DIAMOND JUBILEE

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2366, 23 January 1915, Page 7

DIAMOND JUBILEE

CELEBRATIONS POSTPONED ,1

ON 'ACCOUNT OF BAD .WEATHER. Wellington people will not forget the seventy-fifth birthday of the province in a hurry. Elaborate preparations had been made to mark the event in a manner worthy of the occasion, but iroin tlie earliest hour the weather became the grand master of ceremonies; and kuocked everything- on the head by its boisterous behaviour. The day set in with heavy continuous rain, which lasted up till 9.30 a.m., when there was a slight recovery, but at no time was there, a promise of any clearance, and the procession and gathering in Newtown Park had necessarily to be post poned. Between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m.- a few hardy spirits gathered in the Post Office Square, anticipating tho.start of the procession, and these were addressed by the Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke), at the request of Mr. D. M'Laren, cnairman of the Jubilee Committee.

The Mayor then oalled for three cheers for the early settlers and the pioneers that were still in their midst that day. The call was heartily responded to. Mr. D. M'Laren said that the committee had met during the morning, and decided that the procession and sports should be held on Saturday next, January 30. Mr. J. E. Jenkinson (chairman of the New Zealand Natives' Association) also offered his congratulations to the citizens, and his regrets on account of the unseasonable weather. CONCERT IN TOWN HALL The. Diamond Jubilee Commit lee were, not to be altogether defeated by the weather. To mark the occasion, a concert was hold in the Town. Hall last evening, but owing to the' unsettled weather conditions.the hall was barely half-filled though the programme was of of an entertaining character. Prior to tha concert Mr, J. E. Jenkinson said they were all mighty proud of . those who had laid the foundation of a nation, and ensured us the conditions we were enjoying despite the terrible war now raging in Europe. He expressed the hope that God in his goodness would grant tho victory to England and her Allies, and it was with hopeful hearts that they looked forward to the thousand years' peace mentioned in Dr. M'Nab's telegram. (Applause.) , . The programme opened with a .fantasia on "Les Cloches de Corneville" by the Working Men's Club Orchestra, under the baton of Mr. John M'Glashan. Miss M'Kenzie and Miss Flora Shaw contributed Highland dances, Mr. B. Shardlow a cornet solo ("The Rosary"), and Miss Dorothy Jones sang "II Bacio' (L'Arditi). That singer was also associated with hor sister in a vocal duet. Miss Bita M'Gee, an excellent double for Cecil Haines, recited "A Trip to Blackpool," Miss Thelma Aitken recited ! "Aint Yer, Charlie," and Mr. Bentley Russell was encored for "Tho Italian and the Roeo." Mr. W. Goudie showed how a good voice can be misused in "Nita Gitana." During the interval the band of the Natives' Association, under Liout. T. Herd, played a "Pinafore" solection. In the second part. Miss Marie Fix recited "The Old Man" rather cleverly, and Mr. A. E. Hunt gave a humorous Tecital. Mr. D. Coyle played the euphonium solo "Sehnsuclit" (Har.tmann), and Mr. A. G. Wallace contributed a humourous skotch. The latter gentleman also auctioned a small gold nugget, composed of the gold (between 5 and 6 pennyweights) which had been won from the wash-dirt treated by the AVest Coasters during tho afternoon. This was sold to three different persons for a total of £5 os., and was then returned to the association. A fancy work balloon (contributed, by an old lady) realised los., and four cases of fruit realised £1 Is. 6d. for the funds. , The Highland Pipe Band, which played through tho streets and outside tho hall, deserve to bo mentioned.