THE JUBILEE.

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 8963, 14 April 1890, Page 3

THE JUBILEE.

FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDATION OF THE COLONY, JUBILEE YEAR, 22sd jANUARY, 1890. '

The Jubilee Committee’s report is as follows:

The Committee having now so successfully concluded its labours, it rnay not be considered out of place to give a short review of its proceedings._ The Jubilee celebration of the foundation of the Colony, held in Wellington, on the 22nd January, 1890, will long 'be remembered by all who witnessed it, and will be handed down from generation to generation as an historical event. The grand display made by the several trades unions was creditable in the extreme, and fully showed what advance had been made in the several branches of trade during the last 60 years. The friendly societies were well represented, and their emblematic devices were of the most chaste and artistic character. They appeared as a noble body of self-reliant men, who had determined to make provision for themselves in times of sickness and distress, and thus relieve the State from the burdens which it might otherwise have had to bear. The pioneer settlers were there in goodly numbers, and appeared both delighted and happy. It was pleasing to meet with those brave men and women who had passed 50 summers in this new land of ours, who had borne the heat and burden of the day, and who were still able to walk erect with firm and steady step in the procession. The greetings were most friendly as the early settlers recognised each other, and recounted their varied experiences. But their stout hearts were touched as they passed up Tory-street, when one of the bands stood out and played “Auldlang sine ” as they marched past, and the music seemed quite to overpower them, and to cause many a tear to glisten in their eye. The Maoris followed the pioneer settlers in the procession, and seemed to take a deep interest in the proceedings. It was both wild and romantic to hear the Maoris chanting their loud songs of welcome as they passed along the line of procession, and many a ringing cheer was given by the oulookers to their faithful allies.

But the most interesting feature of the whole procession was the innumerable band of well-dressed, fine healthy children. There were some 6000 of the mmarching in the strictest order, with their banners flying, under the control of their several teachers, with their bright and happy faces, evidently as much interested in the joyous scene as the people of maturer growth. On reaching the Basin Reserve, the children were placed on the bank before the grandstand, and indeed it was a pretty sight to witness, and one to be ever remembered. The green sward was spread out in front like a carpet, and the sun shone forth with meridian splendour. The Naval Brigade formed a guard of honour, and stood immediately in front of the children, the Protestant Alliance Society on the right flank, and the pioneer settlers, with their veteran politician, Sir William Fitzherbert (Speaker of the Legislative Council) on the left, the Friendly Societies and public forming the fourth part of a hollow square. In the centre stood his Excellency the Governor (the Earl of Onslow), Lord Carrington (Governor of New South: Wales), Admiral Lord Scott, his Worship the Mayor (Mr 0. J. Johnston),, Archbishop Redwood, and other leading citizens. After Mr Page, the Town Clerk, had read the address to Her Majesty, the Queen, and the Governor had replied, the guard of honour presented arms, and at the sound of the bugle the whole of the children rose to their feet at one, the surrounding multitude uncovered their heads, and 20,000 people sang in the most hearty manner the National Anthem. The children then sang “ O God of Bethel, by whose hand Thy people still are fed,” the same hymn that was sung by the pioneer settlers on Pitone Beach on their first arrival in the Colony, in 1840, the Rev Jolm McFarlane, Presbyterian- minister, conducting the service, The Jubilee hymn, composed by Mr H. B. Bridge then followed, and was sung with great vigour. The children were then regaled with refreshments, which were obtained from large marquees erected in the various parts of the ground. The arrangements were perfect, anjl every child had enough and to spare. There were no end of amusements for the children, and they all seemed to thorough'y enjoy themselves. Mr R. P. Johnson was most successful in training the children for the maypole and other country dances, and their performances were much enjoyed by all present. It is a problem yet to be solved how many of those children will be present to take part in celebrating the centenary of. the Colony, when they will no doubt relate to their children the manner in which their fathers had celebrated the Jubilee. The athletic sports wore a complete success--they were most satisfactorily carried out, and reflected credit on all concerned. Your Committee would take this opportunity of thanking the Commissioners of Railways for their liberality in reducing the fares for the accommodation of the public. The concessions they made induced a large number of persons to visit Wellington who would not otherwise have done so ; and it also enabled the Natives and school children from the country districts to take part in the Jubilee celebrations ; whilst at the same time we are pleased to know that the revenue was increased by the liberal policy adopted. Your Committee have also to thank the several steam companies for their liberality in reducing the fares. The torchlight procession was the largest and most effective of any that have ever been held in Wellington. It was carried out under the superintendence of the Municipal Fire Brigade, the several Trades Unions, and the Friendly Societies, and the result did them infinite credit.

In conclusion, I have to offer congratulations to all who took part in the demonstration. It was a fitting commemoration of the Jnbilee of the Colony, and did infinite credit to all who took part in the celebration. The early settlers may well feel proud of having taken part in founding this Colony, more especially . when they contemplate the grand results of their labours. It was through the bold step that they took in the first instance in commencing the systematic colonisation of New Zealand, that the English Government can now claim this country as a British possession. Vast progress has been made during the last fifty years in the settlement of this country, and that, too, in the face of

insuperable difficulties. It is a country in every way suited to the Briton. We have the freest constitution in the world, and who can predicate what it will become after a century’s existence ?, We have now a population of 600,000, but then it will be counted by millions. - The soil and climate are equal to any part of the glqbe. It is rich in minerals oLevery description, its scenery is the grandest in the world. Its thermal springs already attract large numbers of people from Europe and the Australian Colonies to avail themselves of their healing virtues. Its well-watered plains, and cattle and sheep on a thousand hills abundant’y testify that it contains all the elements of a. rich country, and that it is capable of sustaining a large population. And to think that this' grand country might have been lost to Great Britain and become a French penal settlement but for the heroic step taken by the early settlers I Let the success that has at tended our past exertions be an additional incentive for us to use further efforts to push our country ahead, and possessing that righteousness which alone exalteth a nation, let us fervently hope that God may bless those efforts and crown them with success, so that New Zealand may become the happy home of millions yet unborn, and the very brightest gem in the British crown.

A highly artistic medal was struck by Messrs Kohn and Co., of Wellington, to commemorate the Jubilee of the Colony. On one side is the Aurora entering the harbour of Port Nicholson, with Somes Island and the Hutt Valley, 1840. On the reverse side is the harbour, with the Queen’s Wharf and fleet of large steamers, 1890.

The greatest credit is due to John Howard Wallace and James Petherick, pioneer settlers, who arrived in the Aurora, January 22, 1840, and Thomas McKenzie, who arrived in the Adelaide, March 7, 1840, for their untiring efforts to secure the success of the historical celebration of the 50th anniversary of the foundation of the Colony. Thomas McKenzie, Secretary. Wellington, 11th April, 1890.