PEACE CELEBRATIONS.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 November 1918, Page 3

PEACE CELEBRATIONS.

DEMONSTRATIONS AT NEWS PLYMOUTH. The first news spread about yesterday morning, that Germany had signed an armistice and that hostilities had actually ceased ou Thursday afternoon, created the wildest excitement. .The first bulletin was issued just as people were reaching business at 9 o'clock, and every other con.sideraiiou was thrown to the winds, the people evidently being in just that temper to give themselves up thoroughly to ''celebrating" the victory. A few minutes after 9 ovlnek whistles began to sound, and as the news spread —as it did with lightning rapidity—others took up the"s*gnal until ovfe-y whistle and bell, and in fact, every instrument nr device that would produce a noise of any sort wa3 requisitioned, and nn indescribable din was kept up actually for hours. The streets quickly thronged with pjople. Citizens . bedecked themselves and their premises with flags and hunting; groups of people formed "bands" and began "processioning," and the scene in Devon Street was one of exaggerated animation. People Motor-cars and other vehicles were hastily decorated, fend as fast as they appeared they were promptly commandeered by all and sundry, who indulged in joy-riding up and down the central portion of the town- Hastily-impro-vised, grotesque costumes hegan to appear in the streets, hats inscribed 'with the word "Victory," and badges bearing the words "Peace, 1915," were eagerly bought, and these, with the myriad flag' 3, made a gay scene. At one stage there '-•eemed to he an attempt to organise something in the nature of n proper procession, 'but for the most part the proceedings took the form of indiscriminate "mafficking."

About 11.30, however, a cable message arrived announcing tlfat Germany had not yet signed tbo armistice, and the hauling down of the .Post Office flag created a feeling of disappointment and uncertainty in the minds of the peonle. The demonstration gradually subsided, •but people were loth to go" home, lest confirmation of the -rood news might be received at. any moment. Something approaching iruiot cnine during the din-ner-time period, but people began to flock hack into town, and at about 2 o'clock there was again a big throng of people in Devon Street, eager to hear the latest announcement of war news. The Citizens' Band played several selections at the oorner of Devon and Curri* Streets, in Brougham Street, and also at the Post Office, and the 'Mayor made an explanation of the news that had been received.

The crowd was still disinclined to disperse, and remained about town most of the afternoon An attempt was made in «ome quarters to resume business, but for the most psrt tho whole day wns given over to celebrating the occasion, the ultimate feeling heing that in all probability the announcement was only a little ahead of the actuality.

ARRANGEMENTS IS NEW.' PL* MOUTH. A hurriedly convened meeting of citizens was held at the Soldiers' Glub yesterday morning for the purpose of arranging suitable celebration of the news of peace that had been received. The Mayor presided, but during the course of the meeting further news was reieeved that (he armistice liad not been signed iby Germany, and so the arrangements made were, of course, held in abeyance. .What the meeting decided was, briefly, as follows: To observe a holiday for the remainder of the day, and that_froin noon tomorrow should also be a holiday, and that Monday or any other day which the Government might set aside as "Peace Day" should also be a close holiday. The only exceptions were to he the butchers and bakers, who will open till 10 o'clock on that day. No goods will be that occasion. A procession will be formed at Liardct Street ,#t, 1 p.m., and, after raajching lb'-ouch the town, will proceed to. the Recreation Grounds. At 1.45 all school children. will be formed in procession and will salute the flag; tJto Citizens' Band will play the National Anthem, and the Vcn. Archdeacon. Evans Trill offer thanksgiving. His Worship the Mayor will also apeak, anf after the singing of the ©oxology tho remainder of the afternoon will bo devoted to

games for the children. If possible, each child will be presented with a souvenir and a bag of lollies. A committee, consisting of the Maporpsp, Councillors J- W. Harden. B. J. D-wre, J. Clarke, and P. J. Hill, and "Messrs C. E. Bollringer. J. R. Hill, H. <■'. Carter, F. W. C. Mcleod, and F. T. Bellrmger, was appointed, Councillor H:i v <lcii beiii" elected chairman.

Messrs P. T. P.ellringer, J. Clark, anft H Fowler f.Tre Appointed a Profession Committee; Mr. Mcleod will make arrangements in connection with the s*rviee; Messrs Hayden and White were annointed a Souvenir Committee; and Mrs. Burgess will arrange for lollies.

■Rvcrvlhing is lo ibo provided free for the children, and" therefore subscriptions are invited from the public to Aefray the cost. Subscriptions can be left with Mr. Paton (treasurer), or with Mr- Hayden.

The meeting which had heen convened 'by Councillor Hayden for last night was not held, but the committee appointed at yesterday's meeting will meet this morning at 10 o'clock at the Soldiers' Club.