CORONATION DAY IN MOTUEKA.

Motueka Star, Volume II, Issue 104, 12 August 1902, Page 3

CORONATION DAY IN MOTUEKA.

e ' 9th ! oB ! tljfe ’ clay set ‘ S&t tb'e/ of \ His Majesty Hazard fchrfe? B&vfektfi' will long- - be ; retnembefed 1 by ‘ ; ‘those residents ’ of this' targe 1 Srho assembled, in Motuekai, in ordter ‘ 'td take part in the i ejoibings and to give practical"proof of their 1 loyalty to their Sovereign and the Empire,, tab re extensive, more important;, arid tnofe powerful botli 1 bn 'lririd ; arid isea', ! at ! 1 ! tb f e present rridirient, than any nation prist' and present. The day was a Brie one,' the sky being clear with sCaicely, any wind. At an early honb those living at a d istarice commenced t.’> ‘ arrive within the precincts of the Borough, all kinds of vehicles, etc/being 1 pressed into service for the occasion. Old residents affirm, and we ai-e prepared to accept the assertion, that ' the gathering* 1 and ibe pirocbssion,* h avd * never been eclipsed in Motiieka. The programme originally arranged for the 26th June, was adhered to with minor alterations. At half past nine the leligious service was commenced at the Post Office corner, a combined choir, .vith Mrs F. Syriies'as organist, rendering the “Old H undredth” in fine voice" This was followed by a prayer by Rev. Mr Wills, the Lord’s Prayer being also said]) The Rev. J. Wilson, of Riwnka, read a lesson from Joshua 1, verses 1 to 9, and at its conclusion the Te I)eum sung. The lesson selected was read by Rev. W Wills and after singing “Oh God, our help in ages past,” the Rev. Thomas Johnston delivered an eloquent arid impressive sermon having made leference to the Oorona tion of the King, His Majesty’s recovery from the severe illness he has undergone, and the happy conclusion of the war in South Africa. At the conclusion of the sermon, a prayer was offered by Adjutant Rowley. The ser vice being over the Mounted Rifles, 65 in number, fired a salute and the procession was formed, the corps leading followed by the Band, the Motu- “ eka High and Borough schools, Friendly Societies and neighboring schools in the order arranged beforehand. The rear of the procession was composed of a large number of vehicles of all descriptions, filled with settlers, their children and friends. The marching of the school children was very regular and the scene \va& rendered picturesque by the 360 flags, properly mounted on sticks, the gift of Mr A. Manoy, whose thoughtfulness was acknowledged by three hearty cheers by the children and a special reference later in the day by His Worship the Mayor. The procession marched as far as Mr Trewavas’ corner and then retraced its steps, finally reaching’ Mr Robert Staples’ paddbck where, after a short interval, the children were presented with the medals, and afterwaids entertained at lunch. For the convenience of the adults the Committee had arranged with Mt P. G- MoffUtt. to have a non-alcoholic booth upon the ground and to all appearances the caterer did a most satisfactory trade. About one o’clock His- Worship the Mayor, Mr J. S. Wratt, addressed those assembled in a few ch< ,i :e and happy setences, concluding by calling upon Messrs R. R inkin, T. A. Harris, and H. Everett, to speak. The address of the three speakers were ; capital ones, appropiiate, patriotic, historical ; couched ip crisp, telling sentences, which were applauded bv interested hearers. Speech, making being over, sports were organised for the children under the supervision of His Worship' the Mayor, Messrs H. Rankin, Harris,A. I. Manoy and M‘Farlane. The prizes offered, principally given by Messrs Brown! and Kerr, supple-

and a Webersj the Lower Moutere, were keenly contested!' | ' qqqddngSi ; ,j 'A* ,$ foij; *oyqr , ,£5 f apd undei;;s() A jbrqqght og$ { - hfilf t , I;ing 0 to .^r uJ §Ls yqry ip ,When, the was claiinqd,,by him. M|?, Gilbert?;; she second #s<s&! . jivpg ppt 4 far, behind the, ,\viqn ; qi; and iwhen - nq&rr. ;thq,ppst pnt >.{^ s i ■the >inan ,ip lyont pf hifh- . sqme qf the ; eopjbestants . did , not finish,. and; r spine . werq short, pL wiqd,., Jp, f addition ,to , the sports, jus£ mentioned*! the, Mount- , | ed;,Rifles. gave , exhibitions ;of drill, : jumping, [rescuing, q dupcjrny: etc, ;the , whole of.jWhich; ( was..^i^phjed u 'yith in-. terest by a , large; riutpbqr of persons. About four; p’clock the , provisions, and ■ tea wpro> handed , t.ound to,, the qhild- , , .ren and j shortly,, afterwards '[the signal j for a general dispersal was given by,; the Band playing the .National Anthetn.; The services of the, n.ewly formed leadership of Bandsman Avery, were, much appreciated d,ui:ing'the day and. it .iya? genera lly agree*., their, .musical contributions materially helped to rpake the day. an, enjoyable pnp Unfortunately, the rain which fell during the evening prevented many from, witnessing the display of fireworks and listening 'to the speeches delivered by Messrs Gilbert and Moffatt and the songs rendered by Sergt. Major Trolove, and Messrs Macfarlane and Jenkins, At the conclusion, His Worship the Mayor, who was a very busy man throughout r,he whole of the day, called for three hearty cheers for the King and Queen, the Premier Mrs Seddon, Mr Robert Staples who kindly, placed hjs paddock at the disposal of the Committee and last, but by no means least, the popular Secretary, Mr Jenkins. At intervals during the evening the Band, rendered some choice selections, and tliat their , services were appreciated was shown by the result of the collection made by Mr Graham Brougham, who in a very short time was the recipient of the respectable, sum of <£2, 3s which was handed oyer to the Bandmaster. A few words about the decorations and illuminations, will not lie out of, place here. Considerable taste and ingenuity was shown, particularly by Mr. Gilbert and his, staff, wh > by tastefully manipulating the national colors, gave a display bpth patriotic and effective. The same remarks apply to those of Messrs Manoy and Brougham. The former exhibited a very good representation by Mr Caigou, the latter a transparency of His , Majesty, the handiwork of Mr Jenkins. ..,'A large quantity of native shrubs etc., had been used, by the residents for decorative purposes, much taste being,, ishqvvn .particularly by Messrs Holyoake, jfylanoy, Brougham, Mpffatt, Delaney, Boyce and Trewavas. In addition to these private residence?. Were decorated and flags were,,flying , all over the Borough. - • At half past nine a service was held in st. Thomas’ Church, which Was conducted by the Rev Thomas. Johnstoq, and at its conclusion a, collection was taken up for the proposed Veteran’s Home. ~ . Taken as a whole, the celebration? in Motueka were a great success, afnd , the committee deserve a word of praise for the manner in which they carried nit the labors of the day, , Mr G. W. Jenkins, the Honorary Secretary, wa,? the right man for the position he ♦ccupied and we have no hesitation, .in saving that the public are under an obligation to him for carrying out the onerous duties entrusted to him in such a satisfactory fashion. Again, he

#&&»'» been iso confusion, or, j Tbq Reception he willingly faypred them •tjfyat *ibPsW£<? n & ,- was not unmerited. '