HAIL TO THE QUEEN.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5475, 16 September 1929, Page 2

HAIL TO THE QUEEN.

The Crowning of Princess Helen. Brilliant Coronation Ceremony. “As chosen representative of your loyal subjects here assembled I call you to the office of Ruler of the Realm' ofPaeroa, and in token thereof ! now place upon your head the Royal Crown.” With these words the crown of the Realm of Paeroa was placed upon the head of Miss Helen Matthews, the chosen Queen of the people of Paeroa in the recent Queen Carnival. £ . —, Friday night saw an absolutely crowded house at the Aurora Theatre to witness the spectacular Queen’s Coronation ceremony, which took place as the great culminating, event of the Paeroa Queen Carnival. A good presentation was certainly looked forward to, but no one had for a moment dreamed that in such a short space of time a magnificent spectacle like that of Friday night could be staged.lt can probably be' said without fear of contradiction that nothing so elaborate, ornate, and undeniably beautiful has ever been enacted at Paeroa. It surpassed even the greatest of expectations, and with one slight hitch that was hardly worth mentioning proceeded with a smoothness that amounted to professional aplomb, as though those taking part were used to the proceedings as an everyday affair. ’ . At the same time, it must have been a. terrible strain for the beautiful Queen, Miss Helen Matthews, to undergo ; but right-worthily did she stand the ordeal, and proved herself as regal in ordinary life as well as in the realm of Fairyland, for no ordinary individual' 'could have come through with the dignified, sweet distinction she did. Paeroa was thrice blessed by her gracious presence as Queen. . . Nothing but the highest praise was worthy of the two unsuccessful candidates, either. Strong in battle, they were.gentle in defeat; and their delightfully pretty homage to their victor was one of the most mentally beautiful acts of a beautiful ceremony. They, too, had hard parts to carry on youthful shoulders, and gracefully'did these charming princesses perform their part. His Worship the Mayor’s part in the whole carnival is too well known to be further elaborated upon her, apart from saying that through his unflagging efforts from start to finish a good deal of the ultimate success was due. To the indefatigable Mr O’Neill no praise would be too great. Not much in the public eye throughout the carnival, he was the strong man behind the scenes. Mrs McMillan, with the arduous duties of Mistress of the Robes her responsibility, received just praise in part by the very beauty of the toute ensemble. It is impossible to mention each individual whose acts called for praise, so it must suffice to say that every single person, young or old, did his or her part with conspicuous success. That the ceremony was so well produced, managed, and presented was due to Mr P. Williams, to whom congratulation and great credit are due.

THE CEREMONY. Following upon a trumpet call, the theatre echoed to the tramp of armed men when the Royal Bodyguard, consisting of a section of Hauraki Cadets, marched smartly in, under the command of Staff Sergeant D. de B P. Steward, M.M., N.Z.P.S., and took up positions two deep between the stage and stalls, preparatory to turning face to face pn the command inward turn. The Herald’s Proclamation. There then appeared on the foreground of the throne chamber a Herald (Mrs W. J. Simpson), attired in beautiful apparel of gold, white and red, who made the following proclamation in a clear, readily heard voice : — $ Oyez ! Oyez ! Oyez ! Give ear, oh ye Burghers and Freemen of this fair realm of Paeroa, unto the words of the Royal Herald, the bearer of glad tidings. FIRSTLY, of the cessation of all hostilities among the rival factions of Farmers, Sports, and Business ; SECONDLY, of the successful issue of the mighty struggles in the Kingdom of Giving; THIRDLY AND LASTLY, of the universal desire for peace and harmony culminating in the Coronation Ceremony of our great and glorious Princess Helen raised to the highest rank in our land by popular franchise. “Behold the Royal Procession is about to enter the Eastern Portal.” The eastern doors were then flung open, and to the accompaniment of a stately march, the procession of royalty, nobility, and other courtiers moved with solemn step among the populace in the upper part of the

hall, descending later to the main part and amphitheatre. As it turned and entered the front aisle the men-at-arms raised their muskets in the air and formed a canopy with their' bayonets, beneath which the royal party filed, the hencemen returning to the slope for the rest of the procession. From here the regal party moved to the throne.

At the head of the procession strode a fine figure in military officer’s uniform, the Queen’s. Champion (Lieut. V. J. Ihnes, N.Z.S.C.), carrying the Royal Sword, unsheathed. Close behind the Queen’s Champion walked the Lord High Chamberlain (Mr C. N. O’Neill). Then came two pages (Misses Colleen Steedman and Helen Ward) bearing the Crown and Royal Jewels, slightly ahead of the Lord High Chancellor (His Worship the Mayor of Paeroa, Mr W. Marshall). Two paces, and then came the stately Mistress of the Robes (Mrs D. G. McMillan).

Preceded by her flower-girls (Misses Helen Neaber and Marie Steedman), the truly regal-looking Princess Helen (Miss H. Matthews) walked gracefully towards her coronation. In attendance on her resplendent train were four pages (Misses Isabel Death, Valerie Steedman, Marjorie Neaber, and Rona Simmonds). Then came the quondam rival aspirants, but now most loyal followers, the Princess Vivian of Sport (Miss V. Shand) and the Princess Iris of Commerse (Miss I. Masters). The former had in attendance two flower-girls in front (Misses Sheila Silcock and Ngaire Crosby) and two pages (Misses Valerie Menzies and Josephine Brocket) attendant on her train,

while the latter had as flower-girls Misses Yolande Innes and Wanda Talboys, and as pages Misses Barbara Barclay and Marie Innes. Then the Maids of Honour (Misses J. Vowles and I. Veale). A short break, and then passed the chairmen of the Farmers’ Committee (Cr. H. J. Hare), the Sports (Cr. J. W. Silcock), and the Business (Cr. E. Edwards). Immediately behind came 16 peeresses, 11 peers, and 8 esquires. On the dais was presented a brilliant and fascinating scene, one of scintillating colour and dazzling beauty, the sombre khaki of Her Royal Highness’ bodyguard making a striking background to the wonderful creations of the ladies of the Court and vari-coloured attire of the cherubic court attendants. Among the male courtiers an occasional flash of scarlet relieved the dark clothing of the peers and esquires. Grouped round Her Royal Highness were her ladies, at her feet the pages and flower girls, the gentlemen-at-arms on either wing, and behind the Royal Guard, the whole forming a charming, graceful, inspiring and impressive scene.

When the first awed expression of sheer admiration subsided the Lord High Chancellor read his proclamation to the people :— “Whereas the majority of the peo- • pie in this great and glorious Communion of Paeroa and its Dependencies have chosen the Princess Helen to be their rightful sovereign, and have in support thereof paid into the Treasury much tribute, I therefore announce and proclaim before you all assembled that the said Princess Helen is about to be crowned Quec'n of the Realm.’”

The Lord High Chamberlain, following, asked that :— “Your Royal Highness,, accept this Sword ; it is an emblem of the Power of Might.”

The Queen’s Champion then advanced with guard-like military precision to the throne and offered Her Royal Highness the Sword, the champion’s soldierly-bearing and the manner in which he carried out his duty calling forth rounds of applause. Again the august Lord High Chamberlain :—

“Your Royal Highness, we present to you the Orb, being an emblem of the Power of Right, and the Sceptre of the Doves, signifying Equity and Mercy. “Your Royal Highness, we present

to you the Royal Jewels.” With measured step two diminutive pages, each bearing a cushion held high, on one of which was the Orb, and on the' other the Sceptre, advanced to Her Royal Highness, and, kneeling before her, proffered the insigna, Her Royal Highness graciously signifying her acceptance and calling upon the Lord High Chancellor and the Lord High Chmberiain to receive them. The same elaborate ritual accompanied the Royal Jewels. The Lord High Chancellor then addressed the Lord High Chamberlain as follows :—

“My Lord High Chamberlain, by ( virtue of the_ powers vested in me, I how require at your hands the Jewel entrusted to your care, that I. may proceed with the Coronation of her great and glorious Majesty.” He then placed a ring on Her Highness’ finger, saying :— “Illustrious Lady, receive this Ring,

the ensign of Queenly dignity,” Turning to Princess Helen the Chancellor delivered himself thus : “Here we, the Peers, Peeresses, Knights, Citizens and Burgesses of this great and glorious communion of Paeroa, come as ensigns of obedience and humility, all united to do thee homage. We see before our eyes, with admiration, the Majesty of Paeroa, the monument of glory. All around are the Princesses, peers and peeresses, who attend your gracious Majesty as supreme head, and borrow from you the splendour of your Glory. And such shall be our deportment, that as we Shall labour for the continuance of our liberties, so shall we carry a high regard to preserve that sovereign power wherewith your Majesty is invested for the preservation of your Kingdom, and to render your gracious Majesty venerated to the nations, and glorious at home.” The Crowning. Receiving the Crown from the Crown Bearer, the Lord High Chancellor faced Her Royal Highness and proclaimed in impressive tones :— “As chosen representative of your loyal subjects here assembled, I call you to the office of Ruler of the Realm of Paeroa, and in token thereof, I now place upon your head the Royal Crown.” As the Chancellor placed the Crown he half-turned to the assemblage, and raising his voice on high, he cried : — “And proclaim you Queen Helen ! Queen Helen ! Queen Helen I” Whereupon there came a fervent cry from the courtiers : — “Long live the Queen !” The actual ceremony of crowning, over the inspiring anthem “Queen of Heaven,” pealed forth. Then strode forth Her Majesty’s doughty Champion, who .flung in stentorian tones a challenge to the multitude :—

“Here stand I, the Loyal Knight of the Realm, ready and prepared to defend the claim of Queen Helen to the Crown of Paeroa. I maintain that she is the rightful ruler, and if there be any present who deny that claim, I challenge such to make good their denial, either in their own person or by force of arms in single combat. God save the Queen.”

No one gainsaying the challenge, the Lord Chamberlain announced : “Her Majesty will be pleased to receive the felicitations of her Ministers of State.”

He then presented to Her Majesty the Lord High Chancellor, William Marshall, Lord Gogetter of the Bitumen Highway, Knight Commander pf

the ancient and Necessitous Order of Unemployment. The Chancellor in his turn presented Clarence Norman O’Neill, Lord Sue em, Earl of Opinions and Fees, Companion of the Most Absurd and Expensive Order of Court Proceedings. The Lord High Chancellor then presented to Her Majesty the Mistress of the Robes, Her Grace the Lady of Heather. Next the Lord High Chamberlain announced :— “Your Majesty, I crave permission to present to your Royal Highness Vivian, Princess of Sport, and Iris, Princess of Commerce, once rival claimants for the throne of this fair Realm of Paeroa, but now your Majesty’s most loyal subjects. Vivian, Princess of Sport, and Iris, Princess of Commerce.” The Princesses Vivian and Iris, looking charming in their fresh, youthful beauty, were then led forward in turn by the Mistress of the Robes and presented to Her Majesty. PEERS AND PEERESSES Following the presentation of the Princesses, amidst the joyous plaudits of the throng, the following peers and peeresses were presented in the order given - Dukes.—Howard John Hare, Duke of Pulsator, Most Persistent Advocate of Mechanical Milking; James Wil- ! liam Silcock, • Duke of Taniwha. Knight Grand Cross of the Excellent Order of Allaboard ; Edwin Edwards, Duke of Joygirl, Knight Commander of the Flourishing Order of Going Concerns. Peeresses.—Mrs L. Death, Duchess Louisa of Rangiora ; Mrs J. Vowles, Duchess Jessie of Raumanga; Mrs E. Andrews, Duchess Eleanor of Awaiti; Mrs M. Scudamore, Duchess Maude of Riverside ; Miss V. Menzies, Lady Vera of Cullen Street; Miss G. Surrey, Lady Grace of Hill Street; Miss L. Forrest, Lady Lily of Prospect Terrace ; Miss T. Simmonds, Lady Thelma of Lower Hill; Miss B. Gibb, Lady Birdie of Bush Street; Miss C. Silcock, Lady Constance of Puke ; Mrs E. Pellow, Duchess Wil'helmina of Civic Square ; Mrs I. Edwards, Duchess Isobel of Rye ; Mrs M. Hedge, Duchess Marguerite of Rawhitiroa ; Mrs M. Innes, Duchess Muriel of Normanby; Miss E. Vincent, Lady Esther of Russell Street ; Miss R. Swann, Lady Ruth of Corbett Street. Peers.—Alfred John Young, Lord Bobby de Calf, Hereditary Rider of the Queen’s Horses; George Henry Vowles, Lord Durant of Komata, Most Distinguished Grower of the Royal Pumpkins; Bernard Elisha Veale, Marquis of Jersey, Knight Grand Cross of the Most Profitable Order of the Pedigree Bull; Donald Gordon McMillan, Earl of the Wooden Mallet; r of the Order of Goinggoinggone ; Robert Saxton Matthews, Field Marshall "tearl Robert, Hereditary Bow Bearer and Generallissimo of the Standing Army ; Hugh Priestly, Lord of Signals, Companion of the Most Intricate Order of Levers and Switches ; Frank Knight, Earl of the Cricket Pitch, Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Saturday Closing ; Stanley John Hedge, Lord Shakeabottle of the Antiseptic Order of Germs and Bacteria ; Richard Selwyn Carden, Earl of Hefty Fees, Grand Controller of the Orphans’ Cupboard ; Frank G. Williams, Lord Controller of the Carnival Clock, Companion of the Order of Lady Vocalists ; Charles Martin Gee, Lord Bottle Drive, Companion of the Most' Distinguished Order of' St. Michael and St. George. The Maids of Honour came next, the Lord High Chamberlain, in presenting tljem, saying :— “May it please your Gracious Majesty to receive the homage of your trusty and beloved Maids of Honour, Lady Jean of Nethertonia, and Lady Isobel of Tirohia, who with their supporters rendered such signal service on your behalf. Lady Jean of Nethertonia, and Lady Isobel of Tirohia.” Greetings and Commands. The Lord High Chancellor then, half-turning, proclaimed to the assembly :— “Give ear, oh ye people, unto the greetings and commands of your Queen, Whereas the loyal subjects of the, Realm of Paeroa, did organise a Queen Carnival for the purpose of securing funds for the relief of unemployment, and the provision of ladies’ rest and Plun- < ket rooms, and did enter thereto with such enthusiasm that no less a sum than 374,463 pence was raised in a few weeks, it gives your Queen much pleasure to extend her congratulations to all the loyal workers for their successful ef- ’ forts.”

Silence was then called for, and quietness reigned as Her Majesty rose to address her people in clear, musical, and equisitely enunciated words, which, though soft and apparently effortless, were heard with wonderful clarity by every one of the entranced listeners ;—

“My people, we are deeply moved by your display of affection and loyalty. It will be our earnest desire to rule lovingly and faithfully —to serve our loyal subjects diligently and ever to promote peace and happiness amongst the dwellers in this our great and glorious Realm.”

And what a Queen she made I Beautiful in speech and appearance, serenely dignified, yet withal gentle and benign, the very picture of sweet-* girlish beauty. The Queen’s lucid recital over, the Lord High Chancellor announced :— “In token of the unswerving loyalty shown by all,- your Queen com mands that honours be now conferred upon your selected reresentatives.”

Her Majesty then conferred the following honours in various orders of knighthood on the following esquires in recognition of services rendered in aid of the Carnival, each recipient receiving a touch of the Royal Sword,* on hjs shoulder, followed by the bidding : “Rise, Sir Knight.”

Honours. —William Edward Ward, Sir William Swallowtail, Knight Grand Changer of Coloured Lights ; Alfred Fielden Thorp, Sir Alfred de Butterfat, Knight Commander of Grades and Butterfats ; Albert Roy Morrison, Sir Roy de Gumboots, Knight Commander of the Modern and Dustless Order of Electrolux ; Maurice Beatty, Sir Maurice Cordial, Companion of the Fizzy Order of Paeroa and Lemon ; Arthur Clowes, Sir Arthur > Kreisler, Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Discordes and Jazz ; Thomas Pye, Sir Thomas Sago, Knight of the Distinguished Order of the Royal Pantry ; Lionel Cedric Masters, Sir Liopel Aspro, Dispenser of the Royal Ointment and Pills ; Linton Eskrigge, Sir Linton Halfhandle, Knight Commander of the Frothblowers’ Lament, and Companion of the Padded Glove.

The reception of the Peers and Peeresses and the conferring of honours was one of the most amusing phases of the ceremony. Each one presented or honoured advanced slowly to the dais and then to the feet of Her Majesty, where they curtsied low, and, kneeling, kissed the Royal hand.

The mode of approach and retirement varied with the temperament, > litheness, and years of the person, and while the majority performed this part of the ceremony neatly, there were some who would have been none the worse for the application of a f little oil to their knee joints. With the glorious strains of “Land of Hope and Glory” and “God Save the King,,, the ceremonial ended. THE. ROBES. A BRILLIANT SPECTACLE. A feature of the coronation was the wonderful frocking of the ladies who took part. The costumes won the unstinted admiration of the gathering, and contributed in no small measure in the making of a superb spectacle. Mrs McMillan, Her Grace the Lady of the Heather, Mistress of the Robes, and the ladies who supervised this portion of the ceremony are to be wholeheartedly congratulated. Her Majesty, the Queen of the Carnival, Miss H. Matthews, wore a beautiful gown of ivory georgette with skirt frills ankle length. Over this was draped the royal robe of scarlet satin, embroidered with ermine. Her crown was of gold filigree work, heavily jewelled. Her maids of honour were Miss Jean Vowles and Miss Isabel Veale, blue gorge/te with silver trains. Miss V. Shand, ivory satin and silver lace train edged with green ; Miss I. Masters, ivory georgette and crystal beading, with ivory satin train lined with yellow and trimmed with fur; Mrs McMillan, pale pink beaded georgette and pink bouquet. Mrs D® a th wore black satin and silver lace with a scarlet train; Mrs Vowles, apricot lace over vieux rose, with a satin and gold train ; Mrs And- » rew's, apricot 'with pale green train ; Mrs Scudamore, salmon pink with ■ diamante trimming ; Miss V.' Menzies, green taffeta and rosettes with posies and silver train ; , Miss G. Surrey, green georgette and pink bow with pink and silver train ; Miss L. Forrest, blue crepe de chine and silver lace; blue and silver train ; Miss T. Simmonds, * peach satin and silver trimmings with train ; Miss B. GiSb, rose taffeta and silver trimmings with train; Miss C. Silcock, gold taffeta and georgette, with gold and silver tinsel train ; Mrs Pellow, lemon georgette, lace skirt, with pink train ;'Mrs Edwards, blue taffeta and silver lace ; Mrs Hedge, pink satin with hem of flowers and georgette ; ' Mrs Innes, blue and silver train ; Miss E? Vincent, lime green, uneven skirt, and tulle trimmings, with, gold tr.ain ; Miss R. Swann, black satin, silk net skirt with gold train. Her Majesty’s were Misses Colleen Steedman '.and Helen Ward, in black velvet; Misses Jsobel Death, Valerie Steedmap, Marjorie • Neaber, and Rona Simmpnds. in white ■with red hoods; and Misses Helen Neaber and Marie Steedman, who wore pink taffeta with an overdress of frilled net caught into the waist with rosebuds, and with wreaths of rose- | buds round their heads. Princess Vivian had in attendance Misses Sheila Silcock ad Ngaire Crosby, in lime green' taffeta, with a net overdress and carrying flower baskets, and Misses Valerie Menzies and Josephine Brocket, in white with lime green hoods. ' Princess Iris Was attended by Miss I , Yolande Indies, who wore cyclamen 1/ crepe de chine with medallions of lace '■ ■ on the skirt, and who carried a bou--quet of primroses ; Miss Wanda Tai-. ■'. boys, in green crepe de chine overdress of frilled tulle, and carrying a bouquet of primroses ; Miss Barbara Barclay and Marie Innes, white with yellqw hoods. CORONATION PERSdNALS.' Andrew Stanley Fisher, Eayl of Awaiti West, Knight Councillor of the Most Excellent Order of the Hauraki Plains ; William Copland Alexander, Baron of Minutes, Wielder of Rate Demands and 10 per cent. Penalties ; and Charies Neaber, Lord Bill 6f Sale and Knight Commander of the Cooperative Order of‘Farmers’ Finance, / were unavoidably unable to .obey the f Royal Command and attend Her , Majesty’s Coronation. Thomas Charles Arnold and Donald Roy Fraser, Esquires, were unavoidably prevented from obeying the Royal Command to be present to be raised to the honour of knighthood as Sir Thomas Bacon, Companion of the Ancient and Acceptable Order of Ham and Eggs ; and as Sir Donald the Swimmer, Knight Grand Cross of the Most Excellent Order of Hot Pies and Coffee, respectively.