CORONATION CEREMONY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 5030, 22 September 1926, Page 2

CORONATION CEREMONY.

CROWNING OF “QUEEN RETA.”

CARNIVAL CONTEST SEQUEL.

The unique Institution of a coronation ceremony in Pa.eroa was witnessed on Monday night at the Gaiety Theatre. As the result of a Carnival Queen contest, promoted by an energetic citizens.’ committee, as a means of raising funds for the local. Boy Scouts and Girl Guides, Misses Reta McCullay, T . Masters, and C. Fleming were selected as candidates for queenly honours. A spirited content, lasting over several weeks- resulted m Mis.s McCui’av tipping the poll, and therefore becoming the popular qtwen elect.

At the commencement of the contest the prom.'iters promised that the successful queen should receive a public -crowning, and this promise has now been duly fulfilled, ■ the Ichg-looked-for event having been held on Monday night, and repeated last night. It is- many years, if ever, since such a spectacular function has been seen in this town, and the greatest praise is, due to'the producer (Mr. H. J. Hill). The ceremony, which occupied the whole of the second half, of the pro-, gramme, was; carried but with all the dignity and solemnity of a Royal Corolnation at Westminster Abbey. Ably supported by the business people of-Paeroa and the district, the producer had little difficulty in finding suitable -talent, and a striking tribute to the popularity cf “Queen Reta,” and her two princeshps was evidenced by the way people came forward and worked with a will towards ensuring the success of the ceremony. That it was a triumphant success there can be little doubt. Nearly 150 persons took part in the proceedings, and the large majority of them were little Children whose steadiness, dignity, and charm could not be too highly eulogised. The dresses, and settings were gorgeous, and a strikingly good representation of a Royal Coronation was presented. “Queefi Reta,” in her beautiful Court robes, endeared herself to the huge a-udience by her safely bearing and pretty, winsome appearance throughout the ceremony. She filled her important position with the dignity and grace befitting so royal a personage. The two princesses were also very charming, and their dainty dresses cf white and their sparkling Jewels mingled splendidly with the gorgeous cldthes of the Queen’s retinue, making a. strikingly pretty setting. As the Archbishop of Canterbury, Mr A. M. Samuel, M.P., filled this important position with distinct credit, his stately and ecclesiastical bearing being particularly well carried but, winning him rounds of applause. Mi C. H. Butcher carried o’ut the duties of Lord High Chancellor with credit and ability, and he wa,s heard to advantage when reading the Royal' Proclamation. The multitudinous duties of Lord High Chamberlain were performed by Mr A. F. Thorp in a very able and dignified manher.

Space does not permit of individual criticism of the many others who took part in the ceremony; suffice it to say that each one, from .the tiniest tot to the highest Court official, acted his or her part with dignity, charm, and true, courtly bearing and demeanour, tlje whole producing a, gorgeous and most realistic coronation ceremony.

THE PROCEEDINGS. The programme opened with a couple of enjoyable selections by the Symphony Orchestra. A flower dance, led by Miss Pivott, apd daintily executed by a bevy bf tiny tots, was followed 6y a selection by the Waihi Federal Band, under Bandmaster F. Carlyon. Mr Carlyon supplied the encore with a cornet solo, accompanied by the band. The Girl Guides performed a series of marching and their effort was warmly applauded. When the curtain rose again the audience was treated to a tableap in which the Girl Guides, Brownies, and Boy S'co’ut’s, took part. During this scene Scout Blyth sang “Motherland” very pleasingly, followed by “Rule Britannia,” in which the whole company took part. Further selections by the Orchestra and Waihi Band completed the first half of the entertainment. THE CORONATION. After ap inspiriting selection, by the Orchestra the coronation ceremony commenced. Those taking part entered the theatre, by the side door and proceeded solemnly and with dignity down the centre of the building towards the stage, which was reached by mounting a series of carpeted steps. On the centre of the stage was the Coronation Chair mounted on a dais-, '•

The first to appear were the Brownies, who marched to the foot of the stairs and then passed but by way df the opposite side-door, followed by the Girl Guides. Next followed the two’Royal trumpeters, who took up their positions one bn each side of the stage. A number of tiny little flowergirls then arrived and lined both side.s, of the stairs leading to the throne. Pages, courtiers, and Standardbearers immediately preceded Princess Iris, who was- followed by two trainbearers, two flower-girls, and Misses E. Haywa.rd and Hutchins as Maids of Honour. As soon as the stage was reached Princess Christine arrived with her retinue and Misses R. and A. Bridge as Maids of Honour. A burst of applause greeted the Archbishop of Canterbury, in the person of Mr A. M. Samuel, M.P., who was preceded by the crucifer (Ted Turton) and fallowed by further pages and flower-girls. The next in order of the procession were the Queen’s Maids of Honour, Misses B. Gibb, G. Finnie, N. Finnie, O’Neill, Armour, and V. Brown. Then came the Rotyal sword-bearers (MessrsL. Dean and F. Barakat), the bearer of the Emblem of Peace (Mr T. Killgour), bearer of the Orb (Mr. J. Wright), bearer, of the Crown (Mr H.. Mitchell), Lord High Chancellor (Mr C. H. Butcher), Lord High Chamberlain (Mr A. F. Thorp), the Royal Standard-bearer (Mr H. Sorensen), Mistress of the Robes (Miss Aroha Nicholas).

Then, amidst tumultuous applause and a fanfare of trumpets, the Queen Elect ascended the Throne, accompanied by four little train-bearers, Joan Pennell, Yeoland Innes, Wanda Talbofys, and S. McKee, and her attendants, Alan Cassrels and Stewart Taiboys. THE PROCLAMATION. Having taken her seat, the Queen Elect sent for the Ldrd High Chancellor, who read the following Procl a,mation : — “Whereas the majority of the people of the great and prosperous district of Ohinemuri have hereuntobefore-chosen the Princess Reta to be their rightful Sovereign, and have in support of their desire in this connection paid into the Treasury much tribute in the shape of Coin of the Realm, nice, clean, and unta,riiished quids, bright half-dollars, handy bobs, exclusive sprats, and popular trays—and even buttons have found their way into the Treasury’s collection boxes. “I therefore announce and pToclajm before you all that the -said Princess Reta is about to be elevated to the proud and glorious position of Queen of the Realm. Yea even, as the roll-ing-pin is. lifted in assault, so shall our Princess be lifted to her position of magnificence.

“Il charge you each and all by these presents .that you do render unto your lawful S'-overeign that homage and Idvable obedience due from subjects to their Sovereign. “I direct, further, that the tribute aforementioned be devoted to the funds of the Paeroa Boy Scouts and Girl Guides.

“As Lord High Chancellor of this most glorious Realm I now direct that the ceremony of the Coronation do l now proceed.”

PRESENTATION OF QUEEN ELECT.

The presentation of the Queen Elept was then proceeded with by His Grace the Archbishop turning and challenging .the assembly with the words: “People of Paeroa, I here, present to you Princess Reta, the undoubted Queen Elect of Ohinemuri. Wherefor all you who are assembled this day to do homage, are you willing to do the same. ?” He then turned to the Queen Elect and asked, “Are you willing td be crowned Queen of the Thames Valley and Ohinemuri ?” The Queen renlied : “I am willing.” PRESENTATION OF SWORD. The Sword-bearer then advanced a.nd presented the sword in its scabbard to the Archbishop, who in turn presented it to Her Royal Highness with the words, “Lady, accept this sword. It is the emblem of the power of Might.” The Queen Elect acknowledged the sword by placing her hands upon the scabbard. The sword was then returned to the waiting peer, who immediately unsheathed it. The Orb was next presented by the Archbishop with the words-, “I also present to you this Orb, which is an emblem of the power of Right.” PRESENTATION OP THE JEWEL. The Archbishop then addressed the Lord High Chamberlain, saying: “By virtue of the powers invested in me I now require at your hands the Jewel entrusted to your care, that I may proceed with the coronation of Her Great and Glorious Majesty.” Having received the ring, His Grace placed it upon the fourth finger of tne Queen Elect’s right hand, saying: “Receive this ’ring, the emblem of queenly dignity.” The Sceptre of the Dove and the Sceptre of the Cross were also presented to Her Majesty. PLACING OF THE CROWN.

The Crown-bearer then advanced and knelt before .the Throne, where the Archbishop, having rceived the Crown, solemnly placed it upoh the head Of the Queen Elect, saying: "Lady, as chosen representative of your loyal subjects! here assembled I call you to the Office of Ruler of this Realm, and in token thereof I.place upon your head the Royal Crown. Cherish it, Lady. In itself it is of exceeding value than all the Jersey cows and motor-cars in your prosperous Realm. As an. emblbm it symbolises your power and authority over the great and wonderful district whose bounds extend over distances wide and far-flung, yea, aven from the Ngatea post office to the Waihi Beach. I. proclaim you Queen Reta, Queen Reta s Queen Reta.” All the Court then rose' and shouted, “Queen Reta. Long live the Queen.” And there was the sounding of trumpets and drums.. The two attendant Princesses and their four Maids, of Honour then made their obeisance to Her Majesty, each in turn being presented by the Mistress of the Robes. At the command of .the Queen Mr P. Mill sang delightfully “Land of Hope and Glory,” and Mrs. Lithgow was heard to advantage in her rendering of “There is a Land.” THE QUEEN’S ADDRESS.

In a clear and firm voice Queen Reta delivered the following address :

“Our people, it is with great pride that we accept the honour yon have conferred upon us, and we trust that we shall be able .to carry out the many duties and obligations my queenly office entails. I now hand to dur Lord High Chamberlain these Scrolls setting forth my wishes, and command that he shall now make them known to you.”

THE QUEEN’S PROCLAMATION. The Lord High Chamberlain then read:—

"Give e.ar, O ye people, unto the greetings and commands, of your Queen. Whereas, the good citizens of the Realm of Paeroa and district did organise, a Queen Carnival in aid of liquidating the debts df the local Boy Scouts and Girl Guides, and as a means of raising funds to purchase band instruments for the Boy Scouts, did with much zeal, apd despite the refusal! of permits and cautions from the minions of the Jaw, raise in a few s&lrt week's the sum of £302, it gives her Gracious Majesty much pleasure to extend to all her loyal subjects her congratulations on their wonderfully successful efforts,. Furthermore, she colmmands me to express to all her friends outside the Realm her deep appreciation of the great assistance

/ so cheerfully given. To do justice to the unswerving loyalty of those who proved themselves leading workers, Her Majesty commands that Honours be conferred upon certain -subjects in her Dominion.

HONOURS CONFERRED. the Lord High Chamberlain then x announced the names, of the recipients c<f the Knighthoods, and the Queen performed the ceremony in the orthodox manner.

P. Mill, Lord Anchor, Commander of the Churn; Peter Brennan, Lord Greenleaf, Knight of Ctfrn Cures; D. A. Vincent, Lord Harness, Knight of the Pigskin; L. E. Cassrels, Lord Nevei tight, Keeper of Royal Cellars ; C. H. Pascoe, Lord Timber, Keeper of the Slawdust; T. D. Dayies, Lord Painkiller, Knight of the Cross; *V. L. Lawrence, Lolrd Northcliffe, Commander of the Public tress ; A. Gooding, Lord Honeysuckle, Keeper of the Bees ; A. Bridge, Lord Dauber, Knight of the Brush.

This completed the ceremony, and the whole Court, lod by Her Majesty, gracefully left the stage to the tune of prolonged applause.

LAST NIGHT’S PERFORMANCE. The ceremony was repeated again last night, and it met with a hearty reception from the huge audience. The procedure followed wap similar to that on Monday night, with the exception that the first part of the programme was as follows,: — Overture, Symphony Orchestra; ballet, Tiny flower-girls; selection, Waihi Federal Band ; solo, Mrs Rdwe ; monologue, Miss M. Armour; solo, Mr Rowe; inarch, Girl Guides ; tableaux, God defend New Zealand, Red, white, and Bluei Rule Britannia, and Motherland (sodoist, Huia Blyth) ; recitation, Mr Armour.

The soloists in the Coronation scene were Mes-dames Lithgow, Dalbe.th, and Mr P. Mill. An enjoyable exhibition of Highland dancing was given by the Mackie brothers, and Mr J. Hill contributed a cornet solo. Considerable praise is due to the honorary accompanists, T. C. Short, Jones (Waihi), and Miss M. Armour. FURTHER HONOURS. Further hoinpurs were conferred last night, as follows :— P. Mill, Duke ot Baccleugh, Keeper of the Still; G. Royal, Lord Clarionet, Knight Blower .of the Reed; W. Mc-Cul-la.y, Lord Mainspring, Keeper of the Royal Jewels ; C. Waines, Lord G-. String, Commander of the- Bow; W. rmour, Lord Anvil, Keeper of the S'crap-heap ; E. W. Porritt, Lord Chief Justice, Keeper eft the Peace; E. A. Porritt, Lord Quill, Keeper of the Foolscap ; T. Edwards, Lord Skewer, of the Ancient Order of Bones; H., J. Hill, Lord Singer, Commander of the Carnival; H. C. Bowden, Lord Half-and-half, Commander of the Pbrter-gaff; K. L. Slyfleld, Lord Hosiery, Keeper of the Kash ; D. Ferguson, Lord Pekapeka, Commander of Mud and Milking Machines. CONCLUSION.

At the conclusion of the ceremony Mr E. W. Porritt, District Boy Scouts Commissioner, thanked the citizens for the splendid support accorded. He stated that as a, result of the carnival, the scouts weie enabled to pay off the whole, of the liabilities, and also purchase a good set of band instruments. Thanks were also due. to the Paeroa Borough Council for the donation of several instruments, and to the •Ohinemuri County Council for the free use of a band room. The. support that had been received on all sides, had been remarkable, and thei committee tendered its sincere thanks to all who had assisted. Special thanks and praise was due to Mr H. J. Hili', the organiser and producer of the coronation ceremony. He had done wonders in a short time, and the ceremony - bore eloquent testimony jto his- ability and enthusiasm.

An insistent demand for a speech from Mr Hill was' met by him mounting the stage and bowing his acknowledgments. Cheers; upon cheers and the ‘greatest scene r bf enthusiasm brought to a conclusion one of the most successful elaborate amateur productions seen in Paeroa for a very long time.-