OUTRAM. CORONATION CELEBRATIONS. OUTRAM.

Otago Witness, Issue 2527, 20 August 1902, Page 11

OUTRAM.

CORONATION CELEBRATIONS.

Thanksgiving ' services of a very impres»ive and appropriate kind were held in the Outram Societies' Hall on Saturday by the Hey. Mr Fairmaid, during which service Mr Chisholm offered up a very earnest prayer. On the platform were Messrs Snow (chairman), Ohisholm, Low, Rutherford, members of the Outram Town Board, and Mr John Grant (town clerk), Mr John White (bead teacher Outram School), and Messrs James Dow, T. Bramble, H. M'Cleery, and Dr Cattan. Though a few found their way to Dunedia, the larger majority of the residents were in attendance in the hall, which was fairly well filled. Most of the Echool children were present, seated in the front of the hall, under the charge of the head . master (Mr "White). At 11.45 a start wa3 made for the reserve, the Echooh children marching in front in procession order, under Mr White. On arrivel at the reserve Mr Snow made a- few suitable remarks, after * which Hie royal oaks were planted. One ' was planted by Mr Soow, and named King Edward VII ; and Mrs Chisholm "planted - the other one, and named it Queen Alexandra. At noon Mr Snow asked Mrs Fulton, who was t> resent, ty>,hoist the flag (the ' Union Jack), after which it was saluted by - the echool children.- Mr Snow then, in a ■ few appropriate remarks, named -the reserve Coronation- Park. The National Anthem was sung, and the children in processional _ order, under Mr White, and followed by the people, marched back to the hall, and (were arranged in the front seats. Mr White (the head master, then auuresscd the children in an admirable speech, pointing out that young as they were they iiad passed through stirrinor and eventful times. They ihad witnessed the celebrations on the occasion of the late beloved Queen's Diaanond Jubilee ■ they had mourned in their own simple way at the close of her long and beneficient reign ; they had also since gene through the war in South Africa, and he had seen their depressed looks when disaster attended the .british arms, and also iow their faces lit up and their little hearts • rejoiced wnen news of victory after victorycame, and finally when peace was declared. •He indicated how the war had united..the ■Empire. They had seen tke popular heir to the throne, and had shared in the hearty welcome given to his Royal Highness and his graceful Princess. He briefly touched upon the King's illness, and in a few vivid words conjured up the brilliant scene at Westminster on the occasion of the Coronation of a great King. ■ The King must be great ■ eince he ruled over the greatest Empire the " world had seen. And how could be otherwise than good spring from such a father and such a mother, and blessed with " such a wife. In conclusion, Mr White said : " -"Edward VIL, is 'great and he is good. ■He i* the soul of honour. He is a King to 1 fee revered, and worthy of any sacrifice. ; JBo loyal, then, children, to your King and iQueeih Never listen to the voice of scandal, " for oo really good man escaped its venom — ' not even Christ Himself. Uphold them, then, as ideal rulers through the years to come, even unto death if need, be ; for all history records, and will record, that they are great " find good. If you observe this, children, „ fQtt jpfl Juwe foe right to eisin kinship.

with tha mighty dead, and with the mighty present. Your love to your earthly father makes you the worthier son of your Heavenly Father. Your 103-^.Uy to your earthly King will make you the woithier of the King of Kings, and though days lengthen or days shorten, in sunsh.ne or 111 shadow, you will find sure comfort in your twofolk loyalty and love."

The Rev. Mr Fairmaid then gave a short address, after which sandwiches, cakes, and tea were handed round to all present, and Mr Snow distributed Coronation cards to the school children. The Rev. Mr Fairmaid in a few words thanked the Outram Town Board for the opportunity they had afforded the residents of showing their loyalty to tho King, and for the good things they had provided, and asked for three cheers for the Outram Town Board, which were heartily given. The Rev. Mr Fairmaid then a.sked for three cheers for the teacher (Mr White), which were heartily given, ana also three cheers for Mr Snow. The singing of a verse of the National Anthem brought a most enjoyable dayla rejoicing to a close.