LORD MAYOR'S DAY.

Kumara Times, Issue 413, 22 January 1878, Page 2

LORD MAYOR'S DAY.

There are thousands of people scattered over our colonies to whom the Lord Mayor's Day will be a welcome reminiscence of their youth. The show this year was perhaps as good as any that has preceded it, though the pomp and brilliancy of the entertainment was sadly marred in drizzling rain. The new. Lord Mayor (Mr Alderman Qwden) inaugurated his year 'of 'office ? -by proceeding in state, „„acpompanied. \>y the -high* officers and ; of the City Corporation,,to,/Westminster, .where he was presented to her Majesty's Judges. Outside the citytbotindariea the •' shn\y" appeared to excite less interest than usual, owing prohably, in some degree, to the unpropifcious state

[For remainder see last page.]

of the weather; but within the limits which define the civic jurisdiction, much curiosity was evinced with regard to the procession, in consequence t»f the official announcement that it would include some new features, principal among which were:—A pair of large double-humped dromedaries, ridden by two persons representing Egyptians, with Egyptian attendants at their heads leading; an ornamental car, drawn by six horses, with postilions, carrying a model of the Cleopatra needle, reclining to an angle, supported at the base by an Egyptian Sphinx and a group representing Egypt. A pair of elephants (one ' Indian, one African), ridden by persons to represent Nubian chiefs with Nubian attendants at their heads, leading ; an elaborate ornamental tableau car (about ■25 feet in length and 27 feet in height), <irawn by ten horses, ridden by postilions, on top of which a lady representing "Peace and Plenty," with •■suitable trophies, &c.; a littlebelow a •second lady to represent •' Britannia," ■extending her hand to "Old Father Thames" (representing ships and commerce), and an African and European representing the Colonies, with a sheaf of corn, other trophies and emblems, ;and round the car a number of persons representing the Muses, &c, properly grouped; at the four extreme corners, four persons to represent Europe, Asia, Africa, and America. At Bishopsgate Ohurch two addresses .were presented. Little Miss Croxton, who looked very pretty in a dress of light blue, was then lifted to the coach window to present a •bouquet from the upper girls' school, but the Lord Mayor would have the door opened, and the young lady found herself inside the state coach submitting -to be kissed by a Lord Mayor. Gracechurch street was decorated with floralfestoocs and baskets of flowers, and the houses with trophies of flags with shields. At the point of Lombard street there was a large floral canopy, supported on groups of masts. The procession passed along by the " European Mail" office," St. Paul's Churchyard, and into Fleet street without any particular incident. At Temple Bar Cleopatra's NeedJe came into collision with one of "the supports of that rickety edifice, and the result was delay and-a break in the procession. Eight of the horses were iinyoked from the allegorical car, and "the structure having been considerably reduced in height, it passed through the bar, ..when the horses were reAarnessed, and the journey was resumed. "The Lord Mayor on his arrival at Westminster, proceeded to the Court K)f Exchequer, where the Lord Chief Baron and Baron Huddleston were ■seated on the Bench in their full-bot-tomed wigs. The common-sergeant introduced the Jiord Mayor elect, and -;gave a brief outline of his career. The Lord Chief Baron made a speech on v the balance of power in Europe and •the Rußso-Turkish war, in the course of which he said, "England might •meet and defeatany number of theStates' of Europe banded together against her." The Lord Mayor made the usual affirmation, and the civic party retired from the Court, alter inviting the Judges to the banquet in the evening.