AT THE SHOW GROUNDS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5904, 23 June 1897, Page 4

AT THE SHOW GROUNDS.

Just before one o'clock the leading section -of the procession reached the Show Grounds, and the volunteers were at once marched towards the railway eide of the grounds and immediately abreast of • the grand stand. The battalion was. then drawn up in line, while the marshals were engaged in breaking the procession up into sections and placing them between the rails immediately in front of the grand stand aad that portion of the ground occupied by the volunteers. The stand was occupied by 1384 school children, under the supervision of Mr J. G-. L. Scobt, headmaster of the East Christchurch School. It was 1.30 p.m. before the rear of the procession had passed before the grandstand and the trade and other vehicles had assembled. Then it was that the first shot of the royal salute of sixty guns was fired by the E Battery's nine-pounder Armstrong, the discharge from which was followed in quick succession from the two other guns. Between each twenty rounds from the ! artillery the infantry fired a volley ©£ the j feu de joie. The lines were opened six paces, and the Navals at the extreme right began the fire, which was taken up first by the front rank and then passed along the rear rank from left to right. All the volleys were fired with remarkable precision, but undoubtedly the second attempt was much the best, the crack of the rifles, as the firing extended along the line, producing a perfect " rattle." At the conclusion of each volley the Garrison Band, which was stationed immediately at the rear of the line, played a few bars of the National Anthem. The 'saluting over, the large concourse of children on the grand stand sang the National Anthem in a spirited fashion, and at its conclusion three ringing cheers were . given for the Queen. The volunteers, who had remained in line, then presented arms as a royal salute, which was followed by three cheers for her Majesty, called for by LieutenantColonel Gordon. The battalion then formed in quarter-column and marched to the western side of the ground, and were dismissed.