Queen's Birthday.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2613, 24 May 1877, Page 2

Queen's Birthday.

The celebration of Her Majesty's Birthday has been carried out to-day in right loyal fashion, the weather having been most propitious, and just such as would oftener prevail if it could be regulated by order. This is the first really fine 24th May we have seen for lour years, and consequently the holiday has been much more generally observed than on some former occasions, when the rain has poured down to such an extent that the feu de joie has been fired and then the volunteers have had to strike for home. A fine day, however, has changed the programme—or rather it enabled the programme to be .carried out in its < entirety, which was more than was hoped for even last night at a late hour, for the rain was coming down heavily and the prospect was dreary. The principal celebration of this day is generally the military spectacle, and that was successfully carried out to-day under the direction of Major Cooper, Officer Commanding the District, in the presence, of a considerable number of spectators. The Government Offices-—including Customs, Post and Telegraph Offices—were closed, this being one of the few holidays J allowed to the latter departments. The Banks, Stock Exchange and all the principal stores also remained closed, and the town wore the usual appearance of such occasions except at the times when the volunteers were leaving for Tararu and returning. A good number of sportsmen turned out with dog and gun to make slaughter amongst the pheasants, and not a few went to Auckland to be present at the Autumn Race meeting. Tararu and Parawai were visited by numbers of private families during the day, and the" genial weather tempted some to engage in water,parties, so that the holiday makers had ample choice of means to spend a quiet day. In'our detail of the events of the day we will proceed first to the muster of The Volunteers. At 9.30 the Thames Scottish Band marched from their Hall tc opposite the Pacific Hotel, and played selections of music until the company assembled at 10 o'clock. At the same hour No. 2, H.R.V., with a. very good muster, put in an appearance, and soon afterwards No. 3, H.R.Y., Rifle Rangers, and the Native Corp preceded by No. , 2 Company's Band, arrived from Shortland. The several companies then formed a battalion, and were drilled by • Sergt."Major Grant, preparatory to being taken over by Major Cooper in command. The battalion was then thrown into four deep, and, preceded by the Thames Scottish Band, marched towards Tararu. The Naval Brigade; with two guns, closed the^ column. The following are the numbers as far as could be obtained of the several I companies, including officers:-—Thames Scottish, 57, and 17 .Band; No. 2H.R.V;, 60, and 15 Band ; Rifle Ranges. 20; No. 3H.R.V, 30; Native Corps, 33; Naval/ 43, and 12 Band ; Gadetsy 50. 'M■.* ':■■■'■'}■ ; The Sham Fight. ... When the column arrived hear Tararu the Scottish, being the leading company, was sent ahead to throw out a line of skirmishers. This was done, part of the company opening out on the flat, while the remainder ascended the hill in the Tararu Gardens. Very soon after the skirmishers had got into position the main column were made aware that the enemy, which consisted of the Thames Engineer and Scottish Cadets, had been discovered, by the sound of brisk firing from the hill and the line of .skirmishers on the plain. The column was then put in motion, and the remaining companies took up their positions as; follows :—Nb. 2 H.R.V., right support; Thames Rifle Rangers, left support; and the 'No; 3 H.R.V. and Natives acted as the. reserve. The. guns of the Naval Brigade. were: placed in the: extreme right of the position. While these movements were being executed, the skirmishers kept up a brisk fire and suc^ ceeded in dislodging the Scottish Cadets, who were the enemy's skirmishers, and they then retreated across the creek and again extended to the right. The Engineer Cadets then assumed the defensive, and after about 20 minutes' firing they too were driven across the creek. -The No. 2 and the Rangers then took. up the battle, which soon, became general, the big guns of the Navals keeping up an effectual cannonade. After about 20 minutes, during which the enemy's line was driven further back, the trcops were drawn off', and forming into battalion for the purpose of firing the Feu de Joie. The cannons of the Navals and the men. manning them were posted to the right of th« battalion, and the following is the order of the companies from right to left-.—Scottish, No. 2 H.R.Y , T.R.R., No. 3 "H .R.V., Natives, and the remainder of the Naval Brigade. The Naval, No. 2, and Scottish bands were posted in the rear of their respective companies. On the word being given to fire, the rattling volley went down the long front rank from right to left, and up the rear rank from left to right. This was done three times, and after the command "order arms" was given, Major-Cooper called for three cheers for Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen. This was responded to heartily, and 'he line reformed column of companies, and, ■„.■'. The March Sack began, the three bands playing alternately on the road to Grabamstown. Arrived at

Grahamstown the column was again formed into column for" the purpose of

: Distributing the Prises ; Which had been won at the District competitionsi Major Cooper delivered the prizes to the lucky winners as follows :-—

Rifles, Ist ISet.—lst prize, Quarter Master Carpenter, T.S.V., £6; Vol. Bull, T.S.V., 2nd prize, £5 ; Vol. Kendall, No. 3 H.E.V., 3rd prize, £5; Sergt. Girvan, T.8.V., 4lh prize, £4; Hotene, Native Corp, sth prize, £'4 ; Lieut. Ruika Whakarongatai, Native Corps, 6th prize, £3; Sergt. Gordon, T.R.R., 7th prize, £3;. Drum-Major McLean, T.S.V., Bth prize, £2; Vol. Reid, T.W.V., 9th prize, £2; Vol. Fugrll, No. 2 H.E.V:, 10th prize, £110 a; Vol. Hawk, T.E.E., 11th prize, £1 10s; Vol. Eowe, T.E. 11., 12th prize, £1; Vol. McKee, T.S.V., 13th prize, £1; Lieut. Small, No, 2 H.E.V., 14th prize, £1; Vol. Stafford, No. 2 H.R.V.,' 15th prize, 10s; Lieut. Dey, T.S.V., 16th prize, 10s. 2nd Set Eifles.—Vol. Cameron, No. 2 H.K.V., Ist prize £3 10s ; Sergt. Stockdale, -No. 2 tf.E.V., 2nd prize, £3 ; Vol. Corbett, T.B.V. 3rd prize,. £2; Vol. McCarthy, T.S.V., 4tli. prize, £1 10s; Vol. Simpson, T.8..E., sth prize, £1 10s; Vol. Murray, Native Corps, 6lh prize, £1; Vol. Watene, Native Corps, 7th prize; £1; Staff-Sergt. Clery, Bth prize, £1; Vol. Tupara, Native Corps, 9th prize, £1; Vol. Mclimes, T.S.V., 10th prize, 10s; Vol. Mayo, T.S.V., 11th prize, 10s ; Vol. B. Watene, \ Native.""Corps, 12th prize, 10s. ' ■..■ : -., Ist Set Cabbines.—P.O. Gordon, T.N.8., Ist prize, £5; P.O. Brown, T.N.8., 2nd prize, £3 '; Seaman Gordon, T.N.B, 3rd prize, £2; Seaman Goldsworthy, T.N.8., 4th prize, £1; Seaman Seagar, T.N.8., sth prize, £1. 2nd Set Caebuxes.—Seaman Parslow, T.N.8., Ist prize, £2 10s; Seaman Wilson, T.N.8., 2nd prize, £2 ; Seaman D. Henderson, T.N.8., 3rd prize, £1; Seaman Natene, T.N.8., 4th prize, 15s-; Seaman Viall, T.N.8., sth prize, 10s. Cadets.—Sergeant Greenville, T.E.C., Ist prize, £3; Cadet Arnold, T.S.V., 2nd prize, £2 10; Lieut. Philp, T.E.C., 3rd prize, £1 10s; Col.-Sergt, Oatridge, T.E.C.V 4th prize, £1; Cadet Muir, T.S.C., sth prize, £1. Aetilleey.—P.O. Brown, T.N.8., Ist prize, £9 10s. ' After the distribjatipn of the prizes was completed the parade broke up, and the companies marched back to their respective drill sheds, at some of which refreshments were waiting for the weary warriors. The No. 2 H.E.VV band played the Shortland companies home. In conclusion it must be conceded that this has been one of the most successful sham-fights that we have, seen, and great credit is due-to' Major. Cooper and Staff, and to Capt. Schofield who commanded the battalion of cadets, for the successful carrying out of the arrangements. • : This Evening ,there will be plenty of amusement, for pleasure-seekers, as there will be an evening party in connection with the Naval Brigade, and at the Academy of Music the lovers of-Irish ; scenery and Dutch comedy will be able to gratify themselves by visiting the Hibernica.