THE CORONATION

Southland Times, Issue 23166, 6 April 1937, Page 6

THE CORONATION

CELEBRATIONS IN INVERCARGILL PREPARATIONS BEING MADE The question of Coronation celebrations in Invercargill is at present engaging the attention of the Mayor (Mr John Miller). In an interview with The Southland Times yesterday he said that last week he sent a telegram to the acting Prime Minister (the Hon. P. Fraser) asking what nature it was proposed the celebrations should take, but so far had received no reply. The Mayor will meet the president and the secretary of the Southland A. and P. Association today and will discuss with them a proposal to hold the winter show during Coronation week. A public meeting may be called by the Mayor at an early date for the purpose of discussing the celebrations, and it is hoped that organizations interested will be represented at the meeting. Arrangements for special lighting and the display of bunting are in the hands of the City Council, and an appeal for the co-operation of business firms and private individuals will probably be made. It is interesting to recall the arrangements made in Invercargill for the Coronation of King George V on June 22, 1911. Veterans and members of the South African Contingents with the C Battery, the City Guards, the Awarua Rifles, the High School Cadets, the Primary School Cadets and the Boy Scouts assembled at the Garrison Hall at 9.30 a.m. and, preceded by the Garrison Band, marched to the Municipal Theatre to attend a religious service. After that function the troops marched to the Post Office Square where a general salute was given. Civic Function A civic function was then held, addresses being given by the Mayor (Mr W. A. Ott) and Mr J. A. Hanan, M.P. At 12 o’clock the C Battery began a salute of 21 guns from’ a position on the Puni bridge in Clyde street, facing east towards the gardens. The salute took 15 minutes. In the meantime the troops assembled at the Post Office Square gave the Royal salute with full military honours and three cheers for the King. Afterwards there was a march past of the troops. In the afternoon a tree-planting ceremony was held at Victoria Park. There seemed to be some doubt about the adequacy of the gas supply for the special illuminations, but fears were set at rest when The Southland Times announced on June 21, 1911, that the gasworks manager had declared that there was “not the remotest possibility of any inconvenience arising through an inadequate gas supply, as ample provision is being made for the meeting of all contingencies.” The staff was working at high pressure in order to cope with the extraordinary demand which was expected as a result of the illuminations and the usual winter requirements. “There are many directions in which private citizens can contribute to the general effectiveness of the illuminations on Coronation night without any unreasonable outlay,” suggested The Southland Times. “For example, if no blinds were drawn that night the streets would be very much brighter and cheerier. The lamps that have been relegated to back shelves in the kitchen since the gasworks have been supplying the bulk of the domestic illuminant in Invercargill might be cleaned up and filled and placed in the windows." ’