THE HOLIDAY

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8750, 4 June 1914, Page 8

THE HOLIDAY

MANY ATTRACTIONS ‘ FAVOURED BY EXCELLENT WEATHER, The elements were kindly disposed yesterday, with the result that King’s Birthday in Wellington was’ a holiday in tho true sense of tbe word. The early indications meteorologically were somewhat uncertain, but not of such a nature as to discourage intending excursionists, and, generally speaking., citizens who had been anticipating a change from tho “daily round and common task’’ determined to make a day of it. Punctuality was a virtue of some value to those whose patriotism was cf the active order, for, the inspection of tho city and suburban territorial forces by Sir lan Hamilton was timed for a quarter past 9 o clock. The response was exceedingly gratifying, many thousand people witnessing the parade. Tho brilliant, spectacle provided by tho manoeuvres was ample reward for attendance at the ground. There was a considerable exodus to Otaki, where the first day’s racing of the winter meeting was in progress. So great was the rush of excursionists, in fact, that three trains had to. bo dispatched for Otaki, instead of two as originallv arranged. The first, which left at 7.10 a.m., consisted of seven carriages, and the second, at 8.20, look away sixteen carnage-loads ol holiday-makers. * Twenty minutes latei the thhd train was got away, and the total number of passengers for the races was brought up to 1398, a figure which is 400 in excess of the number carried on the corresponding day last year. The return 'trains arrived at Thorndon right on time; they were ol unusual size, one of eighteen carriages and another of nineteen, reach, mg their destination at 6.24 p.m. and 6.40 p.m. respectively. Provision was also made by the Railway Department in connection with the Auckland--races, and on Tuesday an extra express left at 12.35 p.m. to take up passengers from wayside stations 1 along the northern route. There were not many passengers from Wellington by this express, but better patronage was expected to be forthcom ing along the line. When the ordinary express was run unaided at this time : last year, its size gradually increased until it had twen-ty-one carriages on reaching tho northern city. A second express from Auckland reached Wellington early last evening.

An influx of visitors was recorded not only from the suburban trains yesterday, but also froth the expresses, especially those from Napier and New Plymouth, which arrived with extra carriages last evening. The Main Trunk 1 express last night went away with a full list of second-class passengers. and with very few seats to spare in the first class. .A good number of persons also travelled from Lambton station, whence two specials left for Masterton, conveying 150 passengers. The traffic arrangements were expelIcrrtly carried out,. and particularly was admirable control in evidence in the handling- of heavy business at the Thomdon: end, much to the comfort and convenience of travellers. The tramway traffic was considered fairly good for the time of year. Patronage was noticeably well bestowed on the Island Bay and Karori rentes, bn account of-athletic fixtures. Some 5000 spectators were divided between the Basin Reserve 'and the Athletic Park, for the football matches, and about 500 visited the hockey ■tournament at Karori Park. The air was somewhat too cold to render a trip across the harbour really enjoyable, but nevertheless satisfactory business was done at the ferry office, and about 700 persons travelled tc- Bona Bay and Day’s Bay. On h summer holiday a fair, estimate op the number of passengers would be in the region of 1500. ' The conditions were in favour of ! amusements of the indoor order in the afternoon and evening, and various houses of entertainment were crowded out. .Bain fell from about tea-time onwards, but not until everybody on pleasure bent ; had enjoyed a happy day. ' CELEBRATIONS ELSEWHERE. PARADE AND FOOTBALL. Press Association. NAPIER, dime 3. The Sovereign’s birthday was ob- i served as a general holiday. A parade of territorials, veterans, and about seventy men from H.M.S. Pyramus, in Nelson Park, was witnessed by a big' crowd. The Rugby Union football match 5 , Wairarapa v. Hawke’s Bay, was won by Wairarapa by 5 points to 3. There were about three thousand spectators. AUCKLAND, -1 ano 3. The King’s Birthday was celebrated as a general holiday;" The v rather was cold, and heavy showers fell A review... of four thousand territorials ..was held, and the Auckland winter race meeting, attracted many spectators. .. The school children all had a holiday, in many cases the scholars assembling in the morning to salute the flag.... DUNEDIN, June 3. The Dunedin territorials paraded at the Oval this morning, and the Royal salute was fired. The troops mustered about 1000/ and were inspected.by the officer commanding the district. The National Reserve was lustily cheered on passing the saluting base. After the parade the Officers’ Club placed a wreath on the Fallen Soldiers’ monument. WANGANUI, June 3. Holiday attractions here were confined to a couple of football matches. The weather was miserably cold and stormy.

TTMARTT, June 3. Tho holiday was spoiled by a cold southerly gale and heavy showers. At the military parade this morning about 120 men and 300 senior cadets, officers and band assembled and saluted the flag. A football seven-a-side tournament w as carried out under unpleasant conditions. The senior grade, all local teams, was won by the Pirates’ Club, Celtic second. Junior grade—Alb.on (Christchurch) 1, Temuka 2. Thirds itingari 1. High School 2. . Fourth —Star 1, Temuka 2. 'k EEEFTON, June 3.

In spite of wretched weather, the King’s Birthday sports, with the band quickstep competition, were held, with a large attendance. Westport Garrison came first, Innngahua second . AVestport Federals third. Five competed.