CORONATION CELEBRATIONS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1162, 24 June 1911, Page 7

CORONATION CELEBRATIONS.

EELIGIOITS, MILITARY, AND CIVIL.

(By TcJccraph.—Special Co'rrespprideni.V • 'Palniorston, Juno 22,',. The Coronation celebrations to-day ivore' greatly .interfered-' with" by the weather,', torrents of rain falling during the mortiing. About 10.30 there was a lull in tho downpour, and- tho -military- -forces, headed by the Palmerstou and Salvation' Army Binds,,mmarcher.tod r . to ; ,.tho \j_ 'Qnjra.,, fi House, 1 1 which'--was filled' by "tlip-'popiila'ce..,.. Tho.' military,! comprising.' : tho . cadets—two corps of foot, and the mounted rifles', veterans, ..arid... members, of the . .friendly fiocieties' ,and ,firo brigade's—completely filled-the..large stage-. After saluting .the flag, and',singing the National Anthem, addresses 'were given by tho Mayor, and several members of the clergy. After the heavy rain' during .tho.night,. tho few decorations on business premises presented.a rather bedraggled'appearance. Rain fell again to-night, and interfered with tho programme. ; A couple of bonfires were lit in the Square, and a number of fireworks were set off.

(By. Telegraph—Press Association.) -' ■ • Carterton, June 23. Coronation celebrations at Carterton yesterday toot the form of a religious ceremony, sports, football, and hockev matches,- a torch-light procession, fireworks, and a picture concert. Private houses were brilliantly illuminated, and great crowds of people were in from the country districts. The weather was fine, and the proceedings most enjoyable. A sum of .£BO was netted for 'the day's proceedings, and this, with a Government subsidy of £ for £, forms the nucleus of a schorao for beautifying the town. Tho first money will be devoted to tho erection of a baud rotunda in Carrington Park, and special efforts are to be niado from timo to time to. raise .funds for laying out tho grounds, and making the park, a beauty spot.

v Auckland, June 22. To-day the city has . been wearing a mantle of festivity to mark the historical occasion of the.Crowning of the King. For many days past a largo number of workmen have been busily engaged in carrying out schemes of decoration on tiepublic buildings and business houses, and in quite a number of cases the. designs arc of a most elaborate and ingenious nature. Queen Street presented a very patriotic appearance.. Blue bunting and flags, wcro exhibited, while tho night illuminations were carried out on a large scale, Queen Street being a veritable blaze ot bright lights, immenso crowds paraded -too streets, to-night.

„, ■ , „ Dunedin, June 22. me Coronation was celebrated hero in an enthusiastic manner. The weather was wretched, cola heavy rain showers falling at trequeut intervals throughout the day and evening. Services were- held in several enureses, and were largely attenued. Suttaaqueutiy a procession was formed at tiio octagon, and proceeded to the oval hi tho pretence ot a very large crowd. At the conclusion of the proefsHon.a saiute was tired by the "military Aotmcußtaiiaiug tho inclement weather in the -evening tho streets wero crowded with peopio viewing- tne illuminations on a large numDer oi pu&lic buuduigs and businws premises.

. Paraparaumu was en fete on Coronation vuy, tiic whoie township cmering entnusiasticalijvinto the'festivities, 'mo festival began on' Wednesday morning, when the tcnoot children wore presented with the Coronation medals oy xar. a'. •.('. Vaughan, the headmaster, in the new schooiroom. On Thursday morning at 11 a.m. a Coronation service was held in St. Paul's Anglican Church, tho Rev. ,1. Edwin Jones officiating. The special "Coronation. Form of Prayer with Thanksgiving to Almighty God" was used. At the ciose of the service tho To Deum and National Anthem wero sung. For tho evening festivities a huge, bonfire, measuring 18 feet, long by 10 feet high was erected on Mr. Hamage's hill. Punctually at 7 p.m. this was fired, and the huge blaze must have been seen for miles around. The lighting of the bonfire was followed by a display of fireworks, tho ship's rockets, katlierinc wheels, and golden rain being especially beautiful. Lusty cheers wore given for their Majesties King George V and Queen Mary, and the National Anthem was sung. Nearly the whole township was present to watch and take part in the celebrations. The promoters of tho evening festival were Miss Ella Powrio and Messrs. C. Rainsford, F. T. Vaughan. Powrio, W. J. Howell, and others. A ball was also held in the Coronution Hall.