THE QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY.

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 9321, 16 June 1891, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY.

Many were the anxious glances directed to the dark rain clouds which seemed to gather from all poitus over the city on Monday morning. Rain had fallen before the day broke, and the great masses of mist across the ranges seemed to foretell wet weather for the last public holiday of the season. At 9 o’clock there was a feeling of indecision in the weather ; first it would and then is would not rain. Shortly before 10 o’clock a few drops here and there scared the timid-minded, but as the day wore on the mist dispersed, and the sun made a gallant struggle to break through, but at no time of the day could tho heat be considered intemperate. In the afternoon the spare patches of blue sky increased, and what must be classed as typical Queen’s weather followed. The day was simply perfect for a holiday, almost a dead calm, with a mild temperature, holiday makers were highly favoured. Wellington kept a close holiday. Fruiterers, confectioners, and tobacconists were about the only people who did not close. The city proper was early deserted, one great crowd wending its way Thorndonward to witness the tree planting on the Esplanade, others en route for up-country resorts. A good number made their way to Lowry aud Days Bays, while a fair contingent followed the fortunes of our civic troops, and dotted the hills around Kilbirnie with scores of pleasant picnic parlies. The details of the various events will be found below. With an absence of serious accidents, and the favorable weather the Queen’s Birthday celebration of 1891 will long be remembered as a most enjoyable holiday. ARBOR DAY. Mr Woodward, the originator of the treeplanting on the Thorndon Esplanade, must have been greatly pleased on Monday at the ultimate success of his labours. Though the school children did not march down, or take part in the procession, there were numbers present on the Esplanade, acd most of them were given a tree to plant. The procession started from the corner of Willis and Manner streets, tho engines of the Municipal Fire Brigade taking the lead, and these were followed by a very large number of citizens. By the time the procession reached the Thorndon reclamation, there must have been about 4000 persons, and this number was considerably increased by 11 o’clock. The ceremony of planting tho first tree an English oak was performed by Mrs A. W. Brown, wife of the Mayor. The tree, which is about three feet high, was planted on tbe southern side of the bandstand, and his Worship the Mayor planted another oak immediately opposite, on tho northern side of the Bandstand. After Mrs Brown had “ well and truly " planted the first tree, Councillor Anderson in a few words referred to the scarcity of trees in and about Wellington, and hoped that there would shortly be another “ Arbor Day.” Mr A. W. Brown, the Mayor, after ho had planted his tree, said Mr Woodward was deserving of very great praise for the trouble he had taken in connection with Arbor Day, and asked those present to give him three cheers. This having been done, the treeplanting began in real earnest, and it was not till close on dark that the shrubs and trees had been properly planted. The following Natives took part in the proceedings Rangiwhaia Te Puni, Hooiana Te Puni, Wiremu Te Puni, Nopera Te Puni, Etna Te Puni, Tama Te Puni, Aiwa Te Puni, Paati Matene, Te Hau Eruwine, Raumati Melhana, Matene Warena, Hohua Warena, Pou Tawera, Tabata, Tamati Te Wera, Hana Awhetu, Went Te Teira, J. Gage, and several chiefs from Gisborne and Taupo. The Natives planted about 250 trees and shrubs. A collection was made, and the amount taken was Ll 4 2s. THE MILITARY CELEBRATION, One of the chief sources of attraction was the military parade aud subsequent sham fight, CEREMONIAL PARADE. At 9 o'clock tbe bugle call warned the Volunteers to assemble, a-.d tba various corps turned out with commendable promptitude at the appointed place of rendezvous, in rear of the Opera House, where a large crowd of the public had already assembled to witness the display. By 9.30 a.m. the parade was formed up column by the left, the attendance being as follows : Wellington Naval Artillery, 60, under Captain Duncan ; D Battery Artillery, 30, under Captain Moorhouse ; Wellington City Rifles, 59, under Captain Collins; Wellington Guards, 45, under Captain Patterson ; Wellington Rifles. 42, under Captain Hobday; Heretaunga Mounted Infantry. 43, under Captain Loveday ; Wellington Garrison Band, 21, under Bandmaster Herd ; Wellington Garrison Bugle Band, 16, under Bugler Aisher. Major Newall. who was accompanied by Major McCredie,’ Captain Shand (Victorian Volunteers), and Lieutenant Tegner, at once assumed command, and no time was lost. The The corps formed into line and the feu de joie was fired. The royal salute followed, and, on the call of Major Newall, the troops gave three cheers for Her Majesty, the crowd generally taking up the echo. This part of the day’s proceeding having been disposed of, orders were at once given to the various corps to move off and take np the respective positions assigned to them for THE DEFENCE OP WELLINGTON. The plan of operations for the day was arranged by Major Newall with the officers commrndiag corps, so that each one having a responsible charge became aware of the object of the field day. The i lea was to illustrate in a general wav dispositions which might be made by the Volunteers either under cover of night or at early dawn in anticipation of a daylight frontal and flank attack on the citj r , while the more direct object of ihe day's work was to affoid ach and every man practice in outpost duty. At the last moment it was considered advisable to send out a party of the Permanent Artillery as an enemy, with carte blanche to land where they thought fit [and to make their way for the city if not interrupted by the defenders. Each man was served out with 20 rounds blank ammunition, after which tbe defenders moved off. WITH THE DEFENDERS. The various infantry corps proceeded to Newtown by tram, while the Heretaunga Mounted Infantry, under Captain Lovrsday, started for tbe scene of action. Meanwhile the Wellington Naval Artillery, under Captain Duncan, having manned their boats, left for Shelly Bay to work the guns at Fort Ballance. The Petone Navals having left eufficient men to man the batteries at Kaiwarrs, proceeded by their boxtsto Shelly Bay, sending a detachment to man the guns «t Kau Point, the remainder of the battery being employed at the mine fields under Lieutenant Kirk. On arrival tho Mounted Infantry Newtown, Captain Loveday sent his right division in the direction of Chico Bay to reconnoitre the southern coast line from that point eastward to Lyell Bay, leaving points of observational intervals. The left half division was detached to Kilbirnie, from whence they threw forward scouting parties, and placed points of observation to the signal station and the high ground towards Lyell Bay; also between the Signal Station and the crest cf the bill overlooking Worser Bay and the Pilot Station. These dispositions were smartly made* and done much to screen the advance of the field guns and the Infantry. In the meantime the Infantry having detrained at Newtown, at once proceeded towards the Peninsula “left in front,’’ Captain Patterson throwing out an advance I guard from the Guards, while the City Rifles, who were detailed for the right defence, formed the rear guard. Arriving unopposed at the head of Evans Bay the City Rifles turned to the right, the remainder of the Infantry with guns proceeding on the Peninsula. The City Rifles as soon as they left tbe main body continued their march towards Lyall Bay, Captain Collins extending bis men and throwing out scouts as he advanced across the isthmus, which abounded with cover, and as the sand hills loomed up in the distance a keen look out was kept for the enemy, who it was anticipated would land about Lyell Bay. No trace of them was seen, and tbe skirmishers reached the beach without any foe more than a frightened bare or rabbit, who fled as the men approached. Captain Collins selected hia position, and having placed § us pickets and sentries returned with hia reserve to the rising ground near the targets. The march of the Guards and Web

lington Rifles was continued over easy country under a pleasant clouded sky as far as Crawford’s station, where a disposition of the forces was made, the Wellington Rifles, under Cap* tain Hobday, turned to the right, and extend* ing his men as ho adyanced reached the position assigned to him without any incident. The numerous peaks afforded him splendid posts for his sentries and pickets, of which hs took advantage, while his reserve was placed near the Chinaman's garden. The Guards, who bad the heaviest march of the day to perform, continued their route till they reached the crest of the hill overlooking Worser Bay, they now moved northwards in the direction of Mount Crawford, posting sentries and pickets at nil points of vantage, the reserve of the Guards manning the redoubt at Mount Crawford to protect the rear of the guns in position below them. The Artillery, under Captain Moorhouse, posted one gun on the hill at the back of the targets, and another on the rise at the south side of Mr Crawford’s house; while away to the left a gun was most skilfully posted for the purpose of defending the valley. Such was the disposition of the forces for the day, and though no enemy appeared, some excellent work was done, besides gaining the knowledge of the country they have to defend. If Lyell Bay were chosen for the enemy, they would have uiefc with a warm reception from the City Rifles, who, it even driven back to Kilbirnie, need not suffer much loss, while a stubborn stand could be made on the hills surrounding the village. Assuming he desired to seize a position in rear of the forts, he would be exposed to a flank fire on his right from the Wellington Rifles until he meets the Guards on his immediate front. Should he choose the eastern shore of Evans Bay he would be effectively entrapped and at our mercy, or should he attempt an entrance by the harbour to attack the city, it only becomes a question of time whether he would become the prey of the torpedo boats, the mines or the guns, all of which were eager to claim him as their own. The work throughout the day was executed by all ranks in a manner deserving of highest praise, and the work on a whole was satisfactory, the men working cheerfully throughout, and the knowledge acquired of the country was in itself sufficient to repay officers and men fjr devoting the holiday to a field day. Major Newall was well pleased and did not fail to commend where commendation was due. The guns were smartly handled by the Navals, showing that their training has not been neglected. The field mine work by the Pefone Navals was successfully carried out under Lieutenant Kirk, while the knowledge of outpost duty displayed by the Infantry officers was pleasing to observe. The disposition by Captain Collins of his force at Lyell Bay, the selection of points of vantage by Captain Holliday, and the posting of the Guards by Captain Patterson, were all admirably dono; while Captain Loveday, with his Mounted Infantry were most useful as scouts. WITH THE ENEiIY. The Government steamer Hinemoa, under command of Captain Fairchild, left Wellington with a detachment of the Permanent Militia (under Lieutenant Hume) on Sunday, and steamed as far as Worser Bay. She left on Monday morning, and landed Lieutenant Hume and 38 of the detachment at Palliser Bay at 5 a.m. The enemy then marched overland to Wainui-o mata, and very rough travelling they found it. On reaching Wainui they took possession of the telephone station, after which they had breakfast The meal over, they continued their march, and arrived at Lowry Bay at 2 o'clock. Here also they took possession of the telephone station, thus cutting off all means of communication with the city. Daring the afternoon they captured the steamer Mana, and came over to Wellington, landing about 5 p.ra. They came up the Wharf at the double, meeting with no resistance, and captured the whole of the banks and the Post Office. The enemy therefore claim a decided victory.

THE PARNELL MEMORIAL ELECTRIC LIGHT CARNIVAL.

The main streets of the city were crowded as early as rix o’clock in the evening, in anticipation of the procession, which had been arranged \o inaugurate the Parnell Memorial celebration at the Basin Reserve, where an electric light carnival was to be the attraction. The procession started from behind the Government Buildings, having formed up there under [Mr F. C. Millar (marshal), and traversed Lambton quay, Manners street, Cuba street, and along Cambridge Tet race to the Basin Reserve. At the head of the procession, rode Mr F. C. Millar (marshal), wearing his scarf of office, and he was closely followed by members of the Shipwrights* Union, behind them being Jenkins’ Band. The next in order were the Fire Brigade—a well disciplined body of men—with an engine,’ ladder carriage and hose reels, while closely following on their heels, were the Boutmakers', Boilermakers’j .and Painters’ Unions. The Kaiwarra Band came next in order, and the rear of the profession was brought up by a gaily decorated car, in which were some dozen or so of Chinese playing musical instruments peculiar to their country, and doubly bo to the crowds who followed the procession. Each of the Unions had their banners displayed and coloured lights were burred along the route, making the scene a brilliant one. There were largo crowds lining the streets and following the procession, but arriving at the Basin Reserve it appeared as if the whole of Wellington had congregated there, for the attendance must have reached at least five thousand. An attractive programme of sports had been prepared, the electric light illuminating the ground most brilliantly and making everything as light as day. It had been arranged that speeches should be delivered by Messrs Potter (Secretary) and Mr G. Fisher, M.H.R., but owing to those present being otherwise engaged it was decided to forsake this part of the programme. The evening was spent amid varied amusements, the principal shows being accrobatic performances, Fire Brigade contests, races, and firework displays. The Chinese band performed selections of music, and had pyrotechnical displays on their own account. Besides these there were other attractions in the shape of swings and merry-go-rounds, which were patronised by the younger portion of the crowd. The Committee are to be congratulated upon the extraordinary success attending there efforts, and we regret that owing to pressure on our space vve are unable to give a fuller report of the proceedings. The total amount taken at, the gates was close upon L 230, and after all expenses are paid there will be a net balance of about Ll5O.

Dunedin, May 25. There was beautiful weather for the holiday. The Volunteer sham fight attracted a large attendance. The country Volunteers, who represented the enemy, which was supposed to have landed about Taieri mouth to attack the city, did not muster so strong as was expected, and this probably led to the defenders, consisting of the town corps, who were unaware of the movements, making the mistake of regarding the four weak battalions as skirmishers and au outpost. The result was that in looking for the main body, which had no existence, the attacking party were allowed to get into the best position, but it was decided they were too w*ak to advance on the city. The Highland Rifles were considered to have been exterminated.

Chbistchobch, May 25. To-day was observed as a close holiday. The weather was beautiful. In the morning the Volunteers held a sham fight near the Estuary, 391 being present. Aboutsooo people visited the Catholic sp -rts at Lancaster Park. J. B. Clarkson won the Two and Five-mile Roadster Bicycle Races, and his brother, R. P. Clarkson, the One-mile Bicycle Race, both riding pneumatic-tired. The Heathcote Races were moderately attended, and there was a good attendance at the coursing at Piumpton. The Salvation Array celebrated the anniversary by a free tea to 2000 children at Sydenham, and a public soiree was held ia Christchurch in the evening. Auckland, May 23. To-day was obs'-rved as a holiday, the weather was delightful. In the morning a sham fight was held by the Volunteers at the North Shore. One portion of the Garrison force manned the guns at forts Takapuna, Cautley and Victoria, with the Permanent Artillery, while the rest of the Volunteers, including one of the naval companies, formed the attacking force, and made a sortie on the forts from the Rangitoto Channel. The attacking party were declared by the umpires to have been defeated. The fight was a very interesting one, and there was a large attendance of Volunteers.