JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS IN THE DISTRICT.

The jubilee was celebrated here on Wednesday on an extensive scale. The principal streets of the town were beautifully decorated. The old Market Cross was adorned with evergreens, flags, emblems, &c., by the Mayoress, who also bore the expense of illuminating it with about 500 coloured lamps. Soon after nine o’clock the people began to gather in St. John’s street, where the procession was to start. Just before ten the Malmesbury brass band arrived, and a few minutes after came the Somerford fife and drum band. The procession marched to the Abbey church in the following order:—Malmesbury Brass Band, D Troop of the Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry, A Troop of the Wilts Rifle Volunteers, the police of the Malmesbury division, the Mayor and Corporation, the Jubilee Committee, the Foresters and Juvenile Foresters, the King Athelstan Benefit Club, the Three Cups Benefit Club, the Castle Benefit Club, the Somerford, and the general public. Places were allotted in the sacred edifice to the various bodies, the general public not being admitted until those in the procession had taken their places. As the worshippers assembled the organist (Mr F. G. Pincott) played the National Anthem. The Abbey was well filled. The prayers for the day were read by the vicar (the Rev G. W. Tucker), the lesson by the Rev A. G. Johnson, and a short but eloquent sermon was preached by the Rev J. Bloomfield. The next item on the programme was the jubilee dinner, which was served in the Cross Hayes, on 36 tables, to upwards of 1400 people over 16 years of age. After dinner the Mayor proposed the health of the Queen, which was drunk with enthusiasm. A move was then made for the Wortheys, where all kinds of amusements had been provided, and the tables cleared for the children’s tea. The children met and were formed into groups of fifties near the Westport Church, and, headed by bands and the Sunday School teachers, marched through the principal streets of the town to the Cross Hayes, where tea was awaiting them. The arrangements for the teas were carried out by the Mayoress and an efficient staff of lady helpers. In the Wortheys the following programme of sports was gone through:—Starter, Mr H. Rich; judges, Messrs D. Reeve and C. Lismore. 100 yds flat race for men—J. Drew 1, J. Wilkins 2, W. Selby 3. High jump—T. Type 1, J. Wilkins 2; extra jump—E. Bailey. Quarter-mile flat race—J. Drew 1, J. Wilkins 2, W. Selby 3. Three-legged race—Messrs Paginton and Bishop 1, Bailey and Harris 2. Long jump—E. Bailey 1, A. Harris 2. Obstacle race for men—G. Paginton 1, W. Selby 2, R. Bishop 3. Tug of war—Mr Harry Rich’s married team. 100 yds, boys under 14—F. Buckland 1, F. Cypher 2, W. Stewart 3. Jubilee cup race, presented by Mr J. Ponting—J. Wilkins; extra prize—R. Norris. Donkey race—Mr Harris’s “Jubilee Cock” 1, Mr Price’s “Jubilee” 2, Mr C. Rich’s “Cocktail” 3. 100 yds ladies’ race—Miss Exton 1, Miss Bailey 2, Miss Hanks 3. Jumping in sacks—G. Paginton 1, R. Hanks 2, R. Norris 3. Grinning through horse collar—Dennis Law. Comic song—prize divided between A. Poole and G. Fry. Royal jubilee stakes—J. Frayling 1, — Law 2, F. Bond 3. Dancing, &c., was kept in full swing till nearly ten o’clock, when a grand display of fireworks brought the proceedings to a close. The town was illuminated at night.