CANADA’S DIAMOND JUBILEE

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 87, 4 July 1927, Page 1

CANADA’S DIAMOND JUBILEE

BEACONS FROM COAST TO COAST

AIRPLANE FATALITY MARS CELEBRATIONS

A TRAIL of beacon fires from the Atlantic Coast to the Pacific marked the celebrations of Canada’s diamond jubilee.

T/'ING GEORGE sent a message to X the Governor-General, Viscount Willingdon England recognised the importance of the event, both to the great Dominion and to the Empire, by a commemoration service in Westminster Abbey, and a solemnisation of high mass in Westminster Cathedral The ceremonies at Ottawa were marred by an accident in which an American airman was killed The programme was carried out in saddened circumstances. OTTAWA, Friday. The message from King George was read by the Governor-General. It said; “While within their own bounds Canadians have before them the task of developing their ancestral heritage, in a yet wider sphere the nation must take an ever-in-creasing share in solving the problems of the Empire. Canada may be conscious that there is within her nation perfect freedom and that the unity of the nations of the Empire is the surest guarantee for the peace of the world to-day.” Canada’s romantic history, from the days when the first explorers found her shores to the present day, passed in review this evening before the dignitaries of her Government, the representatives of the other Dominions and 75,000 spectators, who covered every foot of Parliament Hill and filled the principal streets of the capital. _ .. The historical pageant was the climax of a day such as Canada had never seen before. The French element gave the ceremonies an additional touch of colour to the Canadian costumes. .. The singing of the Dominion anthem, “Q, Canada.” in English and in 11 ench added to the impressiveness of the scene. The day’s ceremonies, beginning with the inauguration of the 4carillon and ending with the State banquet in the evening, epitomised the country’s festivities, which were similarly carried on throughout the Dominion and various parts of the United States, where 7,000.000 Canadians reside. Broadcast descriptions of the celebrations by wireless were perfecUy received on the Atlantic and Pacihc coasts.

AIRMAN KILLED

SECOND DAY MARRED OTTAWA, Saturday. A flying fatality marred the second day’s celebrations of the diamond jubilee of Canada. Captain Charles Lindbergh, the American airman who was the first to fly from flew York to Paris, arrived from Detroit, United States. His plane was escorted by 12 American Army machines. Lieutenant Johnson, pilot of one of these escorts, crashed when he was landing and was killed. Owing to a misunderstanding as to the landing directions a collision occurred between his machine and another, causing the fatality. Unaware of the accident the crowds cheered Captain Lindbergh, but he sat grim and unsmiling in a motor-car. After having lunched with Lord and Lady Willingdon, Captain Lindbergh was the guest of honour with the American Minister, Mr. Phillips, at a Government dinner. The airman brought an appropriate message from the President of the United States, Mr. Coolidge. to the Prime Minister, Mr. W. L. Mackenzie King. All the day’s ceremonies were carried out, but in saddened circumstances. —A. and N.Z.-Sun. FROM COAST TO COAST BLAZE OF BEACON FIRES (British Official Wireless .) RUGBY, Saturday. A trail of beacon fires from the Atlantic to the Pacific marked the celebrations. There was a commemoration service in Westminster Abbey and a solemnisation of high mass in Westminster Cathedral. The former was attended by the Prime Minister, Mr. Baldwin, and many members of Lie Cabinet, by members of the diplomatic corps and overseas representatives. Four past Govern., s-General of Canada—the Duke of Connaught, Marquess of Aberdeen, the Duke of Devonshire and Viscount Byng —were among the congregation. The London celebrations will extend over three days.—A. and N.Z,