GRAND FESTIVAL AT CANTERBURY TO CELEBRATE THE MARRIAGE OF THE PRINCE OF WALES.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume III, Issue 132, 24 July 1863, Page 6 (Supplement)

GRAND FESTIVAL AT CANTERBURY TO CELEBRATE THE MARRIAGE OF THE PRINCE OF WALES.

(From the (Canterbury) Press, July 11.)

If ever a town rose from its bed with a feeling of blank despair it was Christchurch, Thursday morning. Even the thick mist and down-pouring rain which continued during the whole of Wednesday had not thoroughly brought the inhabitants to believe that the whole of the time, labor, and money expended in the preparations for the Royal Marriage feU were to be utterly thrown away. Some few, indeed, who had the wisdom to believe in our predictions that there would be a fine day, continued to hope against hope ; but when the sun rose on Thursday morning in a w ild rainy sky, lowering over sloppy streets and muddy roads whose moisture was replenished by occasional smart showers, even the most hopeful almost despaired. About nine o’clock however, some large heavy drops of rain were discharged from a black cloud which then rolled away disclosing the sun in all its splendour, and one of those skies of glorious blue for which New Zealand may ever claim the palm amidst the islands of the earth. It was impossible to conceive a more magical change. Every face reflected the change of nature; wrinkles disappeared frim the brow, and irritable tempers were instantly replaced by manners displaying every Christian grace. Nothing could be more lovely than the weather throughout the day, and even mud under foot, or indeed we may say over foot, through which the procession had to wade, was looked upon as a light misfortune in the recollection of how nearly the whole thing had been to a sad failure. It is no exaggeration to say that the procession was a really grand one. There were not, indeed, the splendid equipages of the old country, although the barouche which bore the ladies who were to plant the trees was got up as to the horses the riders with their blue velvet jackets, and the general appointments, in a manner which would have done credit to any English establishment. But the hundreds of horsemen, with the not perhaps very military seat, but still a look of good work when needed, and the horses rough in coat and rugged in appointments, yet evidently made for business, and capable of doing it too; the trades got up with all the symbols of their crafts ; the police, a magnificent body of men ; the volunteers, the fire brigade, and the countless flags, from the enormous banners swelling in the breeze like the mainsails of ships to the tiny pennons waved in the hands of the children—the whole extending over more than three quarters of a mile in length—all this formed a sight never to be forgotten—never at least by those who can remember how, not yet thirteen years ago, the wild fern and rank tutu and rustling flax were the only sight to be seen on the site of this now thriving city, and the melancholy boom of the bittern the only sound where now the crash of a capital brass band is playing tunes to the tread of a thousand footsteps.

Wo now come to the event of the day—the procession, an event which will long be remembered by all who are present. Those who saw it will doubtless agree with us that it was a grand and noble sight. Those who did not see it will with difficulty comprehend the extent of its merits ■ for when we say that we have seen various processions in England and Franco for years past on the grandest scale of pomp and magnificence, and that comparatively speaking, that of yesterday was as successful, we do not do justice. It deserves far higher praise than to say that it was comparatively excellent. It was a far greater display of loyalty and zeal than has ever yet been shown by a town of similar size and capabilities. Nor will a mere description ot it do it justice, for, although it was on a scale sufficiently grand and extensive to satisfy the most sanguine of our immediate expectations, it is to the admirable completeness of all its details, and the successful execution of all its measures, that the greatest praise, if a distinction can be made, is due. Before attempting to describe it, we must take the imagination of our readers, and ask them to picture to themselves the town of Christchurch, as it appeared yesterday morning, glittering in the sunshine of such a morning as New Zealand alone enjoys, and sparkling with a thousand flags. Everything looked bright and happy, and Christchurch was about to make its first attempt. The whole town was literally in a state of flags, sunshine, and favours. According to the programme the procession was to be formed on Papanui Koad at 10 a.m., but it was not till after that time that the different portions of the procession began to assemble. This, however, had its advantages, as it prevented the fusion and difficulty that must to a certain extent have arisen in forming the procession, had the different bodies arrived on the ground at the same time. Added to this too, it gave us an excellent opportunity of inspecting the appointments and general appearance of the different bodies which were to form the procession, as they came on to the ground and took up their respective positions. The police,’who were to lead the van, were on the ground early and mustered in full force. No one could help being struck with their fine and manly appearance. They are as fine a body of men, and as perfect in their appointments, as any wo remember to have seen, and we should do wrong to pass them over without a word of praise. Every town has its police, but those of Christchurch are different from most of others; their smart and soldier-like bearing is most striking; and there seems to be an esprit de corps among them which is never without result. Then among the other early arrivals there were the volunteers and the trades, such as the masons and bricklayers, carpenters, blacksmiths, &c. Those were all marshalled under their respective banners, with appropriate devices and mottoes’ most of which exhibited great taste and skill. Then there were the associations, such as Odd Fellows, Foresters, and others. The truth is, that all had evidently taken so much pains to sustain the reputation of their own body in particucular, and the processsion generally, and this with such successful result, that to have to mention some and not others is an unwelcome task. To mention all, however, as they deserve to be mentioned, is beyond our power. The effect of the Foresters, was most striking and picturesque, and

added greatly, by the introduction of so many bright colours, to the general appearance of the procession. Moat of our readers are familiar with the picturesque dress of the Foresters, so we will only say, that there were some as smart as any that ever disported themselves on a Blondin day at the Crystal Palace. They were led by Robin Hood and Little John, both of whom were on horseback, and in the most perfect costumes, and altogether they must have known that they were not the least conspicuous part of the procession. Then there was the Fire Brigade, and two fire engines, with the most thorough holiday look about them, decorated with the greatest skill, and bearing large banners, with the motto, “ Always ready.” The brigade, too, excited just admirration; they are a fine body of men, and we all dressed in a most appropriate and serviceable uniform. The brigade, together with the engines looked very much like a model that had just walked straight out of the International Exhibition ; and respectable householders might bo seen, with their hands in their trousers’ pockets, quietly contemplating them, but evidently of the opinion that the rates charged by the Insurance Companies must be too high. Then there were the Plough and the Thrashing Machine, and other agricultural implements, which evinced the most unmistakeable proofs of the taste and skill of the artists who decorated them. About 10 30 the crowd began rapidly to increase, and the procession began to look something like that described in the programme. The Maories arrived next upon the ground, under the superintendence of the Rev. J. W. Stack. A portion of them were on foot, the four first being dressed in a holiday costume, which differed from any other in the programme, and which was principally composed of skins and furs. Then followed a troop of Maories on horseback, and the whole body marched to its appointed place. Although much must needs be omitted that deserves mention, we should indeed be much to blame were we to omit the Butchers. The thought must have presented itself to many of the spectators, “ what a formidable body of light cavalry those men would make and indeed they would. They could all ride was apparent enough from the way in which they sat their horses, and they had that “ devil may care ” look about them which made them appear game for anything. Their costume was perfect, and as they passed along in their blue frocks, with red sashes, black velvet caps, and breeches and boots, we thought that nothing was wanting but to arm them, to make them what we have said. Indeed the stock-whip alone in their hands would be a rather formidable weapon at close quarters. As it was, they showed their efficiency in an amusing manner. A cart joined the procession which ,in no way belonged to it, and upon inquiry it proved to be a cartful of tailors ; as they declined to withdraw when requested to do so, it was merely intimated to the butchers that the cart would be dispensed with. It is hardly necessary to add, that the tailors were speedily disposed of by the butchers'. Not that there was the elighest disorder but the butchers cut them out in the quietest possible manner. Of course the tailors ivere at liberty to follow the procession, like any of the rest of the crowd, but they were no longer in the procession.

But how shall we describe without a blush of vanity the appearance of that noble profession to ■which we ourselves belong. First came the large crimson and gold banner of the Caxton Club,°a body which we regret does not include all the members ef the printing profession, but which will no doubt some day do so. Nest came the President" and Vice-president of the Caxton Club. Then a blue and gold banner, displaying the words, “ First English printer William' Caxton, a.d. 1774.” The date is that of the first book ever printed in England. Caxton, who was a mercer of London, set up the first printing press in the Eleemosynary or Almonry which stood at the West side of the sanctuary in Westminster, by the permission and under the encouragement of its learned Abbot, Thomas Miling. The press was built in 1471, and the first book, entitled The Gan .e and Flay of the Chesse, translated from the French, appears to have been three years in hand, as it was only “ Fynyshed the last day of Marche the yer of our Lord God a thousand four hundred and Ixxiiij.” Immediately in the rear of the banner came the veritable Caxton himself, in the dress of the period, upon a horse led by two pages in character, and it seems to be admitted that the character was admirably got up and sustained. Then came a green and gold banner, “We printers share the universal joy,” followed by three white silk banners, on which were printed the first pages of the three newspapers of the day, the Lyttelton Times, the Canterbury Standard, and the Frees, borne by three apprentices on horseback. The carriage containing the three proprietors of the newspapers followed, then three more banners borne by horsemen : red—“ Speed the printing offices”; silver—“ The united press of Canterbury”; pink—“ Emulation not rivalry.” Then came a triumphal car drawn by four splendid cart horses, the body richly hung with crimson and white drapery hanging down to the ground, and bearing the mysterious engine through which the mind of man ever ebbs 'and flows in ceaseless tide—the printing press. Hound it stood the pressmen, working at their craft as the procession moved through the streets, and printing a broadside which contained a full description of the procession of printers with appropriate verses in honor of the occasion.

Nor must we omit to mention a capital incarnation of that wicked spirit “The Printer’s Devil,” who stood beside the printing-press with ugly horns and a most venomous-looking tail, to the terror and delight of all the small boys in the town. Not a bad emblem of the sad truth how near the Spirit of Evil ever stands to our greatest blessings, and how great the danger lest the powers of the press should be prostituted to malicious uses.

Following the car came the printers of Canterbury, two and two, flanked by some beautiful silk flags with mottos in gold—“ The Throne, the Press, the People “ Types are the seeds of knowledge “ Nought can crush a free Press “ Education is a second Nature“ Tyranny trembles at the creaking of the Printing Press.” The printers’ procession closed with a crimson pen-

nant “ Excelsior,” and three standards borne by pages on horseback. All wore now waiting for what was to complete the procession, and the two drays appeared containing the trees which were to be planted. In the centre of each dray stood a tree handsomely decorated, and seated round each tree were four ladies who had consented to perform the ceremony of planting the trees. Tile effect of these drays with the trees surrounded by the handmaidens in their scarlet cloaks with white hoods, and white straw hats with white ribbons, was wonderfully pretty. These young ladies were Miss Healey, the daughter of his Honor the Superintendent ; Miss Fitz Gerald, the two Misses Luck, Miss Ollivier, the two Misses Alport, and Miss Gordon. His Honor the Superintendent, together with his executive and the other officers of the Government were already on the ground. Then came a splendid carriage and four containing the ladies who had kindly consented to act upon the occasion, viz., Mrs. Healey, the wife of his Honor the Superintendent; Mrs. J. Fitz Gerald, Mrs. Ollivier, and Miss Moorhouse, who represented her mother, Mrs. W. S. Moorhouse. In the selection of these ladies to perform the principal ceremony, the Procession Committee were guided by the wish to do honor to the wives of those who have occupied the most prominent posts of the Government of the Province and of the city of Christchurch, viz., the present and late Superintendents and the Chairman of the City Council, irrespective of the rank of the several inhabitants of the Province. This accounts for the absence from the list of names we should otherwise have expected to see the wives of members of the Legislative Council and House of Representatives, as well as of the Judge. If we may venture an opinion, wo should have preferred to see all those ladies included in the ceremony. After some time had been spent in completing the junction of the procession, which was now upwards of three-quarters of a mile in length, the band struck up and the whole procession moved onwards. After a speech from the Superintendent, and a prayer from the Bishop, his Honor ttie Superintendent, proceeded to the platform at which Mrs. Healey and Mrs. Fitz Gerald were waiting, and taking hold of the stem of the tree, said, “ I now declare this tree to be duly planted in commemoration of the happy union of his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales and the Princess Alexandra of Denmark, and that it shall be named the Albert Edward tree.” Mrs. Healey and Mss Fitz Gerald, with the two spades to he used upon the occasion, then threw in as much earth as was necessary, (he band played “God save the Queen” and the tree was planted. The tree on the other side was then planted in like manner, Mr. Ollivier holding it and naming it the Alexandra tree, and Mrs. Ollivier and Miss Moorhouse throwing in the earth. The hand then played Rule Britannia, and the ceremony was brought to a most successful conclusion. The two oak trees were handsome specimens of their kind, standing each 3 S feet high, and well clothed with branches which were profusely decorated with red and white ribbons.

Trees having been offered both by Mrs. Deans of Riccarton, and C. Davie, Esq., it was determined to divide the honor of presentation and accept one from each, accordingly the Prince’s tree on the north side of the entrance to the town, was from Mrs. Deans, and the Princess’s tree on the left was from Mr. Davie. The former had been obtained by Mr. W. Wilson, and the latter by Barker, the Government gardener, whilst both trees had been decorated, and were attended to through the course of the procession by Sir. Wilson, who also assisted in the operation of planting.

The procession then returned to town, and at Barnard’s Repository, which was now rapidly filling with children, the natives alighted and the procession was virtually at an end.