OUR FIRST PAGEANT.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1890, 27 October 1913, Page 9

OUR FIRST PAGEANT.

INTERESTING GROUPS;

JHE SCENE AT NEWTOWN PARK

HISTORICAL TRIUMPH.

' Though the future is more important V to a comparatively new country tiffin'.'tho past, yet it is important that past history should form part'of one's education, and cortain it- is that tho Wellington Historical 'ageant will live long in the minds of old and.young as a lesson in history far more plea , nt and ......satisfying than hours of book study. Tho, presentation is on behalf of the Wellington Boys' Institute, which dates back to 1893, and tho objective aimed at is tho raising of £2500-with which ; to erect a more commodious building than the present one crected in, 1907 ; a ' valuable, site in. Tasman Street having I been given for that purposo'-'hy Mrs. S. A. Rhodes, who has also given several handsome donations to tho building fund. Tho\preparations for; the pageant, which is 'to bo repeated- .this 'afternoon -and again this evening,, and . for tho bazaar,: which is to. bo. opened in the Town Hall to-morrow afternooh b.v Her Excellency tho Countess of 1 . Liverpool, under;tho chairmanship of '' --the Prime, Minister (the Hon. W. F. .Massey),'and which, is to bo continued ' -to the end of the week, have entailed much thought and expense and '-many weeks|. labour; but. with'all it has been " 'a labour of lovo and .tho gratifying ro- ■ ception'which tho pageant met with on Saturday was'their reward. . Tho Scene at Nowtown Park. The various tableaux and; processional groups,, which included. the chief ] events" in English history from tho landing of > the Romans in 65 8.C., to tho present ~ timo ; .wo'roi portrayed in Newtown Park, an ideal.rendezvous v for tho purpose. - Tho spacious green made a splendid arena for tho various historical groups to-march round, and the grassy slopes on the south, east'and west sides mado . natural grandstands on which' thous-,'.-i , ands of spectators .could bo .accommodated, reserved seats .hoing placed at . tho foot of tho slope, ■ whilst {ho Gov- • • ernor and his suite wore accommodated in easy-chairs ,on the storio" staircaso on the wost' side of tho ground, ; tho peri'ormera entering from tho staircase on ; the opposite®, side, and after .marching . . round the amphitheatre assembled in ono . large group'at the north end.' , t - * f. ... Though Saturday opened eome'what dull tiie conditions wero'fjiirly favour- - ablo to tho presentation of the gorgeous pageant, ', thofigh . the high northerly wind whieh'blew across tho ground during most of the afternoon was somewhat ; trying to wearers of some of tho ancient i i, costumes. The'proceedings commenced at threo o'clock, by.-'whicli', timo aboijc : 3000 spectators had 1 -(taken up - their' positions around; tho arena, the .opening being signalised by . the playing of . the National Anthem, as Lord Liverpool ',and tho. Countess", of Liverpool,', accompanied by the Mayor and .Mayoress, and the Hon. W. F.; -Massoy,, .were escorted ! to t/hoir seats by members of the Boys' Institute Senior Cadets, undor Captain Simeon Lieutenant Dutton. - Before anH aftor' tho pagoant •' national " dancing took place on the south-plat- ; i'form,. prizes being awarded for tho ". Highland ding, sailors' hornpipe, sword /dance, and Irish jig, :aU tho dancers being in costume/; An ambulance,display 1 ; was also given by tho Railway , and Harbour Board Ambulance Corps, wlio gavo a-''demonstration of the best ways in which to carry wounded patients over obstacles. The three.', tea marquees .. - wore in charge of the MayofeEs'(Mrs. '■ J.'.P. Luko) ;->tho tobacco stalls, Mrs. 1 - Marquis and Mrs. Frank Meadowcroft; . flWeets, Mr. and Miss. Dawson, Mrs. •Rose, Miss Paul and others; flowers, , Mrs.' (Dr.) Whito and Mrs. R. 'Pear- • eon; fruit, Messrs. Thomson and others; refieshments (soft' driiiks), Mr. Ben- ■ nett. Musio was- 1 supplied, by .Jupp's "Band, and'- the Highland Pipers, the latter being received with rounds of applause as they ,marc!hod round' the ' arena., The Dawn of British History. ' The opening'' group, arranged by Mrs. " Grant-, Mr. J. F. Atkins, and Mr. Celeste Poetore, represented , prominent ; characters and types among the Romans and Britons from tho timo of the Roman invasion through tho gradual conquest and occupation mi til the. withdrawal in'; 410. The order of'.procession was as follows Standard bearer, Mr. E. Noilsoiv;'.; men of : the second legion; Julius .Caesar, Mr. J. F. Atkins'; office'a of Caesar's staff; Caswallon (King of Britain), Mr. D. Gerondis; British warriors; Claudius, Mr. ' G. Foster; Ostorius Scapula, y Mr. E. Jackson-Hughes; British maidens; Queen Boa.'licea, Mrs. Hampton; British warriors; Lucius, Mr. U. Quayle; ' ■ Honorius,'Mr. Qelesto Poetere. In '445,- Vortigern, who had been elected King of tho Britons,' appealed to the Saxons for. help, and four years' later Hen'gist .and Horsa landed in Kent,' this,"being ,the beginning of tlie Saxon invasion. - Prominent among . thoso who opposed tho Saxons was. King' Arthur, and the second group represented . ' ' V King Arthur and .the Knights of the , Round Table. -„ Tln9 . processional had . been arranged by Mrs.. Riinkine Brown, and. was com-; posed'as.follows,:-—Merlin the Magician, Professor Rankihe Brown; tn«j Lady, of ■ tho Lake, ' Miss. Macdonald; King Arthur, Mr.' It. 'St., J. Beere; Queen " Guinevere, Mrs.' It M. Gore ; maid ol honour, Miss Eileen 'Macdonald; pages, , Miss Betty Rankino Brown and Miss Hazol Wal'lis; Sir Galahad. Miss Laura Salmond; Sir Lanoelot of tho Lake, Mr. . Robertson; Elaine,- Miss Carterj air -Tristram 'of Lyonesse, Mr. lv. .Hurst- ' hoiisb; .Iseult of. Erin; Mrs. R,■ Hurst-j -' houso; page, Miss Edith Carter; King,; Mark -of Cornwall, ' Mr. Slocum ; SnGeraint, Mr. Kennedy"; Enid,- .'Mrs. - -Edwin Salmond; Sir Garcth,-;Mri ■„ ' Fair; .Lynette, .- Miss Morrison; the . Lady 'Lranors of Castle I '' Perilous, Miss. .King;; Sir, Pelleas, Mr. Herbert; Etarro, Miss E. Macdonald;, Sir Perceval, Mr. Steyonson; Queen of tho Riches of tho World. Miss Simpson; ' page, Miss Jean Leckio; Sir Gawam, • Mr Tollan; Queen Bellicent, Miss'lown- ' ißcn'd; King Modred, Mr. Fonnell; Queen ■ - of -North : Galis ; , srrs. R. St. J. Beere; ' page, Miss "Vera Wallis; Itmg Anguisant of Erin, Mr.tOswin;-Queen Behba, Aliss Snow' Lady of Shalott, Miss Loo Car- ■ ter; Queen Morgan lo Fay, . Mrs. R-an-:kinfe--BrKn'rOaees,'„.^^.-'Wcnnoct t il Lcckio;,and Miss.Mollio Chapman; Sir Bcdeyero, Mr.; Christie. ■ ~. • . . Christianity introtlucod. When tho Saxon King Etlifllhert mai- .' ried tho French Queen Bertha, a Christiaii, --'tlie latter i was- accompanied " bv Bishop Lindhard, and m. at. VAugustine, and 'a company of lnonka, '.. sent by- Popo Gregory, succcc'ded in . converting the pagan king to Gliristiau- ' itv. Tho-third group, organised' by. the JlisseS V. and H. Cliapinnn, represoiits tho meeting of St. AUgustme and King Ethclbcrt", sit tho Isle of ihanot, , and' was loudly 'applauded, though tho . royrtl speeches were unheard, 'except by the ■ performers themselves, on account of tho high wind. ' Tho dramatis per- ' .' sonne was ;as follows: —Saint Augustine, Mrt G. Gow; his interpreter (a Gaul), Jlr! A.'.Quick; his company of monks, Mcsdanies T. Young. 0. Statham, A. Eivon, E. Baldwin, Misses IJ. Towsley, E. D'Oyley, L. White, E. Maclean, Mackintosh, Davie, Chapman, and Mr, A. -Ewen; King Ethelhcrt (Saxon), Mr. Tiirton; Qncen Bertha (French), Mrs. P. Nathan; Bishop Liudliard. Mr. E. S. Baldwin; tho King's Guard, McHsr.i. .Cnurtenav. T. Neave, L. Moore, Tliomp-

[son, and Hurryladios and gentlemen of the Court, Mrs. Stanton Harcourt, Misses M. Molyneailx, F. D'Oyley, L. Ewart, C. Morrison, and Chapman, Messrs. E. Coleridge, S.'Fearn,D Oyley, H. Cook, and-Dr. Marchant. Alfred tha Great. Tlie fourth tableau represented tho introduction of arts and crafts into land by King Alfred tho Great, and had •beeii : arranged' by tho School or Arts, under-tho direction of Mr.' v>. Trobo and Miss L. Thane. TTio parts wore allotted as under: —Tho Conquered Dano, Mr.. W. S.. La lrnbo; boy trumpeters, Mr. 'J. Bishop and Mr. iMorgan; warriors, Mr. J. Dayey and Mr. B. Osborne; King Alfred, Mr. W. I', Whittem; tlio King's' gentlomen, Mr. J. 'Heginbotham and Mr. A. Bender ; representative of the Saxon Parliament, Mr. W. 0. Beere; pages, Mr. G. Becro and Mr. B. Hill; Queen Elswitha, Miss F. Hughes; the Queen's ladies, Misses F. Scales, D. Thane, I. Field, and E. Smith; pages. Mr. N. Hili and Mr. M. O'dlin: tho clerics, Mr. W /V alls and •Mr. A. Bowley; the musicians, Misses V. Thompson and B. Wall; tho dancing #irls, Misses 33. Keyworth - Bishop: Arts and Crafts, Miss D. Jones (embroiderer), Mr. Walls (weaver), Mr. Ballantyno (coppersmith), arid Miss \. Hill (burnisher); Abbess, Miss L. Field; nuns, Misses L. Thano and B. Millward ; pottery-maker, Miss P. Wilson; pottery pain ter, Miss E. Dawson; glass> maker, Mr. T. Smith; illuminator, Miss M. Green; maker of dye's, Miss M. Hill; carver of wood and ivory, Miss M. Bettany; seamstress, MissD. Stevens. The First Prince of Wales. Jhe fifth tableau, arranged by Mrs. James Hislop, represented tiie presentation of the Ursfc Prince of Wales to tho Welsh poo'plo in u l2Boy in fulfilment or the promise that the Welsh should.have a prince born in their country who could not speak a tvord iof English. Inis was one of tho finest and: largest jableaux of tho series, and was' greeted by rounds of applause, as tho "presentation" was made on tho east, south, and west .sides of tho arena' in turn, some eighty ■performers f taking part. J. ho prince' is carried by tho royal nurse, who walks under a canopy borne by four knights,' and as the group arranges itself tho" royal nurso hands the infant to the'King,'who "presents" him to the Wolsh' people, • who cheer heartily, and sing (in Wolsh) "The Men of Harlech, whilst a Welsh child advances, and presents a bouquet of flowers to the Queen. The-'following was tho ordor of procession King Edward I,' Mr. J. Nvindsor; Queen Eleanor of Castile, Miss J!<; M'Eldowney; Queen Mother Eleanor of Provenco, Mrs. John Horlock; Prince Edward,,of Carnarvon, a:doll; heralds, Messrs. 11. Laurensort, [Scott, and Dum-. bell; .Bishop of Waterford, Mr. John Horlock;- Lord' Chancellor, Mr. Bromley ; i lords-in-waiting, Smith (Earl of Norfolk), Mr. Hunt (Earl of Gloucester), Mr. sßodley (Earl of Hereford), and Mr. Kerr (Duke of Cromwell); Royal hurße, Miss Hazel Gooder; century nobleman, * Mr. B. 0 Connor; page, Miss E. Bulford; ladies-in-wait-ing upon Queen Eleanor, Misses Irevcthick, Eennie, Scott, Williamson, and Gold;"' ladies-in-waiting upon Queon Mothor, .Misses F. M'Eldowney, Quinlan, and Shearer; pages to King, Misses Marjorio O'Shea and Melvyn D rn ™~ mond; pages to Queen, ;Misses 0- I)e Chateau and B. Menard; pages to lords-in-waiting, Misses M: Dempster, V. Deer, C. Pago, and H. Page; men-at-arms; Messrs. J. M'Eldowney, 0. Harvoy, P- Lucas, Murray, and Robinson: monks, Mrs. Gooder, Mrs. Black, and Miss Blackwood; Welsh soldiers, Misses T Barr, M. Thompson, Messrs. Rose, Porry, aud Bollworthy; Ehglish ladies, Misses I. Gooder, Holmes, Paisley Powell, and Wallsco; Welsh ladies, ; Mrs. Ronnie, Mrs. Thompson, Mrs. Hislop, Misses Smith, Shearer, Tait, Renniej M'Coll,. Black, Thompson, - Boraon, Brown, Thompson, find O'Connor; English and W r elsh ' children, t Misses V. Nash, B. Gooder, Masters J. Powell, Hislop,.A. Lucas,'and'L. Black; harpists, Misses M'Donald and Gold; canopy bearers, Misses Jonoß, TJrquhart, Rose, and Laurenson. ' Bruce at Bannookburn, The sixth group, arranged by Sir. R. Y. Walls,, is that depicting Robert Bruce, the Scottish patriot, who defeated King Edward II at Bannockburn in 1314, and those taking part are Robert Bruce, Mr. T. Egglestone; Edward Bruce, Mr. W! E. Shaw; Sir James Douglas, Mr. N. Johnston; Randolph, Earl of Moray, S. ' Moore; Sir James Graham, Mr. M'Caw; Sir Robert Keith, Mr, Rabono; Walter tho Steward, _Mr. 11. Crawford; Angus, Lord of the Isles, Mr. E. M'Caw; standardbearer, Mr. J. .Martin; tho bard, Mr. J. Douglas; soldiers," Messro. Roso, M'Queen,* Neill, C. E. Grevillo, W. Chambors, K. K. Roskruge, E.-'F. Gilerf, A. Martin, J. Robertson, and W. Gardiner. ... The seventh group is representative of the reign of Edward 111, in,.winch England became tho foremost Power m Europe, the ago of Cressy and' Poictiers, and of Chaucer, tho first great English 'poot. The women and children of Chaucer's time were represented as follows Countess of Salisbury, Mrs. Frank'Symon; her children; Missos Olivo Archer, ajid Kathleen Henessy; her pages Misses ;j Cecilo Haines, Zita. and Lorna Chapman;- jester, -Master Fergus Reovcs; servant, Miss Jame Petno; noble ladies, Misses J. ; Sargent, Olive Smith, Olivo Moyes, Maud Jameson, Mary Mellor, Mario Fix, and Patience Batten;' pages, Misses Wyonne Hay-vbittle,-Thurza, Rogers; .. and Maisie Reeves; minstl'el boy, Master Eric : Maemillan; rich merchants' . wives, Misses Leila and Dora Levi ; em'd, Miss- Rita Margee; servant,- Miss Men ■Jensen; wife of Bath, Miss Mettie- B. Rjley; -country child,. Miss Peggy Reeves; tho-alo wife, Mrs. Ma,rtin Williamsthe, iish wife, Miss Lena'Poynder; nuns, Misses Daisy Isaacs and Myra' Lyons; pilgrims, Misses May Isaacs; G.- Tyerman,and G. Craig; , 'peasant woman, sMiss Hnzel Fuller, flower seller, Miss Marjorio Myers; liorb ' seller, Miss: Millie. Smith; and the beg- ' gar-woman; Miss Edna Burr.

• , Caxton's Printing-Press. ' Arranged by tho Government-Print-ing Office Association, tho tableau representing tho introduction of printing into England and the.presontation by Caxton of tlio first book to King Edward IV included a reproduction of the actual press j used by Caxton. Tho dramat's personae wero: King Edward I\, Mr. 1. rjoining; Queen Elizabeth <]Vlifis | T Jblargreaves; William Caxton, Mr. H. i Mason; Richard, Duko i of. Gloucester, Mr. A. May ; Duke of Clarenco, Mr. lv. Wellington; -Princess Elizabeth ot York, Miss Smith;' Edward, Princo of Wales, Miss Wilson ; .Richard,;Duko of York, Miss Thompson; Earl Rivers, All.H..;Withiiigtoii; Abbot of Westminster, Mr. H. Munroe; compositor, Mr. H. Sauudors; .'-bookbinders,. Messrs. G. Bruce and J.,Moffitt ; pressman, Mr. H. .Palmer: boys, Blasters W. Woods and L. Phillips. 1 r • Skipping the Hundred \ears War and the War of the . Roses, the ninth tableau, arranged by Mrs. J. C. Penrice, represented' Cabot explaining to. Henry VII the discovery of Korth America. Tlio - are,;tlio performers:— Heralds, Messrs: C.'.Hounsell and Hill; n-uards, Messrs., J: C. Ponrico and Burdekin; Archbishop.-Morton, Mr. ■ Perry; King Henry MI Mr. E. W • Hursthouso; page, Mr. A. Campbell, Otieen L'lixahoth of Aorlc.'Miss Princess Margaret, Miss Penncoj Prince Arthur, Mr. N.. Chilinan; ladies of tho Court, Mrs. Penrice, and the Missos M'Lean, Francis, - Sholton, .Hackworth, and Turton; John- ..Cabot, Mr. DesI landes; Sebastian Cnbot, A. Cnrstens; Lewis Cabot, R.' Belianll; Indians, Messrs. E. ..and S. Lambert, Charles Morrison. Queen Elizabeth and Sir Walter .Raleigh. Tho tenth tableau, arranged by

Messrs. Kirkcaldie and Stains, Ltd., was gorgeous in tho extreme, representing the knighting of tho English Bayard by the Virgin Queen who was carried in a Sedan chair and escorted by Yeomen of the Guard. Tho characters are all taken by- members of tho staff, and tho firm have provided and niade all tho costumes, except tho magnificent' creation worn by Queen Elizabeth, which has bet lent by Mrs. Montagu. This tableau was vociferously received, and was probably tho most popular of j tho series. Tho dramatis personao were: Walter Raleigh, Mr. AV. Turner; Sir Francis Drako, Mr. A. Cleave; Sir Francis Bacon, Mr. N. Williamson; Sir John Morris (Lord Marshal), Mr. J. P. Cooper; Admiral Sir John Hawkins, Mr. J\ Lynex; Lord Burleigh, Mr. J. Burgoyne-Thomas; Earl of Essex, Mr. W. Martin; Earl of Leicester, Mr. G. F. M'Nab; Lord Howard of Effingham, Mr. L. B. Midgeley; Archbishop : Matthew Parker, Mr. A. J. Bloxham; Yeomen of tho Guard, Messrs. L. Moss : (captain), T. Hay,, A. Cornfoot, R. Wheeler, Bowator, W. Tiller, J. Norton, and T. Plant; Queen's Chair Bearors, Messrs. P. M'Kenzie, Pomeroy, R. Renkin, and F. Saunders; Pages, Misses M'Farlano, Cox, and Moss; Queen Elizabeth, Miss Mi Low; Countess of Essex, Miss E. Lissack; Countess of Sussex, Miss Walter; Duchess of Somerset, Miss Percy; Countess of Nottingham, Miss R. Major;_ Countess of Northumberland, Miss Vincent; Marchioness of Dorset, Miss Neeley. Shakespeare and His Characters. In the eleventh tableau, arranged by Mrs. Darling and Miss England, Shakespeare and somo of tho children of his imagination are represented as follow, all being suitably and faithfully attired:— Shakespearo and His ChaVacters. In tho eleventh tableau, arranged by Mrs. Darling and Miss England, Shakespearo and some of tlio children of his imagination aro represented as follow, all being suitably and faithfully attired: —Othello, Mr. Levvcy; Falstaff, . Mr. Bock; Benedict, Mr Godfrey; Hamlet, Mr. Wickham; Petruchio, Mr. M'Namara; Caliban, Mr. C. Tanner; Romeo, Mr. Shonhey ; Orlando, Mr. F. Evans; Ferdinand, Mr. Saxton: Jestor, Mr. P. Broad; Mark Antony, Sir. Bentley Russell; Malvolio, Mr. Eastham; Leont-cs, Mr. M'Caw; William Shakespeare, Mr. E."„D. Cachemaillo; Hermione, Mrs. E. Levvey; Desdemona, Mrs. C. J. Stevens; Beatrice, Miss Hardingo Maltby; Juliet, Miss M . Fell; Maria, Miss E. Myers; Titania, Miss E. Garland; Mrs. Pago, Miss H. MacLaurin; Miranda,' Miss Anderson; Cleopatra, Miss Peat; Katherine, / Miss C. Simpson; Ophelia, Miss M. Atkinson; Rosalind, Miss Eastham; Portia, Miss E. Fell. Ladles of the Georgian Era. Another hiost successful tableau was that of a scoro of tho most, famous beauties of tho Georgian era (arranged by Mi's. A. L. Herdman), who wero attired in all the picturesque panoply of brocade and flowered silk, ■ powder and patch, hoop and fan, and ribboned walking stick. Miss Herdman is carried in a Sedaiu chair, followed by tho following:—Peg Woffington, Miss Kember; Lady Mary WortTey Montagu, Miss Kendall; Mrs. Dolaney, Miss Wil,son;"Mrs. Siddons, Miss G. Pilchor; Duchess of Devonshire, Miss Dall; Lady Mary Carlislo, Miss M. Howard; Fanny Burney, Miss M. Turner; Mrs. Bunbury, Miss D. Wilson; Lady Hamilton, Miss Stout; An Orange Girl, Miss Massoy; A Flower Girl, Miss M'Lellan; A Peasant Girl, Miss Howden;, with Lady Montagu—Miss Litchfield, Miss Wilberfoss,'Miss J. Rcid; with tho Duchess of Devonshire—Miss H. Elder, Miss Whittem; with Lady Mary Carlise — Miss Buckstone, Miss Ewen. Florence Nightingale. Tho noxt tableau \reprosehted Florenco Nightingale and a group of nurses at tho Crimea (1854-6). This was arranged by | Miss Youmans and Miss Tovoy. Florence Nightingale (Misß Youmaiis), and a number of nurses .(Mrs. Tovoy, Nurse Oable, Mrs. Brailsford, Miss Larkin, Miss Simmonds, and others), are seen attending tho sick soldiers, while' tho -ambulanco corps carry the stretchers with tho wounded. The following assisted in tho tableau: — Misses Thornton, O'Connell, Ball, Cartwright, Luff, Cooper, Plowman, Duignan ; Vincent, Trevothick, Park, and six membors of St. James's Senior Cadets. Britannia and the All Nations. The next is a presentation, of the arts and industries of tho Empire, by tho pupils of tho Girls' College, undor Miss M'Lean, and then follows an elaborate tableau, -in which ■ Britannia is done homage.to by tho nations, this being arranged by Mr. G. H. Helliwoll. This makes one of tho most effectivo of the tableaux, and is greeted by continuous applauso as tho children, from tho Thorndon, Newtown, and Willis Street scliools, form up and construct tho Union Jack by means of red, white and blue flags.. Rule Britannia (Miss Patterson) is mounted on a platform, surrounded by tho following attendants:— Pages, Masters Walter and Georgo Norwood; ladies in waiting (littlo girls), Misses I. Greatbatch, Esmo Hill, Gracie Carruthers; John Bull, Master Cyril Johnson; scouts, Masters Willie Newton, Archio Douglas, Roy Hawkey, G. Guy; sailors, Masters S. Piper, J. Bowors, C. Bartlott, M. M'Callum; soldiers, Masters A. Jacobsen, W. Day, ,A. Wilson, J. Rcid. Tho Evening Performance. There was . another largo attendance at night, when the ground was illuminated, tho various platforms on which t'lio dancing took place being well lighted, whilst a seardilight shono on each croup as fho performers passed round tho arena. Tableaux wero also given in tho centro of tho park in a space illuminated by high candle-power lamps. To-day's programme will open with a football match in the morning and national dancing at tho south eiid of the park, the above programme being repeated both afternoon and ovening.