FIFTH OF NOVEMBER IN TIMARU.
GRAND ORANGE PROCESSION,
At an early hour this morning people were astir in the expectation of witnessing Hie arrival of the various sections of the Orange body that were expected to visit Tirnaru, to commemorate the anniversary of the Gun Powder Plot. A little after six o’clock the Maori steamer with about GO on board put in an appearance, and after some delay they were safely landed on Hie Breakwater where they were welcomed by the local officers. The party adjourned to Parson’s Club Hotel where they breakfasted, their entertainer although taken by surprise, serving up a most inviting bill of fare with extraordinary expedition. The weather was exceptionally line, and us time rolled on large numbers of country residents began to throng the streets, and the footpaths were lined with men and women wearing the Orange colors. The Tirnaru Lodge was opened with its customary, if not more than its customary solemnity, the large number of members present indicating a strong desire to do honor to the occasion. The orderly deportment of the members is a matter for comment and congratulation. In the meantime the representatives of the Order assembled in their Lodge which was gaily decorated with flags, banners and other insignia. Shortly after 11 they repaired to the railway station for the purpose of welcoming the Northern visitors who arrived by special train to the number of dot). The procession was formed shortly after midday in front of the Oddfellows’ Hall, Barnard street. The streets in the vicinity were thronged by some thousands of spectators, including .special constables with badges of tape on (heir elbows, but no batons beyond their lists. Mingled with the throng were crowds of well dressed men, women, and children, some of them sporting gorsc in bloom, marigolds, and other yellow flowers from their breasts and button holes. The Orangemen,as they passed through the hall, adjusted their scarves, and in a few minutes a procession numbering nearly 800, walking four abreast, with bright colored Hags and purple banners, in which King William was the central figure, made a most imposing spectacle. The Tirnaru Orangemen, of whom there were about 2o(), were preceded by the Artillery band playing “The Protestant Boys'” and other appropriate airs : the Dunedin Orangemen followed, and then came the northern or Christchurch contingent, headed by their fine baud, and followed by the Southbridge drum and life band. Among the Northern visitors we observed Mr ■J. Anderson, of Prebbleton, whose motto seems to be “ ever to the front,” Grand Master 'Rovcll, and numerous distinguished members of the order. As the procession turned into the Alain road it was observed that from the whole of the upper windows of the Shamrock Hotel a Hag of defiance was suspended in the shape of green ribbons, and to make the display, if possible, more offensive, these ribbons were waved by female bands in the faces of the pro. eessionists as they passed, while men from behind spat out from the windows on the crowd beneath. Fortunately, the insulting and quite im-ealled-for exhibition was treated with contempt ; there was no disturbance of any kind, and nothing occurred to mar the effectiveness or pleasure of the spectacle. The procession, followed by hundreds of men, women, and children, passed along the Alain South road, and up Elizabeth street to a paddock belonging to Air Bobert Irving, which was placed at the disposal of the members. The entrance to the enclosure—a beautiful meadow —was tastefully decorated and furnished with a large and imposing triumphal arch ornamented with cmblamatical flowers and devices. A trooping of banners and Hags now took place, under which the brethren passed, the members saluting the Orange standard in transit. The scene at this time was grand in the extreme the great concourse of people, the brilliant coloured insignia presenting as lively a spectacle as it is possible to imagine. The assemblage adjourned to a substantial luncheon provided by the Tirnaru body. The rest of the afternoon was devoted to the pleasurable excitements that usually predominate at gatherings so largely attended as this. The utmost good humor and cordiality of feeling characterised the whole of the proceedings, not a single hitch occurring to mar the harmony of the affair. There will he a banquet this evening, which is expected to bo largely attended.
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South Canterbury Times, Issue 2384, 5 November 1880, Page 2
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723FIFTH OF NOVEMBER IN TIMARU. South Canterbury Times, Issue 2384, 5 November 1880, Page 2
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