PEACE CELEBRATIONS.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 July 1919, Page 2

PEACE CELEBRATIONS.

CIRCUS FOR MONDAY.

Monsieur D. Macsoft,, advance agent for Raindofl: and Koodsky’s famous Sell Circus, is at present in town arranging for the performance of tlieir world famed circus. During tlieir world-wide tour they have performed with huge success before the crowned heads of Okarrto, Blue Spur and other great ancient cities. Amongst their numerous items we might mention “ Donal,” the acrobatic Roastah ; “ Wonego,” ' the famous performing equine wonder; “ Iladegg,” the snake charmer, imported at great expense from South Spit. With horses, dogs, cats, fowls, hens, pigs, and other birds. Five only marvellous performing fleas, specially trained by Tob Courteous. Thousands of horses accompany this wonderful Circus. Last, but not least, we must mention the renowned Skytalian “ Rozzini,” who conducts the Circus Band. Monsieur Macsoft has received advice that the Circus will arrive in Hokitika on Monday, July 21st at 10 a-.lii., when they will tour the principal streets, and then proceed to Cass Square.

f PKR PRESS ASSOCIATION. —COPYRIGHT.I

NO SPECIAL TRAINS. WELLINGTON, July 15. It was officially stated to-day that the present timetable will remain unaltered on,the Peace Celebration days. There will thus be no special Peace Day trains anywhere in tile Dominion.

A FIVE MINUTES PA”SE. WELLINGTON, July to

Cabinet, Sir J. Allen, stated to-dav, has decided that the public of New Zealand shall be asked to suspend all festivities and activities throughout the Dominion on Peace Celebration Day, July 19th, from 12 noon until five minutes past that hour, and to devote these few minutes to the memory of the New Zealand soldiers who so bravely sacrificed their lives for the Empire during the war.

VICTORY DAY IN PARIS.

GREAT MILITARY PAGEANT.

(By Electric Telegraph—Copy rigid.' iAustralia A- N.Z Cable Association.)

PARIS, July 14

The Peace Celebrations were continued to-day on a great scale, it being Victory Day, which was celebrated with intense rejoicing. Immense crowds witnessed the military procession. Marshal Foch and Marshal Joftre, marching side by side, headed the continents of all the Allied Forces. Sir Douglas ‘Haig headed fifteen hundred British troops and marines. Other famous Generals also participated and the pageant was a notable spectacle. Hundreds of the colours of British regiments, carried cn masse by special detachments of Guards, Highlanders, and an Australian contingent, were warmly received. Marshal Petain led the French troops.

There was an imposing ceremony when the gates of the Arc dc Triomphe were opened for the first time in almost forty years, they having been closed .since the Franco-Prussian war of 1870. Enthusiasm ran high when the French flag was hoisted out over the Arch and guns and rockets were fired.

Prior to the procession, President Poinicaire, Premier Clemenceau, and Marshal Foch deposited wreaths on a cenotaph in memory of the fallen. The decorations were the most magnificent in living memory. The weather was superb. Comparatively few people slept in Paris on Sunday night, the city giving itself up to rejoicing.

Writing from Paris recently, Reuter’s correspondent said: — The plans for the arrangements- in connexion with the triumphal march of the troops through Paris which have been drawn up by the Federation of Mobilised Artists, have been adopted by the Sub-Commission of Fine Arts, and will doubtless be ratified by the full Commission. The route chosen for tlie passage of the troops is. in a sense, symbolic, including as it does tlie Avenue de la Grande Annee, recalling the four years of war, the shrine to be erected at the Rond Point, including the dead in the victory celebrations of the living, and the Place de la Con- ! corde, of happy augury for the future of the League of Nations. Tlie Avenue de la Grande Armee will be decorated at very point at which it is crossed by other streets with lingo pylons and immense arches. These pylons will be decked with groups of flags' and with shields, which are to hear the names of the great battles of the war. Stands are to he erected all along the Avenue from the Porte Maillot to the F.toile. Tlie troops will pass through the Arc de Triomphe, and the Place do ’Etoile will ha transformed into a kind of vast circus, with circular tiers of seats holding 50,000 persons. Places will he reserved for tlie President of the Republic, State officials, and representatives of the Allies.

Tlie Avenue ties Champs Elysocs will he one garland of flowers. Festoons will hang from the trees, from Venetian masts placed at the edge -of the pavements, and will even form a canopy across the roadway. At the Rond Point des Champs Elysees will he placed a monument dedicated “To the dead.” The troops, as they pass, will present arms, in memory of their comrades whose sacrifice helped to make victory possible. The decorations of the Plnco do In. Concorde will he very simple. The base of the columns of the Hotel Grillon and the Ministry of Marine will he draped with cloth of gold. On the Terrasse des Feuillants will he erected a huge architectural design, decorated with has'-reliefe, symbolising the League of Nations and lasting peace.