The New Zealand Spectator and Cook’s Strait Guardian, Wednesday, April 16, 1862
[The Apprentice Boys of Derry, The New Zealand Spectator and Cook’s Strait Guardian, Wednesday, April 16, 1862]
The Apprentice Boys of Derry.—The Apprentice Boys of Derry had made the usual arrangements for celebrating the anniversary of the “shutting of the gates” on the 18th, with the customary and appropriate rejoicings; but in consequence of the death of the Prince Consort, the committee met on the previous evening, and resolved that the celebration should “be modified, and that the entire proceedings of the day should be conducted in such a manner as to manifest their sympathy with their gracious Sovereign, and their devoted and loyal attachment to the Throne.” They could not, however, resist the desire to hoist the colossal figure of the traitor Lundy to its old place at the top of Walker’s Pillar, where it appeared dangling in the air at six o’clock, a. m. At seven o’clock the celebrants assembled and discharged twenty one rounds from well-equipped fieldpieces. Guns were fired at intervals during the day, and instead of the joybells the Cathedral bell tolled a solemn peal. They attended Divine worship, not in the Cathedral, which is now undergoing repairs, but in a little chapel of ease, on the Wall, where a sermon was preached on the death of the Prince Consort. After Divine service they again formed in procession in front of Walker’s monument, their sashes and distinctive badges covered wi h [sic: with] crape. Having passed the usual vote of thanks to the preacher, it was unanimously resolved that “an address of condolence should be prepared and presented to her Majesty expressive of their sympathy and respect.” It would have been better if they had imitated the good taste of the Dublin corporation, and abstained from adopting any address to her Majesty.