THE QUEEN'S JUBILEE IN SAN FRANCISCO.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5993, 30 July 1887, Page 6

THE QUEEN'S JUBILEE IN SAN FRANCISCO.

Commencing with some hesitation at first, the preparations for the fete on June 21 in honour of Queen Victoria's fifty years' reign gradually culminated in a grand outcome, in which many leading Americans, out of respect for the Queen's womanly qualities, were only too happpy to participate. The festival waa in the immediate charge of the Sons of St George and the Caledonia and Thistle Clubs, and there was friendly rivalry to do the most in the way of promoting its success. The Scotchmen, from all accounts, did the heaviest share of the work, including the furnishing of a corps of pipers, whose shrill skirling was r revelation to many people in dan Francisco. Exercises,, the literary programme, dancing, and the rest were all confined to "Woodward's Gardens, a popular pleasure resort, containing five halls and dancing floors, and filled with natural winders in the way of fauna and flora, from all parts of the world. The gardens were leased for the day, and a shilling admission charged, with games, and music, and sight-seeing from morning till night, and after nightfall with dancing and fireworks till the "wee short hoors ayant the twal." The time was pleasantly spent, there was no disturbance of any kind, and only one case of " a drap too lmich " was seen in the vast assmblage, and he was good natured. In the prime of the day there must have been 10,000 people on the ground, but they were not all Britishers. All nations were represented, for San Francisco is the most cosmopolitan city in the world. Lord Aberdeen, who -way flying across the Continents sent a despatch of congratulations to the celebrants, which was read by the new Consul, Mr Denis Donohoe, President of the day.