QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9062, 24 May 1888, Page 5

QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY.

To-day, the anniversary of the birthday of Her Majesty Queen Victoria, will, as usual, be observed as a public holiday in Auckland. The arrangements for the official celebration of the day are not on the usual scale. The great military movements have dwindled down to the firing of a feu de joie and a march past; but military spirit is now on the wane, and the public feeling seems to favour football and outdoor sports suitable to the season. The arrangements made for the day are, however, sufficient to afford amusement for all should the weather prove fine, for in addition to the great return match between the English and Auckland football players there are numerous other outlets for the public. VOLUNTEER PARADE. The first feature of the celebration will, of course, be of a military character. The Garrison , Corps will assemble at nine o'clock, in the paddock at the rear of Government House, to fire the feu de joie, and a march past will also take place. The "A" Battery will muster in the Albert Park at the same hour for the same purpose. The companies during the last week nave been drilling for the occasion, and last night the Engineer Company under Major Anderson, and tho "0" Battery under Captain George, after their usual monthly inspection, went through a course of instruction in the firing of the feu dejoie, and the march past. RIFLE MATCH. The next feature will be the rifle match between 15 of the "A" Battery, and a similar team of the South Franklin Mounted Infantry. This will commence at ten o'clock. The teams will march to the range from the Drill Shed, and the gun detachments of the "A" Battery will follow after the salute. The whole of the members of the battery, including the honorary members, are invited to a luncheon at the range.

FOOTBALL. ENGLAND V. AUCKLAND. THE RETURN MATCH. This afternoon the return match between ' the English football team and the Auckland representative fifteen will be played at l Potter's ground, Epsom. The keen interest manifested in the first match on Saturday lost has been intensified by the good stand that the local men made against their redoubtable opponents, and there are many who believe that at the end of to-day's game the verdict of Saturday's match will be reversed. The English team has not yet been finally chosen, but we are informed that it will be much the same as that previously put in the field, although it is possible that Banks and Thomas may be included in the forwards. The Auckland fifteen has but one change in that T. Brown has been placed among the backs instead of R. Whiteside, while T. O'Connor was chosen captain instead of the same well-known player, whose absence from the field will be regretted by his many friends and admirers. The officials of the game are the same as in Saturday's match, Dr. Smith umpiring for tho Englishmen, Mr. J. Arneil for Auckland, while Mr. T. Macky will again have charge of the referee's whistle. If the weather proves fine, the match is expected to be a bitterly fought contest, the greater opportunities afforded to the Englishmen being considered to be somewhat counterbalanced by the experience gained by the local players concerning their opponents' style of play. The kick-off has been fixed for 2.30 p.m. sharp, and those who wish to occupy good positions for viewing the game will require to be on the ground early, as a great attendance is expected. The Tramway Company have made special arrangements for the conveyance of passengers to and from the ground, having suspended their ordinary time-table to meet the requirements of the anticipated traffic. The first car will leave town at noon, and others will follow at short intervals, in addition to which a line has been put on from Ponsonby to Epsom, the first car leaving the Three Lamps at a quarter to twelve. The teams are to be conveyed to the ground in breaks, and a procession is to start from the Imperial Hotel at half-past one. In regard to the grand stand accommodation at the match this afternoon, a correspondent writes : —Most people will, 1 am sure, see how very impracticable "I.T.L.'s" suggestions are in reference to the grand stand being reserved for ladies. Being on the shady side myself, and not likely to be accompanied by any of the fair sex, I can't see why I should be debarred from a seat in the stand, but to talk of a seat fifteen minutes before a match commences is really too absurd. To wait for such a chance, I venture to think, would be to lose sight of the game altogether. If "I.T.L.'s suggestions were acted upon (but I don't suppose they will) I suppose there would be no limit to the number of gentlemen that one lady might take under her wing. Fancy a grand stand filled with ladies only ! Heavens ! It may not smack of gallantry, but let those first on the ground nave the choice of seats as heretofore.

YACHT RACES. Another attraction for pleasure-seekers to-day will be the annual races of the Auckland Yacht Club, which are to start at nine a.m. from opposite the Queen-street wharf. The races are exciting a large amount of enthusiasm among those interested in aquatics, and a first-class contest is expected if there is an " all-sail " breeze, so that the slower craft may, with their handicaps, be placed more on an equality with those of acknowledged swiftness. Mr. Featherstone has kindly placed his steam - yacht Nautilus at the disposal of the committee, and she will accomfany the competitors during the race, n order that the contest may be finished by midday, it was yesterday decided to shorten the courses, so that those who patronise the races in the forenoon will also bo able to attend at the football match in the afternoon. The following yachts are engaged in the two events that are to bo decided :—First-class Race: Matangi, 13 tons (Stone) ; Maraetea, 7& tons (F. Cramond); Tawera, 6J tons, (J. Wiseman); Winona, 15 tons (H. Whitaker); Maritana, 12 tons (J. V. Bindon); Rita, 13 tons (T. Henderson); Spray, 6| tons (A. Gibbs); Arawa, 7f tons (J. R. Bloomfield). Second-class Race : Mapu, 5| tons (0. B. Waymouth); Ethel, 3£ tons (J. Kinsey); Ariel, 4£ tons (A. Buchanan); Glance, 5 tons (W. Brown). AMUSEMENTS. There are not such an extensive series of amusements to select from this evening, as there have been on some previous Queen's Birthdays. We have one consolation, however, which has not been previously afforded us. Though there is rather a dearth of theatrical and musical entertainments, we have some three or four rinks, where patrons are at liberty to break their necks at the cheap rate of Is. Tho Columbia rink espepecially is sure to be well patronised. Those fond of concerts will find something to their taste at the annual gathering of the Bands of Hope, which will be held in the City Hall, His Worship the Mayor presiding. The dress-circle tickets have nearly all been secured, and there will no doubt be a large attendance. Considerable interest is manifested in the rendering of " exercise and action songs " by some 500 children. Besides this a good programme is promised—the rendering of the French, American, and English national airs promising to be a feature. At the Opera House this evening " Borealis, or the Seaman's Star " will be produced, with incidental songs and dances. As the scenery is new and well painted, and as Captain Parker, of the Navals, has consented to several of the members of the Brigade appearing on the stage in uniform to heighten the effect, there should be a good attendance. A concert will be given to-night at the Catholic Institute, Wellington-street), in aid of St. Patrick's new Presbytery. At the Columbia Rink to-day the Rink will be open to all, and will be kept open till half-past ten. There will be a mile race for boys in the afternoon, and a threemile handicap in the evening at 8.45, to be followed by a polo match by picked teams. At the Eureka Rink, in St. George's Hall, to-night there will be a football match between the following sides :—Red-white-and blue: C. Edmonds (captain), G. Nicholas, T. Edmonds, J. Nicholas, Watson, and Head. Blue-and-white :C. E. Carter (captain), C. Nicholas, J. Edwards, J. Pelhom, F. Edmonds, and G. Gibbs. . .