PREMATURE REJOICINGS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 98, 19 May 1900, Page 2

PREMATURE REJOICINGS.

Received 18, 9.45 a.m. Sydney, May 18. , There is great enthusiasm over the tfafeking news. Cheering crowd*, I patriotic songs, waited in the , -treets last night till a late hour for | jllicial confirmation. , Kecoived 19, 2 a.m. Sydney, May 18J The city was in a state of jubilation the whole day over Mafeking. There was a great display of bunting, and bands paraded the streets. Large crowds gathered- at the post office awaiting the hoisting of the signal a! the official confirmation of the relief, and at the newspaper offices. The m%il steam era fired salutos, and all joined in cotfkadoodling. Many of the public schools observed a half-holiday. There was a scene of great enthusiasm it the Stock Exchange on the strength of a report that the Governor had received official confirmation, which, howaver, was no mora than contained in he press cablograms. To night the streets aro thronged by cheering, singing crowds and bands (impromptu and otherwise). There is similar qq. thusiasm in the country and in the other colonies.

PATRIOTIC DISPLAY IN DUNBDIN. Dunedin, May 18. The procession this afternoon In honour of the relief of Mafeking vu large and interesting, but did not excite the enthusiasm of the one of Ladysmith, when the Rough Riders took part. The volunteers and fire brigade* mustered strongly. The Government workshops were represented to a man, and a number of employees of various large firms made good displays. It is estimated that between thirty and forty thousand were in the streets in ihe evening. Most of the shops and dwellings in tho town were lighted upi and in a few instances there were illuminations. A torchlight prooession was held, in which the fire brigade made tho finest display. The procession proceedto the Agricultural Hull, which was soon crowded to excess, for a, patriotic meeting.

Lateb. Tho patriotio meeting this evening was tho largest ever held in Dunsdin. The Agricultural Hall was packed, and thousands wero unable to gain admission. Patriotic speeches were given by the Mayor, Messrs. J. A. Millar, J. B. Callan, J. P. M. Fraaer, Jaa. Robin, And M. Cohen. ■ Patriotio songs wero rendered. Daring the singing of "Sons of the jibea" about -£lO was thrown on the stage for the fund which in biting raised to present a sword of honour to Colonel Baden-Powell, making £36 nnlM-td altogether.

FORECAST OF WELLINGTON'S PROGBAMMK. Wellington, May 18. I The Wellington puUi: vera in a Irisnmer of excitement all day over the reported relief of Mafefeiog, but thera was no demonstration. Crowds hung

about the wain ihoiougtuares anxiously discussing the situation. During the evening several guns were discharged and bonfires lit on the hills at the northern end of the town. Crowds flocked into the city only to find that the signal was a false alarm. The Hon. J, Q. Ward, actingPremier, has intimated his intention of addressing the public from the Post Office should official information be received of the relief of the besieged town before 2 a.m. TJntil official confirmation is received of the relief of Mafeking, the New Zealand-Australia cable will be opened at 8 a.m. (New Zealand time) instead of 8.30, as at present.

KEJOIOINGS AT NELSON. Nklsox, May 18. The relief of Maf eking was celebrated by an enthusiastic demonstration. At daybreak the bells were rung and guns and bombs discharged. In the afternoon a large procession was formed around Cathedral Hill, and marched to Trafalgar Park, the Wakatu Mounted Artillery and the Rifle Companies being present. A salute and feu-de- j joie was fired, and prayer and thanksgiving offered by the Rev. J. Smalley, President of the Wesleyan Conference, the Bishop being absent. Speeches were delivered by the Mayor and Messrs. J. Harley and Graham (member for Nelson), and cheers given. At seven there was a torchlight procession and a good display of fireworki.