THE ROYAL MEMORIAL DEMONSTRATION IN AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXVI, Issue VI, 9 February 1901, Page 269

THE ROYAL MEMORIAL DEMONSTRATION IN AUCKLAND.

Never in the history of Auckland has there been such a touching and impressive demonstration of sorrow participated in by everyone in the community as that of Saturday last, when all business was by common

consent suspended and everyone gathered to pay the last mournful marks of love and respect to the memory of the dead Queen. The occasion was unparalleled in our annals, but “Decoration Day” of 1901 is not likely to be the solitary event of the kind. There appears to be a strong popular opinion in favour of making it an annual event, to mark in solemn and reverent manner the people’s loyal affection for the memory of “Victoria the Good.’’ So it will most likely come to pass that the late Queen’s Birthday in each year may become a holiday of another kind —a memorable date in the time to come, when the people will lay wreaths of flowers at the foot of the bronze presentment of her who will go down to fame as the Good Queen. There was no counterfeit sorrow

about the proceedings of Saturday in Auckland. Though few of those present had ever seen her late Majesty, and the mortal remains of she who was once the greatest of the earth’s great ones were lying at the other end of the world, yet the feelings of the people were as deep and as mournful as though the funeral were actually taking place in their midst. The mournful notes of the “Dead March,” and the slow and measured tolling of the muffled bells, the only sounds that broke the silence, served to intensify the general sadness, which found outward expression in the sombre garb of the people, and the half-masted flags and long doleful streamers of black.

The mourning procession through the city and the solemn wreathing of the Queen’s statue in the Albert Park formed a ceremonial most touching and memorable. All Auckland seemed to be gathered in the Park by one o’clock on Saturday, when the volunteer and citizens’ procession reached the statue—a spot now truly consecrated, if the grief and reverent offerings of a people can invest a place with sanctity. The streets were thronged with many thousands of citizens, who all wore some sign of mourning, as the long procession took its way slowly up the main thoroughfare, and thousands, too, congregated in the Park, in the vicinity of the Queen's statue, long before the procession arrived there.

THE PROCESSION.

The procession itself was a representative one in the full sense of the term. Every religion, nationality, and class in the city was represented there. People who under other circumstances would not dream of marching in public procession through the streets were there. Women and children marched in its ranks. Merchant and labourer, Jew and Gentile, Englishman and Maori, walked side by side, and war-worn white-haired veterans with faltering step guarded their nation’s colours as proudly as did the young soldiers just baek from their first (and, let us hope, last) campaign. Each and all had met to do the last earthly honours to their great departed Queen. Sharp on the stroke of half-past twelve the volunteer parade and procession of citizens stepped off from the foot of Queen-street en route for the Albert Park and Queen Victoria’s statue. Both sides of Queen-street were packed with spectators, who iW befitting silence watched the long ar-

ray of volunteers and civilians pass slowly up the street. Windows everywhere along the line of route were filled with lookers-ou, and even shop verandahs bore groups of deeply interested spectators. The volunteer force, composing the Auckland Garrisoh, headed the cortege, under the command of Lieut.-Col. White, officer commanding the district. The Auckland Naval Artillery Volunteers, the senior corps, held the place of honour. and after them marched the other naval and artillery corps, the “A” Battery, and the Engineer Company, Then swung along in fours the khar-kee-clad companies of the No. 1 Auckland Kifle Battalion, followed by the men of the Mounted Rifles (on foot), and the Garrison Band under Bandmaster Hunter, playing the “Dead March” in "Saul.” As the band passed by, the solemn music brought to the hearts of the onlookers yet more convincingly the full import of the sorrowful demonstration, and all men bared their heads in tribute to the memory of the dead.

The kharkee men and the band gone by, the next to come into view were the members of the city and suburban tire brigades, all wearing mourning emblems on their uniform. Then walked slowly along the civig authorities, officials in the Government service, magistrates and justices, the foreign consuls, friendly societies, Clergymen, and a great body of the general public, with the naval and military veterans and the returned Transvaal troopers. A great many carried wreaths to be laid at the foot of the statue. THE VETERANS. The old soldiers’ parade formed perhaps the most interesting feature of the whole demonstration. Here were gathered the veterans of Her Majesty’s service by land arid sea, men who had some of them served the Queen for the best part of their lives, and who had bled on grim fields of battle. There were men there who had fought for “the widow of Windsor” in the Crimea, in the Indian Mutiny, in China, in Africa, and in this colony of New Zealand; who had heard the loud reveille sound in all quarters of the globe, wherever fighting was to be done in the cause of the Empire. There were others, again, whose military service had been confined to the troublous days of the Waikato war, w hen every Aucklander had to shoulder a gun for a time, and do sentry-go and learn how to port arms. Most of the veterans were in civilian attire, but the medals and campaign ribbons on most breasts told an eloquent tale of battles fought and perils in many lands. The sombre attire of the “old hands” was relieved by two or three scarlet tunics, brilliant relies of the longpassed war times. One of the red uniforms was worn by Colonel Dawson, who was in command of the veterans’ parade, as senior officer present, and another by a venerable white-haired soldier of the Queen, Colour-Sergeant Hilditch, who served in India away back in the “forties,” in the early years of the late Queen’s reign. Perhaps one of the proudest veterans on parade was Mr George Hill (N.Z.C..), popularly known as “Rowley” Hill, the man of many medals. HUI wore no less than nine medals, including the New Zealand Cross, which he won for - bravery at Mohaka, Hawke’s Bay, in the war against Te Kooti in 1869. Two medals (worn on the right breast) were from the Humane Society for saving life from drowning. His war medals denote active service in the Crimea and Baltic, the Indian Mutiny, and in the New Zealand Hauhau wars, and in addition he gained the Garibaldi rosette for a brief but eventful campaign under that famous general in Italy, in which “Rowley” sustained a wound in the hand. A- wiry, strong little veteran is ex-Sergeant Hill, and no one to look at him would imagine that his fighting service under the Queen’s flag commenced nearly haff a century back. One of his most memorable experiences was bis campaign with the Naval Brigade in the Indian Mutiny, when he took part in the relief of Tucknow. But “Rowley’s” full tale of adventures by flood and field would fill a volume. ORDER OE THE PROCESSTON. The following was the order in which the procession marched to the

Albert Park by way of Queen-street and Wellesley -street East:—Garrison troops, to the number of about 800. preceded by Lieutenant - Colonel White, 0.C.D., attended by his staff, consisting of Majors Pirie, Morrow, Schofield, Captain Coyle (No. 2 Service Corps), Captain Reid, D.A., together with Commandant Leßoy. Active Lieutejiant-Commander Little, Reserve; Surgeon-Major Walker, Surgeon-Captains Watson and King, Battalion Sergeant-Major Mclntosh, Battalion Quartermaster Dormer, Hon. Lieutenants Dacre and Smith, Brigade Sergeants-Major Carpenter and Cheator. •

Auckland Navals. under Lieuten-ants-Commander Clemens and Lieutenants Salmon, Baxendall, and Eudean; I’onsonby Navals, under Lieu-tenant-Commander Patterson ami Lieutenants J. and G. Spinley; Devonport Submarine Miners, under ('apt. H. Parker and I.ieuts. Davis nnd Robinson; “A” Battery of Artillery, under Captain O’Brien, Liuetenants Lipscombe and Bosworth: Devonport Coastguards, under Lieutenants Gardner and Lees; Auckland Engineers, under Captain Walker and Lieutenants Tapper and Cummings; Auckland Mounted Rifles, under Captain Holgate and Lieutenant Wynyard; Seddon Horse, under Lieutenants F. H. Brittain and Warn; Victoria Rifles, under Captain Skinner, Lieutenants Cox and Derrom; College Rifles, under Captain McHardy; No. 1 Natives, under Captain Hutton and Lieutenant Gaudin; No. 2 Natives, under Captain Bartlett and Lieutenants Ratjen and Warnock; No. 3 Natives, under Captain Reed and Lieutenants Bosca wen and Bloomfield;. Auckland Rifles, under Captain Caughey and Lieutenant, Gower; Gordon Rifles, under Captain Knight and Lieutenant Kay; Newton Rifles, under Surgeon-Captain Lindsay; Cycle Corps, under Sub-lieutenant Biss; Bearer Corps, under SurgeonCaptain Knight; Garrison Band, under Bandmaster Hunter. Auckland and suburban fire brigades. as follows:—Auckland, under Superintendent Gladding; Parnell, Captain Cowan; Grey Lynn, Superintendent Fenton; Mount Eden, Captain Keyes; Newmarket, Captain Prince;' North Shore, Captain Stroud; ami Eden Terrace, Captain Butler. Immediately behind the Brigades marched Mr. W. J. Speight (secretary, of the committee), as chief steward, bearing a leading wand, supported on the left and right by Mr. Brabant, carrying the floral tribute from the New Zealand Natives’ Association, and Mr. O’Brien (president of the Association). Then came Mrs. J. H. Witheford and Mrs. W. J. Napier, two of the ladies chosen to represent the women of Auckland, bearing wreaths. AUCKLAND CITY COUNCIL. . Next came the Mayor (Mr. D. Goldie), Councillors A. Kidd, J. Jamieson, F. Baume, John Patterson, C. Grey, IV. Patterson, A. C. Atkin, J. Stichbury, C. J. Parr, J. Court, R. Salmon, A. J. Entrican, Graves Aickin, J. W. Hewson, T. T. Masefield, R. Tudehope, Robert Farrell, the Town Clerk (Mr. Wilson) and office staff, Mr. Wrigg (City Engineer), Mr. J. Carlaw (water-works engineer), Mr. Brigham (City Treasurer), and staff of collector’s office, and Mr. Shillington, librarian. MEMBERS OF LEGISLATURE. 1 The following members of the Legislature came next: Hon. W. Swanson, Hon. J. Shrimski, Hon. W. Kelly, Messrs. W. J. Napier. G. Fowlds, John Bollard, Jackson Palmer, W. F. Massey. Mr. Witheford, M.H.R.. marched as chairman of the Harbour Board. SUPREME COURT. His Honor Mr. Justice Conolly, Mr. H. C. Brewer, sheriff; Mr. R. Goring Thomas, chief clerk; Mr. W. Martin;] Mr. John Lawson, Official Assignee;] Hon. J. A. Tole, Crown Prosecutor. , FOREIGN CONSULS. ' ' Mr. F. Dillingham, United States Consul; Mr. Carl Seegner, German Consul; Mr. G. Dunnett, French Consul; Mr. E. Langguth, Austrian Consul; Mr. H. Rees George, Portuguese Consul; and Mr. R. A. Carr, Italy. Mr. F. E. Baume, Consul for Denmark, Sweden and Norway, was also present, but went with the City Councils lors. | J SUBURBAN BOROUGHS. r Pnrnell Council: The Mayor (Mr. Hugh Campbell), Councillors R. Briggs, J. Fitt, H. C. Tewslev, G. Co-

zeus, J. Thomas, C. E. McCormick, J. Gilmour, J, Pet ford and B. Gilmer, Town Clerk.

Newmarket Council: The Mayor (Mr. John McColl), Councillors Bennett, Seccombe, Laurie, Caston, Smerdon, Lumpkin, Laxon and Smith and Mr. Hogg, Town Clerk. Grey Lynn: The Mayor being out of town, this Council was represented by Councillors S. G. Ambury (exMayor), J. Rosser, W, Donald, F. Smith, A. Parker, W. Priestly and the Town Clerk (Mr. J. Currie). Devonport: The Mayor (Mr. J. C. Macky), and Messrs. E, W. Alison, J. Handley, O. Mays, J. A. Walker, R. H. Duder, J. Dunning, R. Logan, Malcolm Niccol and H. J. Baulf, and the Town Clerk (Mr. J. C. Webster). Onehunga: Dr. W. R. Close-Erson (who bore a beautiful wreath as a tribute from the people of Onehunga).

Birkenhead: Mr. J. H. Witheford (Mayor), Mr. A. White (Town Clerk), Messrs. H. P. Taylor, A. Keyes, J. Hadfield, W. Wallace, P. Donahue. Mount Eden Road Board: R. Udy. Remuera: Messrs. W. J. Parker, H. Johnson, A. C. Whitney, W. McCullough. and W. Dinnison (secretary). One-Tree Hill: Mr. Mears. Representatives were also present from Mount Eden, Eden Terrace, Mount Albert, Mount Roskill, Point Chevalier and other outlying districts. S.M. COURT. Mr. H. W. Brabant, S.M.; Mr. T. Hutchison, S.M.; Mr. Ralfe and Mr. H. Thompson, clerks of the court; Mr. Gresham, Coroner; Justices of the Peace Messrs. Henry GilfiUan, John Gordon, S. von Sturmer, J. Savage, L Alexander, Moss Davis, J. Ziman, John Leydon, J. H. Harrison, Major Lusk, H. M. Shepherd, N. W. Pollard, J. Morran, Thomas Peacock. Other Justices of the Peace were marching in various parts of the procession. HARBOUR BOARD. Mr. J. H. Witheford (chairman), Messrs. Alex. Alison, C. Dacre, M. Niecoll, W. Philson. J. M. Brigham (secretary), Captain Duder (harbourmaster). PUBLIC DEPARTMENTS. Mr. S. B. Biss, chief postmaster, and staff; Mr. H. F. Segar, officer in charge, and staff of telegraph and telephone department; Mr. G. Mueller and staff of Crown I.ands Department; Mr. A. Rose, collector of customs, and staff; l£r. Biss, resident district engineer; and Mr. A. V. McDonald, locomotive engineer, and staff Railway Department; staff of Deeds and Stamp Office: Mr. W. Duncan, valuer; Mr. J. Warren. Public Trust Office. CLERGYMEN. Revs. Dr. Purchas, A. H. Collins. H. R. Dewsbury, Gray-Dixon, G. B. Monro, W. S. Potter, J. T. Pinfold, W. J. Williams, W. Day, Steele, R. Sommerville, E. O. Perry, C. E. Beecroft, Chapman. Watkin. J. Law, Chappell. W. Laycock, H. Williams, A. J. Griffith, G. Hervey. Walker. G. Aldridge, Rabbi Goldstein and Major Bennett, Adjutant Tyler and officers of the Salvation Army. THE VETERANS. Next came the army and navy veterans, Imperial and colonial, who formed a large company, 120 strong, under Colonel Dawson, assisted by Captain Richardson, and headed by Colour-Sergeant Hilditch (late 80th Regiment), and Colour Sergeant Sage. The Royal standard, draped with black, was under the charge of War-rant-Officer Lecky, and was borne by Sergeant R. Shepherd (late Armed Constabulary). A. Ayles (late Royal Navy). Sergeant-Major Allen (late 12th and 31st Regiments). H. Hitchens, and Sergeant Burns (late 55th Regiment). SOCIETIES. Medical Association: Dr. A. C. Purchan, Dr. W. McDowell, Dr. Hood, Dr. T. Hope-lewis, and the secretary, Mr. Inglis. Prohibition League: Mr. R. French, with wreath. Band of Hope Union: Mr. C. G. Hill, ■with wreath. Members of the Friendly Societies' Conference, under Bro. John Ewan (vice-president), and representatives of the following orders: Manchester Unity Oddfellows, Ancient Order of Foresters, Protestant Alliance, Hibernian Australasian Catholic Benefit Society. Independent Order of Rechabitea. National Order of Oddfellows, American Order of Oddfellows, and the United Ancient Order of Druids.

St. John Ambulance Corps: Messrs. J. J. Roach and W. Rattray. Auckland Stock Exchange: Messrs. R. G. Macky and F. Hull. Representatives of the Northern and Auckland Clubs, the Auckland and suburban bowling clubs, the banks, and Ufa, fire and marine insurance offices, and athletic and other bodies. Hospital and Charitable Aid Board: Messrs. A. Bruce (chairman), T. Allen, G. J. Garland, and the secretary (Mr. Garland). Waitemata County Council: Mr. O'Neil (chairman). Chamber of Commerce: Mr. S. Vaile (president), and Mr. A. H. Nathan. Education Board: Mr. Vincent E. Rice (secretary). Chinese Residents: Mr. T. Quoi (bearing a handsome wreath), and Mr. Ah Chee. Ratepayers' Association: Mr. M. McCallum and Mr. F. Kenderdine. RETURNED SOLDIERS. Returned New Zealand soldiers from South Africa, carrying the New Zealand ensign, draped. The detachment consisted of Sergeant-Major Burr (in command). Sergeant Mahood, Corporals McDonald, Gane and Calloway, Troopers Whyte, T. Gaudin. Wright, Mewburn, Dawson. Witheford, Curtain. McAuley. M. Canavan and T. Maunder. Trooper Curtain bore the ensign, and Corporal Calloway carried a wreath. Large bodies of the general public marched in the procession, amongst them being many ladies and children carrying floral emblems. The bands taking part in the procession were the Garrison (Hunter’s), Impey's, Salvation Army and the German Band. THE MARCH TO THE PARK. The procession moved slowly up Queen-street to the solemn strains of the “Dead March” in “Saul,” played by the combined military bands. At the first beat of the muffled drum nearly every hat amongst the onlookers was raised. Later on the Salvation Army Band further down the line played “There is Joy in Heaven with the Angels,” and this was followed by the “Dead March” played by the German Band. Then as the march continued the bands in front played “Final Halt,” the Salvation Army Band the “Dead March” and the German Band a funeral march. Although the streets were densely crowded still everything was so well arranged tha| there was no trouble anywhere on the line of march. Inspector Cullen and Sub-Inspector Mitchell were present with a large posse of police, and courteous requests to the on-lookers to stand back were always smilingly obeyed. There was no crushing or hurrying, everything being admirably arranged so that things went like clock work. The fact that no vehicles were allowed on the line of march greatly facilitated matters generally, and minimised risks of accident. The only horses in the street were those ridden by the mounted constables, who assisted the Marshal (Mr Turner) in regulating matters. The members of the New Zealand Natives’ Association, under the guidance of Mr E. Ford, marched in single file at each side of the procession, and greatly contributed towards the regulating of affairs. Each member bore a white wand tied with purple ribbon, which had a pretty effect, more especially when the Albert Park had been reached and the members stood at the steps rising to the fountain, and crossed their wands over he®d. thereby allowing those in the procession to move towards the statue under an archway of wands. Every window along Queen street was crowded with sightseers, the verandahs were covered, and people were even sitting on the balustrades round the roofs of many buildings. When the head of the procession turned the corner of WeUesleystreet dense crowds were seen waiting ahead. The vacant section in front of the Free Library was packed, and also the slopes of Albert Park, where an immense crowd had collected. It is estimated that from 20,000 to 30.000 people either witnessed or took part in the procession. The volunteers lined the path from the gates of Albert Park to the statue, and right round to the gate in Princes-street at the other end. The procession marched between the lines, watched by thousands of people. At the statue the ranks divided, half going each side, the wreaths and other floral emblems being deposited as the people marched past. Inside the railing were the Mayor and Councillors, who took the

wreaths and arranged them round the base. At the c-tber wide of the statue the ranks united, and the procession continued, until Princes-sireet was reached, where those taking part separated. It took close on half an hour for the procession to march past the statue. Some idea of the number assembled in the Park may be gathered from the fact that two hours afterwards people were still streaming down the avenues leading to Queenstreet, while immense numbers took advantage of vehicles waiting in Princes-Mreel to convey them home. DECORATING THE STATUE. No more impressive scene cou’d well be imagined than the silent and reverent decoration of the Queen’s statue with the floral offerings of the people. Few could look on unmoved at that last act of respect to the illustrious dead. One after another the bearers of wreaths passed on to the railings surrounding the pedestal of the statue, and handed their wreaths to the City Councillors who stood there on guard. As each wreath was received it was carefully attached to the wire netting placed round the base of the statue, and the pedestal was quickly hidden from sight in a beautiful mass of white and purple flowers. The array of wreaths reached from the ground to the feet of the bronze statue, and when there was no more room there some of the wreaths had to be laid on the stone* paving just inside the railing.

The first wreaths laid at the feet of the statue were those borne by Mesdames D. Goldie (Mayoress), W. B. White, J. H. Banks, Napier, Fowlds, and Witheford, as representing the women of Auckland. These ladies walked in front of the procession from the Park gates, up past the ornamental fountain, and halting at the statue, where they deposited their lovely floral offerings to the memory of the great Victoria. They' were followed by the civilian portion of the public, and then by the volunteers, the order of march having been reversed when the procession halted at the Park gates. The six representative ladies who bore the mourning tributes of the women of Auckland were followed by children representing the various schools, and carrying wreaths on behalf of the pupils. Each school was represented by a boy and a girl, and the whole were under the charge of

Mr Dickinson, of the Ponsonby sch<x4, The following children repr<^ euM< the various schools: — Ponsonby school, Connie Brigham and Fr» a J Shephard; Queen’s College (Pons.sr.by) Hilda and Minnie Steele; Mount Edei ■chool, Alice M. Sage and Harold E Jacks; Otars school (Opotiki). r Abbott and E. W. Abbott; Mangey, school, Hazel Dickey and Ralph Tay. lor; Blind Institute (Parnell). Laurant, a blind girl, led by IVilUaa Tighe; Devonport school, Ivy pjtti and James Philson; Parnell school Nancy Whitaker and Nelson Mitchell Napier-street school, Lucy Pooley and Ernest Pooley; Mount Roskill school O. R. Hill and C. J. R. Hill; LadieJ College (Remuera), Liddey Heddey and Una Heddey; Welleslev-street school, Roy Stewart; Nelson streel school, Stella Edmonds and Willi, Stevens; Grafton Road school, 1,, Carlaw and Leslie White. ’ 3

As the veterans passed, the Ihryjj Standard which they escorted placed behind the statue. The ■renewal public followed, and the volunteer who had lined the route feU in behind the returned South African troop,and completed the march past, a space was kept clear from the rear of the statue to the northern gate in Bowen Avenue, and when the pro. cession passed out of the Park it broke up; the solemn ceremony wy over. The volunteers, after leav'n? the Park, were marched back to the Drill Hall and dismissed there. Long after the procession had passed, and the wreaths had all been deposited, an immense crowd of thousands of people remained in the Park, eager to view the decorated statue. The crowd slowly moved np the steps and on past the statue, and this continued for several hours. AU the afternoon and evening lanre crowds of people remained in the Park, viewing and admiring the beautiful wreaths which surrounded the pedestal. THE WREATHS. The wreaths of flowers laid at the foot of the statue included tributes of beautiful designs, in the shape of classes, anchors, crowns, etc. Conspicuous amongst the emblems in the front of the statue was a laurel wreath. In addition to the wreaths mentioned in our Saturday’s issue the following were amongst those planed on the statue:—The First N.Z. Contingent (wreath borne by Corporal Cai-

loway); Crown Lands and Bur13; (i beautiful tonal crwwa); Melsra J. H. Witlmford, W J. Napier, M.8.H.; Mr Geo.~Fowlds, M H R-- the people of Tonga; Mr Biss, Chief j’ost master; the Consuls for foreign nations; the various Volunteer Corps i° the district; Hospital nu d Charitable Aid Board; Telegraph Department; Magistrate®, Clerks and tsXrs, S.M. Court; Women’s Christian Temperance Umoa; Ancient Order of Foresters; the combined Assurance offices; Auckland Millers’ Union; Jubilee Institute for the Blind; Mr H. Gilfillan (Hikurangi Coal Co); Buburban Local Bodies; St. Matthew’s (lictch Choir and Friends; St. Matthew's Sunday-school; Lady Superintendent and Staff of Auckland Hospital; Mr T. F. Cheeseman (Auckland Museum); Thos. Qupi and Ah Chee (representing the Chinese of Auckland); the Rev. W. S. Potter (President of Primitive Methodist Church of Hew Zealand); and a great number of other! from private citizens. There were a number of wreaths from “loving little girls in public schools,” and many bearing the words “a sincere tribute, of affection,” **a token of sorrow, affection and loyalty, and similar inscriptions betokening the sorrow and respect of the givers. Late in the afternoon the “A” Battery of Artillery, who had brought up their 9-pounder Armstrongs to the Park, on the open space near the flagstaff, fired a funeral salute of 81 guns, at intervals of a minute—one gun for each year of the Queen's life. The whole of the proceedings throughout the ceremony were most orderly, and the procession was under admirable control. Mr Turner, the City Traffic Inspector, With the aid of the Mounted Police, kept the line of march clear, and the members of the Natives’ Association helped considerably in the same direction. The committee who organised the ceremonial did their Work exceedingly well, and may fairly be highly pleased at the success of the affair. The leading workers in connection with the arrangements were Mr A. Kidd (Chairman), Messrs W. J. Speight, W. Philson, F. E. Baume, J. Stichburt, Graves Aickin, R. Farrell and T. H. White.