PEACE CELEBRATIONS.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 433, 4 June 1902, Page 4

PEACE CELEBRATIONS.

• MONDAY'S PROCEEDINGS. SUPPLEMENTARY REPORTS. By Telegraph—Press Association. Ashburton, last night. Rain commenced to fail heavily about six o'clock in the evening, but did not seem to damp the enthusiasm of the people, who turned out in great force to witness the torchlight procession of the tire brigade and firework's display. There was a good attendance at the thanksgiving service in St. Stephen's Anglican Church.

PALMERSTON NORTH. The spontaneous outburst in connection with the declaration of peace was very remarkable. The streets were full of people and business was practically suspended.in the afternoon. A thanksgiving service conducted by Archdeacon Puncourt was held in the Anglican Church. Bands playing, rockets ascending, and crowds cheering were the principal features of the evening. During Harry Rickards’ entertainment the large audience rose en mass and sang “ God Save the King,” and at the close of the entertainment a similar patriotic demonstration took place.

NELSON. The news was received here with unbounded satisfaction. The Church bells pealed, the artillery fired guns, and business was stopped, and everyone was elated. Through the evening the bands paraded the town, guns were fired, and there was the general rejoicing. On Tuesday there was a thanksgiving servico in front of the Cathedral, and the Te Deum was sung by a united chorus. For the afternoon mil tary 3ports were arranged.

BLENHEIM. On receipt of the peace news, the bells were set ringing throughout town, and in an incredibly short space of time a largo crowd assembled. The flagslafls and buildings were dressed with flags. In ail directions ringing cheers wore sent up, and impromptu processions appeared. These amalgamated, and, headed by the members of the Garrison and Hibernian bands, with various emblematic devices, marched round the town, drawing up at the rotunda, on which tho Mayor and Councillors and leading citizens had assembled. The Mayor and others addressed the 1 .rge number of people on the momentous topic of tho occasion, and the band played and the people sang “ Rule Britannia” and 11 God Save tho King.” Tho people cheered again and again. A royal salute was fired from the big gun. Business was entirely suspended. The ready and spontaneous manner in which everyone rushed out to jubilate on the glorious news gave ample testimony of the feelings of joy and loyalty with which it was received and tho long and anxious period of anticipation and waiting which had preceded it. In tho evening, there was a large procession of volunteers and friendly societies, with bands and allegorical shows. The town was crowded with visitors, and great enthusiasm prevailed.

DUNEDIN. Monday afternoon was devoted to a procession. Long before the time announced the streets wore crowded, and had it not beon for the threatening appearance of the weather it is thought that tho crowd would have far exceeded that of Ladysmith Day. The volunteers mustered in good force, while the Industrial School boys and band and school cadets made a 'brave show. The municipal authorities, ex-Mayors, members of Legislature, Salvation Army, brass bands and pipo band, Friendly Societies, Trades Unions, University students, and others took part in tho procession. The finest display was made by the Government workshops, but Sparrow’s employees and others were also prominent. A feature of the whole proceedings was the heartiness and good humor of all who took part. Nobody, whether lady or little boy or girl, seemed to care whether they were jostled or hustled, pushed about, or toes trampled on, and everything provoked cheer from everybody. The Dunedin people in fact “ let themselves go.” A thanksgiving service was fixed for Tuesday 7. Tho crowds abont the streets were left to provide their own entertainment in tho evening. News from tho'oountry districts show that the celebrations there were equally hearty.

WANGANUI. The news was received here with great enthusiasm. Bolls were rung, whistles sounded, and general rejoicings took place. In the evening there was a procession, etc. Speeches were delivered by the Mayor and member for the district. The crowd in the streets was a record for AVanganui.

CHBISTCHUBCH. The news was received here with the utmost enthusiasm. The E Battery fired a salute of 31 guns, and every available boll was rung. A procession took place in the afternoon through crowded streets, after which a mass meeting was held in Cathedral Square, addressed by the Mayor and others. Special thanksgiving services were held by all denominations. In the evening the town was again crowded, and several bands paraded the Btreots.

BLENHEIM. The day was given up to jubilation. A public holiday was observed from midday, and various forms of demonstration were indulged in by a largo concourse of people. Speechifying, religious services in the evening, and a procession were the chief proceedings.

WELLINGTON. An enormous crowd of people gathered in tho vicinity of the Post Office this morning, eager to hear tho welcome news of peace confirmed. The Mayor, accompanied by several City Councillors, read the message he had received from Sir Joseph AVard, giving the test of Lord Kitchener’s welcome cable, and shortly afterwards Sir Joseph himself appeared on the scene, and was greeted with round after round of cheers as he recapitulated the intelligence of tho cessation of hostilities. Sir Joseph then read the further cablegram which His Excellency had received from the Secretary of State for the Colonies, stating that the representatives of the Boer forces still left in the field have accepted the terms put forward by His Majesty’s Government. Tremendous applause followed this announcement. Sir Joseph then remarked that although the distinguished man who was at tbq head of the New Zealand Government was not now in South Africa, he was there a short time age, and he felt perfectly certain that there was no one in any part of tho British Empire who would be more pleased to hear of tho consummation of peace than the head of the Government of New Zealand as soon as he arrived in Eneland. The war had been a prolonged one, but freedom under the Biitish flag would be enjoyed by the Transvaal in future, and there would be shown that consideration of the claims of the conquered which had ever been a distinguishing characteristic of the British race wherever they had been the dominant power. Cheers were then given for tho King, and tho National Anthem and “ Buie Baitannia ” were sung. AA 7 hen Sir Joseph regained his carriage, the crowd removed the horses, and the ActingPremier was drawn through the city. Business was suspended in the city, and all the school children were given a holiday. In the evening the streets were crowded, and the sounds of rejoicing were to be heard in all directions.

HOKITIKA, last night. The peace celebrations here were of a most jubilant character. The whole of the townspeople attended. There was thanksgiving in Cass tiquare, where a short service of prayer and praise was held, the people joining in fervently. The Dead March was played in memory of the fallen. In the 'evening the town was illuminated, and a great gathering assembled at a patriotic concert, which * opened witii a living tableau of peace, the audience rising and singing the Doxolory. Business was entirely suspended throughout the day, and Tuesday was also observed as a close holiday. A large number of country folk came into town for the proceedings, which were of a most hearty character.