MARLBOROUGH JUBILEE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2648, 2 November 1909, Page 5

MARLBOROUGH JUBILEE.

SUCCESSFUL CELEBRATIONS

[Pick Puichs Association.! BLENHEIM, Nov. 1. The celebrations in connection with the jubilee of Marlborough opened very inauspicicnjsly , to-day. Heavy rain commenced to fall about 9 a.m. The procession from a spectacular point of view suffered considerably, and the children’s fete set down for the afternoon had to be postponed. The Governor arrived in town shortly after 10 o’clock, and took part in a large procession, comprising bands, volunteers, cadets, fire brigade, friendly societies, and about a dozen gaily decorated traction engines filled with children. After' traversing the principal streets, the procession returned to Market Place, where an address of •welcome was presented by four little girls attired in white. His Excellency replied, acknowledging the welcome, and the Mayor of Blenheim (Mr. A. McCallum) also made a short speech. The Rational Anthem and Hallelujah Chorus were sung by the Blenheim Harmopic Society. After the conclusion of the speeches, the Governor attended a banquet'given in honor of old identities of the province: The town was gaily decorated with flags and greenery, and thousands thronged the streets despite the rain. A party of members of Parliament, including the Hons. T. Mackenzie, Buddo. Mills, and Messrs Guinness and W. F. Massey, came over from 'Wellington and took part in the proceedings. Blenheim has never seen such a large concourse of people before, and had the weather been favorable the occasion would have been in every way a memorable one. Later.

The Jubilee celebrations to-day were an unprecedented success, inducing a record crowd of residents and visitors from other parts. The Mayors of Dunedin, Nelson, and North-East Valley were present. At the old identities’ banquet in the Town Hall in the afternoon the speakers included His Excellency the Governor, the Hons. T. Mackenzie and D. Buddo, and Messrs Massey, Laurenson, Parata, J. Allen, and J. Duncan. Other celebrations of the day were bullock roasting by Maoris, a cantata magna in the Town Hall, and fireworks. The Governor was entertained at a Masonic banquet-in the evening, and will attend the Agricultural and Pastoral Show to-morrow. The majority of the Parliamentary party have returned to 'Wellington.