DOMINION DAY.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 312, 26 September 1908, Page 8

DOMINION DAY.

FESTIVITIES IN WELLINGTON. TO-DAY'S PROGRAMME. Giro 11 Bno weather; —ns these words were penned there appeared to be every prospect of tliis desirable state of affairs —the various functions arranged to bo held in Wellington in honour of the first anniversary of the proclamation of the Colony of New Zealand as a Dominion should be carried out very successfully. The day will be observed as a public holiday by the Government, tho various Departmental ofliccs will be closed, and in Wellington the citizens have been invited by the Mayor to take part in the celebrations. The idea has very generally caught on, with tho exception of the shopkeepers, among whom there is a disinclination to close down on what, for them, is the most important business day of the week. THE . CHILDREN'S DISPLAY. The programme of events for the observance of tho day in Wellington has been well thought out and elaborately prepared. Tho school children's display at the Basin Reserve will, of course, bo the centre of interest during the forenoon, and tho novel "Living Flag," in which 3000 children will take. part, should prove a strong attraction to tho public. An elaborate plan prepared by the Government, by whom Captain T. W. M'Donald, Assistant Adjutant-General, has been deputed to superintend all the preparations in connection with the children's function, sets forth the arrangements for tho positions of the Vice-regal party,- members of the Government, the children, and the public. ■ . ■ ■ His Excellency the l Governor, who is. timed to arrivo at the Basin Reserve at 11 o'clock,. preceded at 10.50 by the Prime Minister (Sir Joseph Ward), will, with his aides, the Prime Minister, and party, be accommodated in front of the baud rotunda, near the pavilion, immediately behind the saluting poiiit. Tho slopes to ■ the rear of the rotunda, and also a roped-off area on the eastern side of tho reserve, will be set apart f6r the public. .No. 1 Battalion of School Cadets, under Major Hemplemnn, will be, drawn up, facing the rotunda, near tho saluting base. No. 2 'Battalion, Major M'Kenzie, will bo stationed along the northern side of'the reserve', and No. 3 Battalion (Major Burlinson) along the southern side. The two companies of St. Patrick's College Cadets will also .be on parade. The Governor, the Prime Minister, and party will enter by the Cambridge Terrace gateway, and will be received by a royal salute. The display, particulars of . which have already appeared, in The Dominion, will then take place, speeches will be delivered by his Excellency and the Prime Minister, and the medals will be distributed.