KING'S BIRTHDAY.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 100, 3 June 1914, Page 5

KING'S BIRTHDAY.

PARADE OF GARRISON. Not often have the citizens of Christchurch' 1 been treated to such a spectacle as was arranged for them on the North Park to-day." * The review in honour of the King's Birthday was most inspiring and the muster of all units was extremely satisfactory. E Battery with its .guns was .early on the scene at the" barracks, and - preceded the brigade • column, to the parade ground.

The whole affair was most interesting and stirring. The colours of the Ist (Canterbury) Regiment with their guard added an effective touch to the parade. Another particularly interesting feature was the Cadets Bugle Band. This unit with its new instruments came in for much favourable comment, and indeed it deserved it. The new side-drums seem to possess better tone than the old kettle-drums, , and the members of the band are improving rapidly as the result of the work A ftn extremely capable teacher. Jp* At the saluting base were Colonel Chaffey, 0.C.D., and Colonel R. H. Rhodes. The general salute, march past, advance in review order, and royal salute were carried out in succession, and after- the last evolution three cheers were given for the King. And they were cheers, with caps removed, the whole parade in good time and with enthusiasm honoured their King.' The cheers were distinctly audible from Cathedral Square.

The march past was done very steadily, all ranks going by in good step. The salute, too, was given in excellent style. It\ seems as though there was a distinct stiffening since the Kowai Camp. The royal salute is always impressive, but to-day it was even more so. The troops came to the "present" simultaneously all along the line, and indeed it was the same with all the parade movements. The Officer Commanding the District expressed himself as entirely satisfied with the turnout, and steadiness of all ranks. The men had marched well, and from all points of view the parade was satisfactory.

units on parade were:—lst (Canterbury) Regiment, A Squadron Ist M.R., E Battery and Ammunition Column, • Field Engineers, Coast Defence Infantry, Field Ambulance and Army Service Corps. The bands of the Ist Regiment and the Ist M.R. were also on parade, and played the different units past the saluting base.

LYTTELTON. The uncertainty o4s,the Aveather made a difference to the number of the travelling public who generally journey to the port for their holiday. A large number of golfing enthusiasts arrived and left for Charteris Bay. At 9 a.m. the Territorials and the Senior Cadets assembled and marched to the barracks, the Coastal Defence Band leading. The flag was saluted, and Colonel Chaplin Chambers offered up a prayer. All the vessels in port had displays of bunting in honour of the King's birthday. AUCKLAND REVIEW. Press Association. AUCKLAND, June 3. The King's Birthday was observed as a general holiday. There, were 3850 Territorials and cadets on parade in the domain. Colonel Heard was the reviewing officer. AT DTJNEDIN. DUNEDIN, June 3. The Dunedin Territorials paraded at the Oval • this morning. The Royal salute was fired by the troops. About 1000 men were inspected by the officer commanding the district. The National Reserve were lustily cheered on passing the saluting base. After the parade the Officers' Club placed a wreath on the fallen soldiers' monument. WELLINGTON, June 3.

The review of the Wellington City and suburban Territorials, and ex-South African contingents, in honour of the King's Birthday was held by General Sir lan Hamilton at Newtown Park this moring, 1418 men altogether being on parade. The Royal salute of 21 guns was fired by D Battery, after which the troops were inspected by General Hamilton. Then followed the march past in etflumii and quarter-column, and the advance in review order. The proceedings, which were highly successful, were watched by ten thousand spectators. The morning was fine, but the afternoon is threatening for the holiday. The review and the Otaki races are the principal attractions.