EMPIRE DAY CELEBRATIONS.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 June 1917, Page 6

EMPIRE DAY CELEBRATIONS.

IN CORONATION HALL. celebration of Empire Day and the King's Birthday in the Coronation Hall yesterday afternoon and evening was well attended on both occasions. The hall was tastefully decorated, one of the principal features being the floral ornamentation of the central stand, very artistically carried out by Mrs. R. Cock. On the walls were displayed the autograph table-cloths, a list of which was previously published in these columns, and it should be mentioned that two of the exhibits which attracted attention were the work of Miss Wilkinson, not Williamson as previously stated. On one wall there was a large collection, arranged by Miss D. Baker, of letters received by the Victoria League from soldiers in Egypt, France, Mesopotamia, and elsewhere, acknowledging, the receipt of girts from the ladies of the local patriotic societies, and expressing grateful recognition, of their kindly consideration.

The proceedings were chiefly intended to take the form of a children's day,! and the arrangements were planned accordingly, but adult friends also j found ample means of entertainment. Mrs..Wood's orchestra played a number of selections during the afternoon, addresses were delivered, and a number of stalls did active business in the vending of their respective wares. The tables and stalls were in charge of the folfowing ladies, Mrs. C. H. -Burgess exercising a general supervision:— Afternoon Tea—Mesdames Bowden, E. Blundell, Knight, Hughes, F. Foote, Lention, Oockrill, G. Neal, Fargie, and R. Cock; -Miss Dawson. Fancy Goods —Mesdames W. Ambury, Sinclair, and >F. Stainton; Miss Fabian. Dolls —Mrs. Eberlett, Miss Godfrey. Sweets —Mrs. Simcock, Misses Sole (2), Okcy, Carter (2), and McGahey. Bum Tub—Misses Hempton and Rawson. The duties at the, entrance in connection with ticket-selling and moneytaking were efficiently performed by Mrs Dockrill, Mrs. C-. E. Baker, and Miss Pelham. Mrs. R. Day arranged seats, stalls, etc. A number of Boy Scouts, who had been previously manoeuvring at the East End, were in attendance under Major Sandford and Scoutmasters List and Allen, anft formed a guard round the platform while the addresses were being given. Lieutenant-Colonel-Chaplain Evans was the first speaker, and he gave an interesting account of the formation of the Union Jack. He illustrated his explana-

tion bv the aid of diagrams, kindly prepared 'by Mr. T. V. McKay, of the Survey Department. Archdeacon Evans then spoke of where the Empire's flag was to be seen and what it stood for, pointing out that in a journey from New Zea'land to England "by one routei and back by another it would be found! floating everywhere. The flag, he saidstood for, amongst many things, JustiiF, Honor, and Freedom. He briefly described how these three great heritir.v of mankind had been upheld under tls' Union Jack in all parts of the worl' and concluded by urging every man, w - man, boy and girl to strive to 1 ■ worthy of living under that great fin Theßev. E. P. Davey gave a short a- , dress specially directed to the children, in which he also referred to the privileges they enjoyed under British| rule. (

The Mayor (Mr. C. H. Burgess) then called for three cheers for the King,

which were lustily given, and another cheer far the reverend speakers closed

the opening cermony. The promenade concert in the evening, given by the Citizens' Band under Bandmaster "McLeod, was greatly enjoyed.