KING'S BIRTHDAY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20890, 4 June 1931, Page 10

KING'S BIRTHDAY.

OBSERVANCE IN AUCKLAND. ROYAL SALUTES FIRED. RACING AND SPORTS FIXTURES. Tim King's 66t)i Birthday was celebrated in Auckland yesterday when a general holiday was observed. Although rain threatened most of the day, only a few light local showers fell and warm bursts of sunshine added to the pleasure of the largo number of people who spent tho holiday out of doors. Tho occasion was formally observed by tho flying of flags from public buildings. The warships in port were dressed with bunting and salutes were fired by the naval gunners and by tho New Zealand Artillerymen at Fort Cautley. A picturesque touch was lent to tho waterfront by tho liner lonic, which was gay with multi-coloured flags. The principal attraction for holidaymakers was tho opening of the Auckland Racing Club's Winter Meeting at Ellerslie. The Governor-General, Lord Bledisloe, and tho Lady Rledisloo were present and the largo crowd of patrons testified to tho fact that it needs more than a threat of rain to dampen the sporting spirit of tho majority of Aucklanders.

Another function attended by Their Excellencies yesterday was tho luncheon in tho Town Hall extended to the King's Empire Veterans, by tho Auckland City Council on behalf of the community.

The undecided weather outlook in the earlier part, of the day deterred a number of people from travelling very far afield, hut, at the luncheon hour the trams and buses were noticeably well patronised. Special excursion steamers were run to Rangitoto and Waihokc. At the latter place an attraction was provided by motorcycle trials over a course of 150 miles. Many leading riders took part. Outdoor sports fixtures included senior and junior Rugby matches between teams from H.M.S. Diomede and the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve and an Association football match was played between tho Navy and Auckland. At Hamilton the first representative Rugby match of the season was played between Auckland and Waikato. Seven a side hockey tournaments were held at Reinuera and there were fixtures on the golf courses and bowling greens. Last evening a professional boxing match took place in the Town Hall between Archie Hughes, of Australia, ,and Tommy Donovan, of New Plymouth. Special sessions were held at the cinema theatres.