NELSONS DIAMOND JUBILEE.

Motueka Star, Volume II, Issue 51, 7 February 1902, Page 3

NELSONS DIAMOND JUBILEE.

The Nelson Diamond Jubilee has been successfully celebrated during the present week and after to-day the event will be a thing of the past. The preparations which ihave been going on for some months past were of a most complete character and upon the opening day the arrangements for the function showed clearly that the various committees had carried out their duties in a most creditable fashion. A large number of visit «rs from the country districts and also from other parts of the Colony weie present, the whole of the available accommodation in boarding houses and hotels being taxed to the utmost extent. The opening ceremony was of a religious character, and took place at the Cathedral steps, Bishop Mules and other clergymen officiating, the Premier and Mrs Seddon. Sir J ;seph and Lady Ward, the Hon C. H and Mrs Mills. Colonel Pitt, M.L.C., Mr Graham! M.H.R., and representatives of local bodies. After the Benediction had been pronounced a procession moved off", led by the Gari ison Band and Volunteers. The City Councillors followed, preceding the Premier and others, who occupied carriages. The procession was long and varied in its character, being made ;ii.i of the military (about 200 strong), representatives of all*the branches of the friendly societies and the Municipal Fire Brigade, cars crowded w.'th early settlers, officers of the waiships, members of Par-lament, the clergy, representatives of the" County Councils and local bodies, school children, and various visitors. The Wakatu Mounted Rifles formed the escort to the procession on its route through the principal streets of the city to the Botanical Gardens. Here excellent speeches were delivered by the Premier, Sir Joseph Ward. Colonel Pitt, Hon. C. Mills, and MiGraham. During the afternoon the early settlers were entertained at luncheon, about 180 being present. In the afternoon a large crowd attended the athletic sports and in the evening a capital display of fireworks was given. The Ministers of the Crown were entertained at a banquet in the evening when there was a largo gathering of representative citizens. The various fixtures for Tues lay and the rest of the week were carried out in accordance with the programmes issued, and those who were present will return to "their homes with gratifying recollections of Nelson's Diamond Jubilee.