EMPIRE DAY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14689, 25 May 1911, Page 5

EMPIRE DAY.

CELEBRATED BY VETERANS.

Yesterday was Empire Day. The anniversary of the birth of the late Queen Victoria,, once a most popular holiday, was hut weakly observed by the public, only • a few shops being closed in honour of the occasion. The occasion was, nevertheless, marked by a loyal demonstration by , such of the veterans of the wars of the ' ■ past generation as were able to muster in Albert Park. '* Between 50 and 60 men, 'all hearing the honours.not only of the , .stricken field, .bat of grey years, upon them, gathered about the statue of the ' late Queen Victoria. The parade was under the command of Colonel Morrow, Adjutant-Major Grant, and Major Broun, , and Veteran Adam Ayles bore a draped - standard. The ceremony at the park was brief but impressive. Hatless and silent, . the old warriors, upon whose breasts .gleamed memorials of the stirring days they had seen, saluted the memory of the . late Queen, and of her illustrious son, whose reign followed. Then three hearty cheers were given by the veterans and bystanders for King George V., and the \ parade was marched to the Drill Hall, . where luncheon wa6 laid. In the afternoon the veterans marched through the city, the cynosure of all eyes, to accept in person and fact a general invitation to view the winter exhibition of the A. and P. Association.