WELLINGTON.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5904, 23 June 1897, Page 1

WELLINGTON.

WELLINGTON, June &2.

To-day was fine, and in the morning sunny, hut there was a high northerly Wind, amounting' at times to a gale. The festival proceedings began with a review of the permanent militia and volunteers. There, was an excellent attendance, and a large number of spectators battled against the chilly gale in order to witness the , troops at work. ' The Acting-Governor was accompanied to the grounds by quite a j large staff of soldiers, men-of-war officers, j Ministers and ladies. The ArtUlery fired • a salute of sixty guns, and after each j •£w*aty 'ilii- fepops. fired a feu -Je j&ie; and ' finished np with three cheers. The usual march past followed and the men left the ground, picked tip some seventy sailors and marines from the Pylades, and took their place at the head of a procession which had been formed opposite the Government Buildings. At noon the Pylades fired another salute of sixty guns, and the procession then moved off through the streets. The buildings were crowded with spectators, and the houses were gay with a wealth of flags both large and small. Never has such a display of bunting been seen in Wellington, and the appearance of the streets when the sun shone at intervals was animated in the extreme. A few of the buildings had floral decorations, and a few others were ornamented with greenery, but the prevailing form of ' rejoicing was strings and groups of flags, with here and there an occasional device. The ships in the harbour were also gaily docorated. Theprocessionwas pretty nearly a mile in length. Although trades were mostly conspicuous by their absence, friendly societies were in great force. Most of them, after a gallant struggle, found the gale too much, and had to march with lowered banners. The Foresters alone held bravely out, and at momentary risk of having it ripped to shreds, bore their blazon aloft to the last. Arrived at the Basin Heserve the troops formed round a flagpole, which had been specially built in front of the pavilion for the purpose 1 , and the school children densely packed the slopes alongside. At 1 p.m. the Royal Standard .wasiinfurled, and as soon as its folds shook out irithe breeze the Artillery, who had taken up a position on the heights of Mount Cook, thundered out another sixty-gun salute, and the Brigade presented arms, the children sang " God Save the Queen/ "God Bless the Prince of Wales" and " Rule Britannia," and at the instance of the Mayor three hearty cheers were given for the Queen.

The Acting-Governor then deliversd a brief address, .which was meant principally for the children, but, thanks to the gale, neither they nor anyone, except those close by, heard a word. Sir James Prendergast laid special stress upon the fact that .New Zealand was peculiarly the offspring

of the Queen, for when she ascended the throne we were not yet part of her dominions. The Mayor called for three cheers for Sir James Prendergast, which were heartily given. Gold medals in commemoration of tho occasion were then presented to Sir James and Mr Blair, Chairman of the Education Board. It was intended to give each child a bronze medal, but sufficient could not be got ready in time, and they will receive them at school. At the conclusion of this part of the proceedings Sir James Prendergast announced the Hon E. J. Seddon's appointment to the Privy Council. The Pyladesmen then gave an exhibition of bayonet, cutlass and gun drill, and the remainder of the afternoon was devoted to children's sports. The whole, affair was excellently designed and carried out, and but for the cold blast that raged all the time, would have been eminently successful. As it was, the spectators took keen interest in the proceedings, as was amply testified by the great crowds which thronged tho streets.

The second part of the festival was the fireworks and illuminations at night. The former were sent off principally from hulks in the harbour. Tho illuminations were centred in Lambton Quay, Custom-house and Jervois Quays, Willis, Manners and Cuba Streets. The Union Company's was the most effective display. In some instances the gale had broken the electric light globes and disarranged the wires, completely spoiling the effect. This was the case at the Government Insurance Department and elsewhere. Those who depended on gas were at the mercy of the wind, which prevented a steady light being maintained. For some reason the official bonfire on Mount Victoria, over which great pains had been taken, did not show up well, the wind being away from town, and other bonfires were not lit.