THE CORONATION.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 23 June 1911, Page 2

THE CORONATION.

CELEBRATIONS IN LEVIN. LOYAL CITIZENS. GREAT GATHERING IN THE CENTURY HALL. THE MAYOR AND MR. FIELD, MP., ON IMPERIAL OBLIGATIONS. The Coronation of their Majesties Kino- George V. and Queen Mary, was "celebrated with every evidence of loyalty in Levin yesterday, and the ceremonies, which were observed to mark the historic event, were of a deeply interesting and impressive character, because while tho civic side and the wider range of a. sane patriotism was represented, the religions atmosphere of the dominion and of tho Empire permeated tho whole of the proceedings in, the Century Hall. It will thus bo seen that the arrangements made by the local committee, with the Mayor (Mr B. R. Gardener), at its head, embraced every feature of the national life, and the speeches, throughout yesterday noon's gathering breathed a spirit of loyalty and fealty to the Soverign, and of patriotic devotion to /the Empire, the connecting link among the scattered units, alone of which to-day is the Crown. The Mayor, with his customary comprehension, siummed up the objects of the gathering in a 'thoughtful little speech, and Mr Field's references to Queen Victoria, and King Edward were listened: to with deep interest, while Mr R>anderson's address to the younger members of the community was a simple leson, full of words of wisdom . on the obligations of Empir« It had- been hoped to hold the gathering in the Square as on the occasion of the death of King Edr ward'. V.TT., and preparations had already been made for erecting a platform, but tempestuous weather on Wednesday evening necessitated, •a re-arrangement of tllie programme and with their usual kindness, tho owners of the Century Hall placed the building in tho ha,nds of the Coronation committee. The offer was, of course, gladly accepted, and during the morning many willing hands completed all the necessary arrangements for the accommodation of citizens

At eleven o'clock the Woraroa Boys' Training Farm corps of till© Third Wellington Battalion Junior Cadets, headed by the brass and! pipe band, left the institution, aaid. at half-past eleven the Levin District High School cadets joined l them. Headed by Major Bnrlinson they marched to the Levin Post office, where they wore welcomed I) 3' a number of Maoris, suitably dressed. They were headed hy Mr Rcri Nicholson, who together with' others had had the Union Jack " Huia" swung across the ro'adl from the Post Offico to the Levin Hotel. Tt will be recollected tihiat this flag was presented to the Maoris by a. son of the Earl of Onslow. The 'battalion was then halted, and subsequently miirched off playing the Coronation Processional hymn. On arrival at the Ccntn'ry Hall, the cadets were marched' to seats provided for them in front of the hall and the hand was conducted to the rear of the platform. The parade state was as follows:—1 Major, 2 captains (Capt. Eggleton and Capt. Harding), 3 lieutenants, 2 col.-sergeants, 0 sergeants, 7 corporals. 2 buglers, 88 privates, 1 In ml sergeant. 22 band boys. A total of l.'M of all ranks. There was in addition about 100 boys from tlh'e Training Farm following the battalion. The Century Hall was crowded, and the school children filled the accommodation in the gallery. On the platform was a large and representative gathering of citizens, the chair 'being taken by ibis Worship the Mayor (Mr B. ' R, The hymn "0 King of Kings" having been sung, the Rev. T. F. Jones delivered prayer, in the course of which he thanked God for the Bmpiro of which New Zealand formed a part, and for the liberty they enjoyed. To-day, on that Coronation day, they pleaded for a special blessing upon the King and Queen, who wore being coronated. . llhiey prayed that their reign might he, long and prosperous, and that their sceptre might be a right sceptre, a sceptre of mercy and of love.

The lesson T's. xlv.. was impressively read by Capt. Rimmer. The Mayor, in opening the proceedings, referred to the occasion that'had drawn them all .together, and. said that the ceremony of crowning Kings had gone on for many hundreds of years, and; formed an integral part of the British Constitution. Looking hack over the past hundred years they could not but recognise the immense progress the British nation had made under the Constitution, and he ventured to say that, in his onuiion, it was a very good tiling to live under such a Constitution. Sometimes they were apt to forget the advantages that they received from living under it; sometimes they wej'e apt to ' forget their great responsibilities. It was such gatherings as that that focused the attention of the pcto-ple of the distant parts of the Empire upon the enormous importance of preserving the Empire and of unholding the present Constitution. Many of them had had the pleasure of seeing the King. He came to New Zealand some time ago, and travelled throughout the whole of the dominion. Thoy knew the splendid work performed by the late Queen Victoria; they recollected the splendid work in the cause of peace performed by king Edward We Peacemaker, and they were thankful to know that the present King had not only an unrivalled knowledge as King, of his subjects throughout the world, but that he had had the inestimable privilege of being brought up by such a good grandmother and such a. good father. Viriong the many things they could novel- forget was the late King's intervention in international affairs in the cause of peace, and he \i'<is satisfied that in the present King they would find a worthy man to follow the Peace-maker. The Mayor went on to say how pleased he was to seo the Maori race represented. They had proved loyal in the old days to the Queen, they had- fought on the side of the British, and lhad proved all through their loyalty to the Crown. That was a great example of Maori virtue, and it was one which the pakeha much appreciated. Tn conclusion, the Mayor said' tiliat they looked to the King and Queen to uphold the Constitiution, and therefore he said let us he loyal to both and also to the British' Empire. (Loud! dicers). Mr Field, M.P.. reminded the audience- that it was ten years ago wlhen tho British Empire was thrown in gloom and mourning.by reason oi the death of Queen Victoria. Her name was one in a. thousand'. ft was a household name in every British home. Her rule seemed to -be a. sort of institution of the British 'Empire. It was in the early part of January, lfl'ol, when the news ca.mo througib that the Queen was seriously ill. He was in Adelaide and lie could not help noticing the effect the news had upon the people. He was in Melbourne wnen the news of the Queen's death was announced and throughout line was struck with the appearance of the. people. It was an appearance that at once betokened sorrow and; indicated the confidence in and loyalty to the dead Sovereign. '■" She bM, so to speak, wiled the nation with, justice and equity, and ; in King Edward they found tlhe same characteristic!?.

- v As the Mayor had said, King Ed- '-' ward had gone, and now they had *■ ™ g r Geo . r £° t° reig" over 'them, pie Mayor had also remarked the • king had travelled from one end of the dominion to atnother, in addition to which he had visited India and Canada. In fact, he had been brought face to face with the peooJe. He knew what their aspiramfms were, and from the fact that he had travelled tho country aindi come into contact with them he knew more about them than either the late lamented King or Queen. They would show the same loyaJty and affection to King George as tfliey had shown to Queen Victoria anil King Edward, and therefore they said/ "Long live King George." Mr : Field went on to explain tthie antiquity of the Coronation service which was held that day in Westminster Abbey, and said that it helped to bring them back to the days of the early Kings, and to make themi contrast it with the splendour and magnificence of the Empire of to-day. Then was sung the hymn "Almighty Father! dwelling in the light Of greater suns than beat on earthly thrones, 'Tis Thou hast raised our Empire to its height, And every heart Thy power and glory owns. Eternal praise Thy faithful chil- | dren bring, 0 crown with blessings our beloved King."

The representatives of the Maori race then addressed the audience. Their speeches were interpreted with; effective intonation and dramatism by Mr J. 11. Macdotnnld. Wiri'hana Hunia said that lie was pleased indeed to 'bo present and see so many in the building. They were there as brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers, the native race and the Europeans. Here were they the natives—the owners of the soil. He was snire they were the original owners of the soil. Now-a-days they were a diminishing race; a dying race, and it was the pakeOia. that was taking their place. The pakeha was increasing day by day. He gave ibis reason why"they were the original natives of the soil in a way which appealed to the sympathetic tendencies of the audience, and declared, with an 'outburst of

patriotism, that though they originally owned the soil, they were the rployal subjects of tho King. He v hoped God would preserve tllie King and Queen for a long and glorious reign, and that the blessing of God might fall uppn- all his subjects. (Loud cheers).

Mr Reri Nicholson, who was dressed in a kiwi mat and paepaerou and carried a taiuha and mere pairnanua, congratulated those present on a memorable gathering. It was a true sign that they had their love for the King. He was above all men,; lie was a great King, aJid always willing and ready to listen to the supplications of his subjects. Maoris and pakehas were loyal to the Sovereign. He was well aware that the King was a King to rule over them in this world. He was a horn King; so was the late King Edward. He was a King of peace. Did lie not plant down his foot and bring the war in Africa to an end? War desolated the land; the British troops desolated the 'land; the King gave back to the South Africans

•what wan- had robbed 1 them of. Other countries had taken away from the spoiled the gains of the spoilers. Not so with King Edward. That was a groat example •to follow. To the voting people he urged that they should follow in the

same steps as the late King — be kind, courteous and open-hearted. That would make all peoples one. Turning to the List of Honours, he pointed to the elevation to the Knighthood of Mr Carroll, and said that ihis elevation was a mark of the broad and comprehensive views which his Majesty took of the wide affairs of Empire Government. (Loud cheers). Mr Grace Royal was also present with the speakers. "God Save the King" was then sung, and

The Rev. A. C. Randerson gave an address to tho children. Ho asked them to think about the flag. It was an ensign. But it was more than that. It stood for the na.honour ajid glory. The shouting and -singing that they heard was no mere revelry. It ret resented the people shouting and onouring one who was their ruler; the head of the Constitution. Tho whole service at tho Abbey represented the King as a ruler of the people so long as ilie regarded constitutional principles, and the various ceremonies that took place at the Abbey reminded the lung that there was a greater than lie. At the close of the address, the cadets stood at attention, sloped arms, and on tho command of Major G. M. Burlinson they presented arms, the band played the National Anthem, after which arms were ordered and three hearty cheers for the King and Queen called hy tho Mayor were cordially given. The Rev. S. G. ' Compton pronounced the Benediction, and a deeply interesting service was brought to a close.

IN THE CENTURY HALL. B

VARIOUS FESTIVITIES

The religious services which took place in the Century Hall, at noon, are reported under a separate heading in to-day's Chronicle. Subsequently there were festivities in the same building. At 5 p.m. the Salvation Army held a social gathering, whereat tea and cakes were served in excellent variety. The public patronage (considering the fact tfoat heavy rain fell between 4.30 and. 5 p.m.) was distinctly good. Everything passed off auspiciously, and the corps and its captain had good reason to feel pleased .with the success of their venture. Between 7.30 and 8 p.m. tibe Salvation Army Band played a set of lively tunes in front of the as a prelude to the evening's entertainment organised by the Levin Y.M.C.A. This function drew a large audience, and proved more than ordinarily successful. The Mayor of Levin (Mr B. R. Gardener) presided, and there also were on the stage the Revs. S. G. Compton and T. F. Jones, Captain Riminer and Mr James Prouse. Proceedings began with Psalm C, " The Old Hundredth," after which the Rev. S. G. Compton offered a prayer for prosperity and a peaceful reign for King George V. and his consort, with, to crown all, the great gifts sought 'by the great King Solomon, '-wisdom and understanding." After a selection had been played by the Salvation Army Band, the Mayor, delivered a short address. Perhaps some would wonder, ihe said, why coronations of Kings were needed. Coronations had been going on for hundreds of years, and he was sure the effect of them was to draw the people closer together. Every portion of the Coronation service was emblematic, and the religions nature of it impressed upon Sovereign and people alike the ' greatness of the Sovereign's undertaking and hiis responsibility to God and man. Tduohing upon the midday celebrations in Levin, Mr Gardener said the uniting of -u.aori and pakehft in that gathering served to illustrate well the blending of forces once antagonistic whieh-bad gone so •very far to esta'blish and solidify the vast British Empire. The present King had had the inestimable .'blessing of a good mother, and the who had that advantage could

not go very far wrong. Then ho had for exemplar Jris father, whoso power and influence for peace-his tact and diplomacy—had saved live* and money for the .British ((injure and incidentally benefited the whole of Europe. In King Edward tihey trace the influence 'of his goo 1 mother Queen Victoria., and with the hereditary influences of those two good women uniting in "King George and the help of his good coiis.m \ ']{ scarcely could he anything elsethan ft beneficent and helpful reign that would bo before the British people. He hoped King George would ho on the side of peace and against any bloodshed, even as his father always had been.

Mr Jiaincs Prouso, president of the Levin Y.M.C.A., in the course of an address regarding the Coronation, dwelt upon the fact t'-hat .'3OO years ago there was shed the blood of the 'best of tho Rritish race—of men who stood up for and strove for liberty and righteousness .and truth, for the open ißible.—shed by a, Queen Mary whoso memory was foul. Now there was another Queen Mary to share the Throne, a.nd the speaker believed that ber reign would he revered as much as that of her predecessor Mary was detested. Tt was in the purity and righteousness of the administration that the firmness of a. Throne was established. No nation had, fallen yet while it held on a- course of righteousness: they fell only after discord and wickedness had eaten into its heart. He had no fear as to the stability of the British Throne as long as it was supported by men and women who stood for truth and riehteou-snoss, and by leaders who loved God and honoured the "King. "God Save the King" concluded Mr Prouse.

Durino- the evening the following musical programme was gone through :—Song, "The Deathless Army." Mr Williams; trio, "Scots Wha Hac Wi' Wallace Rlcd," Mrs Devinc and Messrs Ransomo and Howe ; song, " Tlic Champion of tho King," Mr' Hughes: instrumental selection, "My Old Kentucky Home," Salvation Army Band: song, "Long Live the King," Mr J. Devine (encored). 'Hie programme was arranged hv Mr F. 10. Darker. Mr J. "YV. Hayliold played the various accompaniim -nt.s.

At the end of the evening's proceedings the audience sang "God Save the King."

TN PEACEFUL TT AM LETS

'.BY KLECTRIO TKLEGPAPH--COPVIUOHT.I [PIR PRMB ABHOOUTION.J LONDON, June 22. There were rejoicings in every town and village in Great Britain and Treland. School children and old-age-pensioners were entertained, the festivities concluding with fireworks and bonfires. IN THE DAYS OE \Y|. Crimean and Indian Mutiny veterans were banquctted. 100,000 SCHOOL - .TEDREN. At Birmingham 100.000 children received medals, and at Bournemouth and other places children organised Empire pageants, including representatives of every colony. FOR SHAME. Tliere was a. Lady Godiva procession at Coventry.