LABOUR DAY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11781, 10 October 1901, Page 5

LABOUR DAY.

Yesterday was Labour Day, but beyond the closing of the Government offices in tho city and the adjournment of the sitting of the Police Court at an early hour in the forenoon, nothing was done in Auckland to celebrate the occasion. In the South, and particularly Wellington, the workers observe the day as a holiday, and demonstrations are usually held, but in Auckland for years past there has been practically no observance, and work goes on as usual. SOUTH DEMONSTRATIONS. [by TELEGRAPH.PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Wellington, Wednesday.

Neither in point of numbers nor of effectiveness of display did to-day's demonstration compare favourably with several of its predecessors. With one or two exceptions the exhibits in the procession seemed lacking in originality, and many showed signs of hasty preparation. The interest of the trades themselves in their annual carnival seemed hardly so great as before, the spectators being not nearly so numerous as on former occasions. The prize for the best working trade display was won by the bootmakers, with the corporation employees second, and the hairdressers third. The Labour Demonstration Sports were held on the Basin Reserve. H. Payne, of Wellington, won the principal event with 11 points, being first in the 220 yds, and second in the 440 yds and 880 yds' handicaps. Payne won the handicap last year, and the Bland Holt cup presented in 1893 therefore becomes his property. Ciiristciitrcii, Wednesday. There was fine weather but a strong nor'wester for Labour Day. A procession and sports were arranged and the day was generally observed as a holiday. The procession excited much interest, and the spoils at Lancaster Park were well attended. The chief new feature of the procession were the exhibits by the Salvation Army. A number of prizes were given. That for the best working trade and labour display was won by the Bakers' Union, with tinsmiths and coppersmiths second. In the best completed trade display the Salvation Army was first, and the carpenters second. In the most novel or interesting display the Salvation Army was also first, and the Tinsmiths' Union second.

Dtjnkdin, Wednesday. The principal attractions to-day were racing at Wingatui, and the Labour Day demonstration and sports at the Caledonian Grounds. The procession took ten minutes to pass a given point. The bakers, saddlers, and furniture trades made a good display.