CORONATION CELEBRATIONS

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 1009, 24 June 1911, Page 3

CORONATION CELEBRATIONS

The local Coronation celebrations passed off very successfully on Thursday afternoon last, despite the squally weather. The morning was very stormy, and it was thought that the procession would have to be abandoned and the religious service held in the quadrangle of the State School instead of in the open air. The weather held up sufficiently to enable the procession to take place, but on account of the threatening weather the combined religious service was held in the State school. The foundation stone ceremony passed off very successfully. The only decorations in town were the business premises of Mr Stiles, the Council Chambers, and Dr Mandl’s residence. The boisterous weather, no doubt, prevented other business premises from being festooned with bunting. Flags were flown from most premises. Two streamers of small flags were stretched across the road near the Town Hall. Large portraits of the King and Queen were displayed in the Council Chamber windows and on the front of the Town Hall. A number of flags were draped over the entrance of the State School. Apart from these the public decorations were disappointingly nil. A special religious service was held at All Saints’ Church at u a.m. and was well attended. The service in many respects was similar to that used at Westminster on the occasion of the Coronation. The vicar, Rev. G. Y. Woodward, conducted the service. Special lessons, appropriate to the occasion, were given at the State school and patriotic songs were sung by the pupils. THE PROCESSION. Shortly after 1.30 p.m. the procession, marshalled by Mr Clemett, and headed by the band (Mr M. Perreau drum major), started from the State school, in the following order : Baud (conductor. Mr J. Golder), cadets (Captain Gabites), clergy, Mayor and Councillors, school children and teaching staff, members of friendly societies. The procession marched to the Post Oifice and returned to the school. The commodious quadrangle at the school was taxed to its utmost to accommodate the people, and quite a number were unable to get inside. COMBINED RELIGIOUS SERVICE. The Rev G. Coatsworth (Methodist) announced the opening hymn, ‘‘God our Help in Ages Past,” and followed with an appropriate extempore prayer. The Rev G. Y. Woodward (Anglican) announced the hymn ‘‘ Lord of Life Eternal.” The old Testament lesson, Joshua 1., 1-10, was read in Maori by Tamihau, and in English by Tawhai Eruera (both lay readers in the Anglican Maori Church). The next hymn, “ O God of Bethel,” was announced by the Rev T. Coatsworth, who also read the second lesson, Matt. XXII., 15-23, I. Peter 11., 13-17. The Rev G. K. Aitken (Presbyterian) announced the hymn, “ Praise to our God,” after which he delivered a short address. Mr Aitken said: “In casting about in my mind for a subject on which to address you to-day, my thoughts were directed towards a coronation scene of long ago. In the eleventh chapter of II .Kings we find recorded an interesting account of the anointing of one of the kings of Judah. The circumstances surrounding the event make it worthy of consideration. The King of Judah had been slain under somewhat humiliating circumstances, and his mother, deciding to usurp the royal place her son had occupied, set herself to kill all the royal seed. In this she was outwitted by the sister of the dead king, who stole the infant prince Joash and had him secretly cared for and properly trained. For six years he was kept in seclusion, during which period his grandmother reigned over the land. The high priest Jehoiada, who had lent his aid in the training of . the young king, on a certain day called the rulers and captains together and presented to them their king. They showed their appreciation of Jehoiada's action by determining to anoint Joash king. Upon this the high priest issued au injunction, which they loyally agreed to fulfil, and which was as follows : ‘ Ye shall compass the king round about every man with his weapons in his hand, . . . and be ye with the king as he goeth out and as he cometh in.’ When the king was anointed and the crown placed upon his head, the assembled guards manifested their approval by clapping their hands and shouting “ God save the king !” The acclamation came within the hearing of this woman reigning as queen, and, rushing into the temple to ascertain the cause of the tumult, and seeing the young king crowned and standing in their midst, she rent her clothes and cried out ‘Treason! treason!’ The soldiers laid hold upon her, and hurrying her outside the temple, slew her outside the sacred edifice. We are met to-day under widely different circumstances to commemorate a similar event—the coronation of King George V. — but the injunction of Jehoiada to the men of Judah is equally appropriate to us to-day : “Compass the king round about every man with his weapons in his hand, and be ye with the king as he goeth out and as he cometh in.” There may be diversity of opinion as to the need of a king to reign over us, and although we may no longer regard the divine rigtH of kings, yet as the highest official representative of the free institutions that have been character-

istic of and responsible for the progress and greatness of the great Kmpire of which we are all proud to be considered a part, we must readily and sincerely show our allegiance and loyalty to him who this day will be crowned the King of Britain and the dominions beyond the seas. We can best do this by every one in their individual lives rising to the heights of moral greatness, and placing high ideals before us, and perseveriugly seeking to reach them we may maintain the high traditions and noble impulses that have set our nation as an example before the nations of the world, and as we enthrone the King of Kings in our hearts, and live up to the principles of His Kingdom in our lives, will we do most for our Kmpire and the success of the reign of King George V. ‘ Compass the king round about every man with bis weapons in his hand, and be ye with the king as he goeth out and as he cometh in.’ ” The address was followed by the hymn, “ Now thank we all.” The Rev. Mr Woodward then recited special prayers, after which the Benediction was pronounced by the Rev. Mr Aitken. The singing of the National Anthem brought this ceremony to a close. Mr R. T. Betty conducted the singing, which was led by the combined choirs. Miss Coatsworth presided at the organ. The public then proceeded from the school to the Town Hall site, where the building is in course of erection. saluting the flag.

The cadets drew up in front of the hall and the flag was run up to the top of the building and saluted with military precision by the well trained and neatly equipped lads. The Mayor called upon Miss Mary Collins, the winner of the elocutionary competition at the State school, to recite Kipling’s “ Recessional,” which this young lady did with good effect. Her effort was greeted with a hearty outburst of applause. She was presented by the Mayor with Dr. Mandl’s prize, and Mona McEweu and Ella Patterson, who were equal in the junior competition, were also presented with prizes donated by Dr Mandl and Mr Hornblow. FOUNDATION STONE CEREMONY.

The Mayor, after briefly referring to the Coronation, said it was with a feeling of pride that he was privileged to lay the foundation stone of the Town Hall. The building, when completed, would be second to none in a borough of similar size in the Dominion. It would be an ornament to the town and a source of pleasure to the citizens and education to the children. Referring to the past, he said Foxton had not made that progress which it should have done. This was due in part to its industries, which were of a fluctuating nature, and overcautiousness. The time had now arrived when they must push steadily forward. They had passed the worst stage, and there was no longer necessity to listen to the old cry of “ go slow.” Their leading men had adopted a new policy : “ Progress with’ caution.” The erection of such a building showed they were not behind the times. The building would meet requirements for many years to come. Evidence of the town’s progress was apparent by the last census the population bad increased by 300, and 150 new residences had been erected in recent times surely these were signs of progress. The Mayor then described the building and its appointments. He said that the Council were going to seriously consider the question of running their own picture shows (applause). He believed that profits from such a source should go back to the people. He referred to the subsidy which had been promised by the Government towards the cost of the hall, and the public-spirited and generous gifts of the Councillors and people in order to obtain the subsidy. He said the people were entitled to feel proud of their Councillors, who had the welfare of the people and town at heart and were a body of men to be trusted. Foxton’s future outlook was bright. He paid a tribute to Mr West, the architect, and his manager, Mr Jorgensen. The Mayor then screwed the tablet to the front of the building, amidst applause. The stone is inscribed as follows : “ This stone was laid by Geo. H. Stiles, Esq., Mayor of Foxton, June 22nd, 1911. Councillors : G. J. Adams, G. C. Coley, A. J. Gibbs, H. Greig, T. Rimmer, W. S. Carter, J, Chrystall, A. Speirs, W. S. Stewart. Alf. Fraser, Town Clerk. L. G. West, architect. P. Sherratt and Co., builders.” MR NEWMAN’S ADDRESS. Mr Newman M.P., in his opening remarks said two years ago he was a stranger to Foxton, but he now had as many friends here as most people. He referred to the Mayor and Councillors as the most generous in New Zealand. Foxton had reason to feel proud of the men who had control ot her local affairs. The hall he was sure, was not too large. He looked for great developments in this town in the near future. Foxton was the natural port of the Main Trunk Line as well as Feilding and Palmerston and must becomes an important shipping centre. Perhaps one of her best assets, said Mr Newman is the splendid spirit of citizenship as shown in connection with this hall, which will have engraved on it words which will tor all time connect it with the Coronation of King George. Referring to the Coronation, Mr Newman said the Coronation of a King of England is a guarantee of the continued peace and prosperity

of the great Empire over which he rules. He could find no words to describe it adequately. It embraces i-sth of the inhabitants of the world, and covers i*sth of the earth’s surface. Canada was nearly as large as Europe v/ith a population of seven and a half millions — it was larger than the whole of the United States of America ; South Africa’s population was forty-five millions, with its teeming masses of natives and Dutch ; India three hundred millions ; Egypt and Soudan, fourteen millions ; Australasia five millions ; and New Zealand about one million. He compared the Empire to empires of the past. The Roman Empire had for its keystone the centralisation of all its power in the Caesars, The British Empire had for its foundation Liberty, Freedom and Self Government. England has won for herself a reputation amongst the nations that never can be excelled and a place in the world’s history that will never be forgotten. Free trade is extended to all and England’s first duty is to provide the well-being of the respective people she rules. Mr Newman said to us is being opened out an even greater hope ; England and the United States were arranging a footing for permanent peace. We may thus see the Anglo-Saxon race united again and the Union Jack and the Stars and Stripes intertwined. If this eventuates it will be the greatest factor for peace that could occur. Mr Newman referred to the recent enactment of compulsory military training and the Eastern menace. If, said Mr Newman, England were at war with some great power, and the scene of that war was the North Atlantic —what might happen to us ? It we wish to possess our independence, we must be prepared to fight lor it. He appealed to the young men to enter into tne training with high ideals. It is their privilege to defend their homes and maintain their connection with the British Empire. We can only maintain this great Empire by self-sacrifice. If a love of money, or ease and luxury gains a hold, or if we adopt a policy of ‘‘peace at any price,” the Empire will surely fade as did empires in the past. He urged his hearers to read and inquire into the past history of the English Empire ; to read about the great men and women who in their day upheld the old flag which has been handed down to us by our forefathers as the emblem of justice, integrity, and honour. It behoves us now and our sons soon, to pass it on to future generations unsullied and unstained. Mr Newman concluded his speech by hoping that the hall would always remind them that they were a part of the great Empire, and that it would be the centre of social life. If the electoral boundaries take Foxton out of his electorate, he would always none the less further her interests so long as he was in Parliament.

Cheers were given for the Mayor and Councillors and Mr Newman.

The singing of the National Anthem brought the ceremony to a close.