THE HOLIDAY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10596, 10 November 1897, Page 5

THE HOLIDAY.

The early hours of yesterday morning did not, from a weather point of view, look very inviting for the holiday.'; But shortly tar daylight the skies cleared, and ' though thoro ; was a coolish wind'throughout the day yet this did nob interfere with comfort; in fact the day was a very pleasant one, and thousands ''thronged out of town 'to the Various'points favoured ' by. picnic parties and pleasure seekers. There wits a very large attendance at the Ellerslie races. The' flagstaff and' yards in the Albert ' Park, .the shipping in the harbour, and various public and other buildings were decked with bunting in honour of the day being the anniversary of the birth of H.R.H. the Prince of Wiles.< v • vr* '

WATER EXCURSIONS. ' • ■ : All the steamors which left for the various bays in and around the harbour yesterday, were very liberally patronised, the steamers in almost every case being 'crowded.'V The Northern Company's steamers' Clansman, for Waiheke, and the Wellington for Waiwera, had full complements.Thp Kiaora, for Pu tiki Bay, was well filled. ', Three of the Devonport Ferry Company's steamers ran to and from Lake Takapuna during the day, arid. had' large crowds 'on each trip. Rangitoto came in for a good share of attention, the steamers leaving for the island being well patronised. The Admiral and Hirere ran to Pine Island,'and the Vivid to Riverhoad. The St. Heliers Bay steamers, and (be, Beatrice and Planet to Motutapu and the fishing grounds, were fairly patronised. The Devonport Ferry Company's steamers ran a quick' service to Devonport, Northcotp, and Birkenhead during the day. Just before dark the steamers returned, landing the excursionists in'time to catch the trams and omnibuses. ;' The Pitt-street Wesleyan Sunday-school hold their annual picnic at Motuihi yesterday, the excursionists, consisting of the scholars, teachers, and friends, numbering about 450. The p.s. Eagle was chartered for the purpose, and the opportunity of paying a visit to this beautiful island was readily availed of by a very large number. Tho'day was very happily spent, and the return journey was accomplished in good time and without the occurrence of a mishap to mar the pleasure of the day. Everyone expressed themselves as being well satisfied and pleased with the outing. THAMES. [by telegraph,-own correspondent.] Thames, Tuesday. , Excellent weather prevailed here to-day, for the holiday.'' Locally, there were no attractions in the way of sports, but the Foresters' excursion to Coromandel, per p.s. Torrnnoru, was largely patronised, and a goodly number also availed themselves of the'low fares' per the p.s. Wakaterefor a trip 'to Auckland. '

WELLINGTON. THE PREMIER ON THE EIGHT ■J ' HOUBS QUESTION. [by telegraph.— ASSOCIATION.] Wellington, Tuesday. Tlio ffoathor in the early part of the day was almost perfect for the holiday, but in the afternoon a strong north-westerly wind made things rather unpleasant. There was a large exodus to the country by rail, and several thousand people went on a harbour excursion to Day's Bay, tho now stoanier Duchess being particularly ' well patronised. " The Eight Honrs Union sports, which constituted tho chief attraction in the city, were 'attended by about 5000 peoplo! J. Fitzpatrick won the Demonstration Handicap, and R. B. \Vilkinß the Bicycle Handicap.' The sports wero preceded by a small procession through the city. Mr. Seddon addressed the gathering on tho Basin Reserve.' He said, from the position he held it was not for him to express an opinion one way or another upon the Home engineering question, but ho would like to see the workers at' Home enjoying tho same boon as did those in New Zoaland. There had been some opposition to the Eight flours' Bill, but they woro gradually overcoming, the objections, and lie thought that at any rate the/ should affirm the principle at'least. As to the matter of oveitimo, Mr. Scddon was satisfied it should be paid for at the rate of time and a-half. He hoped that some day a Minister of the Crown would be able to announce at the eight hours demonstration that a complete Eight Hours Bill had found a place on the Statute Book. ... TIMARU. " [BY telegraph.—prkss association,] ■ Timaru; Tuesday, The holiday passed off well in fine but windy weather. ~ The South , Canterbury Volunteers had a field day. Captain Dolman, of the Aehburton Rifles, aided by 'cyclist scouts, had to discover and attack the enemy's camp in rough country unknown to him. Very satisfactory work was done. Sunday-school picnics by train and many private ones in all directions by road were hold. The town was almost deserted. DUNEDIN. I [BY TELKUROPII.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.) , i,, Dunkdin, Tuesday. ' Holiday was duly observod in {own. The weather was threatening, and a shower fell lato in the afternoon. " The only attractiori near town was the sham fight, by the volunteers, in camp,' in ' which the ," B" Battery, supposed to have landed from' a ship, was defeated. ■

SYDNEY. Press Association.Electric Telegraph,--Copyright. Sydney, November 9. i Magnificent weather prevailed for the holiday, and the usual resorts were crowded. The, Batman] regatta, the eight hours sports, the military tournament, and the cricket match were the chief attractions.