THE JUBILEE.

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 8966, 17 April 1890, Page 7

THE JUBILEE.

* FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDATION OF THE COLONY, JUBILEE YEAR, 22nd JANUARY, 1890. The Jubilee Committee’s report is as follows: — The Committee having now so successfully concluded its labours, it may 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 50 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 now land of ours, who had borne tire 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 hearth 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 io 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 onlookers bo 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 s,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 frmit of the children, the . Protestant All anco 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 O. 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 20,00 Q people sang in the moat 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, theßev John McFarlane, Presbyterian minister, conducting the service. The Jubilee hymn, composed by Mr H. B. Bridge then fob. lowed, and was sung with great vigour. The ch ldren were then regaled . with refreshments, which were obtained from larger. marquees erected in the various parts.of the ground. The arrangements woro perfect, and 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 partin 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 were 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 th© accommodation of the public. The concessions they made induced a largo number of persons to visit WellingtorT 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 Jubilee 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 colonisa ion of New Zealand, that the English Government can now claim this country as a British possession. "V ast 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, hue then it will be counted by millions. The soil and climate are equal (o any part of the globe. It is rich in minerals of every 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 settlors ! Let the success that has at tended our past exertions be an additional incentive for us to use further to push our country ahead, and possessing that righteousness which alone exalteth a nation, lot 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, pionee/ 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 founda ion of the Colony. Thomas McKenzie, Secretary. Wellington, 11th April, 1890,