RONGOTEA.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 6713, 4 June 1900, Page 3

RONGOTEA.

J (Special Correspondent.) juthentie news of Lord Roberts' lijtning march from Kroonstad to Preth, and the abandonment of Pretoria !lthe enemy reached this town late on Lirsday night. On Friday morning town fairly blossomed into bunting. the evening a committee of young n met and decided to hold a demonition on Saturday night. A promme was drawn up, and committees details were formed to work up the ions events. On Saturday afternoon t town looked extremely lively as at load after cart load of material for a ; ililire came into " The Square." Wilh hands soon set to work, and a huge j fe was planted in the centre of the ! luare, and the bonfire materials heaped 1 kind the tree. A life-like efiigy of ruger was suspended from the topmost i hnch. At 7.80 p.m. the procession L-med np in the following order:— andard Bearer, local volunteers under iptain Costall, brake with Committee, hool children, representatives of *' All ations," local musicians, general public. "essrs F. Revell, J. E. Marshall, and .y. J. Croucher were appointed Mar!ials of the procession. With coloured ghts to enliven tke proceedings the pro;ssion started fram Thames-street, isl marched round the Square, to the nging by the gathering of " Soldiers of he Queen." By this time tha largest |*o wd ever seen in Rongotea had assemSed in the vicinity of tho bonfire. Here fbe procession pulled up, the bonfire was gnited and the following programme las proceeded with;— God Save the [>ueen was sung by the assembly and ictween each bar of the music volleys j-ere fired by^ the local Tolunteers and ftlutes were fired from live big gnus. Ihe^ chairman, Mr L. H. Yarrall, then pressed the meeting on the subject of (Ord Roberts' maiu-1., after Trtrtt*! ctnrcrjr *' Bobs " were given. Mr J. Campion j fien sang " When tho Empire Calls," in Ss own inimitable fashion. Mr ii. K. iuith then spoke and called for tkree beers for Lord Kitchener. Song by Mr ! Griffin ■• The Red, White and Blue " ; Acceh by Mr W. J. Honore on tho process of the war. and calling for cheers or Sir Redvers Buller. ' Then tke motion Tjund, ir> strong, under Bandnastor 'Williams, arrived on the scene md another procession was formed, and o the strains of the martial music of the the assembly paraded the Square (gain. Mr Charles Costall then sang lie " Old Flag." after which cheers were Jiven for •* Tho Flag." Speech by Mr C. West, followed by cheers for General French. Song by Mr Chris Costall, ■A Warrior Bold"; speech by Mr J. tampion with special reference to New Zealand Contingents, followed by cheers or Major^Robm, our boys, and the New 'ealand Red Cross nurses, Speeches verc then given by Messrs J. Pimiey, V. J. Ransem. and J. Costall, senr. Cheers vere given for Tommy Atkins, and ourielvcs, and the programme concluded I'th hearty cheers fcr the Band and lairman. During tlie evening the Sandon Band ye several selections, and the preceedgs were further enlivened by a dispay li reworks, and sundry salutes were Iked, all of which were greatly appreciated by the nublic. A collection was tjlken up to defray expenses, the balance eH which, amounting to about £o 10s, is M be devoted te the Indian Famine $ ehei Fu nd T. Girtson entertained |he Sandon Band at a supper at the con'llusion of the proceedings, which were finarked throughout by the greatest enthusiasm, ' There is to be a grand display when $eaee is declared. A public meeting will shortly be held to make arrangements for a suitable celebration. jj am sorry to report that a rather seriofls accident happened to Mr A. Burgess tlkough being struck with one of the discharges from one of the improvised eajmon. He had his face severely injurted and the doctors fear he will lose thd sight of one eye. Mr Burgess goes to Wellington to-day to receive best possible advice and attention.