THE HOLIDAY.

Press, Volume XLIII, Issue 6626, 17 December 1886, Page 2

THE HOLIDAY.

The celebration yesterday of the thitty-si-rth anniversary of the foundation of the settlement waa throughout all its varied phases a great success. There was ample and to spare for every one in the way of enjoyment, the tasteß of all, so far as outdoor amusement was concerned, being oatered for. Firat in order of time came the peaceful invasion of Timaru. The southern capital was invaded by over one thousand excursionists, who visited the breakwater and otherwiae enjoyed themselves in the city by the sea. Then our citizen soldiers, answering to the stern call of duty, and with no bright eyes of ladies lookicg onto apur them to deeds of ohivalry, went forth to repel the (imaginary) foe which was threatening the commerce of the Liverpool of Canterbury — Kaiapoi. How they bore themselves in the encounter ia told elsewhere. Si ill keeping to the sequence of events, the gathering of the olans on Lancaster Park drew a large crowd of spectators, not so large as that of laßt year perhaps, but still a goodly number. Here there were dances, which to the uninitiated S.uthron mind were strange and wonderful, but which to those who were to the manner born seemed to possess a great fascination. Then came the piperp, who gave melodies bearing Btill more peculiar nameß than the dances, but whose strains were regarded by those who hail from the land of the mist with a delight which the finest Italian melody that ever waa composed wculd fall for short of. The athletic competitions too supplied an element in which the English folk were thoroughly at home.. Altogether thia gathering is without exception one of the beat given here of its kind. The sporting element too had its were there not meetings at Phimptoii Park and New where all lovers of sport congregated in great force. The people's spor.B on Hagley Park aud the unemployed picnic afforded every one an opportunity of enjoying a day's outing. The Committee of the Bports had provided a most excellent programme, in which-the rising generation were not forgotten. For those who were inclined to make the day a. family outiog the trip to Akaroa by the Rotorua, given a calm dijy and plenty ot sunshine afforded great attractions, and many availed themselves thereof, aB also of the trips to Pigeon Bay, Governor's Bay, and otaer mariae pleasure resorts. The membera of the N and E Batteries fraternised in Lyttelton, and m -Lug busine-B wi.h pleasure had apme shell practice trom the breakwater, which was witnessed by a goodly number of jfeectators. The outdoor fete at Riccaiton in aid of the funds of : the parish church which was held in the 1 grounds of Mr L. Harper at Ham, drew a goodly number of per-ons thither, and for their delectation celebrated artistes in all lines of amusement were engaged at fabulous expense and succeeded moat admirably in affording a most enjoyable day's outing. In the evening Mr Harry Power and the very capable Company under his management, enabled holiday makers to wind up the day right merrily with a good old-fashioned Irish melodrama, with plenty of set—ation, dancing, and lovemakmg in it. Thus it will be seen that we in Canterbury, yesterday, by no means took our pleasure aadly—as has been said of Britons—but made merry and rejoiced exceedingly.

Appended are the details of tie various events of the day ;—