In Christchurch the Trades Council organised a People's Victory March in which 25,000 paraded from Latimer Square to Cathedral Square singing patriotic ditties. In Wellington music was played at three sites, and there was a victory service at the Basin Reserve. There were bands parading, community sing-songs, thanksgiving services (often held at the local war memorial), and, in smaller places, bonfires and sports programmes for the children and victory balls for the adults. These local programmes of events, which generally extended over the next day, 10 May, which was also a public holiday, were highly orchestrated affairs. The American, Soviet and New Zealand national anthems were sung, and only then, after midday, did official local ceremonies start. At the Government Buildings in Wellington there were speeches by the governor-general, the acting prime minister and the leader of the opposition. Citizens were woken by bells and sirens, and flags quickly appeared. On VE Day itself weeks of official preparation rolled into action. Even then, this spontaneous celebration never exceeded the bounds of decorum. The town hall bells were rung, and the mayor held a short ceremony in the Octagon. By midday the factory workers had downed tools. There, the holding of the university's capping parade released the inhibitions. They were not 'inclined to let off steam without official authorisation'. The mayor of a local body hit the nail on the head when he remarked, 'In 20 years' time, school children will be asked to define the word anti-climax, and the answer will be "March 8, 1945".' The feeling of victory was in the air, but no-one was inclined to let off steam without official authorisation.
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