LABOUR DAY GALA

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLV, Issue 10163, 18 July 1924, Page 6

LABOUR DAY GALA

THE INITIAL MEETING. PROVISIONAL COMMITTEE. j A preliminary meeting of the representatives of the Advance Ash burton Association, the Volunteer Fire Brigade, and the Athletic (Boxing) Club was 'held in the Municipal Chambers last night, with a view to taking the initial steps in connection with Labour Day Gala. Mr W. Kerr, president of the Advance Ashburton Association, presided. The chairman explained that this year the Advance Ashburton Association and Fire Brigade had joined forces, in view of the fact that the Provincial Fire Brigade Demonstrations were to be held on same day. The Athletic Club had, as was also the case last year, expressed its willingness to co-operate. Mr H. R. C. McElrea. said the.gala was really the fountain from which the Advance Ashburton Association drew its funds, and every effort should be made to make the gathering an outstanding success—even greater ■ than last year. Before the general meeting of the public was held in connection with the affair, something concrete in the'way of a draft programme, . subject to alteration, should bo prepared. It would provide something on which to work. Sub-committees could be appointed to go into details. Mr McElrea formally moved ■ that this meeting take steps to draw up a tentative "programme. This was seconded by Mr A. A. McDonald, ancFcarried. It was explained that the Fire Brigade had drawn up its programme of demonstration events.

Mr McDonald said finance, sports, and amusement committees could be appointed. The gala should be nmon economical lines, and care must be taken to give the public their money's worth. It "was not desirable to give the public the impression that it was intended to drain them of their last penny. This would bo injurious to future galas. He strongly urged the immediate formation of a band of ladies, about 100 strong, to prepare saleable articles.

Mr F. A. Sileock suggested a procession committee. • It was recognised thai the procession should be a feature of the day, especially as the brigade was taking part. It was considered that th© appointment of an organiser and general secretary should be made by the general meeting later.

Considerable discussion ensued on a suggestion to appoint a convener for each of the numerous sub-conrmittees considered necessary. Tt was considered inadvisable to do this at the present juncture. It was eventually decided that the following be a provisional committee to furnish an outline of the proposed gala to the general meeting:—Messrs E. H. Gri\ T. Barber, F. Clark, John 'Watson, ii. Addis, A. P. Raven, li. Jennings, 11. Marsden, G. Hefford, H. R. C. McElrea, E. Maybury, F. W. Seldon, W. H. Robinson, P. Thomas, J. Lewis, and E. J. O'Brien. It- was decided to ask' Mrs A. T. ,'Smith to convene a meeting of ladies to co-operate in the promotion of the .gala. I

All sports bodies and assdoiktioUfi uare to be asked to give fcb?>ir support.