THE CORONATION.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10270, 23 June 1911, Page 5

THE CORONATION.

A GREAT SPECTACLE. REVERENCE AND REJOICINGS, EVERY PART OF THE WORLD REPRESENTED. {By Electric Telegraph—United Press Association—Copyright.) (Received Last Night, 7.35 o'clock.) LONDON, June 22. No language can exaggerate the splendour and effect of the great 'spectacle London has witnessed to-day. Besides its own population, half as many millions have gathered in' this great Metropolis to see the Pageant of the Coronation, or to take part in the Sacred Ceremonial at Westminster, as generations have done before for eight hundred years. The people of England have been Joined in their reverence and rejoicings by Royai Princes and Envoys from every part of the World; by representatives of venerable Empires like China and Japan; by delegates from the East.: by the actual presence of Indian Princes with pedigrees reaching further back than the Cuelphs or the Stuarts; by representatives of the youngest and most of the Democracies. Besides all those of alien blood who came to honour the Empire's King, the occasion brought back to the Homeland thousands of sturdy children of the British race-who have built up new States and new institutions of the parent type whsreyar the Bfttish flag is flown.

A MAGNIFICENT PAGEANT. RECOGNISING THE KINGLY TIE. LONDON, June 22.. To the forty odd Princes '"ho ame ifironi foreign lands, the King's Coronation was a pageant .more magnificent than" any of them could ever have seen at a Coronation, butto thousands of representatives of the- Colonies who aire now in London, to-day's ceremony will not. onily he an act of religious consecration, hut a recognition of the Kingly tie which hinds the Empire together. London has been preparing for this event for many months. | Tihe (experience at the late King Edward's Coronation mine years ago afforded many of detail; hut Owing to King Edward's serious health, that .ceremony was somewhat curtailed. EARLY USAGES REVIVED. ''The Coronation of King George V. | has revived mai> fea.tu.res of the earlier usage and ceremonial. Happily, however, the Coronation banquet, has not 'been included. On most"occasions When that feast was celebrated it became an orgie, and an imwfortihy supplement to the re- j Mgious ceremonial. . The late King Edward's Coronation afforded many precedents for tihe honouring of visitors; for street decorations; for the use of military and police; and for the control of "the crowds. These have been adopted or improved upon to-day. , THE DECORATIONS. The decorations were on a lavish ■Scale. . For the five miles of the Royal route, every yard has been subjected to a special adornment. There was one exception in the Mall—from the Palace to the new Coronation Arch, which gave access to. Charing Cross. The north side of this long section was lined with) 'stands, including one of large dimensions opposite Stafford House, which was mainly devoted" to colonials. . AT WHITEHALL. At* Whitehall the Corinthian pillars are carrying Armorial bearings of all the Sovereigns from William the Conqueror downward. These are coniwitii green festoons. In the centre of Whitehall is New Zealand's Triumphal Airch,- designed by Mr Frank Brangwyn. It is gay with the Dominion's hew Coat of Arms, capped by the ■ Imperial 'Crown, and. decorated with pilasters bearing medallions of King George, 'Queen Mary, the late King Edward, the late Queen Victoria, Captain Cook,-and Sir Joseph Wtard. It is .. 'of handsome design, 'but suffers through, being only ,tihirtv-five feet . high. A little further .south, Ontario has erected two pylons, suitably decorated. The whole of Whitehall was a broad isanctuary of masts and festoons, .strings, of flags and bunting of 'every design flying everywhere. t. PARLIAMENT SQUARE. , Parliament. Square and St. Margaret's - Churchyard were completely covered, by stands, whose sturdy, busines&rli'ke designs were covered with- cloth, the flags ind floral decorations going back to Charing Gross. THE RETURN JOURNEY. On the return journey, the roure was along Cockspur Street, Pall Mail, St. James Street, Piccadilly, Constitution Hill, to the Palace. In Pall Mall there were masts -with crowns, carrying the names of the Dominions and other parts of the Empire, and hanging flower baskets of festoons.' The Coronation forms in this section of "Club-land" were aiot so handsome as in St. James Street, where .the fine scheme of festoons was similar to the decorations of 1902. < " ' !, Piccadilly was illuminated as well "as decorated for its entire length on the designs of William Richmond, Branwyn, and others. There were no special decorations along Constitution Hill. Besides the above general .scheme, tliere were thousands of individv.al decorations. Some houses were completely garlanded with flowers. There were illuminations on cvei y principal building and club-hou-so * along the route, and all stands were decorated with -bunting. | A DAYLIGHT COMMENCEMENT. r The public began.' taking their places at daylight. At seven o'clock the thoroughfares, were -becoming impassable vain troops, of'whom sixty thousand weie moving to the line of the route. Bands of music, carriages, ai<l motors for privileged visitors, made up a. scene of striking ani.nation. THE_ PEERS. The whole of the Peers and Peeresses did not go to Westminster Abbey by vehicle, many travelling by special steamer from Chelsea, where they made a strange boat-load of brilliant colour, dor all wore their robes, with Court suite, and carried \ their coronets in their hands. These landed at, Westminister Pier an d (traversed the Palace Yard. SOLDIERS AND POLICE. The- ontir© soldiery were in gala costume, their brilliant uniforms

{contributing to the pictorial effects of. the scene, i Twenty-five thousand police also helped to .preserve . order j and to avoid fatal crushings of the pepDie. AH the streets .debouching upon the route were strongly barricaded. ENORMOUS PRESSURE. StiM, the pressure was enormous. " Quite two millions of people rode by road, rail and steamship for many days before- the procession. ' ACCOMMODATION AND FEED- j ING. . ! 1 i Accommodation and feeding of* these visitors has been a serious' problem. Hundreds- were foodless during the long hours of waiting. Yet ,all were well-behaved. There was no scene of vulgarity, violence, or rowdyism as at George the Fourth'® Coronation, when every sanctuary in Westminster had to be protected by a bodyguard of pugilists, and tihe people were divided in allegiance. Everywhere to-day there was intense loyalty and enthusiasm. The crowds cheered everybody of note, especially Viscount Kitchener, who had control of all the military He, rode up and down the line, inspecting here and arranging there, before taking *iis most prominent place in the pfcocession, and the latter joining in the Abbey .ceremonial. GERMANY'S PRINCE. The Imperial Prince of Germany, Who has been more than ever popular with Englishmen since his Indian tour, delighted the spectators, who cheered ham and others whom they recognised in the stately procession. PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC STOPPED The programme of clearing the i streets and stopping foot and vehi- , oula* traffic was perfectly completed by nine. At that 'hour every part of the route was suffused by dense masses of .colours,: a shimmer of steel, and the expectant multitude. j THE PRLNOES. '■ Those of the Regal Princes and distinguished representatives who | are mot lodged at the Palaoe have been accommodated. Many are staying at hotels, and some at private mansions lent to the Crown. All "of these -assembled at the Pair ace after early breakfast, and precisely a* 9.30 the procession started for the Abbey. JUNE VERDURE. The whole avenue of trees, in. June I verdure, required only a few colI owed flags on' masts, to supplement | the beauty of the Park; but from Charing Cross to the "Abbey was a wealth of ornamentation, from Charing Cross ,to the War Office masts bearing shields amid national flags connected by garlands. . THE PROCESSION. There were twenty-four carriages in a,M—fourteen in the firsi group conveying the. Royal •representatives, and guests, ranking in precedence from,tfa'ont to rear. The Prince of Monaco and representatives of Egypt and Ethiopia led the van. 1 The German Princelings and China's gaily-dxesged Ambassador cam© next. The Princes and Princess of SaxeOoburg, young George of Greece, the Duke of Saxe-Ooburg, and Prince Henry of the Netherlands, :.were in the .Seventh., landau. '* The French and Bavarian 'representatives with Messrs Hayes and 1 Hammond from Washington (the one solitary person amid the finery of the gala in plain morning dress), were the ecu-pants in the following carriage. Then came Prince. Henry of Prussia, 'the Kaiser's brother, who was most conspicuous. The hereditary and Crown Princes and Princesses, Piirioe Ba.niho of Montenegro, the Crown Princes of Sweden and Bavaria, Prince Ohakaa- ' bonega. of Siant (in native dress, i wearing splendid jewels), Crown Prince of Roumania, Prince Alexander of Servia, and the Crown Prince of Denmark followed. In a ea linage with the Prince and Princess Fusbima, of Japan, were the Crown Prince and Princess of Greece. Next followed the Duke Daosta, Grand Duke Boris, and the Spanish Infante Fernando. In the fourteenth carriage were the German Imperial Prince and Princess, the Arch-Cuke Charles Francis Joseph of Austria, and Prince Youssouf Izzedin Effendi (who may some dav be Sultan of Turkey.) " THE STATE CARRIAGES. There were five State landaus, in the procession containing besides the British .Royal Family the Princes of Sohleswig-Hotetein, Teck, and Battanburg, the Dowager Duchess of Saxe-Coburg Gotha, the Duchesses of Albany, Connaught, and Argyll, Princesses Patricia and Henry of Battenburg. Princess Christian of ScMeswifi-Hofetewi, and the Princess Roval. A SILLY REPORT. I Queen Alexandra ', her daughter Victoria, and the Dowager Empress I of Russia went to Saudringham early , in the week to correct a silly somea- ' tion that the Queen Mother had

withdrawn herself out of jealousy or ill-will. ROYALTY CHEERED. The fifth carriage of the Royal section contained the Prince of Wales, Princes George, Henry and Albert, and Princess Mary. These young people were recognised along the entire route, and were wildly cheered. Next to their parents, none got such a tumultuous reception. KING'S SECTION. The third, or King's section of the procession left the Palace at 10.30, escorted by tihe Royal Horse Guards. . After the four landaus containing the maids, Hon. Grooms, Chamberlains, and Lords-in-Waiting, came the hist, conveying Lord Spencer (Lord Chamberlain), Lord Chesterfield (Lord Steward), the Countess Minto (Lady-in-Waiting), the Duchess of Devonshire (Mistress of the Robes), the most important officials of the Queen's service, and who played a leading part at her Majesty's right hand in all to-day's ceremonies. THE COLONIAL CONTRIBUTION. The colonial contribution to ilias part of the day's proceedings v:re not very 'strong. Twenty-five Australian officers and non-commissioned officers formed one of the guards within the Palace curtilage, or were on street duty. The Australian cadets assisted in lining the route. Not far away a strong Canadian contingent ofover 600 lined part of the-Mall. ' Sixteen officers were on duty, and five men under Colonel Bauchop formed a guard near Queen Victoria's new 'memorial, with a detachment of the Australian bluejackets undergoing training here. A PICTURESQUE SECTION. When- the landaus swept by there came into view the most picturesque' section of the procession, a Navy and Army escort of nearly two hundred men, the best known in the service. There were aides-de-camp, general officers and. ■ inspectors, General Field Marshals Wood, Grenfell, and Roberts, members of the War Office staff, members of the Army Council, a crowd of Marshal-men Equerries with, escorts of Colonial Cavalry j and Indian Cavalry, Colonel Heaton . Rhodes, and Major Percy Johnston, of New Zealand, were included in this brilliant cavalcade of varied uniforms, and made up a striking scheme of colour, which stood markedly out even amid the Maze and glitter surrounding the isoeaie, where all was colour and animaition. j THE OLD ROYAL COACH. Behind this magnificent procession there rolled along the old Royal Coach,'..immediately surrounded by : an escort of Guards, followed by the hronzed and manly figure of Lord Kitchener with the Royal Standard occupying a place of honour next his Sovereign. . THE ROYAL ATTIRE, The King wore a military uniform ' and the Queen wore a Duchesse sat- | in Coronation gown of Princess pat- ; torn, also wearing- the "Marys" j gifts and the Garter on her arm. i "Their Majesties received a splen- J did ovation. I INDESCRIBABLE ENTHUSI- I ASM. ; It was .impossible to describe the enthusiasm... Both looked radiantly | happy. Lord Kitchener rode at the j hand wheel of the State Coach, and j immediately came the Duke of Connaught, and Arthur of Con-naught. on their Equerries. Then came Prince Louis of BatteJtburg, the Duke of Teck, Earl of Granard, Mas- ! ter of the Horse, of Silver Sticks, j and. the Royal Grooms. TICKET HOLDERS. • ■ Amid these stirring happenings, in the streets, the Abbey was filling up with privileged ticket holders. Before 9.30 o'clock, nearly four thousand people had. entered the sacred bui Idling. The Peers in their State robes of scarlet ermine- were on a sloping tri- : bate filling the .whole south transept. The Peeresses were in a, simi- [ lar gallery in the north transept. Thebody of the Nave was crowded with officials and favoured persons. The- choir was given up to those who had .formed the second section of the profession. This part of the building and the galleries over and flanking the chojr were also devoted to Cabinet Ministers and past and ; present judges. More prominent wore' the Colonial officials, Indian j chiefs, and diplomats, the whole I group being the most distinguished j persons-.in the building after the Royalties and Peers. j DOMINIONS' REPRESENTATIVES. ! Sir Joseph Ward was in one of the clioir stalls, and was accompanr ied by Wand, and, like Sir George Reid, he wore a Privy Councillor's uniform. The Hon. A. Fisher, and the Agents-iGeneiral, wore levee dress. OTHER ONLOOKERS. Those who could not be placed •elsewhere were sent eitheY to> the

I Nave or skied with the pressmen in j the triforum. ' The Occupants of the Nave only saw the procession going and return/iing to the east end of the church, for the choir screen shuts off all the view beyond it. ROYALTIES' POSITION. The position assigned to the Royalties is in the Chancel adjoining but overlooking the saerarium on the space above the Altar on the south side of the large Royal box, and a small gallery above where the King's friends and mostdistinguished relatives sit, being only a. few feet from those .taking an actual part in the service. On the north side a isimiiar recess called the Queen's Box for the specially favoured of Her Majesty's i'riends. J PEINOju Ui< WALES. The Prir.ce of Wale 3. whose train was borne by pages, was seated in the centre of three detached chairs on the floor of the Theatre at the foot of the Peers tribune. DUKE OF CONNAUGHT. In the South Transcept one to the right is occupied by the Duke of Connaught and on to the left by another j Duke. THE HOMAGE THRONES. i The entire floor of the saerarium and the space under the lantern is devoted to the day's ceremony. In the middle of the lantern near the Prince of Wales' chair are the two Homage Thrones, the King's slightly higher than 'the Queens. These are of hanch some Jacobean design after the pat- ' tern of the chair at the Knole Coronation, j INTERIOR ARRANGEMENTS. A few feet nearer the Altar stands the Coronation Chair, and before it the stool for the Queen's crowning. To the right of these on the south side on the floor underneath the King's box are two Chairs of State with the faldstools, Altar and side table loaded with plate. The door at the north end of the Altar gives access to Edward the Confessors Chapel, part of which is used as a small retiring room. ; The ceremony as described in the Age of Thursday was then performed. THE WEATHER AND CROWDS. The weather was dull, and there" was a slight rain at «sight o'clock in" the morning. The crowds were enormous, particularly in Trafalgar Square. The surging mass temporarily broke the cordon, otherwise the police arrangements were perfect. THEIR MAJESTIES VISIBLY AFFECTED. Their Majesties were visibly affected at the warmth of the reception in the streets. CELEBRATIONS ELSEWHERE. Telegrams which came to hand last j night showed that the celebrations were general throughout New Zealand, and in Australia. In the South Island, they were somewhat marred by the heavy rain that fell, and the processions were postponed in Christchurch and elsewhere until to-day. MASTERTON CELEBRATIONS. AN INTERESTING GATHERING. PROCESSION AND SPEECHES. The Coronation of Has Majesty King George V. was fittingly celebrated in Masterton on Thursday afternoon. The weather, wikich was threatening in the early morning, took a decided .turn 'before noon, and the afternoon proved gloriously fine. The whole of the arrangements, ■wlhiich were under the control of Staff Sergeant-Major McCrystell and a committee of which Mr James Archer was the .Secretary, -were carried out without a. hitch. The Post Office and various places of business were decorated with flags and appropriate eihblem.sy.-nnd .the iscone was striking, if mot picturesque. THE PROCESSION. A monster procession,. comprising the Military, Friendly Societies, Fire Brigades, local bodies, etc., formed : at the Town Hall and other convenient spots at 1.15 p.m., and, to inspiring music played by the Battalion and Masterton South Brass Bands, marched to the old Showgrounds. The order of procession was as follows: Chief Marshal! (Staff Sergt.-Major McCrystell).' SECTION No. 1. Marshall: Staff Sergt.-Major McCrysteH. Masterton Mouitted (Rifles. (Headed by Major.Cameron, Captain McKilop-i and Lieut. Whittaker.) Battalion Band. Territorials. (Under Command of Lieut. Haslam.) Senior and Junior Cadets. Veterans. Returned Oontingonteirs. Masterton Rifle Club. SECTION No. 2. Marshall: .Staff Sergt-Major Morton His Worship the Mayor. Chairman of flVlasterton County Council. Member for the District. . Town Clerk. Borough Councillors. County Councillors. Members -Charitable Aid Board. Members, of Trust Lands- Tnist. Managers of Technical School. School Committee. Legal and Medical Professions. Civil Servants. Members of Maori .Council. SECTION No. 3. • Marshall: Superintendent Jenkins. ■Masterton South Brass Band. Fire Brigade and Fire Police. Ambulance Corps. Veteran Fire Brigades-men. Friendly Societies. Natives. Trades and Citizens. AT THE SHOWGROUNDS. At the Showgrounds, the scene was one of life and animation. The

school children, on the breast of each j of whom was exhibited a Coronation medal, had been marched from the school to rthe grounds under the control of Mr W. H. Jackson, (Headmaster), and members of the School Committee, and occupied a position of vantage on the grandstand. Other portions of the stand .were occupied by ladies. The Territorial* (dressed in iscariet uniforms), were ranged on the eastern side of the enclosure, the cadets on the north, and the Rifle Club and Veterans on the west, while the Mounted- Rifles formed up on the ground at the rear. A massed choir (under the baton of J Mr R. J. Young),- with the Bras* Bands, occupied a position at the foot of the grandstand. On a raised dias were seated His Wioirship the Mayor (Mr J. M.~ Coradine), Mi- A. W. Hogg, M.P., members of local bodies, and leading citizens, together with a number of Natives. In the front of the dias was a flagpole, from which the ensign presented by the Borough Council was unfurled. Fully two thousand persons -were on i the ground. I THE CEREMONY. The Territorials and Cadets, under Lieut. Hiaslam, went through a series of evolutions, which were followed by the hoisting .and unfurling of the flag by His Worship the Mayor. The flag having been saluted by the Cadets and Territorials, the clioir sang the "National Anthem," acompanied by the Brass Bands. A patriotic speech having been given by His Worship the Mayor, the choir sang the "Te Deum," accompanied by.the Battalion Band. Mr A. W. Hogg, M.P., followed with a speech of some length, after' which the Battalion Band rendered a selection. A loyal .and ' appropriate speech by a .member of the Maori Council was followed by an appropriate "haka" by the chiefs present. A selection by the Masterton South Band brought the proceedings! to a close. THE SPEECHES. His Worship the Mayor (Mr J. M. Coradine) said the people ought.to he thankful that after such a stormy. night they were favoured with a beautifoil day for the celebrations. He went on' to say that they were celebrating the Coronation of King George V. He stated that he wished to confine himself to .the history of the present Constitution of the Empire. It was in the great Magna Chart'a that the people stated that they were determined to make their own; lawiS, irrespective of any King. This had determined the basis on which the Empire's laws had been formed up to the present time. The people kid had liberty and freedom. There had been no taxation without; representation. The great Rights Biill 'Was passed in 1689, but the people did mot get the rights as We now enjoy thejn. Nor did'they get them without. strenuous fighting. It took about 460 years to obtain the rights- They were re-established and confirmed time and again, and they were time and again and abused. They were finally established under William, Prince of Orange. The supporters of the project were very patient, for they knew their . was- right. It took about 460 years to obtain the_ goodconsolidation of the people's rights. The Jong-continued fight had reduced the energy of the peop'.r, .but the effect was marvellous. England began : to prosper from every point of view) The people -were then, not at the disposal of the 'Monarch..'Ships •went., to far-off countries carrying merchandise and returning with valuable minerals and other products of: those countries. New- territory ■ was j added to .the Empire, -until the British Nation became the greatest on the earth. We were now the greatest nation ever established, and were the envy and admiration of the world. No- other nation had risen to such a position, and no people had ever felt the security we feel. ..'";'• We ( carried ■with us justice and unanimity. The effept of forming such a constitution had been our present Empire, 'which had been built upon it. An Empire like our own must, then, carry its responsibilities. These riespc!ns.i'bi'K.ties were that- we _.han.d down to the children their education intact. The Mayor continued by saying that the citizens of Masterton were celebrating the .Coronation in. a glad way, and the people had - a right to he glad and show their appreciation of the constitution under which thay lived. If such was the sentiment of the people it was the sentiment .wbiobJ prodxiced loyalty. The present" generation .should be thankful for what had been done in the past, and they should be determined to carry- the good, work. on in the. future. The. sentiment will car T ry a deeper-feeling of reverence for our Empire. That feeling had carried us to the present stage, and would carry us still further on. The great Empire had taken upon itself the civilisation and evangelization of the world. The Mayor concluded by saying: "I cannot do, better than say, 'Do thou thy part; there all the honour lies!' " MR A. W. HOGG, M.P. Mr A. W. Hogg, M.P., stated that the. Mayor had given a well-condens-ed recital of the history of the ish constitution, which was the most pre-eminent, and successful the world had ever witnessed. Continuing, he said that Masterton had had two ceremonies of the kind within a very short time, hut he hoped iit Would be a long time before there would he any necessity for the holding of a similar ceremony. The King was hlorn in 1865, and was consequently 46 years of age. He was the eec-

* ond eon of the late King Edward. j His .elder brother, the Duke of Clarj ence, died in 1892, and the present King became the Heir Apparent. In 1893 lie married Queen Mary. He afterwards* visited Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and India. making himself -acquainted . with many part* of the British Empire, knowing ithat some day he would be called upon to he itlie ruler of that vost and ever-increasing Empire. He 'had made himself very popular in Ireland, and wag perhaps the first British. Sovereign who had been able to accomplish such a splendid feat. Mr Hogg likened John Bull to the woman who 'lived in ,a shoe. John Bull ihad a very big family. The. speaker congratulated Staff Sergt.-Major McCristell upon the excellent way in which he had carried out the arrangements in connection with the procession. He went on to trace the procession throughout the different parts of the Empire upon, which the sun never sets. He spoke of the wonderful output of the various British possesL sions, instancing New Zealand!,. AusI tralia, India and South Africa. In | the Transvaal alone £30,000,000 I worth of gold was produced annualfly, ! being lOne-third of the .world's output'; Mr Hogg isadd Britain was Ike an oak tree, which took «r. long time to root, but once rooted no tempest icould move it. What made British subjects so proud of their Empire was the fact that it signi- | fied justice, consideration, and 'mercy. Although, Britain was not a fighting nation, she could hold her own anywhere,, but: practically everything ishe possessed had been obtain- , ed- Iby diplomacy. If the 'present King would tread in the footsteps of his tnoble father and his still more noible grandmother,, the nation would blessed with a good Monarch, and could look forward to the (time of universal .peace, when those who promoted war would be looked upon as savages. The future aim of the nation would he the promotion of education, the decrease of poverty, and the elevation of manhood. It was the latter that gave Britain her supremacy over every other nation. , WAINOHI TJJ HUKI. The following address was delivered by Wainohu te Huki, on .behalf of , the Maori Council, Topi Kuru inter- ' preting : ' 'Long life to the Mayor (Mr Coraddno), and Mr Hogg, M.P.! We are to-day here gathered together, the Maori and the Pakeiha, as on© people, to do honour to this the Coronation of our King George V. Long live the Kding, and long may Giod guide him so that peace and goodwill towards all his people may continue throughout his Empire and the Dominion of New Zealand. Divine law is that which is written' in the Holy Scriptures. This prescribes rules for the spirit and the conscience of nian ; it puts a bridle on his heart to guide and to control it. The Law of God condemns the evil thoughts and evil desires of heart of'which the outward actions aire ,the -manifestations. This Law peiiscribes tihe- punishment of evil, whether hidden : within the heart or manifested in the actions. Those to whom the, Divine Law is committed and whose duty it as to expound it, are the Bishops,, ministers and teachers. Those, to whom the charge of Human La.w is committed, and whose office it is to administer and expound it, are in England, King George V., and here, the Governor, with the Magistrates and those who have been commissioned for that purpose by the King. It® guardians and those, who enforce it are all right. tanking": men, 'that-, is, the people as a body. Whether the Law be Human or Divine, may God protect ywii and guard you as he has your ancestors. Lang live Queen Mary and the Prince of Wales, and God Weas the ORoyal Family. We- have lost a great Ruler and now we are honouring perhaps him who -will prove to be even greater;" ( CHURCH SERVICES. ; *La.rgelypattended 'Services were -held an "St. Matthew's Church at 7.30 a.m./and 10.30 a.m., the Holy Communion being celebrated at both. The services were of a .most solemn and impressionable character. At the later .service the prayer for His Majesty the King was offered in the manner prescribed, after which the Rtev. H. Watson, delivered an appropriate discourse. During the service thie choir isang the .Coronation Anthem, "Zadok the Priest," and "Gloria in Excelsis.." Maisis. was. cele.bra.ted in a solemn .manner at St- Patrick's Church, at 7 .a.m. and 9 a.m., the congregation on. fiach occasion being large. The bell was, tolled in honour of the Coronation. TORCHLIGHT PRUCESSION. A torchlight procession w&& form-, ed in the evening, and was witnessed by throngs of people. The Battalion Band headed the procession, and played appropriate music, whilst the Fire Brigade and Fire Police made a splendid demonstration with coloured lights. The procession terminated at ithe Town Hall. GRAND CORONATION CONCERT. The Town Hall was prettily decorated for the Grand Coronation Concert in the evening. In spite of other attractions there was a very fair audience. The programme was opened with the march "Coronation" (Eilenberg) play-

Ed a first-djass orchestra, under Ms J. Ctfffdy. Thv* piece received an excellent interpretation, and; the rapid changes of expression were performed with a correctness that indicated careful and conscientious training. A very dainty item was a poi dance executed by six Maori girls. The' performers wore artistic mats, and- with their beautiful black hair flowing about their shoulders, presented a pleasing spectacle. They had to reI spond to an encore. "The Death of Nelson" was rendered as a trombone solo by Mr George Hutchison, whose reputation as a instrumentalist was well sustained. Mr R. J. Young tang the old patriotic "Veteran's Song," a production which suited his voice admirably and which met with tiie | hearty appreciation of the audience. I Then followed an item by the Savage Club Leidertafel, under Mr G. C. Branson. The piece chosen was I "Comrades in Arms," and it was ren- | dered without accompaniment in perfect control. The time .was true, and the conductor exercised a wonderful command over his group. The Leidertafel had to respond to an imperative encore, when they rendered equally well, "Good Night, Ladies." The last item on the first part of the pro gramme was a contralto solo, "The Coming of the King," sung by Miss J. McGregor. St. Matthew's Choir, under the baton of Mr F. Hunn, opened the second part of the programme with the ! Coronation anthem, "Zadok the Priest" (Handel). Miss E. Jago gave a delightful rendering of "Roses," and received the loud applause of the audience. An encore was vociferously demanded. A vocal duet, "Army and Navy," by Messrs R. J. Young and W. S. Jago was very appropriate : to the occasion, and appealed to the audience, whose applause recalled the performers. Mr E. R. Wilson reciter] "The British Flag," which also moved" the people's patriotic feelings. Mr Wilson gave the poem a splendid interpretation, his enunciation and ex- ' pression adding greatly to tho effect ! of the words. As an encore, Mr Wilson recited a comic item, which wjas well received. "The Last Watch" '--as sung by Mr W. S. Green, whose fine | tenor voice was heard to advantage. The bass solo, "The Old Brigade." was sung in fine style by Mr G. C. Branson. Mr Branson handled the well-knowo number with perfect ease. and was loudly encored. The singing of .he "Rule Britannia" chorus by tho whole company brought to a close a most impressive function. Miss Hood, A.T.C.L., ard Miss Waddington, A.T.C.Tu, acted a- accompanists, and Mr H. S. -Claughton. | L.T.C.L., presided at the organ. J