AUCKLAND REJOICINGS RATHER QUIET.

Otago Witness, Issue 2516, 4 June 1902, Page 45

AUCKLAND REJOICINGS RATHER QUIET.

AUCKLAND, June 2.

As soon as the news of the declaration of peace was made known by the ringing of bells the people made haste to hang out their dags. In a remarkably short time the buildings in Queen street and the vessels in harbour were a masa of bunting. Shortly afterwards the streets were thronged with people wearing red, white, and blue favours. r^unie of the flags hung out had beta evidently prepared for the occasion, as they Ijore such mottoes a3 'Victory and Peace" and "Always Gets Ahead." In one place appeared a picture of a British lion a. pipe of peace, the bowl being th<i head of Mr Kruger. The news spread rapidly to the suburbs, with the result that bells were ruug at the stations and flags hoisted. 'Buses and tramcars goon began to appear with flags hung out, and within half an hour a gang of men and lads were parading up and down singing " Soldiero of the Queen," '" Absent-minded beggar," "Sons of the sea," and "Rule Britannia." Finally a band marched to the Mayor's residence and played the National Anthem. The Mayor (Mr Alfred Kidd) being absent at "Wellington, the town clerk waited on the Governor to convey the congratulations of the City of Auckland to his Excellency, and later on Messrs A. Myers (Consul for Liberia), F. Baume (Vice-consul for Denmark), Langguth (Consul foi Austria), and Carl Seegner (Consul for Germany) also ■waited on his Excellency to tender congratulations on behalf of their respective countries. The Auckland Brokers' _Association celebrated the occasion by a dinner, ■when patriotic and congratulatory speeches •were given. The declaration of peace was also celebrated at the Star Hotel, when the Bon. James Carroll was ]}resent. and spoke.

The city and suburbs were very lively tonight. Large crowds paraded the streets till a late hour, singing patriotic songs an-1 making a great din. but there was nothing in the way of an official programme.