GENERAL ITEMS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 42, 13 November 1918, Page 8

GENERAL ITEMS

JUBILATION IN THE EVENING.

Throngs of people invaded the city streets last evening to continue the day's jubilations. Without any set programme the crowd simply set out to enjoy itself in tho best way that occurred at the moment, and the iresu.lt was a joyous uproar that lasted from 7.30. p.m. until 9.30 p.m., when . the crowds began to thin out, conscious, for the greater part, that they wero a long way from home and there weiro no tramcars running. Ono of the largest concourses of people assembled at Stewart Dawson's corner, where for over an hour the Waterside Workers' Band played a programme of popular music of a patriotic character and the choruses of well-known songs (in which the crowd joined with great vigour). So-dense was ihe crowd that motor-cars became hemmed in with a dense pack of humanity which would not-, and could not, permit of advance or retreat. Noisy bauds of young men paraded tho town with musical instruments and tincans (that wero the reverse of musical). Groups of young girls linked arms and sang their way along oblivious of 'all save the general atmosphere of unlicensed joy which pervaded the city. There were also spasmodic displays of fireworks, impromptu speeches by exuberant revellers, and a cancatanafion of raucous row that made sober speech almost impossible.

AN IMPROMPTU PARADE. As the first gun sounded yesterday morning Surgeon-Colonel Purdy happened to be inspecting the Hnratongan soldiers, who are accommodated at the Drill Hall, Lower Hutt. The men were at once paraded in the .open, and the uaturo of the news made known to them. At the order the troops sang "God Save the King" in Raratongan and auerwiin.s in yen- goM English. Three cheers wero given by the men before they wore dismissed. , . So far tho Earatongans have escaped tlie influenza epidemic. SENIOR CADETS. The senior cadets mustered strongly for yesterday morning's ceremony at the Town Hall, about 1740 being present, under Major A. A. Corrigan. St. Patrick's College Cadets furnished the guard of honour. Wellington College Cadets were also detailed for duty, but were unable to reach Government Buildings in time to participate. There was a ytrone muster of Home Service menincluding the Ordnance, Base Records, ttrcup, and Director and Recruiting Staffs. D Battery and sth Regiment wore also represented. ]N THE WORKING MEN'S CLUB., There was . an enthusiastic gathering oj about 500 members at the Working Men's Club yesterday morning, to cele-bra-e the signing of the armistice. Mr. B. Finucane (president), who was in the cliai'', referred in glowing terms to the CTeat achievements of Great Britain and her Allies, who had fought a clean fight. He also referred to the great part Mr. Lloyd George had played in bringing the war fa n successful conclusion -to the work of the New Zealand Government and to the heroism of our soldiers and nurses. The dub. he remarked, had sent over 20 per cent, of its - members to the war. The majority of these soldiers were oner 30l 'His remarks were greeted with loud cheers. Addresses were also delivered by Messrs. L. Heiinesv and W. Naughton. Cheers were then given for the King and the Allies. On the motion of the chairman the following was carried: —

"We, member? of the Wellington Working Men's Club, proud lo be loyal subjects of the British Empire, render thanks to Almiorhty God for the victorious ending of tho givnt war for liberty i">d righteousness which has Jieen waged for over four strenuous years by our Empire and (tn.llant AHi°s. and exDress mir hearty thanks to Nn.yy and Armv for the glorious deeds hav» enl. minnted in the. _ downthrow of the enemies of humanity." Among tho?" tiresent were' a number of returned soldiers. SOLDIER INVALIDS, One of the most appealing sights at yesterday's midday function at the Town Hall was the appearance of a number of motor-cars conveying invalid irctnrned soldiers from tho Victoria Hospital. Kacli car boro a calico streamer a'bovc the wind-screen inscribed with the words "From the Victoria Hospital.'' As the cars made their way past the crowd cheers wero given for the soldiers, and the men responded gallantly by waving their crutches and Hags of the Allies. THE TEAMS STOP. The city tramway services ceased at 3 p.m. yesterday, and will not resume until the p.m. shift goes oil duty at 3 o'clock this afternoon. THE BOWIiisIDBILATE. Yesterday afternoon the members of the Wellington Bowling Club, which is the parent institute of all bowling clubs in the'city and suburbs, assembled in the pavilion at four o'clock, at the suggestion of tho president, Mr. Albert Wylie, to celebrate the greatest day in the his-

(ory of the Empire. The first toast was proposed by the president himself, namely, '"Ihe Empire »nd the King." The British Empire and their Allies, Mr. Wylie said, had triumphed over forces that would have destroyed civilisation and liberty. This toast was honoured enthusiastically, the National Anthem being led by Mr. 13. J. Hill. The president also proposed, "The Memory of the Fallen," who hud given their lives to preserve the hearths and homes of tho people. In response to this toast all the company stood. Next to that was "The Allied Armies," proposed bar Mr. D. i Skinner, and responded to by Mr. A. Yeitcli, who spoke eulogistical!}* of tho achievements of the combined forces who had fought to overthrow an enemy that desired to dominate the world, and subject all nations to their particular and abominable Kultur. "The New Zealand Forces" was the next toast. This was proposed l>y Sir. George Brown, who spoke of the sacrifices New Zealand parents had made in the war. The toa6t was responded to by Mr. J. D. Sievwright, who praised the work of the New Zealand soldiers in the war. On the Suez Canal, in Palestine, in Western Egypt, on Gallipoli, and in Franca and Flanders they had won honour and glory for themselves, their country, mid their fathers. That was indeed a proud day for the fathers and mothers who had bred such sons. "The Navy and Mercantile Marine" received high tribute from Sir Edward Gibbes. and Mr. J. J. Roberts, who recently lost a son in the war, appropriately replied. ,Mr. E. J. Herald led the loyal and patriotic music which accompanied the. toasts!, and also sang as a solo, "Rule Britannia." This 1 evening the members and their wives and friends will take nart at the pavilion in a further patriotic celebration of the Allies' victory. A FURTHER HOLIDAY. The offices of the city solicitors will be closed all day to-day. Messrs. Ivirkcaldie and Stains, Ltd., and George and Kersley, Ltd., announce that their doors will remain closed today. Both tirms will reopen for business on Thursday. The Wellington''Harbour Board notifies all interested that its wharves, stores, bond, anil offices will be closed to-day. Business will he resumed at 8 a.m. on Thursday. ■ The Automatic Bakeries, Ltd., (proprietors of the Kellow bread) announce that, under arrangements with their employees/a large supply of bread will be delivered to every customer to-day. Thursday and Friday will be observed us holidays

Many extraordinary scenes were enacted in the streets yesterday under the influenco of the good news and otliw stimulants. In Willis Street about a dozen men were seen revolving slowly in a circle of joined hands singing "Sons of the Sea" to the music' of a clarinet played by one of. the number in the centre of the circle.

Some of the motor-car "exhibits" yesterday were unique. A small car belonging to Mr. T. A. Wells vas camouflaged as a "whippet" tank, and was seen whipping about all over the city. Another motor-cycle sidecar supported a fake battleship, with the prayer "God bless Foch" painted on her' after-quar-ter.

The toy, stationers, and drapers' shops who sell flags and toy trumpets celebrated Armistice Day by making a small fortune out of such wares. The sale must have run into somo tons of thousands. It is significant that a lairge proportion of the "Union Jacks and Stars and Stripes sold were of Japanese origin. "When are you goin' away?" This? question yelled from a tramcar at a particularly forlorn-looking soldier in Manners Street evoked a shout of laughtar. * The nurses of the St. John Ambulance Association attended at Parliamentary grounds, the Town Hall, and Basin Reserve yesterday, and deserve I'll possible credit.' Their services were needed on many occasions. _ _ Thanksgiving services will he held at St. Mark's, Dufferin Street, to-day. There will bo a celebration of' Holy Communion at 8 a.m., and a special service at 7.30 n.nr. A special thanksgiving service will bo held at Wesley Church, Taranaki Street, at 7.45 this evening. All Senior Cadets' parades set down for to-day and to-morrow have been cancelled.