HER MAJESTY'S BIRTHDAY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume II, Issue 73, 29 May 1852, Page 5

HER MAJESTY'S BIRTHDAY.

Courtly Chroniclers have not failed to notice that whenever Her Majesty appears in public —■ in paying a visit to her loyal citizens—in opening and proroguing her Parliament—or in making a Royal Progress to the mansions of her nobility—she has almost invariably been at- '. tended with fine weather, insomuch that a fine day is invariably allied with Her Majesty's name. The juvenility of our Settlement forbids our assuming that equal good fortune will always attend the celebration of Her Birthday here: the second anniversary of the event, however, has been celebrated in most splendid weather, Monday last being equal in brilliancy to the 24th May of last year.. The event was celebrated with the customary honours and respect. From an early hour the Port Town gave evident signs that other pursuits than those attributed to commerce—buying and selling—were in the ascendant, stores, shops, and public offices being closed. Flags floated from private residences, and the shipping in harbour were decked with colours, while the streets and quays teemed with a numerous population, attracted from the Plains and neighbouring Bays by the programme of the " Regatta and Sports'." A large party of Ladies occupied an ascent near the Immigration Barracks, whence an excellent view of the harbour was obtained. Their presence greatly added to the ensemble of the scene, and their grateful smiles amply rewarded the attending cavaliers whose gallantry procured for them forms on' which, at their ease, they might view the ceremonies of the day. After the "Regatta and Sports," the school children to the number of nearly 100, were regaled with an ample tea ; cakes," buns, and bread and butter, disappearing with a rapidity and a gusto, which spoke volumes in favour of the : digestive and masticatory powers of the juveniles. , ! A Public Ball concluded the festivities of the day: it came off at the Immigration Barracks where several rooms were brilliantly lighted: and tastefully decorated, under the active superintendence of Dr. Donald, and Messrs. Spowers, Maunsell, and Longden. An excellent supper, comprising all the delicacies of New Zealand, was served at 12 o'clock, after which " God save the Queen" was sung by the gentlemen in a manner which did as much honour to their loyalty as to their vocal energy, j A gentleman, unable to attend through an attack of gout, and who resides half-a-mile from the barracks, assures us that the harmony awakened him, and that under the inspiriting strains, he sat up in bed, took off his nightcap, and involuntarily joined: this may account for the " echo" which the Ladies asserted they heard. Dancing was kept up with much animation till past 3 o'clock, under the inspiring influences of a band, ably led by Mr. . Bilton, of Christchurch, and the company, 80 in number, then separated. We regret that we are ourselves unable to give an adequate report of the " Regatta and Sports" : our deficiency on this head, however, is amply compensated by the following report which the Committee have placed at our disposal, and for which we tender them our warmest thanks. It may be objected that the Committee have drawn up their report in too parliamentary a fashion; but it does not become -us to be censorious, profoundly penetrated as we are with their kindness. " Your Committee in giving a report of the public proceedings on Her Majesty's birthday, feel it their duty-to return thanks for the very handsome subscriptions raised and placed at their disposal, by which means a Regatta, unprecedented in the annals of Aquatics, was submitted to an admiring public. " Your Committee deem it the more proper course to give a detailed account of the proceedings of the day, both as a memorial of their own exertions, and as a guide for all future " Regattas and Sports." " Your Committee briefly dismiss the first event (a rowing match for 5-pared boats, &c.,) by announcing that the Race was won by an European crew, who distanced greatly and easily their Maori competitors, five in number. "Your Committee approach the next event .(a rowing match for 4;bared boats with-steers-ineu) \mh §onie small degree of diffidence,* as

it led to a trifling dispute: it was objected to your Committee that the steersman of the third entering boat was not a man, but a boy. Your Committee were at once struck with the appositeness of the objection, and admitted its justness, and it is a matter of no slight congratulation to your Committee publicly to announce that the fatal objection was most handsomely admitted by the enthusiastic young Irishman, whose impulsive and national ardour was at first slightly ruffled by your Committee's verdict. Educated at a large public school where the principles of the immortal compiler of a world-renowned dictionary are studiously adhered to, he acquiesced in our decision, that a steersman must be of, or above, the legal age of twenty one. " Your Committee have to report that the Duck Hunt was a failure: he turned out to be a very tame one. and was soon captured. Your Committee admit some blame in the affair, for having limited the hunt not to exceed 20 minutes, they could not refuse the award to a hunt of as many seconds, as there was no specification to that effect. It may appear to some that your Committee enter too much into details, but their anxiety to render an exact account of the sports confided to their discrimination will, they trust, be admitted as a sufficient excuse. Your Committee are unable at present to give a report of the " Grand Lyttelton Stakes, open to all vessels from 8 to 15 tons inclusive, engaged in the carrying trade from this port." They regret that they were compelled to exclude a newly launched,boat on the plea that, not having yet carried a cargo, it could not be, strictly, a carrying boat. They indignantly disclaim the imputation of artifice in omitting the craft. The numerous boats that started have not yet returned ; the look-out, however, on the jetty has announced that by the aid of a telescope, he has discovered on the verge of the horizon, a speck which he confidently asserts to be the " Palinuius." Your Committee refrain at present from congratulating its gallant owner upon the honours and laurels in store for his, no doubt, winning, and swift little craft. "Your Committee briefly regret that the Canoe race did not come off. " Your Committee announce that the race of "jumping in sacks" was won by a Maori, who distanced his sacks-on competitors. Your Committee cannot refrain from congratulating the " Aborgines Protection Society", on this event, proving as it does, beyond question of doubt, that in jumpability the Maories are more than on a footing with their white neighbours. "Your Committee did not deem it fitting to have a " greasy pole :" studiously desirous of dealing with the funds at their, disposal in the most economical manner, they conscientiously came to the conclusion that, during the"present Tallow crisis, caused by the discoveries of gold in Australia, they would have submitted themselves to the charge of extravagance had they put one up, the price of grease ruling so high. " Your Committee cannot give so satisfactory an account of the Pig Chase as its merits deserve. Your Committee had taken great pains to obtain an animal not burdened with too much obesity, but without success; the wonderful effect of the New Zealand climate upon animals of the porcine race is too notorious to admit of more than a fleeting remark, and your Committee submit that they are not to blame that the animal could not run, any more than they are for the pugilistic encounters which took place over the fat-prostrated victim. "Your Committee report that the Wheelbarrow race took place with the competitors duly blindfolded,, which was somewhat supererogatory, as it was dark at the time; they were bound, however, to adhere with the extremes! rigidity to the printed rules. "Your Committee are not in a position to say whether the Foot race occurred, owing to its b^ing near their dinner hour at the time appointed. " Your Committee, in conclusion, heir to state that they did ample justice to an excellent dinner—that they drank her Majesty's health with all honours—that th"y returned each other thanks for their several services during the d.-iy —and, finally., they have to tender their warmest thanks to'the worthy Bell-ringer, who proclaimed the Sports, whose exertions throughout the day were immense, and attracted the favourable notice of the Belles assembled on tha hill's side." • " Committee Rooms, April 25,1552.