GREY JUBILEE

Hokitika Guardian, 1 March 1928, Page 4

GREY JUBILEE

TUESDAY’S FUNCTION. The principal event on ’1 uesday’s programme was the official luncheon tendered to the pioneers and visitors at the Town Hall by the Oreymoutli Borough Council, the Greymouth Harbour Board, the. Grey County Council and the Grey Power Board. There W ere approximately three handled present. Mr J. W. Greensladc, the Mayor, presided, with the Prime -.Minister (Mr Coates) on his right and Mrs Seddou on his left. A lengthy toast list was honoured, the principal ones being the pioneers arid official visitors. The Prime Minister said that he was glad to associate himself with the Mayor in honouring the pioneers to whom the Coast owed so much. The good comradeship which was peculiar to the West Coast was the result of the actions of the early pioneers. Legislation in New Zealand was largely due to the humanity of the pioneers. Every member of Parliament realised the debt that was due to the pioneers, and realised the necessity for proper provision for the old people when their working days were over. The pioneers came with a hunting spiiit in their blood, they sailed across the seas to New Zealand in very small ships, they came to the most rugged const of New Zealand and made their landing, opening up goldfields and setting an example of endurance and showing I mits that future generations need not hesitate to follow, He would mention the late Ut. Hon B. J. feeddun, who was revered on the Coast, and was one of the Greatest Imperialists that the Empire had ever had. There was the late Sir Arthur Guinness, who had represented Greymouth in Parliament and did so much for his electorate. There were the younger generations of t\ ost Coasters in Parliament in Messrs T. E. 'l . Reddon. W. S. Glenn, and Mr .1. T.inklater and Mr F. \\ . Furkert, head.of | New Zealand’s Engineering Department. who have planned some of the , most modern undertakings in the Doi minion. | THE CELEBRATIONS. I The big explosion at Cobden quarry giving the sign for the ringing of the hells signalling the completion of sixty years and the start of the jubilee ; profession, was the afternoon’s first feature, the shot being electrically fired by Mrs J. Steer, wife of the Harbour Board’s chairman. A dense crowd had lined the streets when the jubilee procession commenced, headed hv tile Fire Brigade. The long picturesque avenue of sights, historical, industrial and humorous, was cheered on its way down Mnwhora Quay, up Mackay Street, round Tainui Street into Guinness Street to Victoria Park. The Greymouth Municipal Band followed, playing selections ot wellknown marches. A detachment, from H.M.S. Veronica was next’, followed by an attractive Britannia tableau, the West Coast Company of the Nelson. Marlborough and West Coast Regiment, ail Irish tableau, Maori parly. English tableaux. Scottish tableaux. headed by the Blackball Pipe Band, and New Zealand tableaux. Groups of children from the local schools followed. Tile next group represented 18(50. and created great amusement, the 1808 hotels, with four prominent “mine hosts" aboard. a scene representing the digging ot mat at Brunner, the I8!S8 Fire Brigade. Friendly Societies. John Bull, and a comical continuance and prohibition scene. Trade displays followed. a spl-'iidid miniature week-end cottage attracting attention. Decorated cars completed the procession. WEDNESDAYS PROCEEDINGS. | Yesterday was children’s day in ■ connection with the jubilee and there I were school excursions from all parts of (lie toast. Two excursion trains left Hokitika, taking upwards of 11’Q!) persons from here and the adjacent stations. The day was again gloriously tine and the total number travelling by train from all parts was nearly four thousand. The chief rendezvous was \ ieioria Park, and the trek in that direction commenced soon after the arrival of each train. The children generally, in tlit absence ot definite instructions, took the shortest route to the Park, and the formal procession was abandoned. The Children’s Committee had provided tea. sugar, hot water and milk, ami the scone at the Park quickly became animated. The various side-shows, of course, were powerful magnets lo the juveniles—ami not a few of their elders—ami great business was done. About 350 pioneers sat down to the reunion luncheon, which was presided over by the Mayor (Mr J. W. Green•slade), who had associated with him the Mayoress (.Mrs Greenslacie), Hon J. G. Coates (Prime Minister), Mrs Coates, Hon H. L. Mieliel, M.L.C. Mrs Mieliel, Mr H. E. Holland (Leader of the Opposition). Mrs Holland, Mr T. Seddou, M.P., Mrs Seddnn, Mrs R. J. Seddou, Messrs AY. H. Pariitt, J. Taylor, J. Me Gin ley and Archdeacon York. Various toasts wore honoured. The Premier who paid a visit to Omoto camp in the morning left in the afternoon for Christchurch. The trains arrived back at Hokitika at 7.-to and 8.15 p.lii. bringing a tired but happy multitude who will remember their visit to the Greymouth Jubilee for many a long day.