to the New Zealand people, and because she had the highest confidence in the Prime Minister of the colony, has signified that Mr Seddon should be one of the Privy Council. Therefore, added His Excellency, our friend Mr Seddon will be for the future the Right Honourable Mr Seddon. (Hear, hear.) THE SPORTS. At the conclusion of the addresses the bluejackets of the Pylades gave a display of gun drill and cutlass exercises, which was witnessed with apparent interest by the vast crowd, and afterwards the marines from the warship went through manual evolutions and bayonet drill with creditable precision. Then the Vounteers marched off, and the sports ground was cleared to enable a juvenile sports programme to be proceeded with. A number of boys' and girls' flit and bicycle races Were got off, but the wind was so bitingly cold that neither competitors nor spectators enjoyed themselves very much.

THE ILLUMINATIONS. AT THE GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS. The display at the Government Buildings was, as anticipated, of a most brilliant character. Electric lights, in multicoloured globes, were trained along the frontal cornices from end to end, and up the roof ridges for a distance, with the result that the whole of the architectural ornamentations of the fasade were thrown into bold relief, and the building itself bathed in a flood of light, whilst myriad reflections, various tinted as a rainbow, were thrown from the upper windows throughout the whole length of " the largest wooden building in the world." Adorning the superstructure over the main entrance were a number of tasteful and appropriate dasigns. At tho top, and with the figures of the lion and unicorn ; which ornament the apex of this portion of the facade for a background, shone out j an immense star surmounting the letters "V.R." immediately above the words "Advance New Zealand" in plain lettering, but with elegant flourishes embellishing either side. Below this motto was another gigantic star, studded on either side with a dazzling starry loopwork, set off with a blazing planet at either end. This constituted an effective centre-piece. At the base appeared the Royal Arms, highly ornamented, and with the figures " 1837" and " 1897 " prominently displayed, while, on either side, the words " God Save the Queen" stood out boldly in elaborate .coloured lettering. On the most prominent points of the frontal portion of the building illuminants in the shape of stars and Maltese crosses stood boldly out and contributed a considerable share to the impressiveness of the general effect. Occasionally gusts of wind rendered the gas service somewhat evanescent, but when the air was almost perfectly still, as was the case now and again, the whole display was brilliant and more than ever pleasing ! to the eye. I THE GOVERNMENT HOUSE DISPLAY.

Without much apparent seeking after effect, the display at Government House had all the grandeur of colossal stateliness. The immense tower surmounting the donee of our Governors lends itself by the character of its architecture most effectively to illuminant decoracion. It has two prefectures, one a considerable distance over the' other. Along the edges of these a profusion of coloured electric globes were trained to the best advantage. In the space between, and thrown into relief by a dark background, immense transparencies of the letters " V.U," intertwined with elaborate and artistic devices most exquisitely shaded, were exhibited, giving the tout ensemble a rich and elegant appearance. The structure, so shaped and so ornamented, did, in fact, present to the minds of some of those whom we are not wont to look upon as visionaries the resemblance of a queenly diadem, flushed with rubies, resplendent with emeralds, sparkling with pearls, and blazing with, dia- i monds.

THE NEW ZEALAND TIMES. The front of tho New Zealand Times office was appropriately decorated with transparencies, a bust of the Queen being prominently central, whilst, grouped around Her Majesty, were representations of the Prince and Princess of Wales and the Duke and Duchess of York. On the left side appeared a representation of the Queen receiving the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Lord Chamberlain at Kensington Palace on the occasion when they hastened thence to inform her of the death of William IV. and her sovereignty; and on the right a group of the statesmen who have done such splendid work for Ensdand from 1837 to 1897. On either side a number of coloured lights were suspended 1 from the roof, which greatly heightened the effect. In the evening a vast crowd assembled in front of the office to witness the various interesting lime-light views shown c by Mr T. Hyde, of Woodville, on a screen placed on the front of the building, and the representations of the Royal family and the views reproduced of the procession in the morning were greeted with cheering. THE AUSTRALIAN MUTUAL PROVIDENT SOCIETY. The huge block of buildings in Lambton quay occupied by the Australian Mutual Provident Society were decorated with a large transparency of the Queen in rich colourings, and surmounted with the mottoes, " The longest and most illustrious reign on record" and- "God Save the Queen." Beneath in a blaze of gaslight the figures " 1837 " and " 1897 " and the words in ribbon lettering " Diamond Jubilee " stood out prominently to heighten the general effect. The display reflected much credit on Messrs Thomas Ballinger and Co. UNION S.S. COMPANY AND N.Z. SHIPPING

COMPANY. One of the most beautifully illuminated buildings in the city was that occupied by the New Zealand Shipping Company and Union Steam Ship Company on Customhouse quay. The top story of this building was completely bordered by a framework of electric lamps, while the arch of every • window on the street front was marked with three lamps, red, white and blue. On the ornamented central piece at the top of the building was shown an Eastern or antique crown in red, white and : blue lights, and above, stretching across the three flag poles to the two corners of the building, was a festoon of electric lights. The display, which with its varicoloured lamps was exceedingly striking, was the work of the New Zealand Electrical Syndicate. GOVERNMENT LIFE INSURANCE BUILDINGS. The Government Life Insurance Buildings were brilliantly illuminated with a design in gas over the entrance, comprising the Imperial monogram surmounted by a crown, and beneath this were tho two years 1837 and 1897. All this was enclosed in a border of gas jets, while along the cornices of the first and top stories ran rows of electric lamps of red, white and blue. The high wind, however, interfered considerably with the gas-lit portion of the display. SARGOOD AND CO. The " V.R." divided by a crown, all in electric lamps, with the years 18371897 below, also in lamps, shone brilliantly at the corner of Hunter street and Jervois quay, from Messrs Sargoo.d, Son and E wen's warehouse. In the broken space occupied by the two figures supporting the cornice were three designs—one representing the Queen, the others emblematic of the arts and science, and industry. WELLINGTON WOOLLEN COMPANY.

• A striking design in electric light adorned the premises of the Wellington I Woollen Company, over the entrance. It * comprised the " "V..R. W and a crown in J lamps, which appeared on a red ground, ') appropriately draped with the three colours of the Union Jack, while the lamps forming the crown were also of red,,white and blue. This design was surmounted by a brilliant white light, and was flanked on either side by a line of lamps. Along the whole parapet of the building was a chain of white lights. JENKINS AND MACK. The establishment of Messrs Jenkins and Mack presented an attractive appearance, a quantity of stars surmounting a crown, the letters "V.E." and the commemorative figures in q:&3, making an exceedingJy tasteful display. briscoe, macneil and co. An entertaining display last night was the moto photoscope exhibited by Messrs Briscoe, Mac Neil and Co., which was imported by the firm. Among the interesting pictures exhibited was the lightning caricaturist sketching- the Queen, set views of Her Majesty in 3 837 and 1897, the j Premier, Wellington M's.H.R., the haunted castle, the skirt dance and others, which appeared to be highly appreciated by the large number of people who had gathered outside the firm's warehouse. WELLINGTON-iIANAWATU RAILWAY STATION The Manawatu Station was most tastefully decorated with ferns, flags, &c, and | a very pleasing effect wa3 given to th<..« j i whole display by the use of a number of ■ the Company's coloured lamp. The I illuminations commenced on the arrival of the 6 30 p.m. train, and continued v/ell into the night. Credit is due to the members of the staff for the decorations, the moving spirit, we understand, being the genial head-oliice messenger. THE CITY COUNCIL AND HARBOUR BOARD. At the Harbour Board offices there was a large transparency showing in the centre a photo of the Queen surrounded with coloured devices and lettering, including the Imperial monogram, all on a black field. Bordering the portrait was the inscription "The longest and most illustrious reign on record. ; " above were the words " Diamond Jubilee " and below "God Save the Queen." The design gained a prize awarded by a London

paper, and was selected by the Harbour Board, and painted by Mr J. Veitch. who has done his -work excellently. All tho lettering, etc., had to be punched, and to light the transparency 260 gas jets were employed. The Imperial crown, with the letters " V.R.," was shown in electric lamps over the City Council Buildings, and in one window were displayed four electric lamps, and in the other 56 .candles. This design was the work of Mr J. Dawson, who also completed other excellent designs.

GEAR MEAT COMPANY. A large crowd congregated outside the Gear Meat Company's shop in Cuba street. Above the verandah were some capital transparencies, showing the Queen, the Prince and Princess of Wales, and the Duke and Duchess of York, whilst above these pictures was the Royal arms, and all these were brilliantly illuminated, a chain of electric lamps being prominent. There were coloured lights outside, and a fine display of meat inside the shop, the interior of the building being also dotted with ferns.

A BRILLIANTLY-LIGHTED CORNER. One of the finest, displays in the city was made near the junction of Lambton quay and Featherston street. Four buildings in this quarter of the city were all brightly illuminated. At the Bank of New South Wales was a chain of electric lights of various colours, with a star of lights in the centre, and the device "37-97." Whitcombe and Tombs' building was illuminated -with brilliant electric lights and rows of Chinese lanterns, a transparency representing th e Q aeen being also displayed. At the "Union Bank was a dazzling device,' the " V.R. " surmounted by the Imperial crown, all in electric lights, with the motto beneath " God Save the Queen," with a border of electricity. At Crossey's Ranfurly Hotel a great display was made during the day. A transparency above the new balcony represented the Queen, Lord Glasgow, and the new Governor of New Zealand, Lord Ranfurly. A string of flags ran across the street, and at night a row of electric lights and Chinese lanterns illumined the scene, while a band attracted crowds of people during the evening.

OTHER DISPLAYS. The premises of Messrs W. and G. Turnbull and Co. were illuminated with six large arc lights, which lit up the whole of the surroundings in a manner at once brilliant and effective. A profusion of light illumined the establishment of Mr A. Lindsay, in Lambton quay, where an excellent decorative display was made. A unique and very brilliant display was made by Mr W.H.Tisdall,the windows of his shop in Lambton quay consisting of stags' heads, skins and stuffed animals, and all kinds of sport trophies. Kuch and Co. exhibited a- handsome transparency and a number of appropriate light effects in the window of their premises in Lambton quay. Mr J. F. Sutherland, Lambton quay, exhibited a large and excellent transparency portrait of Hei Majesty. In the windows of the premises of Messrs Potter and Son 3, boot and shoemakers, opposite the Government Buildings, a number of particularly good pictures of royalty were displayed in

dazzling light, and a bee-like crowd of interested spectators clung round the widow during the greater part of the night. At Messrs Bing, Harris and Co.'s warehouse were displayed the " V.R." in a diamond, and the figures 1837 and 1897.

> Messrs J. Duthie and Co. disjflayed at i their ironmongery establishment in Willis street a diamond 29ft by 17ft, with " V.R.," measuring 4ft, in the centre, the design being lighted with 60 star burners, one for each year of the reign. This was the work of Messrs T. Ballinger and Co. The Evening Post buildings were decorated with a diamond and the " V.R.," flanked by an electric star and 1897. Mr W. F. Shortt's building was nicely lit up outside with Chinese lanterns, surmounted by a transparency of the lion and the unicorn, while little coloured lights dangled over the door. Over the verandah of the Bible Society's bookshop was exhibited a picture of Her Majesty reading the Great Book, with "The Secret of England's Greatness " on the side as a marginal note^ The ju.I.C. showed transparencies, as did also Mr Lodder of the City Buffet. The Working Men's Club looked very pretty. Candles were placed in every window, the total number lighted being 18-i. The effect was splendid. The numerous windows of the Wellington Biscuit and Confectionery Company and the Public Library were alto illuminated. Chinese lanterns rocked gracefully to and fro from Mr Kenny's Albert Hotel verandah, while a 50-candle power electric i light on the balcony showed pictures of the Queen at different periods of her career, and 16 of the hotel windows, above and below, were lit up with candles.

j En Manners street the establishments of [ Messrs Gurney Bros., Wilkins and Field, ;md R. Martin were decked out, but the m >st striking in that thoroughfare was the Opera House. A loite- string of red, white and blue globes were arranged on either 1 side of the balcony, perpendicular lights being flanked at either f-nd, while parallel lights ran up both sides of t.he balcony, where the band was enteitaining a crowd, of people. Over the entrance of the Kaiapoi Company's premises was a large star, and a row of star burners was also prominently displayed. At the Economic, Lambton quay, was shown an oil painting by Mr Veitch of the Queen in her State robes thirty or forty years ago, a copy of a picture by Winterhelter." Flags and electricity helped to brighten the scene, and a band on the verandah above the Economic and

Dresden premises discoursed music during the evening. At Messrs Cameron and Christie's, an electric light was shown over the figure of Britannia on -top of the building, while the British colours were prominent in the windows.

In the grounds of the Wellington Club were several Chinese lanterns. Me'ssrs M. Eller and Son showed in one of their large shop windows portraits of the Queen and the Duke and Duchess of York, with 60 lighted candles typifying the 60 years of the reign. The window was tastefully adorned with nikau and cabbage tree palms, &c, and a miniature crown was also displayed. A row of electric lights was displayed in front of Mr F. Cohen's premises. Other business & places which may be noticed are Mr Nathan's Nag's Head Hotel and Mr J. Godber's confectioner's shop in Cuba street. Te Aro House was lit up, displaying nicely arranged bunting and pictures of Royalty, the verandah being fringed with an attractive line of light, 60 star burners, with a Maltese cross in the centre.

Messrs Whittaker Bros, and J. Knuekey's premises were appropriately decorated with flags and transparencies. MrsJ Downes' Masonic Hotel had a pretty lantern display, and Barber and Co. exhibited transparencies.

Messrs Ross and Glendining showed 40 star burners, placed in irregular line with excellent effect, and over the entrance was a large Maltese cross. A row of electric lights was displayed in front of Mr F. Cohen's premises. Other buildings were lighted attractively —the Post Office, Kirkcaldie and Stains' premises, E. W. Mills and Co.'s warehouses, and many other business premises. Many private hoases, especially on the Terrace and other high ground overlooking the city, were brightly lighted, and several residents in Willis street and elsewhere in Te Aro made special displays. The illuminations altogether were splendid, and a distinct credit to the city.

THE FIREWORKS AND BONFIRES.

Perhaps the most thoroughly successful feature of the whole of the proceedings was the fireworks, coloured lights, and bonfire display. At 6.45 p.m. a royal salute of 21 detonators was fired from the hulks. At 7 an asteroid rocket was fired from Mount Victoria, which was the signal for a coloured fire display from the surrounding hills and hulks. This was tremendously effective, chiefly owing to the splendid efforts of the Wellington Boys' Brigade, who were stationed on the prominent hilltops along the whole of the western side of the town, and who kept the signals flashing right merrily. .At 7.15 a signal went up from Mount Victoria, and a rocket display from the hulks commenced. At 7.30 the bonfires were lit, and blazed up magnificently, embracing the whole of the horizon on either side with a ruddy glow. The huge pile surmounting the brow of «Mount Victoria blazed furiously, and answering conflagrations at once went up from different points from the hills behind Tinakori road, from Kelburne Park, and the Upland Farm hills. From 7.30 to 8 p.m. there was a special display of fireworks from the hulks, followed by a great show of coloured fires from the hulks and hills. At 8.15 p.m. rockets were sent up from Mount Victoria, and there was a special fireworks display from the s.s. Stormbird, which was cruising the harbour with a crowd of sightseers aboard. At 8.30 there was a magnificent combined display of rockets and coloured lights from the hulks and Mount Victoria.

[ A BRILLIANT SCENE. At 7.30, when the bonfires and coloured lights answered one another from hilltop to hilltop in a blaze of unexampled splendour ; when from the hulks in the harbour fireworks were displayed so numerous and so dazzling as to strain the vision; when the huge smoke clouds hurrying athwart the sky were pierced with rockets, which scattered a profusion of multi-coloured sparks far and wide ; and when, to add to the that marvellous invention, the searchlight, was played from H.M.S. Pylades on to the buildings, then glittered amongst the merrily - fluttering flags and then flashed across the wind - driven harbour waters away to the neighbouring hills — the sight was magnificent and superbly brilliant. Such a carnival of pyrotechnics has never been seen in this city before, and we anticipate that it will be a very long time before such a one will be' witnessed again.

SEEN FROM THE WHARVES. Never before have the Queen's Wharf and the adjoining buildings presented so gay an appearance as they did on Tuesday, There were a fairly large number of vessels in port and these were all profusely decorated with bunting. All the flagstaff's on the Harbour Board's buildings hold gay-coloured flags aloft, and across the main tee of the Queen's Wharf there were numerous lines of bunting reaching from one shed to another opposite. There were over 100 flags displayed by the Harbour Board alone, and as the freshness and brightness of these were most favourably commented .on, it is worthy of note that on Tuesday was the first occasion upon which. the majority of the flags (the signal letters of the commercial code) had ever fluttered in a Wellington zephyr. . Out in tie harbour the brilliant display of bunting by H.M.S. Pylades presented a great contrast to the typical decorations on the hulksscores of coal-baskets suspended from the tops of the masts and reaching to the decks. After a general stroll through the principal streets of the city hundreds upon hundreds of sightseers made their way down to the Queen's Wharf; and the foreshore was also lined with people. From these places of vantage/not oiily could the bonfires on the surrounding hills be seen,

but a splendid view could be obtained of the fine display of pyrotechnics made from the hulks, the launch Kate and from the Stormbird. The brilliant illuminations ■which originated from the hulks were arranged conjointly by the Harbour Board and the Union Company, and the attending to the details and making all necessary arrangements were under the able supervision of Captain Po3t. Operations on the hulks were commenced by the firing of 21 detonators—a Royal salute—and thence onward there was a continuous display of coloured lights—dazzling in their brilliancy—and rockets and fireworks of every description. The firing of asteroid rockets as signals was. carried out in accordance with the plan previously drawn up. From the Stormbird —which had on board a number of members of the local mercantile houses and ,their friends —a very pretty and interesting exhibition was given. When the Stormbird left the wharf she was gaily decorated with coloured lights, and though the weather was cold the passengers on board spent an enjoyable time. From her decks a grand view of the illuminations in the city could be seen, the display by the Union Company and Hew Zealand Shipping. Company standing out in bold relief. The searchlight from H.M.S. Pylades was exhibited for some time, and lent additional brilliancy to the general blaze of light. THE CROWD. The orderliness of the vast crowd which assembled in the streets, both day and night, was generally remarked, and it was observed that there was a lack of drunkenness and rowdiness. Up to midnight there was not a solitary inebriate in the cells. By 8 o’clock the streets were black with the hundreds of human beings hurrying to and fro. It is estimated that there were 20,000 or 40,000 people abroad in the earlier hours of Tuesday night.

AT THE HOSPITAL. The patients at the Hospital were regal ed on Tuesday with extra farejat dinner, and everything was done by the staff to make the day enjoyable. Mr F. H. Fraser, chairman'of the Hospital Trustees, visited the institution in the afternoon, and presented each of the smaller children in the children's ward—29 in number —with a souvenir medal. It being visiting day, large numbers of friends of the patients were at the Hospital, and they made the day pass off more pleasantly for the inmates.

AT THE LUNATIC ASYLUM. The inmates of the Mount View Lunatic Asylum were also treated to numerous delicacies at dinner, and were also allowed a glass of beer each. THE AGED NEEDY HOME. Through the kindness of the Mayor, Mr H. D. Bell, the old people at the Aged Needy Home fared most sumptuously all day. The dining - room was tastefully decorated with flowers and evergreens, whilst over the fireplace was suspended a large picture of the Queen, which was encircled with a wreath of flowers and foliage. The chairman of the Trustees, Mr C. E. W. Willeston, was present durjing the day. Before dinner, which consisted of joints of all descriptions, ham, tongue, jellies, blanc-mange, custards, plum pudding, fruit, etc., the inmates sang a verse of the National Anthem, and at the conclusion cheers were given with great heartiness for Her Majesty. At the call of one of the inmates cheers were also given for Mr H. D. Bell for his kindness, and for Mr and Mrs Short, master and matron of the Home, for their attention.

THE OHIRO HOME. The day-room and dining-room of this institution were tastefully decorated with evergreens, flags and mottoes appropriate to the day. An excellent dinner was served to the inmates turkeys, fowls, ducks, sucking pig, plum puddings, etc., being on the bill of fare. During the afternoon and evening St. Mary's brass band, under the conductor, Mr P. L. Dean, played, much to the enjoyment of the inmates. There wore also about 100 visitors, and dancing was indulged in. The proceedings closed with cheers for the Queen. Cheers were also given for the Rev H. Van Staveren, Mr A. G-. Johnson and the master and matron, Mr and Mrs McCleary.

THE RAILWAY TRAFFIC. The traffic on both railway services was very great, a large number of people coming both from the Wairarapa and Manawatu districts to participate in the revelries of the city. The trains were run well to time, although crowded to excess, and there were no accidents of any kind.

CONGRATULATORY MESSAGES TO HER MAJESTY. His Excellency the Administrator sent the following message to the Queen : " Her Majesty the Queen, " Buckingham Palace, "London. "The people of New Zealand offer their heartiest congratulations to their beloved Queen. "In deepest reverence, "' James Prendeegast, " Administrator of New Zealand." The following cable was sent on Tuesday by the Acting-Premier to the Right Hon Joseph Chamberlain, Secretary of State for the Colonies: —"On behalf of Her Majesty's subjects in New Zealand, I heg to tender our most hearty congratulations to Her Majesty on the completion of the sixtieth year of her reign. This Record Reign is being celebrated in New Zealand most enthusiastically by Her Majesty's subjects to-day.—John McKenzie, ActingPremier,"

A MESSAGE FROM THE QUEEN. A crowd numbering some thousands of people assembled opposite the Post Office at 11.30 p.m., anticipating the receipt of a message from London announcing the arrival of the Queen at St. Paul's, but a cable advice was received at 8.45 as follows: —" Cable company advised anthem signal officially disapproved. Idea abandoned. All lines be cleared 11 o'clock for J Queen's message Governors and replies." The following message, however, was received during the evening:— " The Governor op New Zealand. "From my heart I thank my beloved people. May God bless THEM. " VICTORIA, " London." Shortly after the clock struck half-past 11 Mr J. T. M. Hornsby mounted the steps of the Post Office, and announced, in the I absence of the chairman of the Citizens' Com- ' mittee, that the message as originally intended would not arrive, and read the cable from Her Majesty. Cheering followed, and the vast crowd, which occupied nearly the whole of the space available bet ween the Post Office and the wharves, sang a verse of the National Anthem, led by Mr Andrew ( Collins, President of the Trades Council. Rain began to fall almost immediately, and the assemblage dispersed, and very soon the streets wore an almost deserted appearance.

THE CLEMENCY OF THE CROWN. RELEASE OF LOUIS CHEMIS. Dunedin, June 22. As a mark of the clemency of the Crown the Executive has released Louis Chemis, convicted of the murder of Thomas Hawkings near Kaiwarra; Annie Byrne, convicted of infanticide at Invercargill; Rowland, a half-caste, who was convicted of the murder of his mate on the East Coast of the North Island, and 20 short sentence prisoners in various parts of the colony. Other cases were under consideration, but it was concluded that the circumstances did not warrant the extending of the clemency of the Crown. The Dunedin Star says that the case of the woman Flannagan, convicted at Christchurch some years ago of killing her own child, was reviewed by the Executive, but her antecedents were such that the clemency of the Crown could not be extended in her case.

Nelson, June 22. Three prisoners were liberated from Nelson Gaol this morning.

CELEBRATIONS IN OTHER PARTS OF NEW ZEALAND. LOYALTY AND ENTHUSIASM EVERYWHERE. Auckland, June 19. Numbers of country settlers and Maoris have come to town to see the Jubilee celebrations. Special Jubilee services were held to-day at all the churches, and a Te Deum and the National Anthem were sung at many of them. Services were held at the Y.M.C.A. rooms and Salvation army Barracks and at the services the National Anthem was sung.

There was a church parade of the Auckland Garrison Volunteers at St. Sepulchre's, where Archdeacon Dudley addressed them. Auckland, June 21.

The illuminations in Queen street presented a spectacle greatly surpassing any previous display of the kind in variety of artistic designs and brilliant effects. Looking up Queen street from the wharf a magnificent scene was presented to the eyes of the spectator. The buildings seemed to be wrapt in a lustrous glow radiating from a thousand designs. Crowns, stars and medallions, floral wreaths, and festoons of prismatic lamps, banners and flags, portraits of the Queen and Royal Arms and loyal mottoes and emblems. H.M.S. Goldfinch was decorated and illuminated. June 22. In the morning a Jubilee procession to the Domain took place. The advanced guard was the Cadet Corps, then the seamen from H.M.S. Goldfinch, old veterans, Permanent Force, Volunteers, school children, fire brigades, Mayor and Commander Ash (of Goldfinch), members of the City Council, General Assembly, foreign Consuls, clergy, local bodies, Trades and Labour Council, friendly societies, Eight Hours Leagues, Orange Institution, New Zealand Natives' Association, hose reels, &c, Bands of Hope, &c. The procession took half an hour to pass a given point, and was considerably over a mile in length. The entire route to the Domain from the wharf was decorated and lined with 25,000 people. On reaching the Domain, , 2000 school children sang the National 1 Anthem.

At the military tournament in the Domain, in aid of the Queen's statue fund, 15,000 people were present. The A Battery fired a Royal salute, and the troops a feu de joie. Among those present were Bishop Lenihan, with a number of his clergy, and Monsignor McDonald.

The Auckland Harbour Board has sent a cable to- Her Majesty as follows: "Auckland Harbour Board tenders its loyal congratulations to your Majesty on the attainment of the 60th year of your glorious reign."

Napier, June 19. Special reference to the Queen's Record Reign was made in all the churches to-day. All the local Volunteer corps and veterans of the Maori war paraded and attended service at the Cathedral, where the Dean's son, Lieutenant Hovell, headed the procession, bearing tne Union Jack. The Cathedral was decorated with flags, two of which, the Eritiah flag and the New Zealand Ensign, are to remain permanently. Seating accommodation was provided for 1200 people, but long before the time for the

service every place was occupied and people stood throughout the service, and even then hundreds failed to obtain admission. No such congregation has before assembled in Napier. Dean Hovell preached an appropriate sermon, in which he dwelt specially on the influence the Queen had exercised over the morals of society. Napier, June 22. Owing to the recent flood disaster the local bodies felt that it would be out of place to illuminate the public buildings. | Most of the hotels, however, and a number of business premises and a large number of private houses made a display of greenery, bunting and lanterns, and tonight there will be a display of fireworks. The event in town was a military display, and sports on the recreation grounds, preceded by a long procession of Volunteers, firemen, friendly societies and representatives of various trades. Christchukch, June 20. Record Reign services were held in all the churches to-aay, and the National Anthem and special hymns were sung. Special references were made to the Queen's reign in the sermons. The illuminations for Tuesday promise to be extremely good, far surpassing those at the last Jubilee (1887). The General Po*t Office will be brilliantly illuminated, in spite of the protest of Mr T. E. Taylor, who telegraphed to the Minister deploring the waste of money whilst many people are in necessitous circumstances. Chbistchurch, June 21. Lyttelton and Kaiapoi had their celebrations to-day, and in both places the proceedings passed off with spirit and excellent effect, and without accident. Salutes and processions were the order of the day. The bands played aud the children sang the National Anthem. Victoria Park, proposed as a Record Reign memorial, was opened to-day with treeplanting, etc. June 22. The Queen's Record Reign Day here i has been celebrated by the greatest demonstration ever witnessed in Canterbury. All told there must have been 70,000

people in Christchurch, of whom 50,000 must have witnessed the procession, while fully 40,000 attended the Show Grounds, the scene of tha military sports, &c. The country trains carried thousands to town, and the city trams have never had such a day before. The procession was a splendid success, and represented the whole social and industrial equipment of the community. It was two miles long, and took exactly half an hour in steady marching to pass a given point. In addition to a very large number of interesting trade displays, it consisted of the Garrison Band, Volunteers, ex-Volunteers, military and naval men, trades, friendly societies, athletic bodies, fire brigades, foreign Consuls, local bodies, &c. There were no serious accidents to mar the general enjoyment, but the crowd at the Show Grounds gates was so dense that it took fully two hours to pass, and at last the pressure'burst open the large carriage gates and in the swaying and trampling and falling that accompanied this incident a number of women fainted and one unfortunately had her leg broken. The illuminations to-night are on a royal scale in both gas and electric light, and are marked by great variety and extreme beauty and effectiveness. ! The Record has received a record celebration in Christchurch. Sun'emn. Jane 19.

Boauf.iful weather prevailed to-c ay, and as the town is crowded with visitor.-.; vh<? streets were unusually crowded. . In the afternoon reference was made at all the churches to the Queen's lengthy reign, and at St. Joseph's Cathedral a Te Deum was sung and Bishop fcVerdon preacb.ed on the Queen's Jubilee. . The Empire service was held in the atternoonin nearly all the churches, including the Synagogue, and at 4 o'clock the N ational Anthem was sung at these services. There were large attendances everywhere. The volunteer corps paraded and, had a service in the Garrison Hall, a ver.y large

crowd being' in the street to hear the National Anthem taken up at 4 o'clock. At St. Matthew's there was, besides the

cervice, the dedication of the Victoria Chapel, for early communion, etc. The collection at the service for children realised .£lB odd, for the children's ward,'and at the Yolunteer service about £25.

The distribution of food, clothing 1 , etc., among the poor in connection with the Diamond Jubilee celebrations commenced oh Saturday, and will be continued on Monday. Dunedin, June 22.

Commemoration Day in Dunedin was marked by an enthusiastic display of loyalty. The day was beautifully fine. The proceedings weie commenced with a demonstration of nearly 5000 children at the Octagon. The children sang the " Old Hundredth," " Eule Britannia " and the National Anthem, followed by round after round of cheers for* the Queen. A Royal standard, presented by the veterans, was then hoisted on the Town Hall, and the Permanent Artillery fired a, salute of 60 guns from the batteries.

A procession was afterwards formed, and it was so large that, though moving at a smart pace, it took nearly half an hour to pass a given point. The procession made its way to Jubilee Park, where the City Coimcillors planted the Victoria grove of oaks.

The city was a blaze of light in the evening, and the suburbs contributed their share. At 7 o'clock, when the illuminations commenced, a more suitable night could not be desired, being dark, with little or no wind, but about 7.30 a little rain fell. The streets were crowded, but the illuminations were so extensive that all were continually moving, as it took fully two hours to go round the sights. At 7 o'clock the bonfires on the hills surrounding the city were set alight and there was a display of fireworks, including bombs and rockets by the Union Company. The effect was very fine. Nelson, June 19.

The weather promises to be beautiful for the Jubilee demonstration, which has been

arranged on an elaborate scale. There will be athletic sports on Monday with illuminations and bonfires, and a kinderspiel by the school children. On Tuesday there will be a grand procession, consisting of the trades, citizens and school children. Addresses will will be given by leading citizens. The display of fireworks at night will be on a grand scale. There will also be a concert and dramatic performance. On Wednesday the Nelson Jockey Club will hold a race meeting in aid of the Hawke's Bay Relief Fund. It is expected that a large number of visitors will come to Nelson for the holidays. June 20. The Record Reign celebrations commenced to-day. The weather was perfect. The Volunteers paraded and marched to church. All the churches were crowded, and special services were held. The Bishop of Nelson preached at the Cathedral, referring in an able sermon to the advancements during the Queen's reign. A Te Deum was sung, and also the National Anthem. At the Catholic Church a Te Deum was sting. Father Mahoney alluded to the extension of liberty and growth of their Church, expressing a hope that the Empire might extend, that the Queen might live long, and when her days ended enter everlasting glory. At the Wesleyan Church the National Anthem was sung, and forcible references were made to the Queen by the Rev Prior. The National Anthem was also sung at the other churches.

A special service is taking place at the Cathedral at 11 o'clock to-night. Nelson-, June 22. The celebrations so far have proved a most brilliant success. At 9.30 a.m. 2500 children assembled at the steps leading to the Cathedral, while the Volunteers, friendly societies, Mayor, Town Councillors, clergy of all denominations and prominent were marshalled at the base of the hill. After prayer and thanksgiving by the Bishop the children sang the National Anthem, and then a procession was formed and proceeded to the Botanical Gardens, where addresses were delivered. Cheers were given and patriotic songs sung in the

presence of 7000 people. The Artillery fired a salute of 60 guns. The afternoon was devoted to sports for the children. This evening the Fire Brigade procession was a fine sight, and an excellent display of fireworks is taking place. The city is brilliantly illuminated.

G-aEYMOUTH, Juno 19. The weather still remains fine, promising' well for the Jubilee demonstration.

A big procession consisting of bands, Volunteers, Fire Brigade, school children, friendly societies, Mayor and public bodies and burgesses marched this afternoon from the State school to Victoria "Park, where a sermon was preached and hymns sung. There will be another procession to open the carnival fair on Monday. GrBEYMoxjTH, June 21. There was glorious weather for the demonstration. There was an immense crowd in town. The procession comprised all the friendly societies in regalia, two bands, all the Volunteers, school children, fire brigades, with all their plant decorated with flags and flowers; carriages and traps, filled with women and children; representatives of the countries of the United Kingdom;

bicyclists, dressed in fancy costumes ; Chinese contingent, dressed in their national costumes, with banners and a decorated vehicle containing a Chinese band; Mayor and members of the local bodies in carriages.

The streets were crowded all the way to the State school, where the procession stopped. The queen of the carnival and maids of honour occupied a dais in front of the school. The Mayor delivered a short address on the Queen's reign, and eulogistic of Her Majesty. The Volunteers fired a feu de joie, and three cheers were given for the Queen by the assembled crowd. Then all joined in singing the National Anthem. The'post and telegraph office was illuminated with coloured lamps and gaslight device. Blenheim, June 22. There was perfect weather for the Jubilee demonstration. On Sunday the Volunteers held a church parade. The celebrations yesterday were marked with great enthusiasm. From early morning till late in the evening the town was en fete. The streets were crowded with people. Flags and decorations were in evidence on all sides. The demonstration to-day commenced shortly after 10 o'clock with a grand procession. The children were afterwards entertained at the Agricultural Show Grounds, when thousands of people assembled. At night there was a torchlight procession and display of fireworks and a citizens* ball. Altogether, the district proved itself to be a worthy segment of the British Empire. There was a demonstration at Picton today, and the train from Blenheim this morning was crowded. Palmekston North, June 22. There was a grand possession of school children, members of the local bodies, friendly societies, &c, to the number of some 3000 to-day. The town was decorated, and it is brilliantly illuminated to-night. The Esplanade was opened, and named after the Queen. Oamartj, June 22. The weather for the Eecord Eejgn celebration was splendid. The celebration took the form of a procession of school children in the morning, and Volunteer manoeuvres and firing of a royal salute, the planting of a Jubilee oak, and the distribution of fruit, &c, to all the school children.

At night there was a torchlight procession, in which all the friendly societies, &c, joined. This was wound up by the ignition of a large bonfire on the cape. Gisborne, June 22.

The Jubilee festivities here were favoured with Queen's weather, and practically the whole community turned out en masse, and great enthusiasm was displayed. A monster procession was held and at night a pyrotechnic display took place, and bonfires blazed on the hills around. With a view of providing a permanent memorial in the shape of a town belfry, an Industrial Exhibition was opened to-day. New Plymouth, June 22.

The Record Reign celebrations to-day were a great success. The procession was the largest ever seen in Taranaki. The National Anthem was sung in the Re<i creation Grounds. The unveiling of a drinking fountain, sports, an excursion in the harbour, &c, made a complete programme. To-night there are illuminations in the town, and bonfires, and also a military ball.

A large number of people are in town from the country districts. Wanganui, June 22.

The Jubilee celebration began on Sunday, when commemoration services were held in all the churches. In the afternoon there was a grand church parade. On Monday evening a bonfire was made of the old hospital building. To-day the town was crowded, fully 10,000 people lining the streets during the ' procession, which was a great success. In the afternoon some 6000 people were on the racecourse to witness a display by Maori men and women and girls. The natives performed a haka, war dance, and poi dance, and there was also a sham fight by the combined troops. This evening huge crowds are wending their way to the racecourse to witness a grand pyrotechnic display, to which a torchlight procession leads the way. There are illuminations in town, and bonfires on all the hills round. Never before has there been such a number of people in Wanganui. The proceedings were most successful, and a splendid display of loyalty to the Crown.

Westport, June 22.

The celebrations in honour of the Diamond Jubilee commenced to-day. A proAsHBrETON, June 19. The services in all the churches this morning were largely attended. The singing of the " Old Hundreth " opened all of them and the National Anthem closed them. Th§

sermons all dealt with the Queen's long i reign, and the prayers were in keeping. I Tuesday's demonstration takes the form j of a public procession and an undenomina- \ tianal public service in the domain, ■. all ' clergymen taking part and all the public \ bodies attending. There will be iilumina- j tions in the evening. j cession consisting of Volunteers, school j children, members of local bodies and J friendly societies, &c, marched through I the streets to Victoria square, where Mr j O'Regan, M.H.R., delivered an address, j Every child was then presented with a ! medal, a feu de joie was fired and three I cheers given for the Queen and the National j Anthem sung. The children were then marched to the Drillshed and entertained at a free lunch. In the afternoon the rain came down in torrents, completely spoiling the holiday and illuminations at night. The celebrations will be continued tomorrow and Thursday. - Timaru. June 22. The celebrations here passed off well, suitable weather prevailing. A procession • was hald, and tree-planting followed. There was also a football tournament and sport 3. At night the town was illuminated. Inveecaegill, June 19. Subscriptions towards building an addition to the Hospital in commemoration of the Queen's JuLilee now total .£I6OO. Inyercargill, June 22. The celebration here consisted of a monster procession in the morning, and a salute. At 4 p.m. heavy rain fell, and all attempts' at outdoor illuminations proved futile. - "- . Carterton, June 19. The Papawai natives intend visiting Carterton on Tuesday to take part in the Record Reign festival. Special to the New Zealand Times. Masterton, June 20. - Elaborate preparations have been made for the" Record-Reign demonstration. On Tuesday processions are to be held in the morning and evening, and in the afternoon sports are to be held in the park. Masterton, June 22. The weather was fine to-day for the Record Reign demonstrations. The town was brilliantly decorated. A procession of friendly societies, fire brigades, local bodies, &c, took place this morniDg, and this evening nearly every business place in town is elaborately decorated. Sports were held on the Park Oval this afternoon, about 5000 people being present. To-night fireworks were let off in all directions.

THE DEMONSTRATIONS IN AUSTRALIA.

Sydney, June 20. The Jubilee celebrations began to-day. Tho , weather was glorious, and there was an enormous influx of visitors. There was a considerable display of bunting in the city and on the shipping. Great preparations are being made for tomorrow's celebrations, when the public buildings and parks will be illuminated. The celebrations were initiated yesterday by a rehearsal in the Centennial P»rk by the Metropolitan Volunteers for Tuesday's grand review. At the Record Reign concert in the Town Hall at night suoo voices sang the National Anthem, accompanied by the grand organ. To-day there were church parades of the military forces and a- special thanksgiving Bervice at the Cathedral, which was attended by the Governor and suite, Admiral Bridge, Chief Justice and puisine Judges, heads of military departments, members of Parliament, Mayor and Aldermen, foreign Consuls, all wearing their official uniforms. The National Anthem, the Prince Consort's Te Deum and special hymns were sung. A special service was held at St. Mary's Cathedral and churches of all deno ninations throughout the land, while the Wesleyans held a combined Sunday schools demonstration. * Melbourne, June 20. The city is crowded, and there are signs of jubilation everywhere. Tho first commemoration ceremony was the opening l of the Jubilee loan collection of pictures at the National Art Gallery yesterday. To-day there were naval and military church parades, and special services at the Cathedral and all the churches. Brisbane and Adelaide report a similar influx of visitors, special services and parades.

On Monday evening, between five and nine o'clock, Mr Orr, of the City Buffet Hotel, kindly distributed meat to 150 poor families, ranging from three to thirteen in I number. Mr Orr distributed Eearly 15001 b of meat altogether. Thy electrical decorations at the Government Buildings, Government House, and Government Insurance Buildings were, we believe, installed under the direct superintendence of Mr W. C. Smytho, the Government electrician. , i