CORONATION CELEBRATIONS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 1003, 10 June 1911, Page 3

CORONATION CELEBRATIONS.

A meeting of the Coronation Committee was held in the Council Chambers on Thursday night. The Mayor presided over a very representative gathering. A letter was read from Mr Bock, in reply, offering to donate 20s towards a fund to give the children a jollification. He suggested a juvenile dance. It was pointed out that the only available hall had been engaged for Coronation night, and that the children would be given a holiday the following day. The Mayor outlined the nature of the public proceedings, and it was decided that a procession be formed at the State school at 1.15 p.m. on Coronation Day in the following order: — 1. Band 2. Cadets 3. Clergy 4. Mayor and Councillors and other local bodies 5. School children 6. Maoris 7. Friendly Societies S. Citizens 9. Decorated tradesmen’s carts The route decided upon was from the State school to the south end of Main Street and return to the Triangle. The religious ceremony will be held at 2 p.m., the programme of which has been arranged by the local clergy. The combined choirs will lead the singing, under the baton of Mr R. T. Betty. After the religious ceremony the flag will be unfurled and saluted from an improvised flagstaff at the Coronation Hall. The singing of “Rule Brittania” will follow. The ‘ 1 Recessional ” will then be recited by one of the State school pupils, after which the Mayor will lay the foundation stone of the Coronation Hall. Mr Newman, M.P., will deliver a patriotic speech, and the proceedings close with the National Anthem. It was decided to ask the local tradesmen to decorate their premises on Coronation Day with bunting. The idea of en:ertaining the children in the Park during the morning was suggested and abandoned. It was decided to ask the

Convent children to join in the procession in charge of one of their teachers.

Mr A. D. Clemett, marshal, will be assisted by Captain Gabites in the movements of the procession. It was decided to make a special effort to obtain as large an attendance of the native race as possible. The Mayor pointed out that a suggestion had been made to hold an entertainment in the evening to fittingly wind up the day’s festivities. Dr Mandl suggested a pyrotechnic display, which was customary on such occasions. The Mayor said the Hall contractor had informed him that the walls, flooring and roof of the Hall refectory would be completed by Coronation Day, and that a function could be held therein. The gas could be laid on for lighting purposes. After some discussion, the follovying sub-committee was set up to carry out an entertainment in the evening : The Mayor and Messrs Rev Aitken, Dr Mandl, Jackson, Hornblow, Betty and Bullard.

The usual compliment to the chair concluded the meeting.