CORONATION CELEBRATIONS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 335, 23 June 1911, Page 7

CORONATION CELEBRATIONS

! I j CELEBRATIONS IN NEW PLYMOUTH j SUCCESSFUL PROCEEDINGS. A REPRESENTATIVE GATHERING. The weather in the early morning yesterday was somewhat threateneing, and had the effect of keeping many indoons. But as the hour approached for forming the .procession the streets began to wear an animated appearance. The procession formed up in Devonstreet, and moved off from the post office at the appointed hour, the Taranaki Garrison Band leading, followed by the Territorials, the junior cadets, New Plymouth and Fitzroy Fire Brigades (under Superintendent Bellringer and Captain Griffiths), Oddfellows, Druids, members of Parliament, the Mayor and councillors and others. Lieutenant-Colonel Okey, V.D., was marshal. Lieutenant-Colonel Malone, officer commanding the battalion, was on parade, and the District Area Officer, Lieutenant Lampen, was staff officer. The Taranaki Rifles were commanded by Captain Fletcher and Lieutenant Willis, and the Taranaki Guards by Lieutenants Boon and Beadle. The ITigh School cadets paraded under Captain i.yder, the Central School cadets under Captains Mcllroy and Sullivan, the West End cadets under Lieutenant Evetts, and the Fitzroy detachment in charge of a sergeant. Adjutant-Captain 0. Johnston was in eliarge of the cadet parade. Ser-gfant-Major Bond took pin t also in the military matters of the day; The procession marched by way of Devon and Liardet streets to the Recreation Grounds, the colors of the Taranaki Rifles and the. Taranaki Militia being borne aloft by the Territorials, the colors party being Lieutenants Willis . (Rifles), and Beadle (Guards), Col.-Sergt. Clarke . (Rifles) | and Sergts. Oliver and Evans (Guards). Arrived at the the veterans, fire brigades and friendly societies were lined up below the western and the troops were manoeuvred .by Major Bell ringer. After inspection, a f feij dp joie was fired, and afterwards [there was ,a "march past" the saluting where were situated Lieyt,enant'(iolonel 3ialone,, (the -inspecting officer), Ooloijpi E. N. L. Okey, Lieutenant 'Lampen, staff officer, his Worship the 'Sfqyon and Mr. H. Okey, M.P., who also . inspected ,the veterans, of whom over fifty' mraded.,under Colonel, .Ellis, V.D. The tWiijps' came to the Royal Salute, three 1 cheers . we,re i given for the. King, and then they fell in before tiio platform, thje head of the flagstaff was v? ir']' • toii'eli from the TjschJ< unfurled it't/ie Union Jack floated in the breeze, being met by the troops at the j salute and the band playing the National Anthem. ") j PATRIOTIC SPEECHES.

By this time the veterans had been I ranged side of tlie platform, the . school ellitllTcn massed with the band at its below'tlio. terrace, the fire bri'gadeiSand friendly societies oil the other . isltle,, Slid I "'th»S: Territorials and cadets ' forming the fourth side of the square. II Amongst tjiose on the platform were | thirlSjfayor and Mayoress, Hon. T.-Kelly, an<l,(Mrs. K,fJly, Hon. O. 'Samuel, JlLtt.Oif'Mi': H. Okey, M.P., and Mr. G. W. Browne. Deputy-Mayor. ( ""JSs'WojssJiip. yie. was the first speaker at,.tlie ceretnony of unfurling the Hag Addressing the,-three thousand people *rscivt, they, w?re gathered together to take part iii the celebrat£Rii;e Cordhation of "Our gracious King (leorge V., by. the grace '!&•'<Jojl', of the United 1 Kingdom 'of Great Bntajii' aiid Ireland arid the 1 'liritish do"minfb'ris iiycr the seas, King, Defender of tße'ifaith,'- Emperor bf IndijY."-who had-. - Teighed over us for a period of one j year anu one month. And-'-We his .'loyal anrfJ- l pi'ou(f' > isubjects of tljfl #Vca.test;Erii-pirtS'-that the world had prayed iitfhat lie would fully, ami iuta'nii the glorious traditions. of ourYlattfi beloved Qu&n Victoria tlie Good,-. d?irifl(g wlioss ( r«isi tZealaiul lieciffnd/a .paKt of the British Hrftyire, and under: .Wfese'reign :iMC Empire madfj suph inayke^,,progress. And they hoped and he . would follow the example and emulate his late /father, King Edward VJI., who in his short reign proved himself to be the greatest statesman the world had ever known, arid \vho'liii , d''ietnn , hxample , of what. a ttyina'rch'Should be,V would' alwayi' be' remerijbeiM as , PeaeenmkeW" • ' 'OVi that . ' day, 4(A)' millioiis <4f : King t'leoi'ge's subject? were riieeting and taking- part io the Coronation celebrations. The crowning of King Gebrgp one of the greatest e\;'pittii'in oiiV/fatupVl-'liVt's. New Zealand's people, held, ii/ most ajlectifmate remejn|>l-aiice. .the visit whifh their .pleaded to make to New .[ Zealand, a' visit whereby were privileged to see them, and 'to : ,' express their loyalty and devotion., It was on March i(i,,l!)0.1, that their Royal Highnesses sailed out of Portsmouth on board the Ophir on their voyage of over 40,000 miles, ivid it, was, said' lijs a matter that we could' all fee): -proud of, that .they never set their feet on any land Where the Union Jack did not float. ' Their, great mission was the opening of the first Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia. They afterwards visited New Zealand, and on their return voyage visited'all the oversea colonies in the 'British Empire. On their Majesties' return to London, King George (who was then the Prince of Wales) •was entertained by tho London County Council, and he made a speech in the Guildhall, from which his Worship quoted at length to show that tlie Royal visitor had made a study and obtained a good insight into the conditions of life in New Zealand, and its position in regard to the Empire., •Mr. Tisch lmsed his Subsequent remarks on "tho Hag." The I'iiion Jack, he said, stood for the United Kingdom, for the British Empire. It. stood for good government, liberty, and Christianity. It spread the world over, and at this moment the British Empire was the greatest Empire the world had ever seen. The flag was not merely a thing to hang up and look at as a. toy. Tt was a sym--1 liol of justice and good government. Itwas the most liberal flag in the world, and wherever it floated it commanded respect. Addressing the children and cadets, his Worship said that some day they might have to fight for the flag, as their noble veterans had done. But they could serve the flag also by being good citizens, and, when opportunity came to them, filling the offices of local and Dominion government. He pointed with pride to the life of the late Right Hon. Richard <Seddon and to the present. Premier as examples of the opportunity that was given to the humblest subject in the realm to rise to great heights. The girls would be able to exert their ' influence, too, in moulding the lives of the future citizens and governments, and could in that render great service to the flag. His Worship complimented the Territorials and the cadets on their smart anpea ranee, and concluded bv expressing his wish that the nation during the reign of the new-rrowned King would he one of peace and prosperity. God save the King! Lone live the King! (Cheers). Hon. O. Samuel, M.L.C., after referring to the imposition of a brief time limit" said that this was indeed a great occasion, such aw would tempt one to enlarge upon it. They were celebrating to-day

; I t-ne Coronation, the crowning of a King. Tlie title "King" was dearer to his peo- ! pie than Emperor," though Emperor . his Majesty was also. To-day four . ' hundred millions of his people were celcI brating, as far as their position allowed, I the same great function. This great Empire accorded to-day its recognition of a new monarch, although lie had been for a short time on the throne. Ou< might view the King as privileged and blessed indeed: blessed as the grandson of tlie good and great Queen Victoria; blessed as the son of the wine King Euward; blessed in a loyal people who greeted liis accession with joy, and gave him every assurance of a prosperous and happy reign. And if their King be happy, then how much happier were his people, who were blessed in having such a King to reign over them, for, as far as human prescience could judge, they were assured of having a wise and good King to reign over them. And he would have clustered around him counsellors who would wisely guide him in his task of government. From one end of the great Empire to the other, and nowhere more than in New Zealand, there was felt to-day a throb of gladness, patriotism and devotion, and all with one heart and voice joined in exclaiming "God save the King!" Mr. H. Okey, M.P., was the next speaker. He referred briefly to the fact that in a few short years the people of this district had met in this same place on different occasions, firstly, to mourn the death of the late good Queen Victoria, the (Coronation of the late King Edward (during whose reign all would admit tlie Empire had made great progress, particularly in tlie recognition of the dominions over the seas)'. He made particular reference to the establishment of tlie Imperial Conference, at which representatives of the dominions were permitted to discuss with the Empire's greatest states-: men the problems of the Empire. And; if such progress in this direction had been; made during the reign of the late King,; should there not be greater progress during the reign of King George V°to honor j whom they had met together that day? He had been permitted to come out heie to make tho acquaintance of his people overseas. The speaker looked forward to the present reign as one of great matters. May, he continued, all matters affecting the people be so attended ' to as to bring about their advancement; may those things which prevent the people from rising as they ought to rise oe cast out of' ihe land; may industrial troubles cease, so that people could unite for'the good of the nation. Referring again to his Majesty's interest in the dependencies, Mr. Okey said that in honoring their Premier and other members of' the Cabinet the King had honored the Dominion of New Zealand and he hoped the conferring of these' titular distinctions would be taken in that way, Mr. Okey concluded by asking one and + all to acknowledge* Kine George V.'As'their King. "Long live the King!" UNipp „!].]• LICIOCS SERVICE. At the conclusion of the speeches, the united religious : service was proceeded with. TlnVhyttins used were: "0, God, our help'iij, .agehirpaSt;'" "God bless our native'lartdv"'"AH people that on eartk do dwell;" arid "All hail the power of Jesus' n«in>ft.f?it 1 The prayer, including the Lord's Prayer; was offered by the Rev. F. P. Kellow; and the lessons wefe read by the Rev. 'J. W. Burton (Kings iii., 4-13) and''Rev. John Wilkinson (Peter ii.,'l'3-25). The hymns were given out by tlie- -RfcV. R. J. Liddell, Captain Adams (Salvation Army), Rev. J. n. Lewis, and Rev. W. W. Drew, the Rev. W. CiuineM: the Benediction. The address .was given by the Rev, Jonn Laird,' its'fitil{ows.:—>

"Keli»w. r fn.bjfiv.ts and fellow citizens, in the; pnpidenqe and grace of God, we are gathered, ;hei* to-day to celebrate; and 'rejojce«ove? the Coronation of jliitf' "sla]es£.y"lvn^' ( V-. arid Queen Mary, and toj reijUrij, to the Giver of' alt ■g00d,... .jglL Zealand lies 'far away Abbey, we} are prohiibly r^m<^j| T the first to hold a service of This although ' wc | are far niS'nirt'bf his Majesty's I more on this 1 happy "btcftsi()fl'' / tlian w'e do, or whose] hearts lifM'tyiEft'.riTore 'loyalty and love to the tliroiifeAffifWi here. Observation •leads .i#e;!to..jbftljeye! <ind state that'the loyalty of Ne,\v Zealand at all times is even ..liiorco -pyoiiniiiiced than in the Capital City-. ]Jj '»iveij ! u ( s much joy and satisfnC'tioji;it%rk})|)W t ;thrtt the heart of the whole civilisitdr.und]-modern world goodwill to our' King arid'Qiiepn. "Ncvijj was a monarch, ujl<fe ,?uclf. sj\»rablc and pro. liming" mi'?piss. By"ihe 'divine rignt of the goodwill arid loyalty of his peopl« King George crowned King. "It is np!t ljny jfoteu'tion nor the purpose'of irtr bYpjtm'eri't'fiat I should make anyi.iing 'iiUthe nature ; .'<>f" a speech to you. This liOjS already'been done very suitably at the unfurling of the national flag. , It is, however, very fitting that we slipuld. Ht, Ihis tinie give expression to our fteling;s of gratitude to Him who is Kjng,''6f .Jyngs j\.nd Lord of Lords, 'lie hath done great,-tliiiigs for us, whereof our hearts are glad.' We have great reasons for (| rejojciiig_ at the Coronation of our Ring.'j, /JTnijre, is no threatening cloud noij. iij- ours.. Notes of 'disiord tlie.re To' /lim. then, by whom kings,rulq.and'.pprice.s decree judgment,' he , ! jl( Jjoiypjj ai)d praise fo,r His gracious r ''Whatever be'.meiys ideas concerning forms of therj) is, I think, nothing to him who reigns over us, and who is being crowned to-day. We render him homage, not only because he is our.Sofafcigh;- but also because of the spirit that dwells in him. With sincerity we sing and pray, 'God bless our King!' I!y his gracious words and kindly deeds he h'a:s endeared himself to_ us and all his ' people. Who is there' among us who conies here to-day merely from a sense of duty? His gentleness has made him great. His sympathy calls forth our admiration and love. What calamity or sorrow visits the sailor, fisherman or worker that does not immediately call forth 'Royal sorrow and help? Mis authority over us is not so much of a King, but tho power of his personal qualities, his deep interest and concern for the well-being of his people. hat organisation exists for tlie betterment of men socially, morally or spiritually tliat has not his smile and benediction? W hen the deputations from the t (invocations of Canterbury and l'ork presented addresses to him a short time ago some of the words he said in reply deserve to be written in lines of gold and made known not only to our nation b»t to the whole world, f quote two sentences: '\our prayer that, my life may, by the grace of God, be devoted to the service of my people is fervently repeated in my heart.' Does it not seem as if he had caught some of the spirit of Him 'who came not to he ministered unto but to miiii'ist.er and give His life for mei,' who said, '[ am among you as he that serveth.' He also said, 'You may count on my assistance in tlie labors of the Church to purify and ennoble the private and public life, of the nation, and to seek the consolations of Christian truth in their simplicity and perfection,' We I rejoice, not only in these words, but in' | all the evidences King George has given of his desire to rule in righteousness and to carry on those splendid traditions ■ I which he has inherited from his father, ' 'King Kdward the Peacemaker.' ifnd his . j grandmother, 'Queen Victoria thq Goou. , I "If length of days are given 'to our ■ monarch—and we fervently pray that

fhu reign may be not only glorious but long —we look forward to progress and i prosperity even in greater measure than I before. We look forward specially to | the completion of a work Victoria" the Good ami Edward the Peacemaker laid ■ hands to, viz., the establishing of liniI yersal peace. David of old gathered materials from every land and prepared them for Solomon to build a temple for the worship of God. We hope ami have an expectancy that it may be given to King George to build the temple of peace in which all the nations of the earth may dwell together in unity and brotherhood, whose incense shall be the love of humanity, and whose song, 'Goodwill to all men.' This is a consummation devoutly to be wished for. For its coming, let us work and prav. As the temple of Solomon to which T referred was erected silently, so shall this, bv tho quiet leavening influence of the spirit of God drawing us closer to men of very land and making us living stones possessed by tue .spirit of brotherhood ana love. As Christian men and women we ought to have a real interest in our King, whose Coronation we celebrate to-day and in the Empire to which we belong. God has put us in the forefront of tho nations for purposes of his own, The Christian Church exists for the- purpose of producing and promoting righteousness which alone establishes the throne and exalts the nation. Let us do our part. The King will do his. "Let the past and the achievements of our fathers urge us on to greater things. Let us labor and pray that the Sun of Righteousness may shine yet more and more upon our King and Empire, to impart life, light and righteousness. And may the choicest blessing of God, our Heavenly Father, rest abundantly on our King and Qheeri, and grant, we'pray of Tht r e, 0 Lord, that peace, prosperity and • righteousness may be tho portion of men everywhere now and evermore, Amen." At the Conclusion of the service the Anthem was sung. Mr. G. H. .White acted as conductor throughout, and the hymns were accompanied by the Garrison Band. f

KING GEORGE'S HALL. LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE. The threatening weather had its effect on the attendance at St. Germain's Square yesterday afternoon, when the foundation stone was laid of New Plymouth's permamcnt memorial of tue Coronation, King George's Hall, or, as it has already come to be termed, the Agricultural Hall. The, ceremony was performed by his Worship the Mayor, Mr. G. Tiscn. In his remarks, his Worship mentioned the fact that when this scheme was advanced for the erection of a permanent home for the Taranaki Agricultural Society's winter snow, the Borough Council quickly brushed aside the other schemes which'had been brought forward by individual councillors for the commemoration of this event, holding that this

would bo of the greatest benefit to town . j and country people alike. He heartily ] concurred in that decision. Mr. Tisch | recalled that a • couple of weeks ago, s when declaring the winter show open, he , had referred to tho necessity fqr tne < erection of such a hall, but he had no ] idea—«or. he was sure, had any of his , hearers —that within a couple of weeks they would .be laying the foundation 1 stone of j(n. agricultural hall. He hoped , and trusted that the committee inter- ] ested would lose no time, and if they j took the cue from their energetic president lie had no doubt that in a year's time they would, be ready to declare it open. The opinion that he had always Jield of. .Taranaki, and his. hopes of'the future of the. place, made him feel r that this move was not a day too soon. ; ' Mr.' W.' A'mVmry, president of the , Agricultural Society, who had been the _ moving spirit in the hail project, .'aid that one often heard it said that "New Plymouth was slow." Tt had been ' slow, but nevertheless it had moved, and , there had been • real progress in the town and the district upon which it depended, and he considered that there would be more progress here in the next five yeitrs than' there'had been in the past quarter of a century. The laying of this foundation stone marked another milestone in the progress of the town of New Plymoutn and of Taranaki gen- > erally. He quoted some figures with a view of showing the advancement of the district in the past five years. Five • years ago their exports of butter and | cheese were worth £<!93,000; last year 1 the value was■■■£!•, 144,000, an advance of about 00 pdr cent. Exports of hides ' and skins showed an increase of nearly * 500 per cent., the figures being £14,210 j and £81,882. Frozen meat exported five . years ago was worth- £70,000; last year, ; £23!1,!)54 l an increase of over 300 per . cent. Wool, five years ago, £42,774; ' last year, £1.10,026, 'or an advance of ' about 257 per cent. Our total exports ' had increased in the five years from I , .€835,255 to £1,547,143, or nearly With tho more intense farming of the 1 district this increase of production, po- ■ pulation and revenue must go on "in- ; creasing. The town showed signs of progress that gave hope and courage for ■ the future. The advance of the Stmt- " ford-Ongarue railway, tlie opening of the Mokau-Mohakatino block for, settlement, the prospects of the oil industry, and the possible development of the ironsand industry were' all commented upon, and the president Confidently looked forward to 'the!' introduction of eleotnc ' trams. The Society had been told by some wealthy farmers that it was a mistake to set tho winter show going last year, hut they had made it a success in spite of a bad season; and this year, ' notwithstanding four wet show days', was more successful still, resulting in a profit of over £IOO. What would have been tlie result, in .fine weather? The winter show had come to stay. It was going to benefit the town by popularising it, and bringing people in. It would benefit, the farmers by encouraging them to grow finer crops and more of them. Today they had laid the foundation stone of a permanent home for an established institution, but tho Society wanted the help of everyone in order that by the date of the next, annual show-they would have completed a 'building that would lie a credit to the district and the pride of the community. He wanted to'make the town move ahead, and this scheme would assist in that, but all must work, for by work only could their aim be accomplished. Business men, independent men who had made their money in the town and now could afford to play bowls all the summer and do nothing' in the winter, were all urged to help in this movement for the encouragement and betterment of agriculture and to make farm life more attractive to tho rising generation. Mr. H. Okey. M.P.. remarked that the Borough Council had .showed a 'splendid spirit of sympathy with the agricultural community when they agreed to apply to the Government for the Coronation subsidy for this hall. He remarked that the Defence Department was being approached to co-operate in the building of this hall. lie supported the president and committee of the Agricultural Society in their progressive step, and trusted that the funds would be forthcoming that were required.

•Mr. Tisch then laid the foundation stone, bearing the words, "King George's Hall.—This stone was laid by his Wor-

ship the Mayor, G. Tisch, Esq., 22nd .JvAejpM-,- W. Ambtiry, prceidenti" ' jjiniiUions were laid on the &ta^e ( as follows: —W. Ambury £lO, G. Tisch £lO Mfa, Dr. Home £5, and several smaller donations. The singing of "God Save the King" terminated the proceedings.