The Record Reign Celebrations.

Manawatu Herald, 26 June 1897, Page 2

The Record Reign Celebrations.

,■ • • President McKinley baa sent a warm letter of felicitation to the Queen, in which he . recognises Her Majesty's friendship ■ towards the United States, and her love of peace. In the House of Lords on Monday night tiofd Salisbury, Prime Minister, moved an address, to the Queen expressing the nations joy in connection wjth her illustrious reign, marking as it did an epoch in history. TJI3 Lordship paid tho impulse- of Democracy had pff-'Oted va^t.changcs 'without disturbing the progress of the country, whiob had been largely due to the moderating influence of the Queen. • , The Address was carried unanimously. ' * , • A ijmilar address wai moved in

the House of Commons by Mr Balfour, First Lord of the Treasury. Sir William Harcourt, Leader of the Opposition, in a graceful speech, supported the motion. He dwelt chiefly upon the sympathetic character of the Queen towards the people duricg her reign. The address was adopted by 449 to 4. The following New Zealanders formed part of Her Majesty's bodyguard in the procession : — Sergeant Sommerville (Alexandra Mounted Rifles), Corporal Cardale (Canterbury Yeomanry), Private Liaz'ifct (Otago Hussar?) and Private Td. -np.iri (Native Contingent). The colonial troops which preceded the State procession to St. Paul's received a wild ovation. When the procession had reached Temple Bar the Lord Mayor (Sir G. Faudel Phillips) on horseback I awaited the Queen. On the arrival of the procession at St. Paul's the Thanksgiving Service was held, and lasted 20 minutes. The colonial and Indian troops met with a grand reception. At the various points along the route of the procession, the crowds spontaneously sang the National Anthem. The spectacle was a magnificent success throughout, and was witnessed by over two million persons; The Queen's prooession consisted oi 16 carriages. Mer Majesty's carriage was drawn by eight cream coloured ponies, with postillions and outriders, The Queen, who was in splendid health, bowed smilingly at the cheering orowdg. The scene at St. Paul's was a most impressive one. The Queen bowed her head and was moved to tears as the populace joined with the Prince and bishops in singing the " Old Hundreth." All formal ceremony was then ignored., bishops waving their oaps and leading in the shouts of loyalty. The foreign Envoys were greatly impressed at the reception acoorded to the Queen. Field-Marshal Lord Roberts, in command of the colonial prooession, rode at the head of the column. He divided the honours of the day with the Queen, being greeted enthusiastically with cries of " Bravo Bobs; remember Kandahar." The spectacle was the grandest ever witnessed in London. The cavalry detachments alone occupied naif an-hour in passing a given point. The principal displays were made by the Royal Horse Artillery, the Cavalry and the Mounted Infantry. The Queen's entrance to the en* closure was the signal for unbounded applause. The choir sang the Te Deura, and the Lord'B Prayer was recited. Then Dr Oreighton offered up the special prayer of thanksgiving. Dead gileno? prevailed, save f or •he solitary voice, which could b hc-ard afar, the scene being most iu)pres sive. At the conclusion of the service the Archbishop of Canterbury pro nounced the Benediction, and solemnly the crowd responded with' •• Amen." The' whole assembly sang the Old Hundredth, then the choir and the multitude burst out with the National Anthem. Dr Temple oalled for cheers, and there was a tremendous response. • • • The Queen took the greatest interest in the servioe, and bowed low during the prayer and blessings. She expressed to Dra Temple and Oreighton tier gratification at the arrangements, and intimated her pleasure at the simple and impressive nature of the servioe. The service over, the signal was then given for the head of the procession to proceed towards London Bridge. ' < ■ Notwithstanding the unwonted exertions of the two previous days, the Queen was remarkably well today* Her eyesight, whioh some time ■ago was reported, to be failing is, however, causing Rome anxiety President McEinley's splendid letter, felicitating the Queen, is much approved. N ' * The Queen, in replying, thanked the great nation of our kinsmen. The crowds in the London streets viewing the illuminations recognised the colonial troops, formed circles round, them, and loudly cheered them. There were very few accidents' in the streets during the jubilations, and none fatal.