THE ANNIVERSARY DAY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2727, 16 December 1881, Page 2

THE ANNIVERSARY DAY.

To-day, the thirty-first anniversary of the Province of Canterbury, was made, as usual, a general holiday in Timaru, and a good choice of modes of spending the day was provided for the holiday makers. The weather was decidedly not all that could be desired, for a strong nor’-wester blow all day, raising clouds of dust everywhere, and detracting to a great extent from the pleasure of everyone. Early in the morning the sound of the bogle was heard calling the Volunteers to arms for the sham fight, —a mimic attack by foreign land troops upon, and defence of. this important town. Later a number of Jexpresses, filled with people, old and young, rattled off into the country, to more or less favorable sites for picnics. Towards noon the “ din of battle ” was heard in close proximity to the town, and a good many people wended their way northward to witness the retreat from the Washdyke—“ in good order and fighting every inch ” —of the defensive force, overpowered bv the superior enemy. In the early afternoon the Flower Show was the chief attraction, and later, the ceremonial opening of the Waterworks by his Worship the Mayor, and the attendant demonstrations of the power and utility of the water supply by the Fire Brigade.