DUNEDIN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7418, 2 June 1902, Page 3

DUNEDIN.

JThOM OUE CoBKESrONDENT.] DUNEDIN, June 2. Those who predicted that it would be impossible to renew interest in the war, and that when .peace news came it would bo received quietly, must have been surprised at the enthusiasm shown in Dunedin between 10 a.m. and noon to-day. Business was suspended at a moment's notice, bunting was freely displayed and the streets were filled with people in a surprisingly short time. Dozens of men and boys diet a profitable business selling peace medals at 2d and flags at 4d. An immense i crowd assembled in the Octagon, where I massed bands played loyal and patriotic airs and speeches were delivered. The honours in the oratorical line certainly wero with Mr Justice Williams and the Rev P. W. Fairclough. The crowd yelled for Mr Barclay and '^Barclay the Boer," tmtaltihough the junior member for the' City was standing on the Town HaU steps he evidently considered discretion'th* tetter part of valour. The weather, was fine but dull. The Mayor announced that a "tgo-as-you-please" procession would be Iheld at two o'clock. This promises to be spoiled by the weather, which is now threatening, and I am inclined to think Mr Park made a mistake in postponing the function till the afternoon. As soon as the telegraph operators got word that peace had been declared tney trooped down the steps of the Colonial Bank Buildings, where tihey are teinporarilv quartered, and assembling on tihe footpath samg "The Old Hundredth" and the 'National Anthem. By the time they had finished Princess Street was fairly alive with a crowd of people waving hats and cheering to the echo.

[Peb Press Association.] AUCKLAND. AUCKLAND, June 2. Low! Kitchener cabled from Pretoria, daited May 31, to the Governor :— " Peace was signed last night." On receipt of the news all the bells w«re rung, steam whistles blew, flags were hoisted an the city and on tfte vessels in the port amid general rejoicings. On the receipt of the news a salute of twenty guns was fired from the forts. The public schools were closed after the pupils had saluted the flag and sung the National Anthem. The Stock Exchange closed at noon, and celebrated tho event with a champagne lunch. GISH3ORNE, June 2. Gisboroe received the good news with delight. The fire-bell 'has' boon ringing ever since and 'bands are pawling the town, and there is geneva! ju'bUution. Business has been suspended iill Wednesday.

NEW PLYMOUTH, June 2. The news of peace was received with great rejoicing here. -*.■-,-•-. STRATFORD, June 2. .- The news that peace ihad been declared was received with wild enthusiasm. Flags ar<e flying, bells ringing and business places have 'been closed. The Municipal Council and the citizens are arranging for evening celebrations. NAPIER, June. 2. The news of the declaration of peace was received with a wild outburst of jubilation. Work was immediately suspended for the time being and' the citizens gave themselves up to whole-hearted rejoicing. PALMERSTON NORTH, June 2. Intimation that peace had /been- proclaimed was received with unwonted enthusiasm by the public, who rapidly "collected in large numbers directly alter the newts was received. The church and firebells rang for the greater part of the morning, and patriotic and! thankful speeches were delivered by Mr Pirani, M.H.R., Mr W. T. Wood, the Mayor, and the clergy. The children attending all the town schools were dismissed and business was practically suspended for the day. Altogether there were most unmistakaible signs of sincere rejoicing. WELLINGTON, June 2. The proclamation of peace was first go.dicated here by the ringing of ' the Post Office bells and 'immediately after by the fir-' ing of guns. Tremendous excitement arose, and two or three thousand pereoms quickly gathered at the Post Office. Th© Mayor of Wellington communicated the good news and asked the citizens to observe a fcotladiay. After the National Anthem had been sung Sir Joseph Ward arrived, and, in the course of a speech of congratulation upon the bappy consummation of peace, read a further cable message from the Secretary of State for the Colonies announcing that the representatives of the Boer forces still left in the field had accepted' the terms put forward by his Majesty's Government. He also asked the people to observe a holiday in celebration of the event. Cheers were given for the King, the Governor, Mr Seddon, Mr Chamberlain, Lord Roberts and Sir Joseph Ward, and patriotic, songs were sung. Afterwards the horses* 1 were taken . out of Sir Joseph. Ward's carriage, which was dragged for two or three miles through the streets. Most of the business. places j in the city are closed and bunting is freely displayed. NELSON, June 2. There were great rejoicings throughout the district on the news of peace being received. Bells were rung and speeches made. It is intended to specially commemorate the event to-morrow with a divino service in, the open. air. HOKITIKA, June 2. The news of peace was received with ceneral jubilation. A holiday and a public service of thanksgiving was held at 3 (p.m. A patriotic concert will 'be given at eight o'clock this evening. The town will 'be illuminated. TIMARU,/June 2. The announcement of peace arrived juston ten o'clock, and on a preconcerted signal from, the post office bell tower all the bells and whistles in the town took up the note. The streets were thronged in a short time and in half an hour the Post Office Square was massed with people, the Volunteers and bands being lined in front. The Mayor (Mr Craigie) supported by jthe clergy and- other prominent persons, iad^. dressed the assemblage from an open window in the Post Office. The Mayor rea-3 the telegram, which was received with the most hearty cheering ever heard here. The "Old Hundredth" Avas then sung by an immense crowd, and the Mayor called: on Archdeacon Harper to speak. After Arch.deacon Harper had given a partiotic speech the National Anthem was sung and a feu de joie fired. A long procession was then formed and :the town gave itself up to rejoicing. The weather is fine, and this fact added muoh to the wonderful success of the rejoicings. r OAMARTJ, June 2. There was a great demonstration here on the news being received that peace had been declared. All "business was promptly stopped. A combined thanksgiving service^ was held in Takaro Park, and then ai ipro± cession, headed by the Garrison and Pipe Bands, marched . through the town. The procession included all the school children, bearing banners. Tremendous enthusiasm was shown. DUNEiDTN, June 2. All the schools have been dismissed till Wednesday. After the singing of the 'National Anthem a mass meeting, attended by several thousands, was held. Speeches were delivered 'by 'Mr Justice Williams, the Mayor, the Rev P. W. Fairelough, MiMillar, iM.H.R., Mr James Allen, M.H.R . and others. 'Most of the speeches h^d reference to New Zealand's share in the war.. Bishop Neville offered up «. prayer oif thanksgiving. There was a Volunteer procession and general parade this "afternoon. " / INVERCARGILL, June 2. | Peace celebrations are in full blast, ar.d j work has been, suspended and the schools have been dismissed. The streets are thronged with a demonstrative assemblage.