TO-DAY'S HOLIDAY".

New Zealand Herald, Volume XV, Issue 5302, 13 November 1878, Page 2

TO-DAY'S HOLIDAY".

To-day will be observed as a public holiday in this district, in lieu of that which in the ordinary state of affairs would have taken place on the 9th inst., the anniversary of tho birthday of the Prince of Wales. There were two reasons for the change. The 9th fell on Saturday, a most inconvenient day for a public holiday. Instead of holding it oa Monday it was represented to the governing bodies that as Wednesday was the day set apart for the Agricultural and Pastoral Association's Exhibition, the holiday could well be postponed until that date, and representations to that effect having been made, the Government issued a proclamation to that effect, appointing to-day, the 13th inst., a public holiday. Some disappointment was felt amongst tho Volunteers and others at the alteration, but on the whole, we believe, the public generally will coincide in the idea that the change was a judicious one nnder the circumstances. The principal attraction of the holiday will doubtless be the Cattle, Agricultural, and Horticultural Exhibition, to be held at Ellerslie under the auspices of the Auckland Agricultural and Pastoral Association. Tho - committee of management is a good and influential one, and judging by the catalogue, they appear to have exerted themselves to some purpose for the success of the exhibition. The entries in each section are large, and if all tho entries are represented on the ground, the show should be one of the best ever held in Auckland. One of the new rules has had the effect of making a considerable change in the catalogue as compared with former ones. We allude to tho rule which makes it necessary for each exhibitor to send in the price at which he would sell hi 3 exkibit at the time the entry is made. Opposite all the cattle, horses, &c., entered is the price at which each animal or article can be bought, whether it may be a prize-taker or not. This change is a useful one, and may be taken advantage of to-day. There is a fair number of entries for local manufactures and produce; but the entries for the Flower Show are not nearly so numerous as we could have wished. The exhibitors are also few ; but this defect may be remedied in future years. There are in all 713 entries catalogued.

Iu the afternoon, at half-past three o'clock, the annual dinner of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association will be given in the hall, on at which Dr. Campbell will preside.

The foot-races and sports, arranged under the auspices of the Tradesmen's Athletic Club, will also draw numbers ta Ellerslie.

Then those who hare no taste in either of those directions have the Ellerslie Gardens, with their bowers of roses and perfumed, amosphere, and the swings, merry-go-rounds, and other children's anil youths' amusements to attract them. On the whole, it may safely be concluded that should the weather prove auspicious, as there 13 every reason to believe it will, to-day's holiday should be a thoroughly enjoyable one for all sorts and conditions of men, and women too.