TO DAY’S HOLIDAY.

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 9139, 10 November 1890, Page 2

TO DAY’S HOLIDAY.

The first public holiday of the season takes ' place to day, when loyal subjects coaae work in honour of the 49th birthday cf his Royal : Highness the Prince of Wale?. The most important factor iu the day*j proceedings : will bo the weather. The elements have not been all that ooald be desired for holidaymaking during the past week, and at an early hour this morning the prospects of a fine day are not very brillhnt. A smart breeze has been blowing since midnight, the barometer has a slight downward tendency and rain clouds are scudding overhead. There is yet time before sunrise for the weather to clear up, but the chances are decidedly against it. The amusements for holidaymakers are varied. Those of a sporting turn of mind will enjoy a trip to Porirua, where some excellent racing is expected. The ordinary timetable on the Manawatu line is suspended to-day and a special service of trains is arranged, full partioulars of which appear in another column.

At the Hutfc Park a grand military tournament will take place. This exhibition of military skill is a decided novelty to Wellington, and should the day prove fine will be very attractive. An extensive and excellent programme has been arranged. Representatives of all the local Volunteer companies will be present in addition to the Rangitikei Cavalry, the Ashburton Rifles, and a detachment of bine jackets and marines from H.M.S. Curagoa. Trains will leave town for the Hutt racecourse at 9.15, 9.45, 10.10, 10.45, 12 a.m., and at 1,15 p m. The return trains will leave the course at 4.55 and 610 p.m. The sports will commence punctually at 11 a.m. In town the principal event will be the 'Fire Brigade Demonstration on Jervois quay, near the Queen’s wharf. The Columbia Rink puts forth extra attractions to day. There wi lbe a morning session from 10 to 12, another in the after* noon from 2,30 till 5, and iu the evening there will bo a two mile handicap race for a ladies’ gold bracelet, a hoop race, and a costume polo match. The Columbia baud will be in attendance.

In the evening at the Opera House Mr J. L. Toole will appear in two of his most famous impersonations, Caleb Plummer (hia original character) in Dion Boucicault’s dramatisation of Charles Dickens’ beautiful work “Dot; or, The Cricket on the Health;” and as Simmons, his original character in the drama 4, The Weavers.”