Dominion Proclaimed!

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 2, 27 September 1907, Page 6

Dominion Proclaimed!

A Picturesque Ceremony. v Scenes in the City. Speeches by the Governor and .-':. Premier.

Yesterday-Wellington-was like a' day -in early .' spring—uncertain whpther. to weep or smile. It was invited out to a ceremony that was as paradoxical as picturesque—a funeral and a christening in one. Tho Colony, old familiar friend and storehouse of mellowed ; memories, was.tp'be laid with its grey hours in'tho gravo, whilst its .'young and lusty successor, tho bantling Dominion, was enthroned in the purple seat of power. No bookof etiquetto hid any advice to offer touching an occasion so unprecedented, rind Wellington was perplexed : it was uncertain as to what tho proprieties demanded. In the morning-tho city seemed to wear an aspect more of melancholy than of mirth. Close-shuttered shops and drawn blinds mutely, but with eloquenco, pointed . the contrast with the busy, workaday life. There was an. air of brooding calm in tho streets, and tho brave billows of bright bunting" that fluttered from tho roofs-; of public, buildings' waved '..over a "scene '.that' seemed strangely silent and subdued. -And the -weather aided. : and abotted tho illusion. Ever nnd anon tho sun smiled gaily like a bewitching coquette, but thon grey eowls of .clouds would'flit across the faco of things,'changing its dimples into pcu- , sive frowns. One thought moro of tho.funeral than tho christening.'; The Proclamation. ' But gradually tho mood of, melancholy passed. JJeluctantly but surelj'tho grey cowls disappeared; arid bright : . eyes ~ and dainty, fascinating furbelows took their placo, filling the senses with a-thrill of pleasure. . The. funeral was forgotten; Wellington, itits gayest garments, was wending it: way to tho christening of the Dominion. • Presently the jingle of spun and.the clink of scabbard, tlie.rliytlimic beat! of-tramping, disciplined fee-' came whispering along on tho wind ' and echoes of stirring, gallant strain; fell on the listening ear.'-■ Tho.- military was abroad, horsd and men anr foot, all diverging on the one point; Parliament, House, where the- Domi nion was to be baptised.

The.march started from Mount Coo 1 .,. Barracks, where the Garrison Band', ■•'' company of the' N.Z. Royal Artillery : and two companies of tho St. Put .• : rick's College Defence Rifles had mus feed, with the guard of honour, f. Bqnad of tho ;■ Heretaunga Mountet; Rifles..'r Stepping out to a spiritcc march, the. men swupg gaily .through ' the city,', and they helped to make'a: inspiriting scene when tho Parliament Buildings were reached. -Through the Sydney: Street : gate the p'opulap.,, trooped into the enclosure, an|"tl;jV proper and imposing' pile, looked'.dowx. on a scene of unwonted life and col 3ur. Men in blue, from the Challenger, and soldiers in scarlet and khaL flmd the green of Robin Hood anfiherwood . Forest : stood out in vivit [relief as the sun frolicked with but tons of gleaming brass arid swords, that /flashed and scintillated. Sleek and shiny silk ,hats reared their incongruous'herds in tho pride of self-satia-fied superiority, whilst they served as 'a foil !to set off to the full tho pranktout rainbow fineries' of bright-eyed maids'and irreproachable matrons.

But it was not a demonstrative multitude. Quietly, • almost nonchalantly. ,it waited for the ceremonies and incantations to begin. It was not until tl>e Governor's cavalcade, with its pomp and circumstance and gay outrider.:, 'flashed thrpugh the gates, spurning the gravel underfoot, that the concourse stirred in warm anticipation. Then pulse 3 increased by a beat or two, and the populace came forward and began to take notice. His Excellency was accompanied by Lady Plunket, Miss Plunket, Miss Chalmers, Sirs. Waterfield, Captain the Eon. N. Gathorne-Hardy, Captain E. L. Lyon,, and Mr. H. C. Waterfield, and the party took their stand at the pbrtels of the House, where, Sir Joseph Ward was waiting, surrounded by a bevy of fashion and notabilitiesbishops and K.C.'s and parliamentarians, fair Women and resplendent youth. Then came the formal ceremony. ,

/ "Icall upon Sir Joseph Ward, to read the proclamation," announcedtho Governor. Bareheaded, and scroll in hand, the Premier faced the people There was a glitter of pride in his keen eyo, and his voice rang clear and true through the silent, sunlit air. .As- he read the proclamation which was published in The Dominion yesterday... -.'

The King's Congratulations. As the Premier finished, a- salute from tho Challenger rolled sonorously over the sea. Then came tho Governor's turn. ■ *' " I havo received '■- a cablegram, through the Secretary of State, from His Majesty tlio King, and I will-, now read it. It was as follows: —-'■• "' I am commanded by ■ His Majesty tho King to -convey, to you and to the Government and people -\ of the Dominion of New Zealand his congratula- •■ tions on tho occasion, of '.;. tho assumption of the:, >.' title of Dominion,, anil his earnest desire on their happiness and wel- '.. fare. ■ <\.

(Signed)' ELCIN.'"

Tin's ended the- ceremony. The christening was over, and New Zealand was duly and irrevocably written down among the nations as Dominion. It was all over so.soon that tho peoplo could scarcely realise that the deed was done They were too surprised even to cheer, until the Prime Minister called for cheers for the King. These woro given with ready loyalty, and then the Governor, tho Dominion, and Sir Joseph Ward woro similarly honoured:

Tlio last cheer faded into siionco, tho Governor's cavalcade rolled away, out swung the men-at-arms, and tho populace i-stnrted to follow.:'i .'But a -suddenj frenkicil outburst of' Maori cries, called'them to'a'halt, and they scurried b.apk to look and listen. A small party of Maoris, mostly elderly and'grey, "and rbpresentativo of tribes from Gisbomc, Taupo, West Coast and Northorn Auckland., had taken Sir- Joseph : Ward* at'liis-word, and wore throwing themselves, with all tho primitive'fire of their race, into a wild haka. As they, danced .and gesticulated they - jjellocl *wcifcU % cries, which resolved tliciisolvcs into tho following:—

Ka mate, ka mate! • Ka. ora,. .Ka ora!, '■ Tcnei to tangata puhnruhuru, \ Nann i tiki mai whakewMti to ra,' : llupano! .IKaupano.!.,.,. '.;'' Whiti : to ra."■ - : .; -;:;•■' '/-;' Tho words lend themselves to various free translations, one of which, on.tho authority of a native member, is-as l follows: — *"',''"" ■"' He stays with us, all honoured while, All evil flics before his smile. "Death is done And Hope is come; Behold the illustrious Chief. Wi'rPower .Towhoniwcowethisligktsomo hour. Attired in the black, broad-cloth of civilised convention, and led by a native member in a frock-coat, tho dancers made a spectacle whoso incbngrui'ty>hacKaliouch of pathos in it. It, conjured, up visions of tho brave days of old, beforo'' the dreams of, "polony" or "Dominion,"- when a' haka: ; was a-haka; in' j .-verity,T-; and not )aif.harmless/;- the crowd was not worried with visions. It clapped-lits-hands, and cried oncore. . .' .' PACEANT AT THE .PARK. :;A-BRILLIANT SPECTACLE. It ]was at ■ Newtown' Park that Ihe peremony reached' its dazzling climax of colour and -vivacity. All trace of listlessness or indifference had vanished as completely from tho-faco of things is the Allows of yester-year. 2 Vclock£tlip cityj.tßplpvas Mtfjis mute ind deserted almost-.'as Gold'-smith's pillage,- but Newtown-was transformed 'ike a scene in- a pantomime -From oast'and'"west and north and south, 'lurrying-thousands," gaily "dressed and lebonair, thronged through its streets, , blotting out' tho grimo and stain of .vorkaday strifo, and filling tho wondering eyo wit ha panorama as pictur.•squo as it was unwonted.-

The Park itself was a living picture >ut of fairyland, in the natural ampi-•:-heatre formed by. the still, old hills ■ind darkling pines, swopt in a vast '••iile, a-•sea-of.-peopic over sill- and''slope'•■irf-'miglity Graves that .yblitqrat<3d /I tho,Jandscapo and painted t anew in" living, moving colours. On -he J lushi green turf below was spread i panorama opulerit.in pomp :>f •■: pageantry.-' ~ Wlibre'v'er' the eye ~ .urnedf .was.;a y<Jazzling . kaleidoscope; '.carlet coats that gleamed blood-red -n tho suni" glittering 'helmets that '.-.hoho-'iii splendour; nbddmji;' plumes ,iid "white.: cockadesj Vflashing, ■ naked steel tha't ! "shbt : out'viy.id' flfqS'"of gay ...lefiance. ' : And'"over'"and; anon came ' .he music of brass ami drum and- fife, ihd : the swing of martial limb's' to set 'ih'O'pUlses'"tingling..,, ......,.,. r .. 1: .,/ Arrival of tfte Coyernbr;;'' I '. : '' \ 'Attended by Lady Plunket, HisEx-.iallency-arrived at''-about 2 o'clock, - ind they were formally 'received by the ''J/ayor (the H6n'. , "T. i 'W. Hislop), on 'iphalf pf'itho;-QJty;alid;;Goilncili l [A vorsc .jf ■ the ! Naiion'al' Anthem' rang out sonorously'from tho military bands in ,\onour of His iUajesty's representative, and then from away over the pine trees a volley from the Challenger's 511ns rolled and "' thundered, and ■.choed. again, reverberating over the ->tartled hills in a mighty chorus. Then. camb the inspection of the oroops by tho Governor, followed by in incident; at once striking and pathetic. Having reviewed the ranks af the young -and -lusty, -"tho/ nation's pride- of health arid 'vigbUr.,;- His '.Excellency turned to' the thin"' grey line of scarred' :'and."grey.-Jiaii'ea.;.:.v.eterans. As they stood in splendid simplicity, innocent of and- braid and buttons,-! bui nearly- all in. proud -possession of. medals .honourably Avpn-'in the Empire's'.battles, of. tiiej years ,agone, one' instinctively turned over ttie leaves of history, and mentally pointed with pride-to the part.played by "the old brigado" under the "Union Jack. And then,-after -the-. Governor had passed along'"'the i kindly smile-and cheery word, the contrast of the cadets—chubby,, contented, and round-eyed—forced "itself' on'the observer. What memories-, of the shrouded past must have crowded into the bent, grey heads of the veterans as their dim eyes drank in the spectacle of boyhood, careless and free. , But it was not a time to moralise: Events" "moved quickly during the aftornono, and tiiero was no pause for melancholy meditation.-..- After the consecration and tho trooping of tho King's colours, camo the m'afcti past— tho grand finale, and the climax to a brilliant spectacle.

THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH. Tho Governor and Sir Joseph-Ward spoke briefly during the afternoon. In addressing the gathering Lord Plunket said:— " "Sir-Joseph-Ward-,-ladies,--and gentlemoii, officers and men—l think it was a wise and very happy arrangemerit" that to'celcbr'at'6 this'day' special caro was taken to bring to tho front brothers, the Volunteers, and tho cadots, of this new Dominion. For tho sailors of tho Kind's' N'avy".'aro the the sailors, of. the... King's ~Nayy, tho Empire's first ofjj. defence, and in -them we i-sec-; of thoso gallant men who, under Nelson at Trafalgar,; .secured tho,, freedom of the sea and -made •tho"-colonisation, of NowZcaland possible. Especially appropriate, I think, is tho prcsenco of tho, sailors, tli'6.~ihciv,:of!; t,he' rChallenger; ..for on tllat'slup-hot" only are there; Britishers, but also Australians and New Zealanders,- standjri'g: shoulder to.'-shouldor in tho/lefcnco of the Empire. Next come. warscarred fighters ■' in ' every" clime, pioneers of settlement, first "makers of this countrv. We honour -them—(applauso)—for their gallant services, rejoice with them- in ..living to,, see this splendid day.'"(Applause.) t :.f -j, "Tho Volunteers follow, representing tho men who shod 4hcir, blood to keep their Empircunitediiii South Africa',-, the men whoso splendid rospbnso to .Britannia's call has done so much towards making this country a Dominion. 'Lastly, wo have the cadets, lcarning v disciplino, devotion to thoir countryfaiid..,tho uso of arms. To them wo.-iookrin tjio future, when -tho Dominibn"'shainnot'be a Dominion ih-namorrdnry, ,flut.,Wso "in reality. (Applause.) • And ing you. on this auspiomyis gathering, I do so as much-for.:-the;: object and its teaching as.on 'No'w'.Aland's firstDominion Day." (Applause.) REMARKS BY SIR JOSEPH '"$■ .The Prime -Minister, Who followed, remarked- that'thejeeremony-of conso-creting-and presenting tho King's Colburs had ' boon, .rn'ade.'. lit '/connection with twenty-five different troops in I various parts of New Zealand that I day - TU°,t wou>' jscr.vo to remind

thorn o fthc part thoy. played in'tho history oF the Dominion, and would bring back memories, somo happy and 'somo sad, of what had been done'by sons of this country, and tho prowess thoy had shown in times gono by, and .would he ready to show again, under the old flag, which included tho now Dominion. Ho was glad to bo in a position to state that tho demonstrations made- that day in nearly every part of tho Dominion had been remarkably enthusiastic and largely attended. He went on to endorse tho high sontimonts expressed by His Excellency in recognition of tho sailors who were' taking part, and referred enthusiastically to British seamen— tho Empire's first lino of defence. In conclusion, ho oxprcsscd his great gratification at tho splendid demonstration that had boon made, and complimonted tho officers and'men of all ranks, together with the cadets, on their excellont turn-out and the way in which they had borno themselves.

THE MILITARY DISPLAY; A Brilliant Spectacle, -Tho streets leading to tho Park presented a very animated appcaranco shortly after, one o'clock. Half an hour later, they w.ero so crowded that the cars—which were packed to their utmost extent—could, at times, proceed only at a snail's pace. Near tho gates the crush was so great that it would have been almost possible to walk, on tho head's of the' people, across tho street. Tho .military display was probably the largest and most brilliant assembly of that kind scon in Wellington for some time. Soon after two o'clock, tho Brigade, with the exception of the Colours Party and the bands, was drawn up in lino of quarter, column facing the saluting base on' tho western side of the Park. On the arrival of His Excellency tho Govornor (who was in full dress as Commander-in-Chief of tho Forces) ,• tho Brigade presented arms. His Excellency, who was attended by Captain 'Gathorne-Hardy (Bth Fusiliers), and Captain Lyons (18th Hussars), then inspected the troops. The Parade State. The following was the parado stato: — No. I, Battalion—(O.C.: Lieut. Haire-Foster).—Party from H.M.S. Challenger, 187, Royal N.Z. Artillery 58, No. 4 Wellington Navals 71, Petono Navals 41, Wellington Engineers 15, party from Amokura Training Ship 27; total 399. . No .2 Battalion—(O.C.: Lieut-Col. W..G. Duthic).-Staff 3, No. 5 Co. N.Z. Engineers 25, City Rifles 30, Wellington Rifles 30, Wellington Guards 38, Kclburne Rifles 48, Civil Servico 52, Cyclo Corps 14, Garrison Band (under Lieut. Herd) 27; total 237.

No. 3 Battalion—(O.C. Major CD. Mackintosh).—Post and Telegraph Rifles 40, College Rifles 39, Zealandia Rifles 5-1, Highland Rifles 51, Johnsonvillo Rifles 36, No. 5 Co. Field Ambulance and Bearer Corps 20, "Rifle Battalibn Band (under Bandmaster Dean) 3.6; total 276. No. 4 Battalion—(O.C. Major Rudman).—No. 1 Co. Wellington College Cadets 41, No. 2 Co. 48, No. 3 Co. 45, No." 1 Co. St. Patrick's College Cadets 33, No.'2 Co. 30; total,. 202. No. 5 Battalion, School Cadets (O.C. Major F. A. Tcmpleman).— Mount Cook 53, Terrace 49, To -Aro 60, Brooklyn 30, Karori and Wadestown 53, Mitcholltown 22, Thorndon 47; total, 314/ No. 6 Battalion, . School. Cadets (O.C. , Acting-Major M'lvenzio).— Clydo Quay 46, Newtown No. 1 Co. 27, No. 2 Co. "45, No. 3 Co. 24, South Wellington No. 1 Co. 54, No. 2, Co. 45, Island Bay 32, Kilbernio ,-43, Roscncath 21; t-otatl 331: ' • No. 7- Battalion, school cadets— (O.C. . Major Burlinson).—Staff 2, Johnsonville 38, Woreroa 46, Loviri, 41,. Band 17; total, 144. The Consecration. Tho brigade, after inspection by His Excellency, formed, in- hollow square, the drums in the centre The new colours, cased, wero then brought up from their place in tho rear of tho contro of the brigade by the sergeants,. uncased, and laid upon tho drums. Tho Anglican Bishop of Wellington, (Dr. Wallis), after .prayer for His Majesty, tho peace and integrity of the Empire, and tho blessing of tho King's- Colours, then', .performed:'.the act of consecration,'• concluding"; with tho two prayers:—.; ■'' ;•-.■■• '. '■■:/■ ; " Grant,.O.Lord,.wo beseech Thee, that the course of this .world may bo so'peacefully ordered.by Thy govern-: ance that we may servo Thee in.all godly quietness, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen." v/ "O Lord God of Hosts, bless these: colours"'arid consecrato them to-tho glory of Thy great-Name,, the dignity, of our beloved King Edward VII,. and tho general welfare of this Dominion arid his Empire at large. Amen;" The Bishop was assisted in tho service by Archdeacon' Fancourt.

His Excellency, on receiving the colours ifrom the senior officer present, then handed them to tho officers of the following regiments and battalions:—No. 1 Wellington Mounted Regiment (headquarters Wangamii), No". 2 Wellington Mounted Regiment (Wairarapa), No. 3 Wellington Mounted Regiment (Manawatu), No. 4 Wellington Mounted. Regiment (Hawke's Bay), No. 1 Wellington Infantry Battalion. (Wellington),. No. 2 Welington Infantry, Battalion (Wangamii), No. 3 Wellington-Infantry Battalion (Napier). Trooping the Colours. - The roar of tho guns saluted the colours as the. brigade reformed-into lino of quarter-column. Then, to the lively strains of " Tho British Grenadiers," excellently-played by th Garrison Baud, the colour-troop and escort, under Lieutenant«- Horton, colours tho colour-troop took post m park. A stately march in slow time followed, during which tho colourtroop passed slowly in file in front of the brigade, which preseuted arms as they passed!' After dipping the odours tho colour-troop took post in front of their regimental detachments. The band of H.M.S. Challenger struck up "A Lifo on tho Ocean Wave," arid "Tho Red White and Blue," to : tho strains of which the men-o'-warmen, with a 12-pounder Q.F. naval gun, field-mounted, marched past the saluting-base, their pcrformanco being heartily applauded by the spectators. Then, to the quick-step "Tho Campbells are Coming, by tho Garrison Band, tho, brigade inarched past in column of companies. Next followed a general advanco in review order, which was excellently, done, tho formation being exceedingly well preserved. Tho troops wore then drawn up for tho speech-making, and afterwards dismissed.

Tho entire display reflected tho highest credit on the troops, the frequent applause, from the-spectators testifying to their appreciation of tho performance.' A word of praise -is also duo to the school-cadets for their steadiness and " dressing " in the march-past. THE VICE-RECAL. "AT HOME." A SUCCESSFUL FUNCTION. Tho imposing function at Newtown Park by no meansbrought tho Dominion Day festivities to a closo. After such an event one must expect relaxation in somo form or other, and this was provided by His Excellency tho Governor and Lady Plunket, who tendered an "At Home" at Government Houso to some two thousand and odd guests between four and five o'clock in the afternoon. So that as soon as tho dazzle and glitter of the military display ended, a section of the public wendo'' thei'' way to the vice-regal

residanco, where they crowded this way or that, took tea and cakes here or thero amidst the aroma of flowers 'arid to'tho pleasant accompaniment of a mild babel of gossip, to which tho word "Dominion" was no stranger. Tho bright, cheerful frocks of' tho ladies, tfeo sedately proper frock coats of tho gentlemen, relioved by splashes of daring colour adorning the person military (not forgetting tho reassuring blue of the naval ollicers from H.M.S. Challenger), accounted for an ensemble that affected the senses pleasingly. Many paced the sloping lawns round the residence, chattering and laughing to the accompaniment of a very excellent orchestra. His Excellency's receptions servo a good purpeso in pleansa'ntly blending those distinctions known as "class," and the Dominion Day function was no exception to the rule. Lord anil Lady Plunkot were, in tho entertainment o fthoir guests, assisted in their efforts by the Hon. Kathleen Plunket, Cnpt. Gathorne-Hardy, A.D.C., and Mr H. C. V.'aterfickl.

THE SCENE IN THE STREETS. PROCESSION AND ILLUMINATIONS. ■Yesterday thousands of eager loyalists turned out to do honour to an auspicious 'occasion in tho history of their country. Men, women and children poured into tho main streets by every byway and loaded trams deposited their .living freight and scurried away for more until the scene was one of warmth and excitement. There woro foy or no decorations in tho town except on tho Government offices; but here a piece of bunting, there a bright colour, gavo an indication that a loyalist heart had been stirred. At intervals during tlio day the town was deserted except for tho tr'amcars, and a few loiterers. Tho crowd disappeared sovor.il times to ono or other of tho events of tho moment, and just as suddenly as tho clearanco was effected the main avenues would becomo a seething mass of humanity in which mingled mounted riflemen, ' citizen soldiers', and Humorous bands. Such was the procedure throughout .tho day until a fow hours after tho demonstration at the Park. When tho town was permanently crowded., until far into tho night, the crowd reading eagerly for every ounce of pleasure to bo extracted out of tho gala day which had been created for them. Torch-Light Procession. The principal thoroughfares of tho city wero thronged last night with all sorts and conditions of humanity. Each and all driftcd'towards the Government Buildings, or took up strategic positions along tho routo of tho procession.. At tho "Buildings, 1 ' Mr. Jas. Moore was organising his torchbearers. Thero was some delay in starting, but tho crowd -woro in no hurry; thoy wero out for tho evening, :nd were prepared to ho entertained by ( anything in tho way- of curtainraisers that happened along. The Illuminations. _" Tho .illuminations at.tho "Buildings," Government House, and tho Post OfDco were very effective, and attracted a large crowd to that ond ! of the city; • while out in the stream H.M.S. Challenger was radiantly outlined in the darkness. The,honours of tho illuminations were certainly with tho " Buildings," on tho central portico of which was ablaze. In tho centro was a map of Now Zealand, with the words "The Now Dominion" in red lights alongside. Across the road, tlio towor of Government House., roso brilliantly from tho darkness of the-surrounding .trees, tho glints hero and thero visible through tho waving foliago giving a prettj; and fairy-liko idea of tho place. ", A little after eight o'clock-'tho waiting spectators along the route pricked up their ears as tho distant .skirl .of tho bagpipes warned thorn of tho approach of tho procession. Soon tho torch-lights, 'dancing and flaring, wero.'seen coining along the Quay. The procession, headed by tho mounted police and the Now Zealand veterans,, swung along to tho strains of tho , various bands, tho whole scene, lit lip by the garo of tho "flawbeaux,' presenting a vivid and spectacular effect. Tho procession, flanked on either side by tho torchbearers ,wound its way along Willis Street ,TJppcr Willis Street, Ghuznco Street, and down Cuba.Street, to tho Town Hall, vhere the final sceno in tho day's programme was to ho enacted. All tho Volunteer Corps,'the Fire Brigade, Amokura Boys, and tho city bands were represented in tho 1 procession, which proved a highly successful item in tho gala of tho day.