WELLINGTON

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXVI, Issue VI, 9 February 1901, Page 274

WELLINGTON

Dear Bee,— January 31. We have had, of courae, a roost mournful week, in consequence of the death of our beloved Queen, and full mourning will be genersdly worn until the day of the funeral. Almost every shop and place of business shows some sign of woe, and the Government buildings and the General Post Office are really most beautifully and elaborately decorated, and draped entirely with black and white. The Government buildings are quite a work of art, and have attracted every eye, the centre block being wonderfully festooned with black, and with an enormous shield of black in the centre, with V.R. in white relief. The clock is also festooned, and the main portico is entirely draped with black curtains, and two of the centre pillars have enormous wreaths hanging on them. At the Post Office the pillars are bound round with royal purple and black, and on every building one sees the flag half - mast and surmounted by a black streamer. It is pleasing to see the request of the Government to wear mourning so spontaneously taken up by the citizens, and it is quite the exception to come across anyone dressed otherwise.

At the official memorial service, held last Sunday afternoon, in St. Paul’s pro-t'athedral, the crowd was so great that not more than one-quarter of those present eould gain admission to the building. His Excellency the Governor occupied the front seat, in his beautiful Windsor Uniform of deep blue, with masses of gold braiding. Captain Alexander (in a scarlet and gold uniform), and Mr. Hill Trevor, accompanying him. The Acting-Pre-mier was present, also Lady Stout, representing the Chief Justice, Judge Edwards, all the foreign Consuls in uniform, the members of both Houses, and all the leading citizens. The church was most beautifully decorated with a perfect wealth of white flowers, arranged in wreaths, crowns, and the two letters V.R. were everywhere intermingled for the last time. A cushion on which rested a crown of dahlias was very beautiful, and an immense black banner occupied the centre of the building, hanging from the beams, and flanked on either side with Union Jacks, and having the word “ Victoria ” in white letters. The chancel was lovely, too, carried out entirely in black and white. The Bishop of Wellington preached an eloquent sermon, and Mr. Sprott read the lesson. Mr. Robert Parker played •• The Dead March ” in “ Saul ” magnificently, the whole congregation remaining standing, and the remainder of the music was most appropriate to the occasion and beautifully sung, the solo bv Mr. John Prouse being especially fine. All the sailors and marines from the “ Mildura ” were present. also the captain and all the officers in full uniform—and altoeether it was the most impressive ceremony ever witnessed here.

Mourning was suspended for some hours on the day of the Proclamation of the King, and all tried valiantly to join in the rejoicing for the time being. It proved too much, however, and the booming of guns and pealing of bells and playing of bands appeared to jar on all, and it seemed utterly impossible to raise any enthusiasm over the new King while every sore heart was thinking of the dead Queen, and all seemed relieved to again lower the flags and pnt on their mourning. The loyalty of a lifetime cannot easily be pushed aside, even in New Zealand, where but few of us have been privileged to even have seen Her Majesty. All hearts have warmed to the suggestion of His Excellency the Governor, to erect a statue, of the late Queen in our midst, and His Excellency has headed the list with a subscription of 'X2S, and the citizens are asked to give their mite towards the fund on the day of the funeral. Hh> Excellency suggested that instead of sending oij’d- 1 - wreath*, etc— sbonld

give a sum towerk the statue fund, and in tM« way a sufficient amount should be collected to erect MMnethiag permanent, and ■l*o worthy the object. Some of the clergy have suggested that eollaoUoua should be made in the churches, and this, should it be done, would greatly augment the fund. It is thought that £3,000 can be collected, and with this a very handsome bronze statue bought. The wishes of the people have been cabled to the Agent-Gen-eral, who will probably be asked to forward designs, estimates, etc. It is sincerely to be hoped that we may be as fortunate in our statue as the good folk of Auckland, whose statue of Her Majesty, erected in the Albert Park, is, to my mind, the most beautiful work of art in the colony.

OPHELIA.