The Nelson Evening Mail. SATURDAY, MAY 25, 1867. CELEBRATION OF HER MAJESTY'S BIRTHDAY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume II, Issue 120, 25 May 1867, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. SATURDAY, MAY 25, 1867. CELEBRATION OF HER MAJESTY'S BIRTHDAY.

• The anuiversary of Her Majesty's Birth- • day was celehrated with unusual circumj stance yesterday, the occasion having been ' selected for a review of the various Volunteer Companies which are now in existence in this province. The announcement that the programe would also include a sham-Might, in which the Armstrong gun, belouging to the Wakapuaka Artillery Company, would play a couspicuous part, doubless acted as an additional attraction to the holiday-seekers who congregated in very large numbers, both from the city and the country di.tricts, on the scene of action at Victory-square, certainly not Jess Shan 2000 persons being present on the ground aud ou all the surrounding eminences which commanded a view of the manoeuvres. The weather was most propitious, and the coup d'ceil, when the . several bodies of Voluutecrs in their varied uniforms were engaged \ , upon the hill and on the Square was parti- \ culavly striking. \_, The City Rifles, No. 1, the Cadet Rifles, and the Artillery Cadets met at half-past 9, ou tlie Drill Ground off Hardy-street, whore the companies were proved and ammunition served. The City Riiies and Cadet Rifles, "preceded by their band, then

marched by way 'of Vanguard-street to Yictory-square, where they camped, while the Artillery marched up the Waimearoad over tlie College Hill. Here they met the Waimea-west Compauy of Volunteers, who, it had been arranged, were to support the Artillery, and these two bodies then descended towards Victory-square, the Waimea-west Company by Hampden - street, and the Artillery by Franklinstreet. The Hon. Major Morse, Commanding the District, arrived on the ground on horseback, in the uniform of a staff officer, at a few minutes before 11 o'clock, attended by Captain and Adjutant Lockett. Shortly afterwards, firing was heard from the hill towards the Waimearoad, which was responded to by the Cadet Rifles, and in a few moments the Waimea-west Corps were seen descending the hill, firing volleys at the Cadets who at once scaled the hill, half of them, skirmishing and the remainder supporting. The Armstrong gun then opened fire from the corner of the square at the intersection of Hampden and Vanguard-streets, supported by the Artillery Cadets in skhmishing order on each flank. The City Rifles now extended and advanced, keeping up a brisk fire ou the gun, and on t'le line of skirmishers opposed to them. After advancing and retiring three or four times, the Cadet Rifles changed their front to the right, and drove the Waimeawest Volunteers back on their guns, while at the same time the City Rifles were ordered to charge the gun, which was supposed to be captured by them. The whole scene at this moment was of a very exciting character, in which not enly the parties immediately engaged, but also the spectators generally, participated, and we are told that so real was the impression created in the minds of tie combatants, that it required some " sweet violence" to persuade certain members of the Wakapuaka Company that their relinquishment of the gun was required simply in obedience to the programme of the day, and not as any evidence of their inferior prowess. The whole force then marched on their coverers, aud wheeled into line. The ranks were opened, aud precisely at 12 o'clock, a feu de joie of 21 guns was fired, the Armstrong gun firing seven times between the three several volleys of the three Rifle Companies and the Artillery Cadets, which were given with the most praiseworthy precision. Three lusty cheers were then given for the Queen, the band playing the National Anthem ; and like honors were afterwards paid to Major Morse, Captain Lockett, and the officers commanding the four companies. Arms were then piled, and an interval of an hour and a half was allowed, during which all the Volunteers partook of refreshments, provided by Mr. Everett, of .= the Bank Hotel, at the expense of the 1 Government. Major and Mrs. Morse also,' received the officers of the various companies and other friends — among whom, we EOticed His Honor Mr. Justice Johnston, Countess de Lapasture, Lady and \ Miss Monro, Mrs. A. J. Richmond, &c. — at luncheon at their cottage near the Square. The companies having again fallen in, they were put through the manual exercise by Captain Lockett, after which a variety of light infantry movements were executed with admirable precision, under the command of Captain M'Tavish. At the termination of these manoeuvres, three sides of a square were formed, and the Major Commandant then addressed the whole force in highly complimentary terms, especially acknowledging the services of the Wakapuaka Artillery Company, aud the whole body was then marched into town, headed by the band, and dismissed ou their arrival at the Militia Office in Hardy-street. We are confident that no one who wit-

nessed the spectacle of yesterday will quarrel with us for saying that the manner in which the entire force acquitted themselves was in the highest degree creditable, not only to the members of each conipany individually, but also in an especial manner to Captain Lockett and for their various officers. The No. 1. City Rifles showed to far greater advantage than on pre- . vious occasions, though we are at a loss to understand why they were not required to relieve the Cadet Rifles of some portion of the very hard work which devolved upon them, especially in twice scaling the hill, through a thick manuka bush which overtopped their heads. Nevertheless, the youngsters as usual, showed themselves "equal to the occasion," and certainly carried off hy far the largest share of the day's laurels. The Artillery Cadets also did good service, and ably seconded the Wakapuaka Company during the engagement at the corner of the square, which decided the mimic battle. The Armstrong gun was served in a most rapid and — if we may use the expression — artistic style, aud showed that in this particular branch of the service the Wakapuaka Company might bear no unfavourable comparison with the performances which we lately witnessed in the same line by the men of the Brisk. The Waimea-ivest Volunteers, whe seem a fine body of men, acquitted thernsl.ves admirably, and looked particularly well in their scarlet tunics, Prussian grey trousers, and white belts, the latter forming a very agreeable contrast to the ugly brown leather accoutrements of the City Rifles The decided progress manifested by our Provincial Volunteer force on this occasion could not but be highly gratifying to the esprit de corps of every member of the community, and we trust that similar opportunities will be more frequently afforded us of witnessing such interesting displays. The Volunteer Ball in the evening was, truth compels us to add, not a success ; a circumstance which we regret all the more, because it was, we believe, intended that it should form the first of a series of similar entertainments. The causes which contributed to this result may, however, under proper management, be counteracted ou a future occasion, aud we must add that no blame whatever rests with the purveyor of the refreshments, Mr. Cother, who also superintended the general arrangements, for the failure to which we have alluded.