The Jubilee Procession.

This, the earliest and most imposing feature of the day's proceedings, took place at half-past nine. For some time previous to starting the streets along the route of march were thronged with thousands of spectators anxious to secure every point of vantage for sightseeing. The streets were gaily decked with bunting. As the various societies marshalled into procession in regalia, headed by their banners, the spectacle presented was an animated one in the vicinity of the rendezvous at Ponsonby Reservoir, Karangahape and Ponsonby Roads. When the procession moved off several thousands of people were congregated at the junction of the above thorough-fares.

Shortly after the time appointed (half-past nine a.m.) Marshal T. Cole had succeeded in arranging the procession, and it moved off headed by two mounted troopers of the Armed Constabulary—Constables Walker and Kelly—followed by Marshal Cole in a carriage, and then succeeded the Artillery Band (Bandmaster R. Hunter), playing a lively military quickstep. First in the procession was a carriage containing His Worship the Mayor (Mr. J. H. Upton), the Town Clerk (Mr. P. A. Philips), and Mr. A. E. Devore (president of the Auckland Jubilee Committee); second carriage: Councillors D. Goldie, C. Atkin, J. J Holland, J. Swales, and P. Dignan; third carriage: Councillors Grey, Tren with, Warren, and Davies: fourth carriage, Councillors D. F. Evans, Hewson, J. Patterson, and Layers; fifth carriage contained representative members of the Auckland Jubilee Committee: Dr. Campbell, Captain H. F. Anderson, R. Cameron, and A. S. Russell. Then followed the various societies and organisations in the order hereunder named as drawn by lot:—

The Loyal Orange institution mustered strongly, 36 lodges being represented, and to prevent the procession being unduly extended, were ordered to "form fours," the rest of the procession marching two abreast. They were preceded by a carriage in which were Grand Master, R. Farrell; Deputy Grand Master, J. Jamieson; Grand Treasurer, W. Hazard; Grand Secretary, C. Carnahan; Grand Chaplain, Rev. A. J. Smith. Then followed an officer, the Bible-bearer, Bro. Nesbitt, bearing an open Bible, supported by two officers withdrawn swords. Lodges:—City of Auckland, No. 1: R. W. Sharp, W.M.; J. Little, D.M.; A. C. Riggs, secretary; R. Nesbitt, treasurer. Royal Albert, No. 2: J. Boone, W. M.: J. Scott,

D. M.; C. Bush, secretary; W. Sherson, treasurer. Loyal Inniskillen, No. 3; J. Jamieson, W.M.; T. Ward, D.M.; S. McMaster, secretary; C. Coulter, treasurer. Young Diamond, No. 10: T. W. Henderson, W.M.; J. McCammon, D.M.; S. Harper, secretary; A. Johnston, treasurer. Otahuhu, No. 14: T. Massey, W.M.; J. Jones, secretary. Newmarket True Blue, No. 19: A. Whisker, W.M.; E. King, D. M.; Craig, secretary; C. C. Crozier, treasurer. Pukekohe, No. 26: J. Hewitt, W.M.; J. Morrow, D.M.; A. Tan-sett, secretary; C. Craig, treasurer. Barton True Blues, No. 32, Papakura: W. Hall. W.M.; J. Watkinson, D.M.; D. Hall, secretary; R. Tomlinson, treasurer. Star of Eden, No. 36: H. H. Seabrook, W.M.; J. Nutt, D.M.; J. Hill, secretary, J. Patterson, treasurer. Monaghan True Blues, No. 46: J. Moorhead, W.M.; J. Little, D.M.; C. C. Wright, secretary; Whangarei, No. 25: S. Austin, P.M.; J. James, P.M. Forty arrived from Pukekohe by train, and joined the procession in Government House grounds, as did some other country representatives, making the total number present 260. The marshal of the order was Captain C. Robertson.

American Order of Oddfellows, 25 members:—Officers: H. Keesing, P.D.D.G.M.; Wheeler, N.G., F. Hune, N.G., Kawakawa; P.G.'s Birdsall, E. Morrison, McCulsky, Fell, Falconer, Cobley, and J. H. Philpott.

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Manchester Unity Oddfellows:—Loyal Good Intent (52 members.) Officers: In carriage,—Ruge, P.G.M.; Trayes, D.G.M.; and C. Smith, corresponding secretary; and W. E. Lewis, N.G.; J. A. Pennalligan, N.G.; D. N. Carter, G.M.; the marshal was Mr. E. Lewis.

Newmarket Band, under Bandmaster W. R. Hunter.

Fire Brigades and Salvage Corps:—Thames Brigade, 20 men, under Captains Williams and Patterson, with hose reel lent by the Auckland Fire Brigade. Auckland Fire Brigade, 37 men, under Superintendent Hughes and Foremen Hurley, Clarke, Glad-ding, Brannigan, and Wilkie. Suburban brigades present were: Parnell, Captain Cowan; Newmarket, Captain J. Wilson; Eden Terrace, Captain E. Strong; Newton, Superintendent Fenton; Mount Eden, Captain Keyes. Auckland Salvage Corps, 8 men, under Captain Field, making a grand total of firemen, etc., of about 120 men. The Auckland Brigade had a hose reel, a manual fire engine, as used in the olden time, a horse reel, and the suburban fire brigades had also their fire apparatus. All the reels were beautifully decorated with bannerettes, garlands of flowers, ferns, foliage, &c., in chaste designs. The decorations of the Fire Brigades attracted general attention, and constituted one of the features of the procession.

Newton Band, under Bandmaster West

Foresters, 192 members:—Mr. Jones, C.R., who acted as marshal; District Executive in carriages, W. T. Webb, G.C.R.J., Webley, treasurer, H. T. Garratt, D.S. Court City of Auckland was represented. Court Pride of Onehunga: Officers Aichram, C.R., Massey, P.C.R. Foresters carried the weapons emblematic of their Order.

Rechabites, 35 members:—Carr, C.R.; R. French, D.C.R.; R. H. Hughes, secretary; Crowe, Guardian. There were representatives from Aratapu and Thames.

National Independent Order of Odd-fellows, 79 members:—Officers: Adey, G.M.; McKenney, N.G.; Hitchcock, D G.; Thorne, secretary. Officers of the United Brothers and Huntly Lodges were also present.

Hicks-Sawyers' Minstrel Band, under Drum-Major Speed, escorted by Zouaves.

Hibernians, 40 members:—Officers: W. Beehan, President; P. O'Kane, V.P.; T. H. White, Secretary; W. Kane, Treasurer; D. Flynn, P.P. The officers of the District Executive also marched.

Good Templars, 58 members: Officers: Captain LeRoy, G.D.D., and T. W. Glover, G.C.T. General members of country lodges were present, also a number of ladies.

Auckland Band of Hope Union: There were 115 children, 50 girls dressed in white being in one of Winstone's vans drawn by four horses, and 65 boys in a lifeboat on one of Craig's trollies drawn by four horses. The decorations of the van were very beautiful, consisting of a bower of evergreens, garlands, and flowers, with the following mottoes conspicuous: "Water, God's Gift to Man," "Why Not Abstain?" "Wine Is a Mocker." Both the van and boat were decorated by Messrs. W. J. Macdermott, C. G. Hill, and A. E. Perkins. The children sang temperance hymns and songs exroute, and the sweet voices of the little girls, as they sat embowered in foliage, were pleasant to listen to. The children were ruddy and happy, and a good specimen of "Young New Zealand," whom they worthily represented. The van and lifeboat attracted general attention, and the Band of Hope Union display was one of the most interesting features of the procession.

New Zealand Federated Seamen's Union, 40 members. The Union had a lifeboat on a trolly. The trolly was decorated with the Union Jack and other flags, and in the boat were a crew with oars up, the crew being seamen from the Union Steamship Co., one of the officers of the local Union acting as coxswain. The other officers were W. Vines (president), J. W. Duthie (secretary), J. Gallagher (treasurer), and Nixon, marshal. In the boat was displayed the New Zealand flag, and the house flag of the Union Steamship Company. The Union had also a large banner with the motto "Unity is Strength," "Defence Not Defiance." The lifeboat, with its stalwart crew, attracted a good deal of attention.

Federated Wharf Labourers' Union, 58 members: Officers—E. Coombes, president; Dobson and Niblocke, vice-presidents; W. Bines. Each of the members, as also of the Seamen's Union, wore a rosette, the red, white, and blue. The banner of the Wharf Labourers' Union contained a representation of harbour and shipping, with picture of a lumper trucking goods to a wharf shed.

Perhaps the most unique feature of the whole procession was the appearance of the Rarotongan Jubilee Singers. They were preceded by two carriages, the first-containing the chief Tepou and his wife, and Tea, wife of the Crown Prince; Mr. A. H. Brown, interpreter; Mr. H. J. Ellis, secretary; and the second Crown Prince James Tepou, Mr. H. Nicholas and family. All of the Rarotongans wore pieces of crape as mourning for the Rarotongan Ngataitautai, who died the previous day, and for the same reason they did not utilise their band. Men and women walked alternately, the former clad in white clothing, with straw hats, and the latter in white flowing robes, with [unclear: hats] garlanded with flowers, and wearing around their necks coloured silk handkerchiefs. The olive complexions of these children of "the summer isles of Eden," relieved by the flowers and bit of colour, the graceful appearance of the women, and the manly, athletic page 53 physique of the men, in their tasteful costume, made up a charming picture, and the tout ensemble was complete. Their appearance in the procession was the feature of the day, and all eyes were directed to the Rarotongans, for the incident was one which will become historic, in these children of the Isles of the Seas on Jubilee Day giving the band of welcome to their brethren the Maoris and to the colonists of New Zealand.

The procession was closed with a number of private carriages, making the total estimated number of persons in the procession about 1500. The procession was over a mile long, and as the whole route along Karangahape Road and Symonds-street to Government House gate was crowded with spectators on the footways, and on the verandahs, it is estimated that the pageant was witnessed by 40,000 people. Some idea may be gained of the proportions of the procession by stating that as the head of it turned out of Karangahape Road into Symonds-street the last of the column had not moved from the rendezvous at the junction of that thoroughfare and Ponsonby Road.

The procession moved into Government House grounds, and took up a position in rear of the Volunteers, who formed the guard of honour. The avenue was lined with Volunteers, who also assisted the police in regulating the crowd. In compliment to the Rarotongans, they were allotted specially the place in front, opposite the platform where His Excellency was to receive the addresses. After the presentation of the addresses, the line of march was resumed by the Waterloo Quadrant gate, along Princes-street, down Wellesley-street and Queen street to the wharf. The scene in Queen-street was the most effective of the day, as the street was occupied from end to end by the procession itself, which was flanked by great crowds along the roadway and side walks, the traffic being temporarily suspended. The view from the upper storeys of Queen-street premises showed a sea of faces, only relieved by the banners, the uniforms of the bandsmen, and the bunting across the street. On either hand the buildings were gaily decorated with flags, bannerettes, foliage, etc. Every verandah was crowded with groups of sight-seers, and almost' every window was occupied by ladies and children.

The procession broke up at the Queen-street Wharf, the rear being brought up by six tramcars laden with passengers, who had been blocked in getting down the; street,

At the end of Queen-street, and before the procession disbanded, the Mayor called for three cheers for the president of the Jubilee Committee, which were heartily responded to.

Mr. Devore addressed the people and said he felt honoured at the kindly reference made to him by the Mayor at Government House and now, and that when he first mooted the idea of this celebration he received cordial sympathy and support from many citizens; and with their assistance and that of a hard working and enthusiastic committee, and the warm assistance of the press, the present successful gathering had resulted. It was a people's celebration, with their own moneys, without any Government assistance, and would be carried out by their own exertions, and was in honour of the fiftieth anniversary of the foundation of the colony and of this province, and it was intended as a token of gratitude that we lived in this favoured colony, and as a tribute of affection to our Queen and flag.

Everything having gone off without a single hitch or accident, the Orangemen, headed by the Newton band, re-marched up Queen-street and Grey-street to the Protestant Hall, Newton, where they formed in a circle, while a few appropriate remarks were made by Grand Master Farrell and Past Grand Master Goldie, M.H.R. Three hearty cheers were given for the Grand Master, after which the refreshments provided were partaken of in the hall.