THE QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY

Marlborough Express, Volume III, Issue 119, 30 May 1868, Page 4

THE QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY

< THE VOLUNTEERS. On Monday forenoon last, the Blenheim Subdivision of the Marlborough Rangers, with the Cadet Corps, mustered in Seymour Square, and after going through a course of evolutions, the presentation of the District Prize took place. Lieutenant Bythell, in the absence of the captain '■'Hmt —Officer commanding, handed the medal to Color-Sergeant Warner, with a few words of 1 congratulation at the skill again displayed by ; him. At 12 noon a feu-de-joic took place, after which the party dispersed. In the afternoon a match took place at the target for a small sweepstakes, when the victory was again on the side of the two champions—--1 Warner and Tait. —— THE FIREWORKS. About 6 p.m. we visited Seymour Square, to see what preparations were making for the display of fireworks. A hugo bonfire had been i improvised with the aid of tar barrels, &c., and ’ in the vicinity were some erections for wheels, i rockets, and a set piece intended for a finale. ‘ld' At 8 o’clock Messrs. Norgrove commenced the exhibition, which lasted for about an hour, during which were displayed a large quantity of yt rockets, serpents, golden rain, Roman candles, Bengal lights, fire fountains, And monster Cathv.erine wheels. Besides these, several hundred ih squibs, crackers, &c., were distributed and fired ' by the youngsters present, which excited considerable amusement' among the byestandera. '.v The only instance!of non-success was the set piece, which was intended to represent the words a; “God Save the Queen,” a number of sqixibs being placed endwise in a board ; upon examination it turned out that nearly the whole of these had been abstracted by the lads. Great praise was deserved by the committee who undertook the getting up the display, of whom we believe c -Messrs. Norgrovo were the principal. One or occurred, but wihch do not "call for special mention. ; : ; ’ - THE BAL L, Which was got up by a joint-committee of Volunteers and Oddfellows, which was given in the Council which were very neatly decorate<nbrlho occasion by flags and emblems of the two bodies. Above the dais was a stand of arms, surmounted by two stars, ingeniously formed with bayonets. Mr. C. Evereste presided at the pianoforte, assisted by Mr. Hoskins pn the violin, and played a selection of the most modern dance music. Mr. Lewis, ns M C., very’ efficiently conducted the proceedings. Owing to the wet weather, there was but a limited company, who however trip’d it on the light ’fantastic toe till the approach of Phoebus warned them that this, like every earthly pleasure, must have an end. The supper was provided by Messrs. Tait and Bythell, and comprised an ample supply of good cheer. We are glad to hear that from a pecuniary point of view, the result was successful.