THE CANTERBURY JUBILEE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11922, 21 December 1900, Page 7

THE CANTERBURY JUBILEE.

JUBILEE SERVICES.

UrIRISTCHURCH, December 16. Jubilee services were held in all the city and suburban churches. The Presbyterian Sunday Schools met at St. Paul's, where addresses were given by the Revs. Dr Krwin and M'Kenzie. The Jubilee demonstration of the Methodist Sunday School Union was held at the Exhibition Hall, where the Rev. \V. Morley, D.D., presided, and the Rev. C. H. Garland addressed the children. The largo hall was crowded, and hundreds had tp stand. There was ai full attendance at the cathedral in the morning, where Bishop Julius preached, and Bishops Walhs and Wilson were also present. The collection in aid of the cathedral completion fund amounted to £133 10s, and two other collections were taken for the same purpose, of which returns have not yet come in. - In the, afternoon the Church of England Sunday Schools and choirs mustered in the cathedral, and took up their position on the western side of the Godley statue. The choir members numbered 441, and some 1600 Sunday - School children were present. Bishop' Julius presided, and the hymn accompaniments were played by the Garrison Band. Fully 6000 of the public were present.

INTERESTING PROCESSION OF OLD

KKiTloJllUj,

(From Otje. Special Reporter.)

CHRISTCHURCH, December 17. The popular celebrations of the Jubilee today was marked, by equal success to that \vhich attended the religious celebrations of the previous day which were characterised throughout by great.fervour. The morning broke dull, but the mists. were soon swept way, and a more perfect day for the occasion could not have been desired. A slight haze moderated the force of the rays of the December sun, and tho heat was tempered by a gentle easterly breeze, not strong enough to raise the dust. Indeed, the only dust was that which was raised by the Governor's mounted escort, and of this his Excellency got the full and only benefit. The town had been crowded since Saturday, and the trains thi3 morning brought in their thousands, who, from an early hour, began to take up points 61 vantage from which to see the procession, and long before noon it was evident that more people than ever before were in Christchurch. The route of the procession was elongated by being carried along and back parallel streets in two parts of the town, making the route, over two miles in length. For the whole of the distance the streets were densely thronged, and every window and many roofs were crowded, while thousands awaited the arrival of the procession in Hagley Park. The procession was marshalled at the old entrance to the city from the Ferry road, and marched along High, Cashel, Hereford, Colombo, Armagh, Montreal, "Worcester, and Antigua streets to the Park. The decorations along the route were most effective. Venetian masts were planted along botji sides of the streets, and between these and across the Btreets festoons of art muslin in various shades of green and pink were stretched, some tens of thousands of yards of tho material being used. In fact, it is stated that the whole stock in New Zealand was commandeered for tho purpose by the D.1.0., to whom the street decorations- were entrusted. The private decorations were in many instances on an elaborate scale, particularly on the western part of the route, and with the luxuriant leafage of the gardens and squares still in its vernal beauty, Ohristchurch was nevei' seen to greater advantage. .■•'.. ' '_- , MUSTEK Oi1 OLD COLOKISTS. The " Shagroons " (those who were here before the arrival of the "first four ships"), . the "Pilgrims" (passengers by the Canterbury Committee's ships), and the " Old Colonists" (arrivals up to 1861), gathered in the Canterbury Hall at 11 a.m. Possibly the fine weather brought'out many who would ordiliarily have stayed at home, 'as an unexpectedly large number of each contingent came forward, and it was only by some selfsacrifice on tiia part of the executive,that conveyances were, found for all. The "Shagrpons." numbered 80, the "Pilgrims" about 400, and the " Old Colonists" 700 to 800. They came from'all parts of Ne\r Zealand, and several from Australia, including one from tha 3?ar; West." There were many warm greetings amongst relations and old comrades, who had • been long parted. One family of twolve met together for the first time for thirty-fivo years. Many would gladly have spent the day in re newing old associations. Of course, the oocasiqns awakened.varied feelings. Many were rejoicing, while .not a few were seen in tears However, little time was allotted to this gathering, and, with promises to meet at the luncheon or Mrs Deans'B to-morrow (Tuesday) the drags and carriages were filled and' ~ driven to the starting point of the procession. .....

■. ■: ■ • THE PHOOESSIOK. V It was nearly 1 o'clock when word was given Jp start the bullock waggon loaded with . Shagroons " whioli lieaded tho pioceesion. Sonje apprehension had been felt as to the behaviour 'of those eight massive animal's, but they walked through the crowd with majestic disregard of their unwonted surroundings. They were from Mr T. 0. Hayes s Pigeon Bay estate on the Peninsula, the Hayeses being of the Pilgrims. The waggon bore a banner with the : legendi "We were first. 1843----1850.' , Then, as a modern contrast, came an impudent little motor-car, turning the cheers which greeted the "Shagroons" into laughter. The volunteers, to the number of about 1200, under Lieutenant-colonel Gordon, came next, the: mounted corps, about 500 strong, b,eing separated from the foot by the Garrison Band. Soveral veteran officers now unattaohed turned out and "accompanied their old <jorps. Amongst the Mounted Rifles was "Tubman's Kaffir," enjoying himself immensely, and laughingly acknowledging the cheers of the.crowd. The Navals, the Artillery with their six Nordenf'eldts, '■ and the Cadet Companies ivere the greatest favourites. Tho troopers' were only four in number, but received a regiment's welcome.- Then came the Otaki Maori Brass Band, warmly greeted^ and the cheering increased, as tho Maori war canoe approached, manned with ferocious-look-ing warriors, the chief of whom took it in turn to shout words of defiance at an imaginary enemy, his followers at given signals mak- ' ing formidable demonstrations' with their weaporia;: A-Other Maoris followed' on foot and in vehicles, even hansoms (average load five persons, Weighing anything from a quarter to half a.ton). Native dress predominated with both sexes, but there were 'young men in dandy cpllars a,nd younir ladies in Paris hats amongst them. The Adding'ton Yards stockmen, with coloured shirts, wide-brimmed hats, leggings, and whips, were another picturesque and popular feature. The Theatrical Employees' Association, with their band and a .model 'of H.M.S. Majestic, were cheered, and then Anderson's Canterbury Foundry, whose Jubilee it also is, received warm recognition as its six lorries, working exhibits, and procession' of 150 workmen passed. The , Kaiapoi Woollen Company and A. J. White's' furniture exhibit (of eight vans, -on ono of which was a large: packing case addressed " Right Hon. R. J. Seddou, Sydney,") were the best of the other working exhibits. The various societies, headed by the Canterbury Caledonian Society and its pipers, and tho fire brigades, made displays, Rnd next came the religious bodies, headed by the Salvation Army with its splendid band, said to be the best inChristchurch,' with perhaps one exce.pt.ion. Bishop Julius drove a party of clergy in a waggonette, and almost all denominations were represented. This contingent was ' w,armly yet respectfully saluted all along the line. The' local bodies turned out well, and were followed by the popular Burnham Boys' Band. Educational magnates, legislators, and. the City Council and ex-mayors following.

The honour of heralding the approach of' the most; distinguished section of the procession was accorded to the Southland Pipe Band, which has already established itself in popularity here. The Pilgi'ims and old colonists, filling some 50 or 60 vehicles, then passed, exchanging salutations and haudgrrips' with all who could get'within'reach. Many well-Jcnown men were singled out for special cheers, the warmest of which were given to the Hon. William Rolleston. At an interval came the Mayor of Christchurch (Mr William Recce), wearing the chain of his oflica arid the decoration presented to him by Hoani TaiaroaJ and he was cheered as an excellent and popular civic ruler should be. Then the Premier receive-d his meed of chpering, and his Excellency the Governor was accorded an enthusiastic manifestation of his popularity. . ' : The procession was excellently marshalled,

and no halt in its progress was more than momentary. It took a full hour to pass a given point early in its route. IN" HAGI.ET rATCK.

The proceedings in the park were confined to a inarch past of the volunteers in columns of companies, which was,' ou the whole, well executed. There was no serious accident. An M.H.R.' ie reported to have fallen off the back seat of adogcart, and a man and several legs and feet went through glass verandahs, and these constitute the casualties. IN THK EYENrNG. the Canterbury Hall waß densely crowded, when Stanford's "To Deum" was sung b}' the Kxhibition Choir, under the leadership of Mr Henry Wells. The soloists were Misses Violet Mount ami Maud Graham and Messrs .T. O.'Purahet and Sydney Bell. The orchestra wag led by Miss Packer. Several

addresses followed, the speakers being the Mayor of Christchurch, his Excellency Lord Ranfurly, the Right Hon. the Premier, the Hons. Sir John Hall, W. Rolleston, and C. C. Bowen. It was resolved to telegraph an address to the Queen from her loyal and loviug subjects, recognising the benefits which, under God, they had received during her reign.

On the 18th an old colonists' dinner was held, which was attended by about 750 Pilgrims. Later on a garden party was held at the residence of Mrs Deans, at Riccarton. On tho 19th a mayoral banquet was held.