THE QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 691, 29 May 1885, Page 21

THE QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY.

Sunday was the sixty-sixth anniversary of the birthday of Her Majesty the Queen, who was born on the 24th of May, 1819. Reference was made to the anniversary of the Queen’s birthday in several of the churches, and the national anthem was played morning and evening. At St Peter’s Church the bells were rung at 8 o’clock in the 1 morning and after the evening service in honor of the event. Archdeacon Stock preached a sermon suitable to the occasion, in which he alluded to the coincidence between the Queen’s Birthday and| Whit Sunday falling upon the same day. He rejoiced in the excellence of her law, her strict justice, and the greatness of her Empire. He referred to the high personal character of the Queen, which was in direct contrast to that of some of her predecessors. Her household had always been a pattern for every other English household, and every public duty' had been well and faithfully performed. Sorrow fell upon her at an early date through the loss of her husband, whose last act was the writing of a memorandum which had averted war between England and America. A blessing had been upon her rule, since 1537. New Zealand was not then a colony ; Sydney and Melbourne were comparatively small places. Never at any time had there been a greater effort to make known God’s truth throughout the world, and to find out and relieve the miseries of the. poor. The Russians spoke of the wonderful luck that followed all the undertakings of England; we called it God’s blessing. Reference was made to the present crisis with Russia, the loyalty of the Australian Colonies, and the lamented death of the late General Gordon. At St. John’s Presbyterian Church, the Rev Mr Paterson offered up a special prayer that the Queen might be long spared, and that she might be given grace to spread her benign influence over all her subjects. The rev gentleman said we had cause to be thankful that we had such a Christian Queen and mother r.eigning over us. The lesson was particularly appropriate, being taken from I. Timothy, ii. I—6,1 —6, wherein St. Paul exhorts Timothy to offer up prayers and supplications for Rings and for all that are in authority. At the Wesley Church, Taranaki-street, there were special prayer and thanksgiving for the virtues so long conspicuous in Her Majesty's reign. The sixty-sixth anniversary of Her Majesty’s birthday was celebrated in a very loyal manner on Monday, and a general holiday was observed. The day was very fine, the sun was as warm and genial as could have been desired, and holiday-makers had a pleasant time of it. Early in the morning the uniforms of the Volunteers were observable, and at 10 a.m. a general parade took place on the reclaimed land near the Railway Station. Over 280 Volunteers were present, Major Butts, District Adjutant, being in command. Three to four thousand people must have been present. The Artillery, with four 6-pouuder guns, fired a Royal salute of 21 guns, three rounds being fired by the other corps as a feu-de-joie, while the Garrison Band played “God save the QueeD.” After the firing, Major Butts called for three cheers for Her Majesty, which were heartily given. The order was then given to pile arms, and the men were told to be in readiness at 11.30 to proceed by train to the Hutt, where the review was to be held. Meantime the officers proceeded to Government House to attend THE LEVEE, which was to be held by His Excellency the Governor in honor of the occasion. The admixture of the officers’ uniforms wih the sombre evening dress of the civilians who went to pay their respects to Her Majesty’s representative had quite a pleasing effect. The following is tire list' of those who had the privilege of private entree : —The Chief Justice, Hons R. Stout, Sir Julius Vogel, K.C.M.G., Hous E. RichardsoD, G.M.G., J. Ballance, J. A. Tole, P. A, Buckley, W. J. Larnach, G.M.G. ; Judges Johnston, Richmond, Gillies, Williams ; Hons Sir William Fitzherbert, K.C.M.G, A. d« Bathe Brandon, M. S. Giace, R. Hart, J. Johnston, G. R. Johnson, J. Martin, W. Mantel], W i Tako Ngatata, Colonel Sir G. Whitmore, K.C.M.G. ; Captain H. S. Eitzherbert, Captain G. Beetham, W. C. Buchanan, G. Fisher, C. J. Johnston, j* . K. Newman, M.H.R.’s ; F. Goring, Major Campbell, L. Stowe, G. S. Cooper, Dr. Grabham, C. J. A. Haselden, Captain Hume, W. S. Reid, C. Y. O’Conor, J. Blackett, J. P. Maxwell, J. C. Gavin, R. C. Hamert n, J. Spen-ey, J. E. Fitz Gerald, C.M.G. ; G. T. Batkin, Dr. Lemuo, W. Gray, W. fceed, T. W. Lewie, Lieutenant-Colonel Reader, J. McKerrow, H . J. H. Elliott, Dr Hislop, Rev J. Hahena, W, 11. E. Brown, Dr Hector, C.M.G., Captain Edwin, K.N., D, M. Luckie, G. B. Davy, Captain Hewett, R.N., Major Butts, Bishop Hadfield, Episcopalian Bishop of Wellington, Rev Father Macnamara, Roman Catholic Administrator of the Diocese, Ven Archdeacon Stock, Rev J. Paterson, Rev W. C. Oliver, Rev H. Van Staveren, O. J. Toxward, F. A. Krull, W. H.Leviu, J. R. George.

The following is the general list Lieut. W. Pluckett-Cole, C. E. Lloyd, Dr A. Mahon, G. Oaltis, J. Dransfield, Rev W. G. Oliver, Captain G. V. Shannon, Dr W. E. Collins, H. Rote, Wharton, Captain McCredie, C. Rous Marten, J. H. Bethuue, Major Crowe, E. W. Mills, Kennedy, A. Young, W. Mitchell, G. Allport, Dr Henry, H. Hail, E. G. Jellicoe, A. VV. Leckie, J. E. Nathan, H. R. Glegg, Dr W. B. Tripe, W. G. Browne, J. Jack, F. Allen, W. R. S. Moorhouse, K, Wilson, T. E. Tolhurst, G. S. Graham, H. Howorth, E. J. Hunter, G. VV. Janisch, A. de B. Brandon, juu., J. Nancarrow, R. C. Shearman, Dr W. Bell, F. Bond, W. R. Perston, Lieutenant R. B. Wallace, S. Kobo, C. P. Pyneent, N. W. Werry, Dr T. Cahill, J. Swift, M. ChapmaD, C. E. Zolirab, Dr Hutchinson, L. H. B. Wilson, C. D. Barraud, Major P. Monaghan, Rev John Still, Rev H. tV. Sc Hill, Surgeon Gillon, H. Blundell, J. Mackay, J. E. Smith, A. Koch, Commander C. Horne, R.N., J. Tait, W. G. Thistle, C. B. Kuorpp, R. J. S. Todd, J. G. Fox, J. F. Hume, C. C. N. Barron, C. J. Cooper, J. Rees George, Captain L. W . Loveday, J. Sexton, D. Lewis, G. A. Kennedy, R. M. Simpson,' J. Jav, H. J.Knowles, F. A. Kebbeil, F. Bull, J. W. A. Marchant, J. Duncan, Lieutenant R. J. Collins, G E. F. Schullze, E. J. Reid, F. E, Brittain, F. Stevens, L. J. Nathan, L. W. D’Arcy Irvine, H. Pollen, J. B. Harcourt, Lieut, C. E. Taj ton, J. Moore, D. Lewis, Lieut. J. Coogan, T. Bennett, W. Barton, J. P. McAlister, L. H. B. Wilson. P. Mclntyre, E, R. C. Bowen, W. Dawson, Rev A. Daeent, H. S. McKellar, E. G. Leviuge, M. 8.,

Captain Gascoigne, A. Macdougall, J, P. Kennedy, E, B. Brown, G. Dransfield, S. B. Ludbrook, A. |E. Manaford, H. P. Higginson, J. T. Hart, G. St. Birbe, M. Cohen, J. E. Steele, E. W. Morrah, J. Moore, A. D. Sommerville, T. M'Kenzie, J. S. Reid, J. O. Small, J. S. M. Thompson, J. Studholme, J. R. Blair, Captain S. C. Anderson, J. H. Wallace, H. A. VV. M’Kenzie, Dr. T. Cahill, Rev T. Eancourt, W. T. Wheeler, J. R. Gibbons. THE REVIEW. The train conveying the Volunteers started at noon, and was a very long one, twentyseven carriages being attached. The stewards of the Wellington Racing Club placed the branch railway, course, grand-stand, and booths at the disposal of the Volunteers and public. The stand was well patronised during the day by a large number of ladies and children, who appeared to thoroughly appreciate the privilege. It was a matter of surprise that none of the confectioners in Wellington or the Hntt availed themselves of the privilege granted by the Racing Club to make use of the booth without charge. Had they done so, they would have done a brisk business. At a quarter to 1 o’clock the order to fall in was sounded, and the following corps mustered : Wellington Navals.—Captain Johnston and Lieutenant Wallace ; 60 rank and file. City Rifles.—Major Crowe, Lieutenant Collins (attached, Lieutenant Cole, of the Newtown Rifles); 57 rank and file. Wellington Guards.—Captain Loveday, Lieutenants Tayton and Coogan ; 50 rank and file. Wellington Rifles.—Lieutenants Steele and Tait ; 41 rank and file. D. Battery of Artillery. C iptaiu McCredie ; 40 rank and file ; four 6 pounders. Heretatjnga Light Hor3e.—Lieutenants Izard and Pringle ; 44 troopers. Garrison Band.—Bandmaster Cemino and 24 bandsmen. Major Butts was in command, having for his aid-de-camp Captain Fitzherbert, of the Petoue Navals. All the infantry movements were under the direction of Staff SergeantMajor Bell, and the artillery under that of Staff Sergeant-Major Hyde, who were indefatigable in the discharge of their duties. Twenty rounds of ammunition were served out to each man, and ten rounds to each of the 3ix-pounders. The troops were put through various evolutions for the space of three hours and a half, and as the ground was rather sloppy, it was a good test of their endurance. The march past the stand was very creditable, the Navals more l especially exciting admiration for their admirable time and "general bearing. The . ambulance stretcher, with two boys in the costume of the corps lyiDg on it, wa3 a novel feature, and “ Boatswain," the retriever dog belonging to the corps, with his blue sailor collar, went through every movement. The HeretauDga Light Horse, considering the short time since the formation of the troop, behaved very well indeed, and their horses, though not much to look at, showed that some trouble had been taken by their owners. The Artillery, Guards, Rifles, and City Rifles also acquitted themselves satisfactorily ; but the patience of all was sorely tried in the march past the Btand, -as they-had to wade half-a-dozen times ankle deep through thick slimy mud—an inconvenience for which there was not much necessity. The following is the programme which had been prepared :—Battalion in line at open order; general salute ; quartercolumn by the right on No. 1 ; march past in column and quarter-column twice ; wheel to the left twice ; line to the left on the rear company ; manual firing and sword exercise ; retire in line, halt and front ; advance in ecbellon from the right ; halt and form companies square ; prepare for cavalry, right and front faces ; fire two volleys ; re-form companies, and form line on leading company ; from the right prepare for cavalry (two volleys); retire in fours from the right of companies ; front turn, form square, prepare for cavalry, re-form column ; quarter-column on leading company ; advance and wheel to the left ; deploy to left ; volley firing till ammunition is expended ; advance in review order ; quarter-column on No. 1. The various movements were well executed, and the firing was in marked contrast to that on the reclaimed laud earlier in the day. The charges of the cavalry were vigorous, and the retreats, with a few exceptions, cleverly executed ; whilst the guuners belonging to Artillery appeared well up to their work. At a quarter past 4 o’clock the order to pile arms was given ; the order to fall-in was sounded at a quarter to 5 ; aud the train returned to town at 5.30. There was scarcely a drunkard to be seen duriug the day, and no accident of any kind occurred.