NEW PLYMOUTH.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XIX, Issue II, 3 July 1897, Page 55

NEW PLYMOUTH.

Dear Bee, June 24. We had a very busy day here on Tuesday, beginning with the procession of school children, friendly societies, old identities, Waireka veterans, volunteers, cadets, etc. The procession marched through the town at twelve o’clock to the Recreation Grounds, where the National Anthem was sung and a Jeu dejoie fired. Then the new drinking fountain was unveiled by Mr H. Brown, M.H.R. Among the amusements at the Recreation Grounds were some cycling evolutions, gymnasium performances, volunteer evolutions, and a football match. Large numbers also went out to the Breakwater, where the s.s. ‘ Mahinapua' and ‘Gairloch ’ took the children for a free sea trip. The illuminations in the evening were well worth seeing, the town being well lit up from six o’clock until nine, when the military ball in the Drill Shed began. Edna. Dear Bee, June 25. Our pretty little town of NEW PLYMOUTH WAS EN FETE on Tuesday. It was the occasion of the sixtieth anniversary of the Queen’s accession to the throne, and the people decided to celebrate the event, unique in English history, in fitting style, and their efforts were crowned with the utmost success. The celebrations were carried out with spirit and excellent effect, and there was nothing to mar in any way the pleasure of the day. It is true that the ominous-looking clouds, which were banked in all directions in the early morn, caused some doubts as to the prospects of a fine day, but as the hours advanced the clouds dispersed, and the fears entertained on that score were allayed. A better day, in fact, could not have been wished for. Long before the hour appointed for the commencement of the festivities, people began to assemble in the streets. Crowds came from all parts of the district, and the train from Hawera and along the line was literally packed. Indeed when the train reached Inglewood thegreatest difficulty wasexperienced in coping with the demands for accommodation. Extra carriages and trucks were requisitioned, and the visitors were packed like the proverbial sardines. However, they were on pleasure bent, and the small inconveniences experienced were not taken into account. Punctual to the hour, 11.30 o’clock, preparations were made to start the event of the day. The school children, who had previously been presented with nicely-designed rosettes in commemoration of the occasion, assembled at St. Mary’s Church, and then marched to Egmont-street, the starting point. At a few minutes after 12 o’clock the cannon on Marsland Hill was fired by Mr R. Cock, and, taking the signal from that, the procession moved off to the Recreation Grounds, where the unveiling of the drinking fountain was performed with a considerable amount of ceremony. This has been erected by public subscriptions from all parts of the district. It stands on a concrete platform. The pediment, which starts with a 3ft. Bin. basis, diminishes to a height of i6in., and finishes in two moulded liths ; from thence commences the marble work. When completed, the drinking fountain will flow from three sides, through carved marble lions’ heads, into scalloped shells, to convey the waste water. From the top of the column it extends 6in. in marble, beautifully worked, and from thence to the top (10ft 6in.) it dimin: ishes. There will be four marble slab panels, the back panel being made movable for effecting repairs. The dedication slab is of marble, having thereon the following inscription * Erected to commemorate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, 1897.’ It is intended ultimately to provide the fountain with lights, having three coloured glass globes—red, white, and blue—representing the National colours. An adjournment was next made to the sports ground, where an interesting and varied programme was gone through. During the evening, the town presented a very animated appearance. AH the business places were illuminated, Chinese lanterns were suspeudee from different positions, and bonfires were lighted on the various hilltops surrounding the town, thus completing a scene which has never before been witnessed in New Plymouth. The Government buildings were the main attraction. There the illuminations were carried out on an extensive scale, the arrangements

reflecting very creditably on the authors All the windows were covered with coloured paper on which were suitable designs, and at the main door, a large transparency with the Royal Arms very attractively worked on it, while the letters ‘V.R.’ were outlined with gas jets. The tout ensemble was decidedly striking. The Town Hall also presented a very pretty sight. The outside of the building was decorated with nikau ferns, and was brilliantly lighted, ar.d just alongside Mr E. M. Smith had fitted up a novelty in the shape of a fernery. It was very prettily designed, and Mr Smith is to be highly complimented on the effect produced. Another attractive sight wasthe Bank of New South Wales, which was ablaze with light, and the Criterion Hotel decorations likewise attracted much attention. Two very attractive arches had been arranged—one at the corner of Egmont and Devon streets, and the other in the centre of the latter. These were decorated with flowers and suitable designs, such as •God Save the Queen,’ and ‘ Long Live the Queen,’ and in the evening they were illuminated by gas. At midnight the church bells and firebells rang out, and a crowd congregated in the street and sang the National Anthem, and thus concluded one of the most eventful days in the annals of Taranaki. military ball. The same evening a military ball was held in the Drill Hall, and was very largely attended, and the function may be considered an unqualified success. The building was very prettily decorated with flags, nikau ferns, and large pictures of the Queen, and when dancing was in full swing, the scene was decidedly attractive. In the centre was a raised plattorm closed in with flags, in which sat Mr Garry’s orchestra to render the music, which was beautiful. The supper-room was also tastefully decorated with ferns, and down the centre of the table ran red and blue silk in and out of the dainty dishes. Among the great number of people I noticed Mrs Paul, in black silk ; Miss G. Holdsworth, pale pink silk ; Miss Bedford, pale blue and cream lace ; Miss C. Bayly, yellow silk; Mrs Hall, black ; Miss S. Cunningham, pale green trimmed with black velvet and lace ; Miss Holdsworth, fawn and black; Mrs Ellis, black; Miss B. Bayly, white ; Miss Webster, lavender; Mrs Goldwater, black ; Miss Kirkby, green ; Miss Richardson, cream silk ; Miss B. Kirkby, lavender trimmed with violet; Mrs Howarth, a handsome green satin trimmed with pink and cream lace ; Miss O. Tuke, blue ; Miss Armstrong, lavender velvet and chiffon ; Miss Brown, white silk ; Mrs Roy, white brocade ; Miss Young, white and green ; Misses Hursthouse, white ; Mrs Rollo, white satin ; Miss Rawson, cream ; Miss Tuke, white; Miss Carthew, green; Mrs Tuke, black satin; Miss Teed, white and amber; Miss Rockfort, green and pink ; Miss B. Tuke, white muslin ; Miss V. Canning, green and pink satin; Mrs Allen, black and lavender; Miss Christie, white silk, with lilies of the valley ; Miss Missenger, black and white velvet ; Miss Johnson, black ; Miss Hammerton, white ; Miss Dalziel, white and crimson; Miss E. Ren cell, pink ; Miss B. Rennell, cream; Miss Stewart, white ; Miss Perry, white and scarlet; Miss Bntler, a very pretty dress of grey lustre and white silk; Mrs Penn, cream and green; Miss Knight, pink and black ; Miss Canning, mauve and white satin , Miss Humphries, white ; Mrs Taunton, yellow and green ; Mrs Clarke, black; Miss Reed, white and heliotrope; Mrs Dougherty, black ; and Messrs Clarke, Spencer, Weston. Bramlev, Watkins, Strouts, Noble, Dr. Walker, Standish (2), Allen, Holdsworth <2), Webster, Howarth, Rollo, Roy, McDarmaid, Rowe, Hull, Barnard, Glynnes, Gray, Wood, Hammerton, Hursthouse, Penn, Cornwell, Humphries, Brown, Fookes, Thomson, Clarke, Hoby, Stocker, Malfroid, Goldwater (2), Young, Hughes. On the following night (June, 23rd), there was a CHILDREN’S BALL, which was also held in the Drill Hall in connection with the Military Ball of the previous night. The young people had a most enjoyable time, dancing to music supplied by Mr J. H. Revell, Misses Stevens (Feilding), Kirkby, Fookes, and Hammond, assisting.

Nancy Lee.

Note—The Picton and Blenheim Letters are unavoidably held over.