AT VICTORIA PARK.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 107, 6 May 1913, Page 5

AT VICTORIA PARK.

± BOYAL SALOTE. MEN MARCH THROUGH THE CITY. Three hundred men, including the ship's band, a half-company of marines, and two detachments with field guns, under Commander Grace, landed from the New Zealand this morning, and marched out to Victoria Park, where they fired a salute in honour of t-he anniversary of the accession of King George T. Aβ the ■men swang up Queen Street to a lively tune, arms at the elope and bayonets fixed, they made a brave sight, and looked quite capable of upholding the traditions of the service, -is a rule some allowance is made for the marching of the bluejacket, to 'whom * slight roll in his gait !h not only pennieeible, but expected. The men of fhe ba.ttlc.ship, however, want no concession. T4iey are quite capable of holding their oven from scratch. The marching of the "jollies," who, as was once observed, "are soldiers and sailors, too." wae of course as near perfection ac possible. A prominent feature of the little procession, as it wound its way along between linee of citizens, was that much-be-collared 1 individual "Pe-lonw Jack," who, from the manner in which he tugged at his chain, was evidently determined to ccc ac much of Auckland as be could during his brief run ashore.

From Queen Street the men maTched by way of Wellesley Street to Victoria Park, where they were drawn up in line facing the pavilion, decorated ■with a few flags for the occasion. Shortly afterwards his Excellency the Governor and La-dy Liverpool arrived, and were received with a gensral ealute, the colours being dipped, and the band striking up the National Anthem. Subsequently a royal salute of twenty-one guns was fired by the field gun detachments, "who handled their weapons a celerity that did the ship credit. Part of the ceremony of the salute ooneisied of the men taking off their hate and giving three hearty British cheers. After the •firing of the ealute> th« nren were inspected by the Governor, -vrho was accompanied by Captain Haleey, Colonel Logan, a.nd several other officers. At the conclusion of the ceremony, which 'was a very brief one. the Governor and his party drove off. The men then piled arms and were given came refreshment. There was a fair gathering of the public to witness the proceedings, and the grandstand was full of spectators. -Among- thoee present was his 'Worship the Mayor (Mr C. .T. Parr), -who :was accorooanied by the Tcwn Cterk (Mr H. iW. Wilson h " -*:

The saUor-s marched beck to .the wharf by way of Victoria Street and Queen Street, and both commg and going attracted much attention, and some cheering.