EMPIRE DAY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13494, 22 May 1907, Page 8

EMPIRE DAY.

CELEBRATION ARRANGEMENTS.

Feiday next (Empire Day) will be observed' in Auckland as a genera' holiday, in accordance with the resolution arrived at by the meeting of citizens a few weeks ago. During the past three or four years there lias been a lack of unanimity in regard to Empire Day, some having observed a holiday on that day, whilst others have given ■ the preference to June 3, >as the Prince of Wales'. Birthday. This year, however, there will be a general closing on . May 24.,' The Mayor (Mr. A. M. Myers), by advertisement, requests citizens !to observe the day as a general public holiday, and to specially mark .the occasion by making" a liberal display of bunting. Several of the employers' unions have notified their intention to close. | The public offices, banks, Stock Exchange, legal and insurance offices, will also observe the day as a holiday. ■■-■ ■ '

as a. uuuiwj. ■'--- The principal attraction on Empire Day will include the A. and P. Association's Winter Show at the Drill Hall, the Takapuna Jockey Club's second day's races, and a military tournament will jbe held at Hamilton, ' under the direction of the Second -■■- Regiment -Auckland Mounted Rifles. Other volunteer parades will also be held. .The usual water excursions will take place, and a special time-table will be rim on the railways. In the evening the farewell performance of the Andrew Mack Company will be given at. His Majesty's Theatre,, whilst a special holiday programme will also be submitted at the Opera House. * . , It was suggested to the education boards of the colony that the school children should assemble at their respective schools on Empire Day, and go through the ceremony of saluting the" flag. The Auckland Board has decided that as this would be inconvenient , for children residing long distances from schools, the teachers shall be at liberty to hold the ceremony, on the day preceding or the day ; following -Empire. Day. On this occasion the ceremony will, no doubt, take place in the majority, of "cases ' to-morrow. The flags; will be flown at the schools during Empire Day. - '-• A WANGANUI DECISION. [BY telegraph.-- ASSOCIATION.] ';-.■.'""■ Wanganui, Tuesday. The Employers' Association at the annual uieeting to-day decided to observe the Prince of Wales' Birthday as a holiday instead of Empire Day. It was further decided to adhere to this decision pending the substitution by the Arbitration Court of Empire Day for %e Prince of Wales Birthday as a statutory holiday.