AN ANIMATED SCENE.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 3955, 22 January 1900, Page 6

AN ANIMATED SCENE.

At 2 o’clock there was a light southerly wind, just strong enough to allow the score or so of yachts that were out to manoeuvre between Te Aro bight and Oriental Bay in a style that suited some of the ladies carried on some of the white-winged craft. The surface of the harbour was calm, and the oarsmen from the rowing club sheds were enabled to take their wager-boats, skiffs, tubs and racing whaleboats as far out as they cared to go. Although the wind was light, it had strength enough to open and toss the flags which were flown by the vessels in harbour, and on nearly every prominent building in the city. On the Waiwera the only bunting displayed consisted of the ensign, the house and name flags, and the tell-tale Blue Peter. Every other vessel at the wharves was gay with parti-coloured flags. The Tyser liner Star of Australia, coaling in the stream, was gaily adorned. H.iVI.S. Tauranga, at one of the raan-o’-war buoys, flew her every-day bunting, which for significance cannot be bettered. Men and boys ascended the standing rigging of the steamers at Jervois quay to obtain a view of the ceremony at the foot of Cuba street. The singing was faintly heard by the steamer excursionists, but the cheers fell on the ear with greater distinctness. At 3 o’clock the familiar strains of “ Anld Lang Syne” told everyone that the contingent had resumed their march. Tbe advancing roll of the cheering was an unerring indication of their progress, and of the cordiality with which they were greeted. From the steamers at the quay the contingent could be seen marching along the Queen’s Wharf, between lines of volunteers, whilst? bands played “ Soldiers of the Queen.” MOVEMENTS OF EXCURSION STEAMERS. Once it was known that the contingent had reached the Waiwera there was impatience among the excursionists to be out in the harbour. The Duchess had by this time backed out from her berth. She was packed with people. The Mawhera, also fully laden, soon afterwards followed suit. At half-past 3 o’clock the Government steamer Tutanekai, with the Vice-regal party and Ministers of the Crown on board, went alongside the Waiwera. Bluejackets were returned to the Tauranga by the launch Ellen Ballance, and the torpedoboat glided along in business-like tashion. There was a tremendous crowd of people bn the black-sided Rotokino, and most of the other steamers had fjill complements. It is calculated that about 10,000 people were afloat. At twenty minutes to 4 o’clock the intercolonial liner Monowai was heading for the stream. It was awkward work getting the big boat away from Jervois quay, and the operation had to be begun early. One unfortunate result was that the band had to be left behind. The; steamer, •however, carries ’ a first-class bugler "in Steward; Grace, and his admirablyplayed calls were some compensation for the absence of band music. It may he noted, whilst speaking of the leading vessel of the nort division, that her flags read, “Compliments to Kruger trqm New Zealand,” a message with an equivocal meaning, seeing that the only compliments this colony is at present sending Oom Paul are soldiers ready and willing to do their part in smashing his oligarchy. Other steamers flew signals appropriate to the occasion. The Takapuna was unavoidably detained for some time at her loading berth, astern of the Waiwera. She could have practically got ns many nassengers as she required there but the Harbour Board authorities ordered her to another berth, and when she arrived there she was too late to get her full complement. On the Hnupiri, during the afternoon, Kipling’s “ Absent-minded: Beggar ” was recited by. Mrs Malcolm Ross, and Mr W; A. Kennedy, manager of. the Union Company, collected the sum of £lO 10s Id from his friends bn behalf of the' Patnbtic Fund. The only mishap of* the day occurred on the Taviuni,-a lady getting her dress caught in the steering chains. The lady was much frightened, but she was not in any way injured. THE PROCESSION FORMED.

The .Waiwera sounded ' her whistle for the first time at five minutes to 4 o’clock, when, the wind had fallen and there was almost a calm. At ten minutes past 4 the Tutanekai left the Waiwera, and at the half-hour the transport . herself was steaming ahead. There was some splendid cheering when she cast off, a salute of some kind was fired, and bonfires were lighted on the Tinakori range, and also on Mount Victoria, where lines of flags were displayed on the flagstaff. Three whistle-blasts formed the Star ofi Australia’s salute, and the, ship’s company of H.M.S. Tauranga, at the, instance of Lieutenant Cave, gave three rousing cheers as the deeply-laden transport passed. On the man-of-war were members of Parliament, visiting Mayors, and other distinguished , persons, who joined ,in the acclamations, of the crew. The warship’s fife and drum band played inspiriting airs for the entertainment of the passengers on the homeward journey. Gradually the procession was formed, and when all the vessels were in position, the effect as seen from favourable positions on shore was remarkably fine. At every point easily reached .from tha city crowds had congregated to watch the steamers. The Manaroa, as marshal’s boat, led the central division, being followed by the Waiwera, the Tutanekai. the torpedo boat; H.M.S. Tauranga and the Ellen Ballance. The port division was headed by the Monowai and the starhoard division by the Takapnna. If the steamers had been closer together it would have been an improvement in many ways, but even strung out as they were the general effect was good.