EMPIRE DAY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12280, 26 May 1903, Page 3

EMPIRE DAY.

Owixc to the anniversary of tie birth of the late Queen Victoria (May 24) falling on Sunday, the citizens of Auckland were invited to observe yesterday as a public holiday, to be known in future throughout the British dominions as "Empire Day." Owing, however, to the close proximity of June 3. which will be observed as a holiday in honour of the Prince of Wales, and the dislocation of business that would necessarily attend the observation as holidays of two days coming so close together, but few of our business firms closed doors, and the holiday-was confined almost solely to the Government offices, law courts, bank and insurance offices, law offices, the Stock Exchange, and the children attending the primary schools in the Auckland educational district. Several leading firms, however, marked the occasion by hoisting flags over their premises, and bunting was also displayed in the AlbertPark, the Municipal Buildings, and the Government offices. The most notable event of the day was the laying of the foundation stone of the Veterans' Home. at the Three Kings Farm, by His Excellency the Governor, Lord Ranfurly, who subsequently entertained a number of the veterans at a luncheon at Government House. At the various public schools in and about Auckland, the pupils attended at the usual hour, and after the roll-call were assembled in the school grounds to participate in the ceremony of marching past and salutincr the national flag. In' several instances addresses pointing out to the little ones the reasons why the day should be observed as a holiday in perpetuation of the memory of our late Queen were delivered, after which three cheers were called for the King, and the children were dismissed from attendance for the remainder of the day. Empire Day was not observed as a general holiday at Onehunga, owing, it is stated, to the fact that Wednesday of next week is to be a public holiday. Empire Day was observed in Te Aroha in accordance with the wishes of the Government. The chairman of the School Committee, the Rev. 0. Abe met by, and the secretary, Mr. W. Hill, attended the ceremony at the school in the morning. The children were addressed by the chairman and the headmaster, a verse of the National Anthem was sung, the flag was saluted, a,nd the remainder of the day observed as a holiday. Most of the business places in the town closed for the whole of the dav.

[ill' TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENTS.] • Pakeoa. Monday. Empire Day was kept a close holiday to-day. all business places being; closed. The school assembled as usual this morning, the members of the School Committee being also present. Tire children saluted the flag, after which Mr. T. E. Corkill gave them an interesting address appropriate to the occasion. After the singing of the National Anthem, the school was dismissed. In the afternoon a hockey match took place between representatives of the clubs of the east and Puke districts. A splendid game ensued, and ended in a draw, neither side scoring. Waiht, Monday. Empire Day was observed here as a close holiday. In the morning, at the public school, the flag was hoisted by Mr. A. H. Benge (headmaster), and saluted by 500 pupils, who afterwards sang " God Save the King." Mr. Benge gave a stirring patriotic address, at the close of which three hearty cheers were given for King Edward VII., the scholars being subsequently dismissed for the day. The majority of Wailii tradesmen are of opinion that there are too many public holidays altogether.

[IIY TELEGRAPH.PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Napier, Monday. Empire Day was observed here as a holiday by the public offices, and most of the mercantile establishments, but the tradespeople kept their shops open. The ceremony of saluting the flag was performed by the school children at all the schools in the district.

Christchurch, Monday. Empire Day was observed as a general holiday, the whole of the tradespeople closing their places of business. This morning the ceremony of saluting the flag was performed in most of the public schools. Dunedin, Monday. Empire Day was not observed as a holiday here, except by the public offices. Most of the schools assembled for the purpose of saluting the flag. The Mayor and members of Parliament visited the various schools.