QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION BY THE NAPIER VOLUNTEERS.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 6259, 25 May 1882, Page 3

QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION BY THE NAPIER VOLUNTEERS.

The Napier Volunteers mustered yesterday morning at 8.30 — tho Artillery at their gunahed, and the Rifles in front of the Athemeum — under command, respectively, of Captain Garner and Caplain Blythe, Lieut. Pell, acting as Adjudtant. The two companies then marched to a paddock on the Greenmeadows estate, kindly placed at their disposal by Mr Cartwright Brown. The Rifles, shortly after arriving at Greenmeadows, went through manual aud skirmishing drill under Sub-Lieutenant King. At 12 o'clock a royal salute and a feu de joie were fired in honor of Her Majesty's birthday, after which tho Artillery went through their annual shot and shell practice. annual dinner op napikb rifles. The Rifles were then marched to the Waverley Hotel, where the annual dinner of the corps was hold, Captain Blythe occupyiug thu chair. Ample justice having been done to an excellent repast provided by Host Axford, ! the toast of "The Queen " was proposed by Captain Blythe, who referred in the course of his remarks to Her Majesty's escape from the late attempt on her life. The toast was drunk with great enthusiasm. The next toast, " The Governor and Government of New Zealand," having been duly honored, Captain Blythe proposed " The Army, Navy, and Reserve Forces," which was responded to by Staff-Sergeant Fox and by Mr Axford, the latter as au ex- naval officer. The toast, "The Major Commanding the District," was drunk with musical honors. Major Routledge thanked the company iv feeling terms for the very hearty mnnnor in which the toast had beeu received, and pointed out the necessity for diligent attendance at drill on the part of Volunteers, in order to render themselves efficient. Mr Broughton responded to the toast "Our Native Guests," remarking that though there were no native guests at the dinner he was sure they would have had great pleasure in attending had not the letters of invitation, which were sent to them, failed to reach them. The toasts of " Old Comrades," " The Staff," and "The Ladies" brought the meeting to a conclusion. The corps then returned to the paddock to witaess the athletic sports. BIRTHDAY SPORTS. The athletio sports in connection with the Volunteers' celebration of the anniversary of Her Majesty's birthday were very well attended. Major Routledge acted as judge and Mr G. T. Cross as starter. The following were the results of the several events : — Maiden Race, 100 yards. — First prize, 30s, Hunter ; second, 10s, Jeffares. Volunteer Race, 200 yards. — No entries. Allcomers Race, 150 yards. — Firat prize, silver walch, Poole ; second, Price. Won after an exciting race. Champion Race, quarter-mile. — First prize, Bilver medal, Garry ; second, 20a, Hay ; third, 10s, Price. Hay fell, or he would have doubtless been first. Tug of War. — This event was botween teams of ten men each from the Artillery I and the Rifles. Some annoyance was j caused by the difficulty of keeping a 'clear course. Two trials of strength ware made, the Artillery team coming off victorious. Half-mile Race. — First prize, £3, Garry ; second, Price. There were four competitors. Garry Ud all the way, and won apparently without difficulty. This event brought a very successful day's amusement to a close ; the minor events, such as the duck jump, sack race, &c, did not come off owing to the lateness of the hour. j The bands of the Artillery and the [ Rifles played selections at intervals during the day.