THE TWELFTH OF JULY CELEBRATION.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1991, 12 July 1880, Page 2

THE TWELFTH OF JULY CELEBRATION.

THE ORANGE PROCESSION. Perhaps on no occasion has so much excitement been manifested by the general public as to-day, when it was known that the various Orange lodges of the district would walk in procession. During the past week not only the police but His Worship the Meyor received many letters, warning them that if the Orange procession were allowed blood would be shed. It is significant that all these were anonymous, and, as the result proved, quite unfounded. Rumour, of course, was also rife. The most sensational reports were industriously circulated as to purchase of revolvers, Ac., hut, on being traced, no truth was to be found in any of them. The Orangemen of the district, incensed at the attack made upon a peaceable and unarmed procession of men, women and children on Boxing-day, made up their minds to assert their rights as citizens, whilst doing nothing to contravene the law, to march through the streets, and this resolve they carried out happily without even the smallest incident to mar the success of the day’s proceedings. The general muster was called for eleven o'clock at the Orange Hall, Worcester street, and long before that hour the streets leading to the hall were densely crowded with people, who lined botn sides. It may here be Suggested that on another occasion steps should be taken to prevent the indiscriminate and reckless manner in which cabs, carts, and vehicles of all descriptions were driven down the crowded streets. It is only a wonder that some accident did not occur, the more so as some of the vehicles were very recklessly driven. From eleven o’clock till nearly noon, the members of the various lodges not only in and around Christchurch, but from a distance, began to muster in strong force until nearly seven hundred strong. The bands during the arrangements of marshalling, to., were being carried out, played a number of airs very creditably. The various banners of the lodges, particularly that of No. 13, attracted much attention, being exceedingly handsome. Every precaution to prevent the slightest breach of the 'peace had been taken by the police authorities, although from the very decided stand taken by the Rev. Father Qinaty, in his addresses last night at the Catholic Church, very little fear was entertained that there would be any attempt at molesting the procession. A detachment of about fifty of the police force, under Mr Superintendent Broham, Inspectors Buckley and O’Donnell, acd Sergeant-Major Mason, were placed on the outside ranks all down the procession. Bro. T. Stapleton, W.M., of No. 2, acted as marshal, and soon got the brethren into rank of fours, the banners being distributed at intervals along the lino. When started, it was exceedingly pretty sight, one of the finest of the kind seen here, the gay colours of the regalia worn adding greatly to the appearance. Ssarting from the Orange Hall after three cheers had been given for the day which was being celebrated, the route was along Latimer square to Cashel street, thence to Oxford terrace, down Hereford and Colombo streets, across Victoria bridge to Salisbury street, and thus to Mr Sunderland’s paddock, where sports of various kinds were improvised. The lodges represented were : No. I, Maiden City, Lyttelton; Noe. 2 and 3, Christchurch; No. 10, Eaiapoi; No. 11, Courtenay ; No. 13, Timaru ; No. 14, Prebbleton; No, 15, Templeton; No. 16, Southbridge. Total number of members in procession, 630. The bands were the Protestant Band, under the conductorehip of Mr Dorn, and the Southbridge Drum and Fife Band. As stated, the destination was reached without a single hitch occurring, and at the time of going to press all were thoroughly enjoying themselves in various ways. That so signal a refutation of the dire mishaps predicted should the procession be allowed has occurred is a matter for general congratulation, and it is to be hoped that the further proceedings in celebration of the anniversary will be marked by the same absence of even the semblance of strife to mar the peaceable gathering together of a large number of citizens.