I MARTON EN FETE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 72, Issue 232, 30 September 1929, Page 6

I MARTON EN FETE

JIJBILEE CELEBRATIONS END A COMMEMORATIVE OAK TREE To the skirl of the pilroeh and the martial music of the champion biass baud of the Dominion, a huge gathering marched tp Marton Park on Satur day afternoon to witness part of the final celebrations of the Borough’s attainment of its jubilee. Shortly after mid-day people from the wide district served by Marton gathered in the town and, when the pipe and brass bands marched through, the spectators must have numbered about 5000. At two o’clock the Wanganui Pipe Band led the procession through the town, followed by the Queen Alexandra’s Own Brass Band and the Palmerston North Highland Pipe Band. The music was a treat to Marton people, who seldom hear the best talent in tne Dominion. In the Park, however, they were even better fared. Martoniaus there had the uisiquc distinction of hearing both pipe bands, one of them (Wanganui) being the champion of it» kind in the Dominion, play in unison with the champion brass band of New Zealand. Two Scottish airs were heard and later Pipe-Major Thomson, played a pipe solo, accompanied by the brass band. It was truly a musical treat.

Afterwards a party of girls from the Maori Girls’ College entertained the assemblage with songs and poi dances, and their efforts evoked much admiration. Throughout the afternoon interest was sustained and Marton had much to bo thankful for in haying such a galaxy of musical talent.at its disposal. During a siutable interlude the chief function—the planting of a commemoration oak tree —was carried out, the Mayoress (Mrs Fred. Purnell) performing the ceremony. Cr. Alex. McKenzie, who is also sujervisor of the park, briefly intro duccd the purpose of the gathering, quoting the Maori legend of Tanema huta, the father of the trees, flowers and sbri?t». He then called upon Mrs Pur’ eli to perform the planting ceremony, which she did amid enthusiastic applause. Mrs Purnell was then presented with a silver replica of the spado she had used. It was inscribed: “Marton Jubilee 1879-1929

“Presented by Marton Borough Council to the Mayoress (Mrs Fred. Purnell- to commemorate the planting of an oak tree in Marton Park, September 28, 1929.” The Mayor replied on behalf of Mrs Purnell, especially mentioning the excellent services rendered the townspeople by Cr. McKenzie as park supervisor. Cr McKenzie then presented to Mr W. G. Witney, park superintendent, who assisted in the planting ceremony, a souvenir history of the borough. There were mere Maori songs and dances and band music after which the gathering dispensed. Revelry By Night The afternoon’s programme was but a prelude to a grand entertainment in the evening. The town was thronged at nine o’clock when the procession commenced. In the meantime all the bands had played throughout the town. There was much material for an able pen m the spectacle presented at nine o’clock. Picrots on “jazz” cycles, Maoris entertaining the audience with the hakas of their forefathers, “nigger” minstrels singing anything from “Swance River” to the “Broadway Melody,” the while old residents with gleaming eyes and admiration for the whole scone looked on, made the heart beat a little faster. It can be said that if Marton was slow' to awaken to the momentous occasion, it was not lag ging in the final stages of it. To the park, where revelry previously unheard reigned until nearly midnight. Committeemen for the respective Queen candidates jostled amid the crowd to collect from their field men and women every penny, and shortly before the closing of the poll at 10 p.m. it was announced that both Queens were equal in the poll. Excitement reigned until the final count, at 10.5 p.m. when it was announced that the state of the election was:— Sports Queen, Miss D. Parkes . 109,305 Town Queen, Miss E. Barrett . 84,707 Total votes polled .. .. 194,012 These numbers represented the sum of £BOB 7s Bd, so that the sum aimed at (£700) was considerably exceeded. The crowning of the Queen (Miss D. Parkes) then took place, with, much pomp and ceremony. On a dajjj erected on the sward, before the pavilion, a trumpeter gave the signal and there followed a very pretty scene. The Queen, accompanied by her maid of honour (Miss E. Barrett, the Town candidate) was followed to the dais by a body of Court officials, as follows: Lord Mayor (the Mayor of Marton,.Mr Fred. Purnell,, Master of Ceremouits, Mr K. A. Williams; president, Mr A. J. B. Siccly; train-bearers, ushers, etc. The coronation was duly performed by the Mayor, with the wildest enthusiasm prevailing, and her Majesty, in commemoration of the event, decreed that the citizens should have the freedom of the Domain until midnight, during which intervening time a display of fireworks would be hold. The following local celebrities were knighted by the Queen: Messrs H. Batchclar, G. B. Gregory, J. D. Gorrie D. Ingle, A. Todd aud J. A. Bush. The procession then left the “throne room” and “Mr Marton and his wife and family,” with numerous cousins from the country witnessed a very spectacular pyrotechnic display. On all sides it was agreed that the culminating evening of the jubilee had been very fittingly celebrated. Hail The (J ieen The committee of the Queen met later in a convivial gathering at which the toast of her Majesty was frequently honoured. Mr A. S. Coleman was in the chair. A noteworthy feature of the remarks of various speakers was' the thanks given to the farmers of the district for their very loyal support. It can safely be said tfkat the contributions of the agricultural and pastoral communities played a material part in swinging the balance in favour of Miss Parkes. Cheers were given for the Queen’s parents (Mr and Mrs B. Parkes), the secretaries Messrs Thomas and Sneddon, chairman, Mr Arthur Way the ladies, who were eulogised on every hand. It was a very pleasant conclusion to a very pleasant contest.

Mr Coleman, in the course of his remarks, stated that he was sorry he had not been given the opportunity while

in the park that evening to thank people of Marton and district for th generous and loyal support to tl Queen. He was unstinting in his pre of the small band of ladies compns the ladies’ committee, who had wo cd very hard throughout the cont aud he said, to them the success of Queen was materially due. Althn at times they had received rebuff various forms, they had held admirably ;vud he could judge countenances that evening reward was just what was desirewH In conclusion, thanks were givaiW Mayor and councillors for their ance generally in the lusty cheers were given on the chairman, for Miss Town candidate, whom Mr described as a very worthy to Miss Parkes. The Competitions On account of the late hour at wh proceedings terminated, it was deci( to withhold the announcement the results of the various competiti until this eveninga t the Town Hal Queen Alexandra’s Own Band The public of Marton were fortun on Sunday in having the Queen Al andra’s Own Band in their midst they gave one of the most brilliant i musical programmes that has e been rendered in Marton Park to audience that thoroughly apprccia the distinction. As a tribute to the 1 Mr A. H. Bill, the band, in open! the afternoon’s programme player' J well-known lament “The GarlaflV Flowers’’ in a most impressive ner. In the evening the Town Hall packed when the members of the b: gave a programme of instrumental band selections which appealed to most fastidious of musical critics which concluded the Marton jub elebrations. An Unfortunate Omission Sir, —As an onlooker at the Mai Park on Saturday evening last, I surprised that there was no tha given on that occasion to the ge> public for the splended support give the Queens. -I did think that it w< have been appropriate that someone each committee should have than the public for the support given their respective Queens. Also, I think that the final figures sh< have been displayed for tho benefi the public. I am ONLOOKE