RECORD REIGN CELEBRATIONS.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume V, Issue 514, 25 June 1897, Page 2

RECORD REIGN CELEBRATIONS.

Admiration for the Stalwart Maoris. Colonial Premiers Loudly Cheered. An Impressive Scene at St. Pauls. Bishops Joined in the Shouts ot Loyalty. The Scene impresses the Foreign Envoys. By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. Per Prees Association. London. June 22. At two o'clock in the morning the sight-seers began to take up their places at the chief points along the rout of the prooession and waited there until it passed. The roadways were crowded with vehicles.

Field-Marshal Lord Roberts, who was in command of the prooession, made his appearance at Buckingham Palace shortly after nine o'clock with a detachment of the colonial troops. The appearance of the latter was a signal for an ovation. A squad of Rhodesian force under the Hon. Maurice Gifford, who lost an arm during the recent fighting in Matabeleland, was greatly cheered.

The stalwart appearance of the Maories surprised many of the spec la tors, while the Cingalese, Malays, and Chinese in their strange uniforms and with their stolid bearing were watched with great interest. The colonial Premiers, who preceded the Royal procession, were loudly cheered along the entire route. The Queen's procession consisted of 16 carnages.

Her Majesty's carriage was drawn by eight cream-colored ponies, with postillions and outriders.

The Queen, who was in splendid health, bowed smilingly at the cheering crowds. The scene at St. Paul's was a

most impressive one. The Queen bowed her bead *nd was moved to tears as the populace joined with the Princes and bishops in singing the “ Old Hundredth." All formal ceremony was then ignored, bishops waving their caps and leading in the shouts of loyalty. The foreign envoys were greatly impressed at the reception accorded to the Queen. London, June 23. When the honors were being discussed the question of granting Melbourne and Sydney the privilege of Lord Mayors wsls considered, but it is understood that Sydney was averse to the honor and the idea was therefore abandoned. The sun shone out brilliantly just prior to the commencement of the thanksgiving service yesterday. Many persons in thv closely-packed crowd, and some of the soldiers, were overcome by the heat and fainted. There were immense numbers of visitors from the Continent and the United States, and also from the English provinces. The majority of the sightseers commenced to take up their places along the Une of route at 6 o'clock m the morning, and those who had reserved seats at the various temporary stands and other points of vantage were in attendance as early as 8 o'clock. The troops lined the route at an early honr. The conduct of the crowd was exemplary, and excellent order was maintained everywhere. The procession of Colonial troops formed upon the Thames Embankment at 8 o'clock.

The Colonial premiers, accom* ponied by their wives, drove from the Hotel Cecil at 8.30 o'clock. Field-Marshal Lord Roberts, in command of the colonial procession, rode at the head of the column. He divided the honors of the day with the Queen, being greeted enthusiastically with cries of •• Bravo Bobs; remember Kandahar." The colonial column marched to Buckingham Palace, and thence over the route previously fixed—i.e. t up Constitution-hill,along rioeadilly, St. James'-street, Pall-mall, the north side of Trafalgar • square. Strand, Fleet-street and Ludgateliill. Finally they formed up round St. Paul s Churchyard. The Colonial troops w 're greeted with cries of “ Bravo Canada." " Good Old Australia." and also with •* Coo-ees."

Everyone was struck wit.', the splendid horsemanship and physique of the colonials. Thunders of applause greeted the forces as they marched through the West End, as well as the East End of the city, the sincerity and affection of the welcome being apparent. The crowds clearly appreciated the significance of tlie spectacle as denoting a united Empire.

As tlic procession moved along the Colonial Premiere were mentioned by name and cheered separately, amidst tlic wildest enthusiasm. The Premiers, who wore court uniform, raised their cocked hats in answer, and Sir George Turner constantly waved bis hand. The Chinese, black, and other native troops, who formed a singular spectacle, were warmly cheered. The Indian contingent was especially admired. At St. Paul's the column massed and awaited the arrival of the Queen. At II o'clock the Queen started for St. Paul's auiid tumultuous cheering, a body of seamen tnarohing in front of her carnage.

On the eve of starting Her Majesty despatched her message for all parts of the Empire by pressing a button. The message was replied to by 30 Governors of British colonies.

The Queen was dressed in black brocade. The Princess of Wales ami Princess Christian of Sclilosw ig. Holstein, who occupied scats in Her Majesty’s carriage, wore drosses of heliotrope and white respectively. Her Majesty was remarkably animated and happy in demeanour, and bore the excitement and fatigue of the procession well. The spectacle was the ; randcst ever witnessed ui London.

The cavalry detachments alone occupied half an hour in pi ssing e given point. The principal displays were made by tlic Royal llor.-c Artillery, U>|

Cavalry, and the Mounted Infantry. Sixteen carnages were occupied by the Royal Princesses and the ladies iu waiting, whilst the seventeenth was that in which Her Majesty rode.

The Prince of Wales (who wore the uniform of a Field-Marshall), the Duke of Connaught, and the Duke of Cambridge all rode on horseback, and were accompanied by the colonial escort, which immediately preceded the escort of Indian troops. Field - Marshal Lord Wolseley (Commander-in-Chief) followed the Queen’s carriage. The spectators greeted the Royal Princes and the Commander-in-Chief with wild cheering. A brilliant band of English and foreign Princes formed the next feature in the procession.

At St. Paul’s the scene was aweinspiring. The troops wore massed, and all the stands on the high buildings facing the Cathedral were crowded to the very roofs. Special stands were constructed in front of the Cathedral. In the centre stood the Archbishops of Canterbury \Dr Temple) and York IDr Maclagan), the Bishop of London (Dr Creighton), and more than 100 other church dignitaries; also an immense uhoir and two bands. The colonial Premiers were provided with seats next to the members of t ie Ministry. The Queen’s entrance to the enclosure was the signal for unbounded applause. The choir sang the Te Deum, and the Lord’s Prayer was recited. Then Dr Creighton offered up the special prayer of thanksgiving. Dead silence prevailed, save for the solitary voice, which could be heard afar, the scene being most impressive. At the conclusion of the service the Archbishop of Canterbury pronounced the Benediction, and solemnly the crowd responded with •' Amen.” The whole assembly sang the Old Hundredth, then the choir and the multitude burst out with the Na tional Anthem. Dr Temple called for cheers, and there was a tremendous response. The Queen took the greatest interest in the service, and bowed low during the prayer and blessings. ■She expressed to Drs Temple and Creighton her gratification at the arrangements, and intimated her pleasure at the simple and impressive nature of the service. When the Queen left the Cathedral the colonial troops re-formed, as the rear guard of the procession. Rord Roberts and each of the colonial Premiers were cheered to the echo. The colonial visitors were accommodated with special seats at 12s (id per head on a State stand in Pall Mall, which was thronged. The Queen specially recognised the survivors of the Balalclava charge, who were grouped on a special stand. There were no severe accidents. Later. In Canada, South Africa and India (except Calcutta and Assam) the populace carried out the celebrations in an equally jubilant Akim,