THE CORONATION.

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 496, 7 August 1902, Page 2

THE CORONATION.

ADMISSION TO THE ABBEY

THE PREPARATIONS. INTEREST IN KING'S RETURN. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Loudon, Aug. 0. Tho Abbey will be opened on Tuesday to Colonial and Indian troops. The public will be admitted at a small charge lor the rest of the week. A daily Coronation rehearsal is being held in the Abbey. There are a few decorations in tho West, and the difficult arches have been erected. There is widespread interest in tho King’s return to London on Wednesday evening. LOCAL CELEBRATIONS. THE OFFICIAL PROGRAMME. A meeting of the Coronation Celebration Committee was held last evening at tho Borough Council Chambers. Present: Ilis Worship the Mayor, Messrs G. D.uton, Rowley, Wildish, Gaudin, and Robinson. Tho Chairman said that tho Decoration Committee were hard at work, and had the frames of the arches partially constructed. An abundance of foliage was forthcoming, and there had been many offers to assist in the work of decorating the town on Friday ovening. The Gas Company also intended to repeat tho exhibition which they had previously given. The programme was gone carefully through, and after a number of amendments and additions, was adopted as follows : 9.15 a.m. —First train leaves Ormond station for Gisborne, picking up passengers at intervening stations. 9.30 a.m. —Church scrvico in connection with the Coronation of King Edward VII.

11 a.m.—Monster procossion, starting at the Kaiti Bridge and proceeding to tho Domain. Order of procession: East Coast Mounted Lillies, Returned Troopers, and Veterans, City Band ; “ Britannia and her daughters," school children (girls'); “ Sons of the Sea," school children (boys); Hon. James Carroll, members of Borough Council, County Council, Harbor Board, etc., Pioneers in charge of Mr M. Hall, Veterans in chargo of Captain Ferris (all residents prior to tho tnassaero and those with war medals specially invited), Trado and other emblems, Gisborne Ritles and Rifles Band, Contingent of Natives, Friendly Societies in tho following order, Rechabites, Hibernian Socioty, Druids, Foresters, Manchester Unity of Oddfellows, American Order of Oddfellows, and othor Societies, members of Fire Brigade, cto. ; Marshal, Mr John Townley. 11.45—Military will fire feu de joio aud salute the flag. Noon —The Native Minister, the -Mayor, and other speakers will deliver short speeches, and children will sing “ God Save tho King.” 1 p.m.—Tho Committee have arranged with Mrs Erskino to provide refreshments at tho Domain. An ample supply will be available, all drinks threepence per bottle. 2 p.m.—Grand military display, including physical drill by the Gisborne Cadets, and sham fighu by tho Gisborne Rifles. 2.45 p.m.—Presentation of medals to returned troopers by the Hon. James Carroll.

3 p.m.—Football match : Pakehas v, Maoris.

3.30 p.m.—Grand hockey match under the auspices of the Hockey Association.

4.45. —Tho train loaves Ormond for Gisborne. Tho City and Gisborne Rifles Bands will discourse music during tho day. 7 p.m.—Grand torchlight procession by Friendly Societies, Firo Brigade, cyclists, and others. A large bonfiro will bo lighted at the Point, Reid’s Quay. 7.30 p.m.—lllumination of town : An illuminated aquatic display on the rivers will bo given by the Rowing Clubs and others early in the evening. The business people of tho town generally, and in particular Gladstone road from the bridge to the belfry, aro requested to decorate their premises with flags and greenstuff, and also to illuminate their show windows in tho evening up to say nine o’clock. It is also requested that all residents of the Borough and suburbs illuminate their houses in tho evening, either with Chinese lanterns, or by placing a light in each front window. Tho country people are asked to light bonfires on the tops of the surrounding hills. 9.30 p.m.—Special train leaves for Ormond. FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT." At the request of tho Coronation Committee, tho Rugby Unian at its mooting held last ovening decided to hold a sevonmen a-side tournament on Saturday next. Each club is endeavoring to put its strongest seven on the field, aud tho contest is certain to be fast and exciting. The following aro selected to represent their respective clubs: —Huia: Burns, To' Reina, Here, Ball, Sherratt, SwanD, Sharp, MeGrutber, and Gibson. West End : Hepburn, Waitai, Brown, Poananga, Bennett, Miller, and Skeet. Ilaiti-City: W. Hay, Porter, J. Hay, Glennie, Martin, Bright, and Brown. Combinations: Symes, Witty, Nolan, Watene, Eaton, Williams, and Colebourne.