THE DEBATABLE JUBILEE.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 933, 17 January 1890, Page 23

THE DEBATABLE JUBILEE.

(per press association.) Auckland, January 14. Apropos of the controversy relative to the propor Anniversary Day of the Colony, Mr Williamson, Crown Prosecutor, contributes some valuable information. He says if the observance of the 29th in Auckland is traced to its source it will be found tjiat that date was fixed and imposed on us by the Government of the Colony, and is not therefore in any sense claimed by Auckland people or the Auckland district as the anniversary of this particular -portion of the Colony. In tho New Zealand Gazette 0U1842, page 16, the following notice appears:—“ Saturday, 29th instant, being the second anniversary of the establishment of the Colony, his Excellency the Governor has been pleased to direct that day to be held as a general holiday, on which occasion the public offices will be closed. —By his Excellency’s command.—(Signed) Willowby Shortland. — Colonial Secretary’s Office, Auckland, January 27th, 1542.” —A similar notice appears iu the Gazette of 1847, and in others of the early Gazettes. If further proof is required, it is to be found in the fact that in the -.Supreme Court Buies of 1544, 29th January, amongst other days, was appointed one of the public holidays of the Court as ** being the day of the proclamation of the Queen’s Sovereignty over these islands.”