CROWNING THE MAY QUEEN AT KNUTSFORD. UNKNOWN cess of Wales.

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 210, 9 July 1887, Page 2

CROWNING THE MAY QUEEN AT KNUTSFORD. UNKNOWN cess of Wales.

Notwithstanding the irrey drizzle which prevailed, the early trains brought considerable numbers into Knutsford to witness the departure of tho Prince and Princess of Wales for Manchester. The Prince and Princess left Tatton Hall, accompanied by Lord Egerton, in a landau with four bays and outriders. The weather was by this time rather brighter, but the air was still raw, and the carriage was left closed till the drive through the park — some three miles in extent -had been accomplished , and the great gate had been reached, which debouches close to the little town of Knutsford. The people of this quaint old English place, whose sanded devices had been effaced by tho feet of hundreds of sightseers on tho previous day, had been at work very early in the morning with their funnels and sand, and one could read upon the highway the emblems and sentences of loyalty. There was no military escort at this time, but tho Cheshire Constabulary were present in great force under Colonel Hamersley, who, with several of his officers, was mounted. The journey thiough Knutv foul the previous day had been via King-street, and Hie return A\as through Piirices-stroet. The principal public interest of Tuesday was. therefore concentrated upon tho latter and upon tho piesentation of a bouquet to the Princess by the May Queen of Knutsford, who, with her courtiers and othei attendants, was seated upon a throne raised in front of the Town Hall. Tho Royal carriage arrived Opposite the Town Hall at 10.40, and tho cover of the carriage ha\ing been let down, the Piince and Princes-* were greeted with mo<-t enthusiastic cheering by the thousands assembled. The Queen of the May, Mis* Mary Ellen Hogarth, who was droned in cream satin and lace, advanced fiom her tin one, along a crimson-carpeted appro ieh, to the carriage and presented the Princess with a lo\eh r bouquet, composed principally of tho beautiful orchid, odontoglosr-um Alexandra. The Piincess kindly engaged the child in comersation for a few minutes. Lord Egeiton then beckoned to Mr Xichollf," the chairman of the May-day JTe^tivitieu Committee, to come forward, and the Pi ineeandPrinccssthenentered into convex -at ion with him about the quaint old May o t y customs -which ha\e been revived in •Krutfefoid for mine years. During the conversation, the lotinuo of the May Queenwrre langed lound her, including six maids of honour, two pages, ciown bearer, sceptre bearei, a number of miniature beef-eatei ->, com t clowns, and many other character^. Her Royal Highness, readily acceded to the request' that ".he would \\itnes.> the crowning of the May Queen, and Master Holt, the crown bearei 1 , then advanced and placed •the crow n upon the head of her mimic Majesty amidst much cheering. The committee,' having obtained the Prince's permission to add the title of Koyal to the JCnuNford May Day sports, the carriage v/a<? driven fonraul to tho station amidst renewed cheering.