WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXIX, Issue VIII, 23 August 1902, Page 496

WELLINGTON.

Dear Bee, August 14. We were most fortunate in having lovely bright weather for Coronation Day on Saturday. The town looked very gay with its gorgeous display of flags and greenery. The Post Office and Government Buildings were particularly well decorated, being hung with countless flags, drapings, ete. Great crowds of people assembled to watch the procession move off from the Government Buildings and wend its Way to the Basin Reserve, where a most enthusiastic meeting was held. The surroundings of the Reserve were crowded with interested spectators, and the whole scene was most animated and brilliant. It was particularly noticeable how red predominated throughout the vast assemblage; on nearly every man, woman and child there was something red, and many ladies were entirely dressed in red,' so that the effect was very pretty. His Excellency tlhe Governor was received at the entrance gate and escorted to the platform erected for the occasion in front of the grandstand. Lord Ranfurly was accompanied by Lady Banfurly (who was also dressed in red), Capt. Alexander and the Hon. C. HillTrevor. Others on the platform were Sir Joseph and Lady Ward, Sir Robert and Lady Stout, Major-General Babington, Hons. W. C. Walker and Hall-Jones, the Mayor, Mr Justice Edwards, Captain Rich (H.M.s. Ringarooma), and Messrs Hutchison, Fisher and Atkinson, M.H.R.'s. On the arrival of the Vice-Regal party the National Anthem was sung, followed by the “Old Hundredth.” The school children were assembled under the charge of head teachers. The Garrison Band accompanied the singing, which was under directorship of Mr Robert Parker. His Excellency delivered a splendid address, being continually interrupted with bursts of applause and cheering. The Mayor

and Joseph Ward also spoke, and then a number of medals and trophies were .presented by the Governor. Three ; cheers for the King concluded the proceedings.

The .-peeial Coronation service, which .was held at St. Paul’s ProCathedral on Saturday morning, was a most impressive and bright one. Lord and Lady Ranfurly and suite were present. The church was beautifully draped with flags and decorated with flowers and plants, and the many gorgeous uniforms and robes added splendour to the solemn and memorable occasion. The service was conducted by His Lordship the Bishop of Wellington and the Rev.T. U. Sprott, M.A., and the special music arranged for the service, under Mr Parker, was very beautiful. On Saturday afternoon the Governor and Lady Ranfurly held an open reception at Government House, and hundreds of people, both young and old, availed themselves of their hospitality. The rooms were made bright with quantities of lovely palms and ferns and masses of mimosa and lycopodium. Afternoon tea was laid out in the dining-room and conservatory. Everyone, even babies in arms, was announced, and received by the Earl and Countess, and the house party and the A’s.D.C. were most attentive. and’energetic in looking after the guests, who one and all appeared to thoroughly enjoy their afternoon. The. Countess looked very nice in a gown .of rose pink glace under an overdress of pale ecru embroidered lace. Lady Constance Knox was, unfortunately, too unwell to be present. The illuminations in the evening attracted thousands of people into the streetj. The Post Office was very gorgeously lit, and the tower of Government House stood out splendidly in t'ha darkness, being outlined and festooned with lights, and a crown in red was placed over the letters “E.R.,” also in red lights, the whole being completed by a flag in red, white and blue, “flying” from the outlined flagstaff. The Government Buildings also were brilliantly outlined and festooned, and had a large red and white crown erected above the clock.

The Governor and Lady Ranfurly, accompanied by Lady Eileen Knox .and Captain Alexander, went down .to Christchurch for the Grand National Race Meeting by the Government steamer Tutanekai on Monday. Mr and Mrs Arthur Rhodes, Miss Julius and Mr Jephson, who were guests at Government House during Coronation week, also went down with the Vice-Regal party.

The members of the Wellington Club have issued invitations for a ball to be given at the Club House on the 21st of this month. At present everything seems very dull here, so it is quite nice to hear of some festivities coming off. Mr and Mrs Lionel Abraham (Palmerston North) have been staying in Wellington for a short time. They were the guests of Miss Coates.

OPHELIA.