PEACE CELEBRATIONS.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 July 1919, Page 2

PEACE CELEBRATIONS.

The. town is wearing quite a holiday air, in anticipation of the Peace celebrations to begin to-morrow. The main street is now resplendent with three arches, and much greenery, with splashes of color from the flying flags and other illuminations also, so that ltevell St. will take on a very festive appearance by night as by day. Many of the shop windows are gaily decorat-

ed for the occasion. National colours and flags strike a very bright note. Similar preparations for a jubilation are noticeable in other streets and public places. The public buildings and private places are being decorated, and flag poles with streams of flags are beginning to give bright colour to many places. There is quite a wealth of greenery oh all sides, and several excellent transparencies are being put up. Altogether Hokitika will appear in full holiday attire.

The programme for the Soldiers’ Day to-morrow was given fully last evening, and the proceedings will bo carried out in their entirety. There is a busy day ahead for all. A large influx of visitors is expected for the great occasion, and the town should he very full for the week end. It remains only to hope that King’s weather will grace the occasion and all will go off as merry as a marriage bell.

The following is the route for the procession to-morrow afternoon:—Form up Hamilton Street, facing the Buildings, Gibson Quay to Revell St-, Park St., Fitzhcrbert St., Stafford St.* Sewell St. hack to the Government Buildings. The only “Halt” will he that at the Memorial Tower for one minute. Those in charge of tableux displays and all taking part are specially requested to be on their markers punctually.

' A wreath will be laid at the foot > of the Memorial Tower to-morrow nfternoon to the memory of the South > African and other soldiers who fell in the Great War. Lieut. McGregor, Q.M.S. golomon, and Mr Geo. Adamson • are to-day suitably decorating the i Tower. s The Kanieri Public School have ad- ■ vised Major Jeffries that they will take j part in to-morrow’s procession. Their j tableaux will be “Britain and Her Alj lies.” I We have been asked to 6tate that j members of the local clergy are re- ■■ quested to their place in the pro- ; cession to-morrow with the members • of the Legislature and of the Local ; Bodies .

Town children are again requested not to forget to bring their own mugs for their own use on Monday.

fpF.n FREBS ASSOCIATION. —COPYRIGHT.!

PEACE DAYS PUBLIC HOLIDAYS WELLINGTON, July 17.

The “Gazettee” notifies that the Goi--ernment has declared Saturday and Mon day next to he public holidays for the celebration of peaoe.

HOTELS TO CLOSE. WELLINGTON, July 17. The Wellington Licensed Victuallers have decided to close their hotels on Saturday.

PEACE PROCESSION TURNED DOWN. BY RETURNED SOLDIERS. CHRISTCHURCH, July 17. The returned soldiers of Christchurch have decided not to take part in the military procession on Saturday afternoon. The chief reasons for their decision are that a football match between the returned men and the Canterbury representatives will take place simultaneously with the procession; further that no invitation was issued to the Returned Soldiers’ Association to take part in the procession, until after arrangements had been made, and that there was some little unpleasantries following the last Returned Soldiers’ parade on Anzac Day.

PAPERS KEEP HOLIDAY. SYDNEY, This Day. Some Sydney newspapers are not publising on Saturday, to enable their staffs to participate in the peace celebra- . tions. A “DRY” CELEBRATION. MELBOURNE, July 16. Tho Federal Cabinet has decided to close all the hotels, during the Peaco C'lebrations on Saturday. CHILDREN’S RELIGIOUS FUNCTION. LONDON, July 16. Three-quarters of a million children from the London elementary schools today took part in religious thanksgiving services for peace. , NO ILLUMINATIONS. (Received This T)nv at noon.) MELBOURNE, This Day. As a result of the lighting restrictions consequent on the seamen’s strike, there are to be no illuminations at the Peace celebrations.