THE MARRIAGE CELEBRATION DAY IN DUNEDIN.

Southland Times, Volume 2, Issue 2, 10 July 1863, Page 5 (Supplement)

THE MARRIAGE CELEBRATION DAY IN DUNEDIN.

(From a Correspondent.) Dunedin, June 29 For a long time the tood folks of Dunedin were under the impression thai the town would be disgraced in the eyes of the other provinces, by the apathy that appeared to prevail in every quarter in repaid. to the display of loyalty on the celebration of the Royal Marriage, but they were agreeably disappointed at the eleventh hour The weather which had been very bad indeed, (even for Dunedin) for some days previous, cleared up on Sunday night and set in with hard frosf, which continues up to the present hour It would be impossible to give you in this short notice, an idea of the immense preparations that were £?oing forward to show our loyalty to the future King of England and his lovely Cousort. A stranger passing up from Princes-street South, could not fail to be struck with the appearance of the triumphal arches, which dressed in ferns and evergreens, continually met his eye ; in fact, Dunedin looked like a series of bowers. The decorations of the Provincial Hotel were quite artistic, and the arch of Stafford and Princes-streets was most effective, the next one that called for especial notice, was between the Banks of New Zealand and New South Wales, which stretching across from the two best buildings in town, presented a most imposing sight, while flags hung from nearly every window and house top in the vicinity. As seen through the arch, the spectacle looked more like a stage scene than anything else I can compare it to. Another fine arch was likewise to be seen at the Octagon ; and as every householder tried to vie witb his neighbor in decoration, you can form some idea how Dunedin looked on the 2SS\\\ June. The procession was formed at the recreation ground, from 9 o'clock until two. The Volunteers were the firstf on the ground, they turned out in splendcd style, sixty to -eventy strong ; after them came the Fire Brigade in their smart scarlei uniforms, with the Oddfellows, Freemasons, Forresters, &c. As usual thejwhole body were kept waiting for some person or persons unknown for above an hour and a- half, mid as the sun had begun to melt the frozen mud which in the best of times accumalates in t hi-^ neighborhood, the tardy ones received many a blessing for their want of punctuality. At last the procession began to move, headed by nearly 1000 children, and proceeded to the Botanical Reserve in Pelichet Bay lo plant two oaks. On reaching the Octagon each distinct part of the procession was brought to a halt to enable the Photographer to take a series of views of the affair, which I believe the Committee intend to send home to the Illustrated London Newc, a very good idea, as it will tend to bring Oiago more into notice than even the agency of elaborately written phamplets. On reaching the place selected for planting the oaks the Volunteers were drawn up in line and presented arms in a most sol-dier-like way, to the Superintendent and others who had the task in hand of planting the trees — the band at the same time playing the National Anthem. When the affair was concluded with approriate speeches, ajue dejoio was fired in a most creditable manner amidst great cheering and waving of hankerohiefs from a dense crowd of spectators who mustered (goodness knows where from), two or three thousand strong, white on the way down every place that appeared to command a view of the procession was densely crowded. One novel feature in the programme must not be forgotten, namely the poesence of the Marsh Troupe, who in evening costume, came in carriages to the scene, and as if to try the nerves of our gallant defenders the dear creatures were grouped in splendid style in front of the volunteers. The Captain in vain cried in a stentorean voice, " Eyes right and dress," those who got their heads in that way, I believe must have squinted, and the young ladies had to undergo the trying ordeal of the fixed stare of the lively young liflemen. They had also to face a jue de joie fired three times right over their heads, which they stood without flinching. At the termination of the firing the ysang " God save the Queen," or rather a localised edition of the same, in a very pleasing manner ; immediately after which the return commenced in nearly the same order as the procession arrived. Casks of ale were most liberally dispensed of in various parts of the town ; one novelty of the kind, was a fountain of ale at the Empire hotel. An Ox was roasted in the cefitre of the Octagon, so the innerman of all the outsiders was duly looked after- The children were after the procession feasted to surfeit with- cake, buns, tea, sweetmeats, &c, &c, in fact to such an extent that I believe the aid of the medical profession will have to be called in by some of the anxious parents. A splendid luncheon was provided for the various bodies on their release at the Provincial Sale Yards, where bis Honor the Superintendent presided. The usual toasts, &c. were drunk with the enthusiasm usual on 6uch occasions, and the guests quietly dispersed. The Illuminations. — Notwitnstanding that the Committee had resolutely set their faces against any illumination, either public or private, the transparencies in many cases were excellent. The upper storey of the new bar at the Provincial, which was opened to day for the first time, was one blaze of designs and mottoes ; the Imperial Hotel and the Bank of New South Wales flashed with gas and the Empire and Willie Lang's were dressed out for the occasion with colored lamps. The Shamrock lighted up a very large transparency of Neptune driving in his car the future Queen of England, with the motto, of " hail to the Sea King's Daughter." For the evening a fine display of fireworks at Vauxhall ; a goodbill of fire at the Theatre, a ball at the Superindent's, another at the Oddfellow's Hall, a dinner here and a supper there, gave all a chance of finishing this eventful day according to their different tastes ; a day that will be remembered for years to come in the good city of Dunedin.