THE QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XIV, Issue 4852, 5 June 1877, Page 3

THE QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY.

Tin: celebrations held in honor of Her Majesty's Birthday vary in their aspect according to local, or special, or .peculiar local circumstances. In England, " Queen's weather" has almost become a proverb, but there it falls at the opening of the summer season. Here it often arrives on the threshold of winter, with the prognostic veil of

cloud upon the triple peak o£ Kangitoto, aud squalls, as nautical people say, "outside." The 24th May was an exception to the general rule. The day was, notwithstanding that Kangitoto summit was enveloped in premonitory mist, delightful, neither sultry nor chilly, with sufficient warmth and sunshine to tempt people out of doors, and as much wind blowing as to give a thorough appreciation of " fresh air." In old countries people measure the yearly paces of time by a reference to their effect upon one's own industrial powers. The hair is more grey, the limbs less supple, or the animal spirits less pervading. In colonies time is more frequently measured by the passing away o£ old landmarks, customs, or prejudices, the acquisition of new powers and new aspiratious. The city and country around Auckland have advanced rapidly during the last twelve months. The same may be said of the country at larsje. There is one feature which we may refer to with special satisfaction ; this is the completion ef the works connected with the Auckland water supply. The ships in harbovr were all dressed with brilliant bunting of all nations from truck to tafi'rail.

VOLUNTEER EEVIEW. Advantage was taken of the holiday by the Volunteer authorities for the holding of a review at Epsom. In time past it was the custom to hold reviews and sham fights on the anniversary of Her Majesty's birth, and also on the Prince of Wales's birthday. I hen, Volunteering was in high favour with all classes of people, and the strength of the force was much greater than it had been before. For some reason or other, the review and sham fight ceased to be held. The cohesion which had held the various companies together was, thereby, in part dissolved, and a reaction set in. Those persons who had joined for the sake of the uniform, the excitement, and display—and they always form no inconsiderable part—left, and most of the corps degenerated into a collection of shooting clubs. The energy of the oilicera proved successful in reviving some of the old martial spirit, and Major Lusk, anxious to further the work, resolved upon a field day. Accordingly, it was announced, much to the pleasure of the Volunteers themselves, that on the 2-tth of May a general review would take place at Epsom. About 10.30 a. m, they were funned four deep in Wellcsley-strcet, opposite the Park Hotel. Ten rounds of blank cartridge per man was then served out. They inarched off to the inspiriting strains of instrumental music, the whole force being under the command of Major Lusk, who was assisted by Lieut. Chapman, adjutant for the day. May's paddock, Epsom, had been secured for the holding of the review, and thither the warriors directed their march. On arriving there, the force was joined by the .Nixon Light Horse, under Captain A. E. Isaacs; the Pukekohe ilifle Volunteers, under Captain Harris and Drill-In-structor Mowbray ; and the Otahuhu Rifle Volunteers, under Captain Gordon. The whole was then formed into column, arms were piled, and the men dismissed for a quarter of an hour. At the expiration o£ rather more than the stipulaled fifteen minutes, the bugles warned the Volunteers to fall-in. They were formed into column by the left, and wheeled into line, the companies beiDg in the following order : —Right win" : .Nixon light Horse (20 men), uuder Captain Isaacs and V.S. Kinloch; Auckland Battery of Artillery (2 guns and 35 men), under Captain Burns, Lieutenant Payne, and Sub-Lieutenant Norrie; Engineer Company (40 men), under Captain Anderson and Dr. Dawson ; Hobson, Victoria, and No. 3 Companies (in all, 30 men), under Lieutenant Mahon (Victoria) aud SubLicutenant Connolly (Hobson) ; Pukekohe Kitles (20 men), under Captain Harris and Drill-Instructor Mowbray; Otahuhu Rifles (25 men), under Captain Gordon and Lieutenant Hendry; Scottish Company (IS men), under Lieutenant Codling and Sub-Lieu-tenant Home; Naval Brigade (35 men), under Captain Leßoy, Lieutenant Chapman, and Sub-lieutenant Parker. Left right: Engineer Cadets (30 lads), under Captain White and Sub-lieutenant Mears. The tiring of the Royal salute of 21 guns was tlieu°commenced by the Artillerymen. After the 7th round, the 14th round, and the 2lst round, the feu de joie was executed in good time by the infantry. The Engineer and City Band under Bandmaster Impey, the Artillery Band uuder Bandmaster Hunter, and the Victoria Band under Bandmaster Mcuomisn, at the close of each JtU de joii i>l ived the -National Anthem. Three cheers e\ 3 e then called for the Queen, and most enthusiastically given. The wheeling at tho noi its was not performed steadily, the men on he r "ht oi each company failing to pres. rvo their dressing. The Engineer Com- . p u, y did this, and in fact most of the other movements better than any other corps. The Vivils and Artillery are also deserving or muctioii. Tho companies were next dismissed cotheir private parades. THE THAMES. The Queen's birthday was observed as a aeueral holiday at the Thames The \olua- = ~, to the number of 354, assembled, under Major Cooper, commanding, and procledtoTararu, where they went through a sham, neht Ered a feu. de joie in honour o£ : th, occasion and returned to Grahamstown; ; vUhtUo band playing. There they; were , complimented by the commanding oiheer on ~ t.i- display which had taken place. The,. various money prizes won at the several competitions held lately were then but&, and tho companies dossed. There was a large attendance of. spectators.