PEACE CELEBRATIONS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXIX, Issue 9649, 4 July 1919, Page 6

PEACE CELEBRATIONS

MEETING OF COMMITTEES,

A meeting of tho Peace Celebration Committees called by the Mayor (Mr R. Galbraith) was held in the Council Chambers last evening. There was a fair attendance. The Mayor, who presided, stated that the date of the 'celebrations had been altered and the days curtailed. He had received nothing officially from the Government, but no doubt the statement published in the "Guardian" was correct. He considered now

that they should save some of the money which it was proposed to expend on the celebrations and put it to better use by handing it to the War

Memorial Fund. They had the fireworks for the night display already in hand. He thought their energies on the Saturday should be devoted to entertaining the children and impressing the importance of the signing of (Peace upon them. The combined choirs, under the direction of Mr H. Humphreys, had been practising, and their entertainment could still be given on some other evening to that set apart for the celebrations. He read a. letter from Mr A. Todd regretting that he could not act as organiser'for the evening procession. . . '

Mr Femman said he thought the returned soldiers should be consulted, and not to eliminate their day without good reason.

The Mayor said the curtailment of days was one good reason.

Major E. Orr, D.5.0., said he thought they would have difficulty in getting the soldiers to do much except to take part in the procession.. It had been proposed that a football team

from the soldiers should play a County team.-

The Mayor said that it would still be possible to play this match. '

Mr F. Smith said it would be easy to combine a programme for one day which originally had been intended to spread over. two. He considered one day's celebrations would-be better than two. He did not think they should depart from their original programme except to eliminate a certain amount of expense in illuminations. He thought the more impressive the celebrations were made the better, in or- j der to make a lasting impression on' the young. The committees had all been* set up and the arrangements were well in hand, so all they had to do was. carry oo> The Mayor stated there would be some difficulty in carrying out the catering scheme. Mr Femman said there was always trouble over catering, but if left to the ladies they would do it real well, the same as at the recent banquet.

Mr F. Smith said that during tho war the catering was done for some specific purpose, but to ask the ladies to: cater for .the celebrations would, to an: extent, interfere .with their enjoyment. Ho thought the ladies should be free on this occasion. • ■

'Mr W. Robinson said he agreed with Mr Smith's views regarding the ladies. , .

Mr F. Watt said he thought a private caterer would undertake the work for certain.

It was then decided that the original programme be adhered to and carried out on one day.

Mr. Ferriman stated that the ministers of the churches, contemplating August .3 as the time for holding the service, had an-ange-d to meet on Friday night. No doubt the .arrangements would now be altered.

The Rev. H. X. Wright said he considered that the services would nov/ be held in the respective churches, as it would be impossible, owing to unseasonable weather, to hold a com-

bined service on Sunday next in the Domain.

Owine to the indisposition of Mr A. MeClure, •.secretary, Messrs F. W. Watt, and F. Smith agreed- to act as joint secretaries.

It was decided, on the motion of Mr F. W. Watt, seconded' by Rev. Wright, that the combined religious service be not held.

Mi- H. Humphreys stated that tike combined choir had prepared six numbers, which were intended for the combined religious sen-ice. If given on a separate evening these numbers would not be sufficient to make up a full evening's programme. Mr Wright said the musical gathering could be 'hold on the evoning of Friday, 18th, and this suggestion xvas agreed to, Mr Humphreys to make the necessary arrangements. The matter of barricading a portion of Cameron Street during the fireworks display was left in the hands I of the Mayor to arrange. ■ Mr Watt stated that representations should be made to the Railway Department to get a better rail service for the 19th, particularly for theMt. Somers line and south and north .lines. Ho thought trains should be delayed to pive country visitors a reasonable opportunity of getting as much enjoyment out of the day as possible.— The matter of representation to the [Department was left to Mr Watt. . Mr Hillier, as Chairman of the Lighting Committee, stated that the supply of oil and coke, owing to the train "arrangements, had been restricted for the power-house. Ho was a little anxious as to the engines carrying the load for all the illuminations, as set down. It was decided to arrange tor a speaker from Christchurch to address the gathering on the evening of July 18. It was decided to carry out as many of the illuminations as it was possible to arrange during the limited time. Mr G. Schneider said he had been asked by the Education Board to see that the children were properly represented at the celebrations. The Board also requested that all the children should be assembled at one spot to see the procession, and while it was passing it was suggested the children ■ should sing hymns. Mr F. Smith' said a good programme of sports had been arranged for the children, with plenty of prizes, and ' country school children would be mi eluded'in this. ; It was decided to arrange tor a porj tion of the route of the procession to be set aside for school children. It was resolved to request chairmen of the respective committee to_ call ; their committees together immediately 1 to 'make- the final arrangements. «™d report to a general meeting on Wed-nosda-v evening next.