NEW ZEALAND JUBILEE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXI, Issue 9, 11 January 1890, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND JUBILEE.

AUCKLAND CELEBRATION. Preparations for the Auckland Jubilee festivities are proceeding apace, and so far everything has gone on swimmingly except for the slight disagreement between the Managing Committee of the Auckland Racing Club, concerning the coincidence of the race meeting and Jubilee Sports fixed for the Thursday afternoon. That, however, is after all a trifling matter, and the double attraction will undoubtedly lend to that day's proceedings much greater importance and public interest fehan if they had been confined to the programme presented by the Jubilee Committee. VOLUNTEER PROCESSION. The proposal to have a grand muster of the volunteer force on the first day of the Jubilee festivities, in addition to a procession of friendly and trade societies, appears to have been " knocked on the head," metaphorically speaking. It was never for a moment suspected that there would be any difficulty in obtaining permission for the volunteers to turn out in uniform on this occasion, until Lieutenant-Colonol Shepherd was interviewed with the object of obtaining his co-operation in making the affair a success. The matter was brought under the notice of Colonel Shepherd by Mr A. E. Devore, President of the Jubilee Committee, very recently. Colonel Shepherd declined to take upon himself any responsibility in the matter, and stated that permission would have to be obtained from the Defence Department. Colonel Shepherd accordingly wired to Colonel Humphrey, intimating, that ib was desired that the Auckland volunteers should burn out to lend eclat to the jubilee proceedings on the 29th inst. Colonel HumDhrev wired back for fuller particulars as to what the volunteers were required to do, and this having been supplied by Colonel Shepherd, a final reply came to hand from Colonel Humphrey, intimating that the Government could not grant permission to the volunteers to take part in the proposed Jubilee procession. We understand that instructions have also been given that no battery salute is to be fired here on Jubilee Day (the 29th inst.). Strongrepresentacions will be made to the Government through the proper channel a3 to the injustice and unreasonableness of this extraordinary resolution, and there is little doubt that when the feeling of the Auckland people finds vent, the indignation expressed will be such as to render reconsideration of the subject imperative 1 upon the authorities, who surely are not guided by any potty provincial jealousy in a matter, of such importance to the whole colony. JUBILEE CELEBRATION COMMITTEE. The meeting of the Jubliee Celebration Committee last evening in the Mayor's room, Municipal Buildings, was well attended. The Committee decided to give their patronage to the Rarotongan native troupe of vocalists for their night intertainments during Jubilee week, and also resolved to place on the Jubilee programme a swimming race and diving competition for the natives. It was resolved to ask the liarotongans to give an outdoor performance in connection with the swimming sports on January 30th. Considerable discussion took place regarding the proposed Horticultural Show. The Chairman, Mr Devore, stated that there was a probability that the show would have to be abandoned, if it were found that its takings would not be sufficient to meet the expenses contingent on the project. This state of affairs was owing to the action of t'ne A.R.C. running an opposition show, thus curtailing the takings of the Jubilee Committee. It was decided todefer the matter till the nextmeeting, the horticultural delegates to prepare a detailed report in the meantime. Several communications were received from friendly societies, volunteer corps, fire brigades, etc., and the Salvage Corps, agreeing to participate in the proposed procession on the 29th inst. Satisfactory progress was reported with regard to the Maori events, visit of foreign war vessel**, aquatic procession, music, etc., for the celebrations. CHAMPION GIG RACES.' The Secretary of the Wellington Rowing Club has wired to Mr E. H. Montgomery, Secretary of the Jubilee Managing Committee, asking for particulars of entries, conditions, and prizes in the Champion Gig Race ab the Jubilee Rowing Regatta on Friday, January 31st, and the desired information will be forwarded as soon as possible. FOREIGN WARSHIPS. Mr J. D. Connolly, American Consul, replying to the request made bj the Jubilee Celebration Committee ns«ing his assistance towards securing the presence of any American warships thatcouldattend to witness the Jubilee celebration, has forwarded to Mr E. H. Montgomery, Secretary, a very nice letter. Mr Connolly says :" I shall do all I can to secure the presence of at least one of the United States men-of-war now at Samoa. I cannot promise, however, that I will succeed, as the date fixed for the celebration is not far off, and it may require some preparation to undertake the voyage from Samoa to Auckland, which necessarily must consume much valuable timo, thereby rendering the preaenceof any of our war vessels impossible upon the day advertised. I regret exceedingly you did not communicate your wishes in this respect at an earlier date. Had you done so, 1 am almost certain the United States navy would have been fairly WBll represented upon the occasion of your forthcoming celebration. However, I sincerely hope your Jubilee may prove a grand and memorable success in every respect, that those in charge of the undertaking may be able to look back in after years with pride and pleasure upon the unequivocal success of their efforts to render this, the first jubilee celebration of the colony, highly satisfactory to all concerned.—Sincerely yours, Jxo. D. Connolly." JUBILEE DEMONSTRATION. The Jubilee procession, or demonstration, proposed to be held on tho morning of January 29th, ia being favourably taken up by the various friendly and trade societies, and promises to be a great success. The city and suburban fire brigades, and also the Salvage Corps, have signified their willingness to take part, and favourable replies have also been received from various branches of the Oddfellows, Foresters, Orangemen, the Seamen's Union, and various other trade socities. Information has also been received from Friendly Society country branches to the effect that many of their mombers will be in Auckland during the Jubilee festivities, and will join with the Auckland lodges in securing for their respective orders a good representative muster in { honour of th» aaspieious occasion. ANOTHER ATTRACTION. Yet another attraction will be added to the list of festivities during Jubilee week. This will take the form of a concert, and tableaux illustrative of the planting of the British flag on the shores of New Zealand, 1840. The most attractive piece to be performed is a " Jubjlee Ode to Zealandia," written by Mr M. May, of Ponsonby, and seb to music by Mr J. H. Phillpot, comprising tenor and bass solos, quartette and chorus, which with several other pieces will be given by the W«sb End Musical Union.