NEWS OF THE MONTH.

Colonist, Issue 1165, 4 December 1868, Page 2

NEWS OF THE MONTH.

THE PRINCE OF WALES' BIRTHDAY.

The holiday, which it. has become the rule to hold on flic anniversary of tho Prince's Birthday, was very generally observed in Nelson on Nov. 9th. The various roads from town were from an early hour traversed by pleasure-seekers in vehicles and on horseback, besides numerous pic-nic parties, who were sturdily trudging with their gastronomic freights to the various havens of rest and enjoyment to which their fancies pointed. Cricketers, boating-parties, steamerexcursionists, waterside loiterers, and others, with a purpose and without a purpose, were lured from their domiciles by the occasion and the beautiful day to do something somewlurc. The steamer Moutoa had about 150 passengers for the Babbit Island, from whence they returned about 5 p.m., and then, by the obliging manner which the management of this boat exhibits, the excursionists -were treated to an additional cruise towards Wakapuaka and back. Another feature in the facilities oifered to the public for diversifying their rambles was the very acceptable one of the Dun Mountain line running cars to the foot of the Sugar Loaf, in Brook-street, and the accommodation was largely patronised by tea-parties and visitors to the Reservoir. Mr. Crisp's army of water-drinkers ■with banners and music paraded the streets, and afterwards adjourned to the Temperance Fall and partook of a substantial ten. The adults' tea was attended by about two hundred persons, and the meeting which followed was well attended. Some pieces and dialogues were very creditably recited by the children, and elicited much applause. The Nelson Band of Hope and Stoke Cricket Clubs played a match on the cricket ground in Victory-square. The Band ofHopeClubwon mono innings by 38 runs. Altogether, the pleasures of tho day appeared to be almost universally partaken of away from home.