CuBONATION FESTIVITIES WAIPIATA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2528, 27 August 1902, Page 33

CuBONATION FESTIVITIES WAIPIATA.

: A visitor sends us a very long account of lh« Corenation celebrations at Waipiata, from which we learn that they were of a somewhat unique nature. Proceedings Opened with a representation of a phase of guerilla warfare in South Africa. Some 25 ißrrtish, under .Lord Kitchener (Mr A. Clarke), assaulted and captured a laager on a kopje near the township under th© command of General Cronje (Mr P. M"Atamney). The attacking p-any threw out scouts in Orthodox fashion, and as these retired after lb«ing fired upon by an unseen enemy the Attacking party slowly advanced up the eteep kopje, taking advantage of every bit of shelter. Some realistic firing followed, end them Cronje and his laager surrendered niter having exhausted their jmmunition. The Long Tom was secured and the men .t'isarm-ad. The women and children m the meantime set up a dismal wailing, but with the men they were inarched by their captors lip the principal street to. the hall, where liord Boberts (Mr J. Robertsy received them, Cronje being accompanied hy his Kaffir orderly (Master W Hos<?) The arajbulamca waggon, with two wounded,, having arrived, Lord Roberts made a brief speech complimenting bhe Boers oa their defence. A Kcotdliaition having taken place, the Royal Standard was hoisted by Mr James Howell and the National Anthem sung, followed by "The red," white, and blue," when the New Zealand Ensisn waa hoisted. The half-starved priscaisrs and their conquerors then sat down to a sumptuous repast, pro vided by the ladie* of the district. Then ihe curious had an opportunity of striving 1 o penetrate the disguises of tiie Boer ladies, 1 ut so well had" they made up and so natu1 -lly did they aat their parts that this was a fr>mewhat difficult matter, and much credit is due to Misses M'Oulloch (Mrs Cronje). Pearce, North, K. Dowle* and others, and also to the gentlemen already nam«>d and their men. After luncheon, the children of the public school were each presented with * very elaborate white metal Coronation medal attached to which was a ribbon and brooch. This handsome token was a gift of the School Committee. Accompanying if •was a Coronation card, presented by the Education Department. The children, led by their teaoher (Miss M'Cullooh), then tang several patriotic ecnup, in which the Audience joined, following which il.e Psteroa cihildren^ by the request of Mr M'Skimming (one of the Pa.f-eroa School f!ommi+-tee), gave three hearty eh^er" for their entertainers and aang an action song. Then followed a oarrfullr arranged proce veron of " Unity." Standing in the middle of a drag, well decorated with greenery and appropriate mottoes for Coronation, was "Britannia" (Miss M'Culloch). while grouped around her were representations of her various nationalities — " Ireland " (Miss North), " Scotland " (Miss L. Dowle), "India" (Miss K. Dowk), and the- " Transvaal " (Miss Pearee). Forming a suitable escort for such: a united group were Lord Hoberts", General Cronje, and Lord Eitohener, with his mounted men ; while beTiind followed a trap bearing a choir of young ladies and an oxgan, behind which Again were a large number of pedestrians, old and young, singing patriotic congs to the mufcic of the organ. After proceeding , elong the main streets, the procession re- <. turned to the 'nail to partake of tbo tea ■which, under the able and willing hands of M<\sd*imes HoweJl, Mathins. TVi'kinson, j Carve'ho. Tresjonning, M'Atamnoy, A. i Potersom. Dowle. Pearee, T T dy. rind the ] Misses Mathias. Tregonning, Ferguson, ard 'Howell \5), hed "boen. excellently prepared, liater on in the evening a large bonfiro lit up the •kv, aud half an h.cur was spent in lo.ttins? off nr&works. Th-en followed a Tno.t enjoyable d-ance, interspersed with appropriate songs and recitationp until 11 20 j).m.. when the Master of Ceremonies re- | ciu^stpd all present to rfi° and sinjr the , National Anthem, followed vp by three ringing oheerg for Eiapr Bdwtrd and Queen Alexandra. With the Kinging of " Auld lane syne " a few roinut-es lAjfore 12 a most enjay»bl© day's rejoicing came to a close.