THE HEW CENTURY.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 1, 2 January 1901, Page 1

THE NEW CENTURY.

CELEBRATIONS IN GISBORNE.

The historic district of which Gisborne is chief town did its part handsomely in the celebrating of the epoch of time fusing the two centuries. Though there was no extensive preparation made, nearly everything being hastily worked, the affair went off as well as if there had been a programme completed in all its details many weeks previously. In the afternoon there was a noDle display of llags from the leading hotels, and at the Albion and British Empire Hotels especially pains had been taken in the way of decorations. The Albion was illuminated, so that the grand display of loyal pictures was given to full advantage, the pictures being representative of British heroes and with a large picture of Her Majesty. “ Peace on earth and goodwill to all men” were some of the lines shown. The Masonic Hotel made a fine gaslight display. As the evening neared visitors came in from t-he country in large numbers, and when the procession reached Gladstone road there must have been at least 4000. spectators, with an increase later on. The procession started from the fire brigade station, being headed by the City Band (under Mr Spurdle), the Whataupoko Band (under Mr Aston) bringing up the rear; in the centre there was the chief attraction, a tableau of “ Britannia and her Sons.” The trolly was in charge of the Fire Brigade (under Superintendent J. Townloy), and the next officer (Mr Wildish). “Britannia” was charmingly represented by Miss Elsie Sweet, who took the character with a dignity and grace that was in keeping with her personal attractions, and the young lady was very much admired. The other characters represented were: New Zealand, Australia, India, Canada, and Africa, tho lads who took part being Masters Dixon (8), Bloomfield (2), Lennie Hackett, Arthur Chrisp, ltalph Warren, and Beefie Wade, the boys all being suitably attired in khaki or sailor clothes. The procession, of which Mr C. E. Lewis was marshal, started off to the tunc “ Will ye no come back agen ” by the City Band, the march being up Palmerston Boad, then into Gladstone Boad via Derby street, with a detour to the south on reaching Peel street. The rendezvous was the N. Z. Native Association’s rooms, where the kindly greeting set forth in large letters was, “A I’rosperous New year,” the New Zealand flag being entwined with British ensigns. The City Band took up quarters on tho Masonic Hotel new balcony, tho Whataupoko Band later on playing a fine selection of music from the Albion Hotel balcony. An awning had been erected over tho Native Association’s verandah, and from' that stage some speeches were made and musical items rendered, the Band’s selections from the opposite balcony being made to fit in. Mr E. Parnell presided at the piano, and Mr McKillop took the cornet solo in the playing of “ Buie Britannia.” His Worship the Mayor, who was received with enthusiastic applause, and a loud fusilade of crackers, said that they were assembled there on a great occasion, the passing away of one century and the ushering in of a new one. He went on to give an interesting historical retrospect, showing the great progress that had been made during the century, and tho' wJi.ainod by the British nation. At tho commence-ment of the 19th century Napoleon's word Wig almost law, and Britain wasjf-a be swept but otlwro- cvruae It - ITeiso-Vyo (ApplaU3o.) .The progress niadel'.oA yAkr: e3pecia!l;;-.q»04 in the facilities for 1 ’ travelling, aud this was of great benefit to the.,- colonies for the reason that it was visited by many people two would never think of coining under the' old conditions of a four months’ journey. Incidentally he paid a warm tribute to the U.S'.S. Company. He hoped soon to see this district opened up by railway facilities, for 'there was no finer district that could be operied up by better means of transit. They hajd started late in that direction, but were rwnv well on the way, and he believed that they would get considerable assistance from the present Government. That night they were heralding the birth of a now nation in Australia, and whether or not New Zealand joined the federation their best wishes would be extended to Australia. (Cheers.) They were pleased to §ee that the Premier of New Zealand and Mr Carroll had arrived to take part in the proceedings, and it was very gratifying to know that the New Zealaud troops bad been placed at the bead of the of the procession. Fifty years ago there was hardly any settlement in New Zealand, and now the colony would soon have a population of a million; we had one great advantage over Australia—that there were so many harbors and centres from which the people could radiate. He concluded by wishing them all a prosperous new year. The President of the N.Z. Natives’ Association, Bev. Herbert Williams, briefly addressed the assemblage. There was, he said, no need for him to traverse the lines taken by the Mayor in giving them a retrospeot historically. There was no great point in the hour, but certainly they were not playing the fool in assembling that night; it was a mark of civilisation to group divisions of time in hours, weeks, months, and centuries. Our early forefathers had no other more scientific grouping of the divisions than had our friends the Maoris, who, before ,the coming of the pakeha, had the simple record “taihoa" — wait-a-bit, and it did not_ matter how long. (Laughter.) It might be "taken as certain that none of those present would see another century commence, but they could all hope that the new century’s record would be a noble one. He concluded by wishing them all a very happy century und many happy new years. Mr McKillop (cornet) and Mr Parnell (piano) then played “Buie Britannia,” while the beautiful tableau of “ Britannia and her Sons” was shown from the Natives' Association’s balcony, the Mayor then leading off in the singing of the National anthem. Mr DeLautour said they 'were indebted to the Mayor for this great jollification—to use Mr Townley’s own words. They were there at the birth of a new century, and they ought to be and were a happy people; they were, going to be happy as they prospered from year to year and God ruled over them. They were enjoying benefits for which they had neither toiled nor spun—they were debtors to the Queen, to the Empire,.to New Zealand, and to the future, and their object and that of their sons.and daughters should be to make the future greater than the past. Each century wa3 a testimony of the ages to the Divine compassion that nineteen hundred years ago lifted up humanity and glorified it for ever, so that now to be a man was to be everything, and the object of all was to raise every man and .woman of our race, yea, of all races, that the world might be better, and that we might be worthy of our great Creator. “We are,” continued Mr DeLautour, “ indebted to Mr Townley for this great gathering ; he is a grand Mayor. (Cheers.) Long life to him, and to Mrs Townley. (Cheers.) I have nothing more to say but to wish you all a happy new year. I say we are going to be a .happy and prosperous people, pulling together and making this little part of New Zealand the gem, as it ought to be, of the North Island. (Cheers).” Mr W. L. Bees made an eloquent reference to the occasion, saying that it was with intense pleasure he saw such a great gathering there. The Mayor had referred to the victories of Nelson, but it was a greater than Nelson who had guided our people, whose Hand was over them now, and would be in the years to come. The speaker went on to show that of all- those who celebrated the passing of the old century and welcomed the new the people of Gisborne would be first. Let them see to it that in the years to come they were ever the first in everything that exalted a nation. He quoted lines from