ANNIVERSARY DAY, 1890.

Press, Volume XLVII, Issue 7737, 17 December 1890, Page 6

ANNIVERSARY DAY, 1890.

The celebration of the fortieth anniversary of the foundation of tbe settlement took place yesterday under most favorable auspices. The weather waa perfect for out-door amusements, though to the early part of the day tbe nor-'wester was somewhat too muchinevidence. However, everyone seemed moat thoroughly to enjoy themselves. The streets from ah early hour in the morning were filled with people dressed in their best, whilst mingled with the crowd were members of various Friendly Societies wearing the regalia ot their respective Orders en tvute to take part in the procession In connection with tbe Popular Sports, Tbe trama to §umner and Sew Brighton were crowded to excess, the summer dresses of tbe ladles giving quite a bright mass of color on the top of the tram cars as they drew out loaded. In addition to those who were going to spend a happy day at the seaside, there were the sisters, cousins, aad aonts of the competitors in the athletic sports at Lancaster Park, who were bound to see those in whom they had a particular interest, run in the various •vents. Nor was the military and naval element wanting, though our very own defenders—or tome of them—were away at Purau hills touting an imaginary enemy with tremendous toss. But the sailors and marines of H.M.S. Curagoa, who were on leave, mingled with the crowd, and gave just the requisite amount Of variety. Everything went well throughout the day, and nothing occurred to mar tbe pleasure of the holiday. Appended are descriptions of the various events. THE POPULAIi SPORTS. Presideat—Mr H. Crooks. Vice-President— Mr W. Garrard. General Secretary—Mr T. -Turner, -sports Secretary—Mr J. Melnaoe. .The Popular Sports Association are to tie congratulated upon having arranged a very excellent programme of events for the {jccasion, and though the procession—from 'reasons explained later on—was not »o ntccessful as was expected, it yet proved a very interesting feature 1c the proceedings t-t&ed&y. THE PROCESSION. This was arranged to start from Latimer fquare at 10 a.m., and by that time the •odare itself and the streets surrounding X were well filled with spectators. Mr Thos. Stap-eton, who acted as Marshal, •■aisled by Mr C. H. Winny, soon got the procession marshalled up in the following . o^der:—Staamore band; Foresters' tableaux. No. I; Foresters; Fire Brigades; Addington band; Foresters' tableaux No. g- Sydenham band; Theatrical tableau: Oddfellows. The Druids, Hibernians, And Orangemen, who were to takepart in - tbe procession, were absent. With re- < frard to the former the reason given by tne Druids was as follows: It appears that it was understood that the sale of the Art Union tickets should close with the celebration, and acting on this understanding, the Druids worked to sell their tickets. They have an art union of their own, it may be noted, doming off on Boxing Day. However, owing to tbe delay caused by tbe legal Minion as to tha offer of prizes by several tradesmen, the sale of Popular Sports ' tickets was retarded, and the Art union Committee, without, it is stated—with 'What truth it is impossible to say—con'suiting the General Committee of Delegates, decided to keep their art union open until the end of tne year. This the Druids felt was clashing unfairly with them, and they held a meeting yesterday ftfo-nfwg and decided not to take part In the procession. As regards the tableaux, of which Messrs Sevan Brown, Elliott, and Frith were judges, they were three in number. Two were sent by the Foresters, one reproducing the design on the certificate of membership, showing Foresters clad in Lincoln green in a verdant glade, with all the Implements of woodcraft. In front were allegorical figures of Justice, Charity, &c, supported by Young New Zealand. The grouping and general effect of this was very good, though it was somewhat cumbrous. The other one was with reference to the widows and orphans, and was a reproduction of the somewhat lugubrious and mourafal tableau exhibited lasi. year. The third was a capitally designed and executed reproduction of a / model of the temple enacted to Sbs~4-speare at tbe bouse fonheriy by David Garrick. In the centre, under the cupola, vrasa bust of Shakspeate crowned with - laurel bearing the inscription, "He was . not for an age, but for all time " on the front of the pedestal, the remaining faces :. being filled up with the names of the Maya. At the four corners were seated representatives of Othello, Shylock, Julius - Cesar, and Belisarius. The dresses were very correct, and the various representatives sustained their characters with bvcomlng dignity. Looked at from tbe standpoint of originality of design and completeness of carrying out ' tbe tableau certainly deserved first prise. However, the judges thought differently, aad awarded the prizes as follows:— foresters' Sylvan Glade tableau 1, Foresters' Widows and Orphans tableau L theatrical tableau 3. It may be noted ..that the dresses for the Shakesperian J&bleau were lent by Mr Collet Dobson, aad tbe characters were made up by Mr F. Norton, one of the Dobson-Kennedy Company. After the little delay necessary to iaabde tbe judges to inspect tbe various tableaux, a start was "made via several of t_» principal streets for the Park. i