THE EVENING'S DEMONSTRATION,

Otago Witness, Issue 2412, 24 May 1900, Page 49

THE EVENING'S DEMONSTRATION,

Despite the long and tiring day most of the townspeople had endured, the crowd that thronged the streets to 'witness the torchlight procession and other celebrations was almost, ii not quite, as great as during the afternoon. In consequence of xhe chrong, all vehicular traffic had to be suspended, and pedestrians could only with difficaky get along the street. But it is noc every clay that the Empire rejoices at the defeat of a ■hated foe; and when the whole Empire is wild with joy at the good tidings received yesterday' patriotic New Zealand could not afford to be behind. At first sight the relief cf Mafeking- might appear a matter, of not very great importance in the conduct of the campaign against to Boers, seeing that it was the only 'place in' Bechuanaland where the Britsh flag had not been lowered by the enemy; but the moral eifect far outweighs any material advantage. MaXelang was but v link in the chain which held tiie British power together in. South * Africa ; yet" a link which Boer hate and cunning was uiij.ble to break. Kimberley, Ladysmith, Mafeking — these three are one in the esteem of the British people, but Mafeking is the greatest of the three. Consequently the loyal people of £>uiiedin could not find time within the compass of even a long day to give full expression to their glowing patriotism. The slibps ail along the main street were brilliantly lighted up, while the streets were freely illuminated by the burning of coloured fires, while rockets and fire balloons at intervals lit up the sky.

In the torchlight procession the Fire Brigade mude trie most striking par I of the display, and all along the line of route the procession w?s £eiievously cheered. The prccassiori having done its part, as many as could find standing room in the Agricultural Hall went to hear the patriotic speeches and song? which concluded the official programme. The hall was soon filled to overflowing, and the overflow found its way back to the main street, where there was amusement enough and incidents sufficient to occupy the attention. The strcecs were thronged till a late iiour. and after the mcoj; rose above tli2 froot rime that hung lew over the town the spectacle was enhanced. Some there were who retired from the scane early, tired-na-ture refusing to longer sustain exalTed spirits; but there were others who roamed about far into the night and well on to morning, tinging patriotic songs and having 'generally a good time. During the 'evening the small boy was very much in evidence, and tae stirring patriotic song • Soldiers of the Queen" was vigorously sung by bands of juveniles, to the accompaniment of tin whistles, drams, kerosene tins, or anything m fact that would make a good noise. A not°able iact that must have fctruck all who have witnessed these proceedings is that Enzland ■will never want for men to fight" for Sovereign and Empire while the small boys are so full of enthusiastic patriotism. TORCHLIGHT PROCESSION AND ILLUMINATION OF T3E CITY: The marshals made the best arrangement they could for the toichligkt piocession from xhe Octagon to the Agricultural Hall iv Crawford stret. It is no eiby matter, however, to control a large crowd of people at nag-ht, and consequently the order that was kcjjc was not perfect, although of that no ore complained. Everyone oppeared to enjoy the pretty sight afforded by the component parts of tne procession as they made their way along Princes stre-t and down Jetty svet into Crawford street, and the Ecene was often brilliant in the extreme. The varying li ve s cf coloured^ fire that the City Fire"°Bri?ade burned lit tip thp line of march with beautiful effect. The Kaikorai Band, trader Bandmaster Stratton, beaded the procession, and then followed the Firs Brigade with their hook and ladder carriage, seated in which were a number of men v-'ith torches. Next came an indiscriminate erov.d of boys who were fairly in their element with their kerosene tins, with lights showing through the perforated sides, and then- Chinese lanterns and other kinds of lights. The Pipe Band "brought up the rear. Later on the Citizens' Band, conducted by Mx J. R. Briggs, escorted the Caversham Rifles (Captain Loasby) to the hpll. The band had nip relied earlier in the evening to the Southern Bond, and there picking up the company played them into town as far as Moray place, from which point they subsequently made their way to the hall. The university students also took a h?:icl in th" march, and at the hall mad° runners \o\y lively with tlieir terrifying Maori war cries and their observance of some noisy Maori war customs. Tt all be^ed to icee,} v : . iKe spiiit of the time, and proved the source of no small amusement to the crowd who could not even find standing room in tlfe hall. Further on in the evening the Norlh-Easn Valley Band, under Bandmaster Cook, ?ime along playing some lively tunes, -v.d w'th thu-' arrival the tochlight proces'ion p.ided. The illumination of shops, office", and private houses was carried out very generally in all parts of the tovn, and the view of the city from the wharf was an exceedinslv fine one. On the hills it was apparent Chinese lanterns had baen largely brought into requisition, and in hundreds of windows lighted oandles or lamps had been placid. C ilourtv fire was also seen here and there, am! in Rohlyn not a few rockets were sent skywards.