Manawatu Herald. TUESDAY, JUNE 8, 1897. The Diamond Jubilee.

Manawatu Herald, 8 June 1897, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. TUESDAY, JUNE 8, 1897. The Diamond Jubilee.

Our city fathers have made a start towards celebrating the most glorious record m Englinh history^ but we cannot help thinking there has not been sufficient life, thrown into the movement k To simply propose a procession, and to take no stepg to secure that there be really one is a mistake. A capital procession could be arranged, but a sub-committee and raarahall must be set up to ensure it. A brass band we do not possess, which, if not always to be regretted* is to be so on this occassion, though we have the offer of the music committee to endeavour to arrange a makeshift. Amongst our townspeople we have many excellent vocalists and if they would only meet and practise a few patriotic songs ! together to sing on the march we should get the lead for the majority who would then raise their voices so as to make the welkin ring. May this idea be thoroughly worked out. The procession might be made a pleasing feature by the due ordering and appointment of the crowd. We would like to see the Clergy, the Mayor and Councillors, the Magistrates all taking part officially, backed up by the school children and the Maoris. Could not the musical staff of the public school do a little training in a marching song for the pupils. It would be a rest for the adults and the change of voices would be very marked. On entering the park the procession should wind round the cycling track and face inwards, when a prayer of thankfulness might be offered which nead not hurt the feelings of any sect, and yet be the humble acknowledgement of the benefits we have received, under our Most Gracious Majesty's reign. This over the Mayor should make some appropriate remarks, at the conclusion of which he could proclaim the park to be hereafter known as the " Victoria Park " in commemoration of this event. Then the company, led by our best vocalists could sing •• God save the Queen." As we have said, to secure success, arrangements must be made in time. The programme of sports must not be too long as the days are short and though an early start is not going to be made still the proceedings should be brought to an end by three o'clock, and this might be signalised by the company singing I " God bless the Prince of Wales." Supposing the day turns out wet 1 This possible event has not yet been considered, but should it not ? The hall is to be engaged for a concert at night, a very little expenditure would secure it for the day. Why not then gather under its roof and there display our loyalty by song, and hold the sports for the youngsters ? So many laps round the hall would make the distance needed for young performers, and would certainly prevent the day being a total failure. It is the one disadvantage of being subjects of a Queen whose dominions extend where the sun does not rise and set the same everywhere that the climatic conditions are most variable, and whilst in England the sunny month of June will witness the vast celebrations there provided, we have to prepare for such rejoicings almost in midwinter. This is however no reason why we should not rejoice, but i3 an excellent one why we should take the possibilities of unfavourable weather into consideration. What the Record Reign Committee have as yet done is, to our mind, only as the scratching of the soil, and to keep our town in touch with the importance of the day and the event, much remains to be done. The event is one that io worthy of being impressed on the minds of our young folk, and this must be done more by show and glitter than by talk. We should certainly have some illuminations, every business establishment should make it a prominent feature, if for nothing more than a capital advertisement. There should be a torchlight procession arranged to pass from the Avenue bridge to the Ferry hill. Some blue lights and rockets should be fired from the Ferry hill. This is a matter of arrangement which needs attention. We might also suggest that the committee should secure as much bunting as they could to decorate the Main street and the road to the park along which the procession will move. It is evident therefore that much remains to bo done when the committee meet again on Friday, when we hope further suggestions will be freely offered that will in anyway help to make this day as a red letter day in our town and history.