KING’S BIRTHDAY.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXV, Issue 5118, 10 November 1903, Page 5

KING’S BIRTHDAY.

SPOILT BY THE WEATHER. Tho weather—that all important detail that makes or mars the full enjoyment of a public holiday—was most unseasonable yesterday, effectually preventing the culmination of tho many out-door fixtures that had been arranged for the King’s Birthday. Tho continuous rain damped all holiday humour that might have prevailed in Wellington. On the other hand, residents of Kelburne and other elevated suburbs greeted, tho copious downfall of rain with delight. Tho rain started to fall in earnest on Saturday night, accompanied by a hard nor’-westerly gale. A driving Scotch mist came up foam the south on Sunday, and as tho light faded tho rain thickened, and from about nine o’clock it fell in torrents throughout tho night. It moderated, however, yesterday morning, but still fell almost continuously throughout the day, greatly to tho chagrin of an army of would-be picnickers and pleasure-seekers who had looked forward to a breath of other than distinctly local air. In conformity with custom tho Royal Standard was flown from Government House, and a Royal salute of twentyone guns was fired from tho Pipitca battery by a detachment of Artillery under Lieutenant Sandle. A levee was held by his Excellency. Tho Now Zealand ensign fluttered from the Government Buildings and tho General Post Office, tho latter building being dcoarated with strings cf bunting. Tho streets of the city woro a windswept, rain-sodden appearance throughout tho day, and save for brooding clusters of young men huddled in doorways, woro deserted.

Tlicro was no option but to declare all out-door fixtures off. Among these tho Catholic Young Men’s jneuie, that war. to have been held at Wallacoville, and tho sports at Porirua woro abandoned, and the Port Nicholson Y r acht Club’s picnic was postponed. There was little extra passenger traffic over tho railways. Tho three trains despatched by tho 'Government Railways to tho Wairarapa conveyed about 800 passengers, most of whom were going off to the race meeting at Clareville. Two extra carriages had to be attached to tho Wellington and Manawatu Company’s through express, which conveyed Gomo two hundred excursionists beyond tho radius of_ local weather conditions, a report having boon received that a brighter state of things existed some throe or four hours’ journey from tho city. Tho harbour traffic was confined to tho few who oauldu’t help it, these in no way incommoding tho work of tho steamers’ crews about tbo deck. The ill-Wind (and rain) that blew nobody else much good contributed in part to the financial success of the matinee performances given by tho Frawley Company at tho Opera House and by , Fuller s Entertainers at the Choral Hall. ' Tho sports which were to have been held yesterday at Foxton were postponed till Boxing Day.

THE HOLIDAY ELSEWHERE. PRESS ASSOCIATION. WANGANUI, November 9. The holiday was completely spoiled by rain, which fell all day—lightly in .the morning and heavily during the afternoon and evening. GISBORNE, November 9. ' The holiday was marred by showers, bnt the rain was very welcome. ' NAPIER, November 9. The King’s .Birthday passed off quietly, the Waipawa races, the Coleman shield rifle competition and innumerable picnics talcing most of the townspeople away. The weather was dull, drizzling rain falling early in the morning. PALMERSTON November 9. Heavy rain set in early this morning, and continued all day. AH outdoor fixtures were abandonee. BLENHEIM, November 9. ■ A continuous rainfall rendered it necessary to postpone all holiday attractions to-day. TIMARH, November 9. A wet morning spoiled all holiday arrangements, though 225 . persons booked for Fairlie, whore Volunteer sports were hold. The rain will do much good. OAMARU, November 9. The King’s Birthday was celebrated in Oamaru by a military tournament in aid of a now Volunteer Hall. Tho weather in tho morning was showery, preventing country people attending, but about .£IBO was taken at tho gates. Volunteers wore present in large numbers from Dunedin and Waimate and intermediate centres, and some very good competitions were witnessed. , The principal competitions were tho night alarm, won by the North Dunedin Rifles, and firing exercises, won by the Oamaru Rifles. DUNEDIN, November 9. Heavy min interfered with the holiday. Tho principal attraction was tho Taieri races. INVERCARGILL, November 9. Tho weather for the holiday was fine, but cold. Tho railway traffic was about double that- of last year. . •