THE PETONE PAGEANT.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 May 1920, Page 5

THE PETONE PAGEANT.

LADING OF EARLY SETTLERS: ENTHUSIASTIC WELCOME TO THE , ■ • PRINCE. Never in its history has Petonc presented such an animated scene asjt did on Friday, when the Prince of Wales visited the Hutt Valley. Jt was a perfect, autumn day. There was bright sunshine, with an absence of wind, and the surface of the.harbor Was like a sheet of glass. The Amokura east anchor one hundred yards' from the beach in the morning.. She was to represent the first immigrant ship that entered Whanga-nui-a-tara, and on board were a number of early settlers who had watched the growth of Wellington and towns in the Hutt Valley from the day New Zealand was colonised by the British race. After the training-snip, yachts and motor" boats began to put in an appearance. The harbor presented a beautiful scene as the little vessels glided along on the surface of the water, the yachts tackihg in order to secure the advantage of the light breeze, and the motor launches clearing the placid water with their bows and leaving a glistening streak of silver behind them. The commodore's boat darted in and out amongst the craft, instructing the crews where they were to take up positions, and half an hour later each vessel was at anchor, and gaily bedecked with bunting, At 3,43 o'clock the Janie'Sedddh was' seen approaching, flying the Royal Ensign, and the cheering of the crews of the yachts and motor launches announced to the huge assembly, which had grown to 30,000 persons, that His Royal Highness was nearing the landing stftge"-'. As the .Tanie Sefldon came closer in -the Prince was observed standing oir<the bridge, acknowledging the greetings, as the Government vessel passed down'the line of small craft and the -Amolarra,and at 4 o'clock he stepped into the training Ship's pinnanoe and was rowed to the landing stage, where ho was met by Sir Francis Bell and the Hon. Jenkhv son, president of the Early Settlers' Association- ' . '

Upon the Prince stepping on the dais the signal for the pageant to commence was' given. A Maori whaka (canoe) manned by stalwart young natives attired in original costume, paddled from the Amokura to the landingstage and filed past while the band played "Waiatft Maori." Then cnnie Captain Cook with members of the staff, and protected by "Red Coats," to the 9truins of "Hearts of Oak." This was followed by a representation of the landing of the Rev. Samuel Marsden, the tir'st missionary, and filially the landing of the early settlers. Quaint of garb, carrying small bundles, and in one instance a birdcage, adults, youths, girls and children filed past the Prince amidst a great burst of enthusiasm.

THE CROWD TAKE CHARGE. The huge crowd became unmanageable at this stage. Men, women, and children climbed over the barrier from the sea beach, despite the efforts of the police and cadets to keep the rush, backThe surging mass of people pressed forward towards the dais, and it wag impossible for those on the seata to sea what wan going on. The pioneer settlers were given •seats in front of the dais, and some dfstance from it, but so great w-- im crowd that they were not able to witness any of the proceedings. It was intended that the Prince would go amongst them, but it was found impossible to carry out the undertaking. There were to be hakas and poi dances by the natives, but this Jiart of the programme had to be deleted. Natives were present from Otaki, Porirua, \Yaikanae, and Wairarapa, representing the Ngatiraukawa, Ngatitoa, Ngatiawa, and Ngatikahungumri tribes. The Maoriß, who were under the charge of Mr. Hi Love, of Petone, and assisted by Mr. H. Parafa, of Waikanae, bad gone to considerable trouble in order that iho items allotted, to them should be a success, but the crowd's only desire was to see the Prince. Nothing else mattered. The young and vigorous gained the front, the less strong took up positions behind thtrnj iad ta« aged, niipg'

utiles to look upon the Emptfe! sovereign, did not even get",, JO RUGS PRESENTER' u>nc, the Prince was pre»eift«tswjtli , i three handsome ruga, manufWtftrtd at ■■s Hie Petonc woollen mills. s*& of the'> rugs, which bore the. .were : •accepted by the Prince on behalf U the | King and Queen, and on tbe third'»u* 3 the Prince of Wales' feathers* had beautifully worked. ' ; s ; ,: 'The address to the Prince %ta as follows: "May it please Your Soya! HlflWflls * to accept from the' Wellingtoir WoajWn pug; which baa been manufactured in this district by New Zealand labor Md from New Zealand wool, . .-,. :ii "Your Royal Highness lias just taken Tiart,' in n So™„«-t;..i.-._ '-. __.Liti ing me landing of the early settler* this country, and we hope this preset tation will demonstrate to you the da-' velopment-of ofrr industries and the ad." vanccihent we have m"ade under tins Brl> bsh 'Flag, and,that ypu ma>:jrfiftli«<Ub»t ; fccw Zealnnd excels in peace and indu«try ns well us iriwav. •.-••-* "The mill in which the«e tuft manufactured was graciously visited bv* Their Majesties, the prestn't King and ,• Queen, during their visit to this Do- '■, minion, and may I ask Your PoyaJ i Highness to accept on their hehalf and t present to them these rugs as a token I of our continued loyalty and 4n remem- " brance of their visit to the "companv's ] mil! in .June, 1901„ On behalf ,jof the A Wellington Woollen Mnnufaoturine Co., '} Ltd.~(Signed) W. H. P. Barber,-'ohah-man of directors." " „