FRIENDLY SOCIETIES’ PROCESSION.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2134, 27 December 1880, Page 2

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES’ PROCESSION.

The Amalgamated Societies’ picnio, which has become an established institution on Boxing Day, bids fair this year to eclipse its predecessors—the beneficial change in the weather, with the welcome showers, had cooled the air and laid the dust, rendering the route of the procession most enjoyable. By arrangement the whole of the friendly societies met at Latimer square at half past ten o’clock, where the line of procession was formed, and a start made for the locale of the day’s sports, Tiz., the Agricultural and Pastoral Society’s show grounds, Colombo street South. The procession was at least a mile in length, and was marshalled as follows : Arch Druid. Bailway Band. Druids. A four-wheel conveyance containing the bands, with harps, &e., grouped round the Druids’ Oak. Druids. War Chariot, containing the Druidical High Priest, drawn by two horses, led by Druids. Druids. Excelsior Band. Oddfellows, with seven banners. Foresters’ Drum and Fife Band. Juvenile Foresters. Foresters, with two magnificent Banners. The streets were densely crowded, and the members could not have fallen far short of 10,000. The Druids portion of the procession reached nearly 600 yards. The Oddfellows and Foresters were also in full force. Many horsemen and parties in traps, cabs, &c. closed in after the procsssion, and it may be pronounced one of the most imposing sights yet seen in Christchurch. The sports were being arranged at the time of our going to press, a full report of which will appear in our next issue.