PREPARATIONS FOR THE SEND-OFF.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11686, 20 March 1900, Page 3

PREPARATIONS FOR THE SEND-OFF.

.The stands which are being erected at the Oyarfor the demonstration on the 24t.h are in a forward state, and it is expected that they will be completed -by "Wednesday. There are six stands arranged on the Anderson's Bay Bide of the Oval in the shape of a. segment ot a circle. The central, or Governor's and speakers' stand, is 6ft in height, and will seat ISO people. Around this there is a reporters' gallery, -which will accommodate 40 press representatives. On either side of the central stand are the other stands, with graduated ?rtn{f" ?£\ lnvlted quests, to the number of J.UHU, will be accommodated on two standsone on either side, of this- Governor's stand. On the right of the guests' stand to the north there are two stands which will seat 1500 sclieol children, and on the left of the quests' stand ta the south there are two stands for the relatives of the troops. These will accommodate 1900 people. In front of the speakers' stjind, at a little distance from it, there is a platform capable of holding 450 troopers Beyond that near the centre of the Oval, there is_.a photographers' stand 16ft high, a second photographers' stand having been erected beJiind the Governor's platform. About 80,000 ft of timber have,been used in the construction of the various stands, and the work has been carried out by the Organising Committee by day labour, under the supervision of Mr C. li.: George, of the firm of Foster and George the foremen of .(works 'being Messrs T H Lawrence, S. Jago, and D. Ross. The fence ot the Oval is also being repaired and strengthened by the corporation, the work being earned out by Mr R. Torrance, of the nrm.of Torrance and Simpson. The troops are to.enter the Oval by the gateway fronting Princes street south. Over this gateway will be. erected a, triumphal arch, in the baronial style, decorated with evergreens, and the pathway from the gate to the Oval will be railed off so as to keep a clear passage way for the procession. With the exception of the various stands already referred to; and two rope reserves for the general public, to which admission will be gained by ticket, the whole of the Oval inside the picket fence will be closed to the public, as the space inside will be required for manoeuvring the troops. The Demonstration Committee intend to give three tickets for admission to the Oval to each of the 162 men in the fourth contingent, and two to the 100 men of the fifth contingent. The officers of the contingents are to get six tickets each. Any men from northern provinces who have friends here will also be supplied with a, limited number of Tcket6 on application to the committee. ■:.; SATURDAY'S PROGRAMME. The following is the programme of the demonstration to be held at Dunedin and Port Chalmers on the 24-th : — •1. The volunteers, the New Zealand Rough Riders, the fifth contingent will parade at Forbury Park, with all bands, at 9 a.m. 2. All troops and bands start from the camp .it .30, and march to the Oval. 3. Pass along Queen's Drive, 9.45. 4. Pass Gasworks, 10.15. 5. Reach Oval at 10.30. 4. All visitors on the stands and all children on school stand are requested to be in their places by 10 o'clock, to avoid confusion. 7. The contingent will enter the Oval by the mam entrance in Princes street. Visitors to the stands will enter by the entrance on the Anderson s Bay Toad, opposite Cumberland street. ' 5. His Excellency and suite will arrive at 11 o'clock, when the children will sin" " God save the Queen.". 9. The moderator of the synod, the Rev. Mr Bannerman, will open the proceeding wHh prayer. 10. His Excellency will address the contingent. 11. Short addresses will be given by the Premier and his Worship the Mayor. 12. The children will sing " Rule Britannia." 13. Addresses by the Hon. J. G. Ward and the chairman of the Organising Committee.

14. The children will sing "The red, white, and blue." ■.■':''" ' . ," .' 15. His Lordship Bishop Nevill will pronounce the Boneditioh. ■:■'■'■ The volunteers will then lead out of the Oval and line up on the line of route, and the procession will then' start,, taking Princes street, Stuart street, Lower High street, Lower R>ttray street, Yogel street, and to the wharf via the overbridge. The steamer will leave about 1.30 p.m., and Port will be reached in an hour. Streets closed to .vehicular and horse traffic: Princes street South to Octagon, Lower Stuart street, Lower Rattray street, Lower High street," and Crawford street. Streets absolutely closed to all traffic: Yogel street, overbridge. ■ .