THE KING'S BIRTHDAY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 3949, 4 June 1913, Page 5

THE KING'S BIRTHDAY.

MILITARY PARADE.

A GOOD TURN-OUT.

THE MAYOR ADDRESSES THE

GATHERING

Although the morning broke somewhat dismally, the rain clouds cleared and the ■war mrays of a welcome sun shone out from a blue sky on Gisborne yesterday, so that the people could honor to the feigning Sovereign, His Majesty "King George V., on the •occasion of his 48th .birthday, in ideal weather. The chief celebration was the military parade, and this passed ■off with a high measure of success. The Parade State. vfThe Scouts, Senior Cadets, and Territorials paraded at the Drill Hall and marched in' procession at about 9.30 a.m. The parade state was as follows: Major Bee re, Ist 9th, senior local officer. Lieut. Spragge, Adjutant to the Major in the absence of Lient. Bishop.

A Squadron 9th Mounted Rifles: Captain Hamilton in command, and with him Limits. McLernon and Coleman; 32 strong. D Company, 9th Regiment; Lieut. Mitchell; 87 strong. F Company, 9th Regiment; Lieut. Cummings; 33 strong. N'o. 7 Company Senior Cadets; Lieuts. Somervell and Muir; 64 strong. No. 19 Company Senior Cadets; Captain Gatland; 51 strong. No. 65 Company' Senior Cadets; Lieut. Kane; 73 strong. No. 66 Company Senior Cadets (Waerenga-a-hika); Lieut Butterfield; 21 strong. Boy Scouts; Chief Scoutmaster. Lieut. Toomath, with him Scoutmasters Baker and Kennedy; 68 strong. Gisborne City Band; Bandmaster .Lawrence; 22 strong. V The Procession. From tli'3 Garrison Hall, the procession crossed the Wbataupoko . Bridge, along Read’s Quay on to Gladstone Road, marching oil' to Cobden Street and down to Tucker’s Paddock, the scene of the celebrations. The civic party comprised His Worship the Mayor (Mr J. R. Kirk), and tIV- Mayoress, Councillors D. Hepburn, A. Wade, G. Wildish, H. E. Bright, and H. E. Hill, and the Town Clerk (Mr R. D. B. Robinson). The martial music provided by the City Band' set the parade into good step, and the large crowds of people who lined the streets were treated to a good display of marching. The civic carriages drew up at a central position on the- grounds, and the march past was neatly executed by the several companies. A Royal salute was also performed. A party of veterans marched all the

way in the procession, and were allotted a position of honor alongside the Mayoral party. The veterans

were: Messrs W. Smith, Robb, H. Davy, W. Nortlie. Campbell, J. Kenwick and Rawiri Karalia.

The Mayor’s Address.

The companies were formed into a square, and the Mayor delivered an appropriate address to the officers and men and public present. ‘■Major Beere, officers and men, ladies and gentlemen,’’ he began, “we have assembled to-day to celebrate the anniversary of the birthday of our Sovereign, His Majesty King George V.. the king on whoso mighty realm tho sun never sets. At this time it q is remarkable that most of us can remember celebrating similar anniversaries of the two previous Sovereigns—that of Victoria the Good, in respect of whose memory Empire Day is now held, and her son, Edward the Peacemaker. Now we arc celebrating the birthday of one who is combining the virtues of the previous two. Queen Victoria earned her distinction by keeping her courts pure, and Edward VII. by succeeding as a peacemaker. King George V., with'the assistance of Queen Mary, is keeping a clean, pure court, is promoting domestic virtues, is promoting the friendship which should exist between the peoples of the world and fastening that love of Empire on which depends the glory of his mighty State” —(applause). Had Borne the Burden.

That clay, the' Mayor continued, they were doing reverence and homage to the King, and he was pleased to see so excellent a display by the Gisborne troops. He was greatly pleased to seo the veterans, those men who had been prepared to bear the burden of warfare for their country’s sake —(applause). There were veterans there from both races, and surely it was a splendid symbol of peace, a symbol of Empire. ‘There were both the paleface and the dark-skinned. All reverence and honor to the veterans, who were standing in line beneath the flag they loved so well—(applause). The officers in control of the companies before them were deserving of commendation, for they were not merely enjoying a game, but were doing great, hard work, not only for the present people, beet for posterity and preparation for war was the best safeguard for peace, and these men and the people’s boys were giving up time and leisure in the interests, not of Empire, but of the people themselves He congratulated the officers and men on the splendid movements carried out” that day. D Company had performed well up to the record put up at the recent camp, and •lie was pleased to see the Boy Semite, all looking eagerly-forward to wearing the King’s uniform in another form. Then there was the City Band, who were always welcomed by the public and were ready and willing to give of their best. “Long May He Reign-’’ <: I know I voice the sentiments of al the people,” said His Worship in conclusion, “when I say that we all pray that long may King George V. reign over his mighty realm, and that long may peace be maintained —(hear, hear.) I am pleased to say, that the cablegrams show us that when the King went to the country where we heard arms would be taken up against him, human arms instead were wrapped close about him. The clouds ■which seemed to hover over Europe now seems to be from the East. May George’s rule be as good and pure -as that of his noble mother and Ins famous father. May his days be peaceful for ever, for so long as they are so will your days be peaceful. Ica 1 for three cheers for King George ancl Queen Mary.” Lusty cheers answered the call, and the Mayor and Mayoress then inspected the lines' before the companies marched back and dispersed at tlie .Garrison Hall.

IN OTHER CENTRES,

- rPEESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM] Wellington: In glorious weather about 2000 officers and men, including a contingent from H.M.S. Pyramus, took part in the Birthday parade at Newton Park. The troops were reveiwed by Colonel Chaytor, officer commanding the district, and a royal salute was fired by D. Battery and then came the march past, which was splendidly carried, out. A very large attendance of the public watched the parade and joined oh • cheers for the King. Colonel Chaytor and Hon. A, L. Herdman then ' briefly addressed the troOps. T.heiMayor, Mr. J. P. Luke, forwarded to

the Governor greetings to the King for transmission to London.

Auckland: The holiday passed off with dull, but fairly good weather. There was a large review of Territorials at 9'a.m. by the Governor, Hon. James Allen, and General Godley also attending. The races held at Ellerslie attracted large crowds and the other holiday attractions were well patronised. Timaru: It was a beautiful sunny day for the holiday. About 110 Territorials, 7b cadets, and a band paraded in the morning to salute the flag. An excursion train from Christchurch brought about 400. The Rugby sevien-a-aside tournament drew 26 teams, including one from Christchurch Boys’ High School, one from Ralraia and two from Ashburton.. These all went out in the first round. Temuka won •the first, second, and fourth grades, the Timaru Boys’ High .School the third grade. There was a good attendance, and the gate was £6O.