DUNEDIN.

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

DUNEDIN.

DUNEDIN, June 22. • -Commemoration day in Dunedin was marked by an enthusiastic display of loyalty. A light shower of rain fell in.' the morning, but the day was beautifully fine. The proceedings commenced with a demonstration of children, nearly five thousand, each with a banner, assembling j in the Octagon, where the Acting-Premier, | Minister of Education and other legisla- ; tors were present, with the Mayor, on the Town Hall steps. Led by the Kaikorai Band, the children sang the "Old Hundredth," "Eule Britannia" and the National Anthem, followed by round after round of cheers for the Queen. TheEoyal Standard, presented by veterans, was then hoisted on the Town Hall, and the Permanent Artillery fired a salute of sixty guns from the batteries. The streets had by this time become < densely thronged, and it was difficult to get from the Octagon to the Triangle, in front of the railway station, where the procession was formed. This included a fine muster of volunteers, including the Hussars and country corps. Then came the veterans and jex - volunteers, friendly societies, a Maori contingent, headed by Mr Tame Parata and* three chiefs, and numbers I of other bodies, including fire brigades. ! The procession was large and imposing, and, though moving at a smart pace, took nearly half an hour _to pass a given point. The procession wended its way to the Jubilee Park, -where -the City Councillors planted a Victoria grove of oaks. Short speeches were made by the ActingPremier, the Hons W. C. Walker and Downie Stewart, Mr T. Parata, M.H.R., the Mayor and Mr E. B. Car-gill. As soon as. the planting was over the ensign was hoisted on the flagstaff in the Park, and the volunteers fired a, feu, de joie, and the public wended their way home to prepare for the evening celebrations. The city was a blaze of light in the evening, and the suburbs contributed their share. At seven o'clock, when the illuminations commenced, ii more suitable night | could not be desired, being dark with I little or no wind, but about 7.30 a little rain fell. The streets were crowded, but the illuminations were so extensive that all were continually moving, as it took fully two hours to go round the sights. A very pretty view was obtainable from the Octagon, where the Town Hall, Burns statue and gardens were lighted up, and the illuminations in George Street could be seen for about a mile to the north, and some of the devices in Princes Street were visible, but the great display was that visible in Customhouse Square and the Triangle. Nearly every business place in Bond and Cargill Streets, as well as the main streets, was illuminated. The Harbour Board made a fine display. At seven the bonfires on the hills surrounding the city were set alight, and there was a display of fireworks, including bombs and rockets, by the Union Company. The effect was very fine, and but few, if any, of those . who came to Dunedin will have anything but praise for it.