Prince of Wales' Birthday Celebration.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3396, 10 November 1879, Page 2

Prince of Wales' Birthday Celebration.

GENEBAL HOLIDAY. Yesterday (Sunday) was the 38th anniversary of the birthday of the HeirApparenfc to the sovereignty of the British Empire, nml tho celebration of this eventful occasion took place to-day, a general holiday being observed. The outward mid visible evidences of a holiday ! on tho Thames aiv : The closed shops, and at early hours of the day throngs of well-dressed citizens passing up and down the principal thoroughfares, and not uufrequently, when military demonstrations form part ot the programme of the day, the appcarauce in the streets, mingling with the dark clad civilians, a sprinkling of the gay uniforms of our citizen soldiery. All these evidences were perceptible to-day, aud from the crowds about tit an early hour, it was evident the whole population were bent on enjoying themselves. Arrival of the Auckland Volunteers;

It having been decided that part of the • business of today should be a grand review and sham-fight at Tararu, and a number of the Auckland volunteers having signilieu their willingness to take part in the proceedings, there was quite a crowd on the Burke street wharf at 2 o'clock yesterday afternoon to meet the Auckland visitors, who were expected down in the ltotomahana about that time. On the steamer coming along side, the visitors landed and were accompanied down the wharf by the Bands of the Thames Scottish Battalion and Ilauraki Engineers to the Pacific ! corner, where Major Murray addressed a few words of welcome. The men were then dismissed to their billets. In the evening the Hobsoa Company, headed by its fine Band, marched to service at the Catholic Church. The Muster. About nine o'clock the streets of Gra» hnmstowu were all astir. Toluntcers

were to bo scon hurrying to tlieir various mustering pbiees and drill sheds, while mounted stall' oliiccivi and orderlies rushed about giving orders, and the diilVrenfc bandy sjavi* selections in (p.m. At about r.i.:\<) tho battalion was formed in column in Brown street opposite the Academy of Music, the following companies being present:— lfauiaki Engineers, under Captain Small, Lieuts. Barlow and Denby, (including band) 81 strong; Thames Scottish Battalion—No. 1 45, No. 2 40, Baud 20—105, under Captain Wutson and Lieuts. .Johnston, Brownlow, and Coney ; Thames Uifle Rangers (including band) G5, under Captain Farrell and Lieuts. li. T.^ Douglas and T. Batching ; Auckland Victoria Company under Major Derrom and Lieut. Mohon, 22; No. 2 A.U.V., under Lieut, Robinson 25 ; Auckiaud Hobson Company, under Captain Dignan and Lieut. Clifton (including band) 50; Native Company 26, under Captain Tuipari and Lieuts. Unika and Matiu Poona; Thames Naval Brigade, under Lieuts. Gavin, Lawless, Gordon, and Burton 120 strong (including band and color party) ; St. George's Naval Cadets, 37 strong, tinder Captain Savage and Lieut. Gordon ; Thames Scottish Cadets, 32 strong, under Captain Mennieand Lieut. Short; Auckland Artillery (who had gone on with the ordnance), numbered 20; grand total, 593. The Staff Officers were—Major Murray, in command ; Captain Schofield, N.Z.M., Adjutant; Lieut. Perry, T. 5.8., No. 2 Company, Aide-de-Camp. Vol. Hennessy, T. 5.8., No. 1 Company, acted as orderly.

Presentations.

After a few preliminary movements, the Battalion was called, and the Commanding Officer summoned to the front Seaman Matthew Vaughan, and presented him with Iho lN'ow Zealand War Medal, the Naval Brigade band playing a few bars of " See, the Conquering Hero Comes." Major Murray also presented Volunteer Hotini, of the Native Company, with a handsome gold and silver medal, won by him at a shooing competition. The order of march was then formed, and the Battalion, wilh bands playing and colors ilying, moved off to Tararu. The Sham FigWs and Review.

Arrived at Tararu, it was found that a very large number of civilians were already on the ground, Iho flagstaff hill in the Gardens being thronged with spectators; while-on the flat there were also a large number of holiday seekers. The cubs, with double faros, did a good business, though thrre were a number of horsemen on the ground. The review and sham fight was an xmdoubted success, the various movements —the advanceing and retiring by echelon of companies, skirmishing, and formations to receive cavalry—being performed with a celerity and precision seldom excelled even by regulars. The manner the Auckland Artillery handled tlieir ordnance was a matter for favorable comment. They are well up in their drill, and evidently go in for plenty of practice. The ' feu tie joio " was very good. At about 1.30 (he "army" returned to town, when a number of the Aucktanders were entertained at a dinner at the Naval Hall by the Naval Brigade and Scottish Battalion. The Auckland Artillery dined with the Thames Rifle Rangers at the Volunteer Hall. The Auckland visitors were to leave to day at 4 o'clock by the Botomaharm, and we are sure from the opinions expressed by many of them that they have heartily their trip.