HOKITIKA ON EASTER MONDAY.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 223, 18 April 1868, Page 2

HOKITIKA ON EASTER MONDAY.

THE PROCESSION. Yestedray morning (Easter Monday) the day set apart for tho procession, was hardly of the cast its promoters and well-wishers had for tho last few days expected and hoped for. Prom early morning the sky was overcast

and gloomy, dense, heavy clouds hovering overthe land,indicatingbytheirpi'esenee the almost inevitable issue—a wet, miserable day. About ten o' clock the rain began to fall, the wcatherwiso declaring in their serious and all-know-ing way that a drencher was-in storo for us, effectually dissipating the hopes against hope hitherto indulged in by those desirous of joining in the procession. And so it turned out, such a day as yesterday being rarely seen on the West Coast. Many hundreds of the mining population had been flocking into town from almost every point of the compas had the weather at all been favourable, taking into consideration the wonderful unanimity and determination displayed by the diggers of the various mining townships, for whose especial participation the pageant was projected, there would have been such a display as would have convinced the most sceptical of her Majesty's subjects of the loyalty to her person and throne of our miners and inhabitants. But large numbers of them were not to be daunted even by the merciless downpour they were subjected to. About 10 o'clock the members of the Hokitika Lodges of Oddfellows and Ancient Order of Forresters sallied forth to meet their brethren of the Waimea' Stafford Town and Lamplough district, headed by the baud. As they passed the llau Hau Tramway, they found the diggers from the Hau Hau, Blue Spur and Big Paddock awaiting them ; a hearty cheer w r as exchanged on both sides, and the latter fell in the wake. They then marched up to as far as the Montezuma, where the Waimea, Stafford Town, and Lamplough men joined the procession. The whole then, marshalled by Cr Button and Captain Carey, on horseback, returned with bands playing and flags and banners flying down lievell street, giving a hearty cheer for Mr Bartlett as they passed the Duke of Edinburgh Theatre, which was taken up and repeated along the whole line. Proceeding to G-ibson's Quay, they were joined by the miners from the Kanieri. The procession next passed up Sewell street, and along Weld street, giving a hearty cheer for the West Coast Times on passing the office of that journal, turning up Revell-street. After traversing Bevell street to the north boundary of the town, the procession turned on their w r ay back. It was from this point that the appearance of the tout ensemble was most imposing. Looking far away, as far as eye could reach, on either side of the road, were the flags and streamers of the inhabitants ; and marching down the centre of the road to the lively strains of the various bands were the members of the procession, headed by the English, American, and French. flags, and followed by an endless number of small ones. The Royal Standard was the most prominent feature, towering high above the rest. The next most notable objects were the Scotch Thistle, under the shadow of which was Mr Forbes, the Highland piper, discoursing lively rnusic ; the flag of the Lamplough men, with the inscription " God Save the Duke ;" and an enormous loaf of bread stuck on the end of a staff, with the inscription " Plenty " underneath, carried by one of the men from the Hau-Hau. At the head of the Kanieri men was another Highland piper, Mr Turner. Proceeding along Revell street, the procession next turned down Camp street, and into the Municipal Eeserve. The members were here marshalled into a circle, with the flags, banners, &c, in the centre, making a most imposing array. Mr Button then called on Ihem to join him in singing " God Save the Queen," which was done with a hearty good-will, the band joining in the choruses. Three cheers were next given for the " Queen and Eoyal Family," three for the " Prince of Wales," three for the " Duke of Edinburgh," and three times three for Mr Button. At this stage of the proceedings, Mr Button addressed the assemblage, stating thatit was originally suggested that they should march in form of procession to the Duke of Edinburgh Theatre,. to the banquet; but as only three or four hundred could be accommodated at a time, the others would have to remain outside in the rain. He thought, then, that it would be better to break up the procession where they were. Before they dispersed, he reminded his hearers that the diggers from the various out-townships had come a long distance, in very inclement weather, as our visitors. "Viewing the matter in that light, he did not doubt that our towns people would yeld them the honour of being the first to partake of the banquet. The procession which consisted, at a rough estimate, of about a thousand, on its passage through the various streets of Hokitika, was most enthusiastically cheered.