ASHBURTON VISIT.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XL, Issue 9291, 28 April 1920, Page 4

ASHBURTON VISIT.

PLATFORM SEATS ALLOTTED.

At the .meeting of the Ashburton Royal Reception Committee last evening, the Mayor (Mr R. Galbraith) presiding, it was decided to reverse the decision passed at last meeting to keep the dais at the Domain clear of all • local functionaries except the Mayor and tho County Chairman (Mr A. Drummond). Instead, a list of some . 80 guests, in addition to the Prince of Wales's entourage estimated to number 40, was submitted and approved. These will be seated on the dais, which is to be enlarged from, its original dimensions to accommodate them. The Mayor, reporting for the Invitation Committee, stated that the large number it was proposed to seat on the dais would in no- way interfere with the view of the school children or of the general public.

It will be remembered-- that at the last meeting of the committee, on tho motion of Mr F. W. Watt, seconded by Mr H. R. C. McElrea, it was- decided to reserve . the pavilion for invited guests and keep the, platform as clear as possible so as to allow, the maximum view for the general'public. As before, stated, this has now . been reversed, and .a .total of about 120 will be accommodated on the dais, including 80 County residents,, with-their wives. • -. . The list of those to be invited to . . seats' oh'the dais is as follows: ---Members of Ashburton Borough and County Councils,', chairmen of Tinwald and Hampste'ad Town Boards and wives, Hon W. Nosworthy and wife, Hon. C. A. C. Hardy and wife, Sir ,R. H. Rhodes and wife, Mr'W. J. Dickie and *-• wife. Colonel Findlay and wife. Mr T. D. Burnett, M.P.. and wifq.. Mr John " Studholme and ' wife, Mr John Grigg ' tmd' wife,! Mr C. J. Harper, Mr T. Bullock and Mrs E. ,B. Newton, Mr John Cairns, representatives of Red Cress,. Lady Liverpool, British and Foreign Sailors, and Plunket Societies, W.C.T.U., and Mothers' Union. The list of guests to be invited to .seats in the** pavilion is as follows: — Members and wives of Tinwald and Hampstead Town Boards; members and wives of South Rakaia, Mount Hutt, Mount Somers, Anama, Rangi- • tnta, Coldstream. Longbeach, Upper Ashburton, and Wakanui Road Boards; members and wives of Ashburton Hospital Board, High School Board, and Technical School Board; the clergy; ■pecretari«>s of all Red Cross, Lady Liverpool, and British and Foreign Sailors' branch societies; wives of ' teachers engaged on that day; excouncillors of Borough and County; .President (and Past-Presidents Cow, Coward,* Wright, and Taylor) of the A. and P. Association: master and matron, Tuarangi Home; 5- matron and" nurses, County Hospital: veterans; chairmen of school committees; president and wife "of County Racing and Trotting .Clubs; president and wife of Athletic Club and Workers' Union; Mr Andrew McFarlane. as oldest colonist.

After considerable discussion, the following* were deleted from the above li:.t:—Medical profession, bank managers, postmasters, managers of mercantile firms, and. tho legal profession. ■■> , It was' decided to issue-' handsome^ .souvenir rtickdts." ineluding>' -a portrait . of^ the . PrincCj to all invited guests, 'who were to be in their seats by 10.30 , a.m. on May 17. Tlie Department for Internal Affairs has notified Mr W. Page, who is in charge of the motor transport arrangements on the occasion of the Prince's visit, that the only decoration permitted on motor-cars conv-y ; ng the Royal party will be the New Zealand finsigu, attached to the radiator. Mr Davey, who is of the official party and is detailed to make these arrangements, will arrive on the train preceding that carrying the Prince, to check and see that all arrangements aro properly ordered.

The driver of the Prince's ear will be a returned soldier (a certificated driver), who saw four' years' active service as an armourer-sergeant, leaving New Zealand with the Sixth Reinforcements. It is stipulated by . the Department for Internal Affairs that all drivers of cars for the Royal party must wear chauffeur's uniform, _/ or mufti with chauffeur's cap; and it is hoped that as many drivers as possible, will be returned soldiers.

Reporting to the Royal Reception Committee last evening, Mr W. Page stated that 10 out of the 12 drivers of cars were returned soldiers. The matter of dress was keenly discussed by the committee* and it was • finally decided to inform the Department that the dress would be arranged.