ANNIVERSARY DAY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CVIII, Issue 13001, 17 December 1902, Page 8

ANNIVERSARY DAY.

VARIED CELEBRATIONS. The fact that the day broke ominously in rain and gloom rather handicapped the .celebration of Anniversary Day so far a.s those functions wore concerned which had their being at any distance from town, but those who were disappointed in this respect managed to secure some compensation when early in the forenoon the weather settled down to be bright and fine. Hasty picnics were organised to near-by sites, and tho trams to Sumner, New Brighton and tho Port Hills were laden with busy holiday-makers throughout the day. The Park, the Gardens and the river also won a heavy tithe of patrons, and the cricket and sports meetings in and adjacent to the town were specially well attended. Tho streets of the city proper were practically deserted in the afternoon, and the day passed off generally quietly and without any very vigorous “happenings.” MILITARY DISPLAY. Tire Volunteers of the district gave a military display in the evening in the drillshed and grounds, in-aid of the funds of tlie Garrison Band. There was a- fair attendance. The programme comprised musical selections by the Garrison Band, bayonet exercise by the Imperial Rifles, rifle and firing exercises by the Civil Service Rifles, cycle drill by tho Cycle Corps, physical training by tlie Queen’s Cadets, physical drill to music by the Imperial. Rifles, gymnastic horse- jumping (a very clever item) by the Queen’s Cadets, and a “ tattoo ” by way of conclusion, which represented brigade night in a garrison town. LYTTELTON. Tiie birthday of Canterbury was strictly observed at Lyttelton. Places of business were dosed, and no work was done on the wharves. A number of people went by the s.s. R-otoma-hana to Akaroa. Others patronised the s.s. John Anderson, which ran trips to Purau and Diamond Harbour, and others, again, went by the steam launches to Governor’s Bay. BANGIORA. Anniversary Day was observed a.s- a dose holiday at- Rangiora. The local amusements consisted'of cricket, tennis and rifle shooting. There were several picnic parties, to the. hush and elsewhere, and a fair number went by the excursion train to the opening of the WaipararScargill section of the Waipara-Chcviot Railway. At Southbrook the children of the Methodist Sunda}’ School had their annual treat in a paddock near the church and spent a pleasant day.

THE HOLIDAY AT TIMARU. [E rou Our Correspondent.]

TIMARU, Dec. 16.

On Monday night it rained very heavily in Tima.ru, and was still .raining at midi night, witli a. southerly gale, so that tho prospects of yesterday's holiday were by no means bright. The morning, however, broke fine, and, the storm having cleared tho air, the day promised to continue fine, so that tlie only drawback to tho carrying out- of tiie numerous picnics that had been arranged was the dampness of the ground after the heavy rain. As the streets and ground were still wet when people got up, many parents thought there was too great a risk of colds in a trip to the country, and consequently the Sunday school excursions were not so large as usual. A long train was, however, made up for Winchester at 9 a.m., and there travelled hy it seven different parties, bound for selected spots at Temuka and Winchester. The Sunday schools of Trinity and Chalmers Presbyterian Churches, AVesleyan, Primitive Methodist and Congregational Sunday schools, the Salvation Army and the Carpenters’ Society. Some small parties made trips into the country by road, and all had a pleasant day, so far as the weather wa.s concerned. An excursion train arrived at Tima.ru at 12.15 p.m., bringing a moderate number of passengers. Three rinks of the Bowling Club were expected to play a match against the Tima.ru Club, but only seven men arrived, and were met at the station by local players. A number of competitors for the Amateur Athletic Club’s sports arrived by the same train, and were conveyed straight to the ground by vehicles awaiting them. Tlie South Canterbury Amateur Athletic Club held its first summer meeting in tlhe afternoon. Tlie attendance was better than is usual at the- club’s gatherings, but the cold wind and many counter attractions kept many away. The sport was, on the whole, very good, the sprint races being the best feature of the'gathering. This year the -disposal of the champion cup was entirely in the hands of the committee, and it was decided to award it to A. O. Keating, whose performances were to the mind of the committee the best. H. H. Fraser (Timarn) was runner up. Mr Teche-maker’-s cup fell to Flewellyn. All the events were -handicaps. Brodrick won throwing the cricket ball (94 yards); C. H. Grcsson (syds), the Maiden 120yds; Flewellyn (10yds), the Mile Flat; Keating the Long Jump, 18ft 7£in; Rudkin. (9yds), the 100yds Flat; Tcnncnt, the High- Jump (4ft llin); Grcsson (scr), the 120yds Hurdles; Shaw (50yds), the Half-mile; Tennent (Iyds). the 220yds Flat; Fleck (100yds), tlie Steeplechase one mile and a half (Lady Ranfurly presented: this prize on behalf of the Ladies); AAh Anderson (14yds), the. 440yds Flat)

Sports at, Pleasant Point were fairly attended. The track was wet and slippery from the rain,and there were many fads in the bicycle races, but no one was hurt.

Several Sunday school picnics were held, and were successful, the weather holding good. One slight accident occurred, a

cricket player receiving a severe blow from a ball on the temple. ■