OPENING CEREMONY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11508, 2 October 1915, Page 9

OPENING CEREMONY.

The morning crowd in the Square had watched with some interest the finishing touches being put on the big platforms, one at the rear of the Godley Statue and the other on the roof of the tram shelter. At noon the skirl of bagpipes from the south betokened the fact that there '' was something doing," and presently the Burnham Brass Band and its pipers came into view, and finally climbed on to the platform over the shelter, where they discoursed sweetly for a time (after the Cathedral bells had ceased their midday jangle). And then on the other platform a myriad of small boys fell into line, while a small soloist sang the verse of " Sons) of New Zealand." ""At the psychological moment the conductor's baton fell, and the chorus crashed out across the Square from a hundred youthful pipes. This juvenile effort, which was under the control of Mr Stanley East, the writer of the song, was followed by. " Here We Are Again." The crowd was now becoming thick, and under this" magic stimulus the boys hardly needed the conductor's hoarse precept of " Louder " to make the welkin ring, Tho stage was quickly cleared of the" small fry, and the Mayor (Mr H. Holland) came forward to open the proceedings and wish them success. But first he read a telegram from the Hon G. W. Russell to the effect that sheer impossibility alone prevented him from attending to open the function. Mr Holland praised the athletes for their noble efforts in the cause of the wounded soldiers, and in wishing the collectors every success took occasion to remark that the local fund was very low, representing only 4s per head of population as .against South Canterbury's 17s Od. A thousand pounds had been spent out of the fund before one soldier returned, and now there were 1000 men on their way back, of whom 400 would bo billeted in Canterbury. BOXING HUMOURS. A huge crowd awaited the next event) expectantly. Suddenly two little midgets who were almost overbalanced by the colossal boxing gloves they wore came briskly forward, shook liands in. the .approved boxing style, and started to slug each other round the stage with left leads and hooks and swings, and occasionally wrestling bouts. Women wept with laughter and strong men's sides quaked while the bout was in progress. Two more gladiators took the place of the first as soon as their pipes gave out, and relays were at hand to keep np a continuous demonstration in the no hie art.

The c.row<l had a disphu r of very clever adult boxing when A. Willoughby and K. StrafFon took their corners for three rounds, in which some very willing exchanges took place, with a pectacular finish of continuous blows. Then A. "Willoughby and A. Downing boxed again for exhibition. At this stage Kaiser Bill was carried on the platform, and the crowd wereinvited To have, four punches for sixpence, with a sovereign for the punch that con hi lay the miscreant out. Kai;?or Bill was Mr A. Willoujjhby's boxing dummy, disguised for the occasion, and the way in which it came» up smiling after the most tremendous blows, caused no end of merriment, although in this respect the pneumatic dummy showed no resemblance to hisi Imperial namesake. "With boxing, fencing, wrestling and musical items, the day wore on, while the collectors moved busily in the crowd. The Lytt-eiton Marine Band lent their aid, .and nn auction, timed for 4.20. drew may bidders. As one programme was finished another was commenced. Tnere was more boxing hater in the dun-noon, when Peter Cook, lightweight champion, a-nd Hall boxed a very good bout, and there were many rolays of boxers, although this branch of sport was slightly overdone. Thel lads and kisses who danced in kilta were popular, and an interesting item was the fencing bout between Captain Smith and l>i"nte-iant Barns.

Mr R-. tS. M'Kcnzie offered a silk flag by auction on behalf of the Automobiio Assertion, but as ownership did not with the flag the bid-s were very slow, and aftor getting- two bids of a pound each the crowd relapsed into half-crowns. Some legs of lmuton, tea. and other articles wore offered, but thei crowd was not at all generous, and s-omo of tho articles were passed in. From time'to time the crowd was in- \ ited to send a shower of coins on tho ■■'. ;<p;o. and by this means much money \s.;>.- raised. T. : ;i-ro. was an interrai between (3 p.m. ~-.'k! 7 p.m., and the entertainment ■iits u■•uni! el for th.e eveniue. • 'J'liis evening there will be a tttg-(i-uar. ;.';i'-iions, bayonet drill-; and .-o on. '.v;(h ! -n rie lantern .slides. Th.- ■•.hi-'.. 'i-plny was under ihe aide (lirr-ci>'•■■ ( i e'r F. A. Hmmibrook, who was ;.--- ■■■) ] " Mr 11. Swenev ami several <>!!■•■ a-, . The b\ mm me >- easy task of ao- !■■ m;i j»:i :i y'lisx Me- v ;ll; ''" i ' l ' , ' s wa.s very !ira\e!v undoi .d-;.ai c< Mrs Stanley Kast. '