Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, MAY 8, 1902. The Coronation.

Manawatu Herald, 8 May 1902, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, MAY 8, 1902. The Coronation.

We suppose the inhabitants intend to do something in-the way of celebrating the coronation of our King and Queen, but if they do some active steps need taking at once. During the last year or two the residents have shown the interest they take in the doings of the Empire and it would bo more than a pity if the usual apathy of our public men should let such an interesting and instructive occasion go by unheeded and unsung. What is to be done? The first and best thing is for the Mayor to call a public meeting and then proposals could be made and considered. What is wanting is not so much fireworks and illumination, but more a general union of the people who could in various ways testify their joy that such an important event in the Jives of our Sovereigns, and in the history of the Empire bad taken place. This reminds us that the date- of any such celebrations should bo after the coronation, as otherwise, by our variation of time we might celebrate an event which had not taken place. Everybody needs to be catered for, and the children especially, as though to many of us of riper years, owing to the very fortunate long reign of our late Queen, few of us have seen a coronation, or had to do with one in our Empire, the children most certainly have not, and the occasion should therefore be a distinctly marked one. We like to see an admission of a Higher Power in all things and on such an important date nothing could be more fit, and we thus suggest that the day might be employed in some such manner as the following-The volunteers in full uniform should assemble say at nine o'clock and march round the town with the band, and at 9.80 fire a feu de joie at the Triangle. They should then be invited, by the committee, to breakfast. At eleven the churches should hold grand choral services, with short appropriate sermons, and the volunteers should be asked to take part. If the weather was fine arrangements should be made for the band to play in Victoria Park and a feast tendered to the children, at which, or prior, some person should shortly explain the reasons for these gatherings. In the evening the ball should be obtained and an instrumental concert held, all seats being removed making the concert a promenade and a free one. If possible the volunteers should at the end fire a salute and three cheers given by the gathering for the King and Queen. These are only suggestions, and we do not doubt could be improved in discussion, but the proceedings need not be expensive, but must be general. The rich and poor, healthy and weak are all indued with the love of our King and country and should therefore all participate in such a movement.