This group of very patriotic people are waiting outside Bibby's General Store in Waipawa (the building still exists) in June 1897, to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria.
In Napier, the occasion was celebrated on June 20 by three church services held in the cathedral, which was suitably decorated in flags and banners. The Reverend Dean Hovell preached on the virtuous qualities of Queen Victoria.
A highlight of the jubilee celebrations was to take place at 11.30pm, June 22, (NZ time) when the Queen was to push a button to send a telegraphic signal (represented by the letter "J") to the countries of the British Empire, when the opening hymn at her official celebration was about to be sung at St Paul's. Crowds gathered outside post offices would sing the hymn when the signal was received. However, this never took place - to much disappointment here. The reason given was that the signal was "officially disapproved."
In Hastings, the celebrations included a Diamond Jubilee Race Day, church services and a Diamond Jubilee Ball. School children were given three days off school - except on Wednesday, June 23, when they went to school at 8.30am and then marched in a procession to Queen's Square behind the town band. The Mayor, C A Fitzroy, announced he was changing the name of the square to Victoria's Square (it is still known as Queen's Square), and he planted an oak tree.
Much to newspapers' dismay in New Zealand, the telegraphic lines in all colonies were to be kept clear on June 22, at 11am, for Queen Victoria's message to her governors. The message took 15 minutes to reach New Zealand from London and read: "The Governor of New Zealand. From my heart, I thank my beloved people. Victoria, London."
