THE KING'S BIRTHDAY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 129, 3 June 1931, Page 9

THE KING'S BIRTHDAY.

OBSERVANCE IN AUCKLAND.

DAY DEVOTED TO SPORT.

SALUTE OF 21 GUNS FIRED

While not invested with the pomp and ceremony of former days, the CGth birthday of King George V. was fittingly recognised by the public of Auckland to-day as a day of rejoicing and one symbolical of the new British nationhood. The holiday was devoted largely to sport, but both naval and artillery units fired salutes, and warships and other vessels in port were dressed in their gayest attire, being draped with bunting. # The sloops Laburnum and Veronica were dressed over all. while the cruisers Diomede and Philomel were dres-sed with masthead flags. A salute of 21 guns was fired at 8 a.m. by the Royal New Zealand Artillery from Fort Cautley, and a similar salute was fired from H.Ma Philomel bv a naval battalion at noon.

Although the skies were leaden, they did not deter Aucklanders from making the most of the holiday. The principal event was the opening of the Auckland Racing Club's winter meeting at Ellerelie. and all road* seemed to lead to the racecourse. The fixture was well patronised, and among those present was the Governor-General. Lord Bledisloe.

Both Rugby and Association football matches were staged in the city, but the principal football attraction was played at Hamilton, where Auckland met the YVaikato fifteen in the first representative fixture of the season. Followers of the round ball game were provided with an interesting clash between Auckland and representatives of the Navy at Blandford Park, whilo both senior and junior Rugby matches were played at Victoria Park between H.M.s. Diomede and the Roval Naval Volunteer Reserve.

Keen play was witnessed at Remuera. whore the Auckland Hockey Association and the Auckland Ladies" Hockey Association staged a seven-u-side tournament. Tournament play wa>. held at several of the golf clubs and on the bowling greens.

An attraction which took a large crowd to Waiheke Island was a 106miles motor cycle race at Ostend. The sport was spectacular and interesting, owing to the rough nature ot' the country which the competitors had to traverse. The King's Empire Veterans were entertained at luncheon in the Town Hall by the Auckland City Council, and Lord and Lady Bledisloe wore present.

Houses of entertainment were crowded throughout the day by both young and old. and good holiday programmes have been arranged for to-night. There will be a professional boxing match in the Town Hall this evening between Archie Hughes, of Australia, and Tommy Donovan, of Xew Plymouth.

Church services to commemorate the King's Birthday are to be held on Sunday. Their Excellencies Lord and Lady Bledisloe and members of various local bodies will attend a special service in St. Matthew's Church.

Message to His Majesty. The Governor-General. Lord Bledisloe. has forwarded the following message to His Majesty: —

"On theoecasion of Your Majesty's birthday I beg to express the loyal and respectful good wishes of the Government and people of New Zealand, and to convey an assurance of their unwavering devotion to Your Majesty and the Throne and their earnest hope that Your Majesty may enjoy the blessings of renewed health and strength."