THE ROYAL RECEPTION.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 89, 16 April 1901, Page 2

THE ROYAL RECEPTION.

A meeting of the Decoration Committee in connection with the reception of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall was held at 7.30 o'clock last evening, when there was a large attendance of ladies end gentlemen, including a number of school teachers The Mayor presided, and explained it was proposed to have two good arches in- ©.ueen^treet, and they wante-d the' school teachers to join in the work of decorating between the arches. He thought the best thing would-be to get the artists to give some idea of the general design of decorations on the line of route from the ..wharf to Government House. Ml Feyton^said so far the question of general design had not been discussed in the committee. Mr Neill said the "Graphic" artist },ad produced a picture very similar to What he had seen in Belfast. They had poles between the lamp posts, •with festoons of coloured foliage with clusters of artificial flowery made by the school girls. Qhe stretches were about 50ft m length. Above that were thin lines with coloured bannerettes, all in harmonising colours. Sections could be allotted- to the different schools. -Between the arches were baskets ot. flowers. What should be aimed at was unison in the colour and design. Mr J. L.tfHolland suggested that the Venetian poles should be decorated with coloured shields, with small bannerettes grouped around them. He also thought festoons of flowers might be stretched across the street. The whole route should be decorated in that way. Rev. Father Patterson suggested that the artists in the room should pive them some general idea to go upon. If the children had the design1 given them they could soon fix up the matter. ( , Mr Wright thought the poles should be placed about 30 feet apart. Mr Isidore Alexander said the question of decorations should be referred back to the committee of artists to report at the next meeting of the Decorative Committee. They wanted sonic.man appointed as head of the whole affair who would know what to do, and direct others about it. Then they* wanted to see what assistance the schools were prepared to give. . Mr Graves Aickin said he understood the Artist Committee would take charge of the wholeN carrying out of the design. Artificial flowers would be a complete failure if the weather was bad. The groundwork of the decoration should therefore be green leaves, which would stand a little wet. .• - The Mayor said the Government would just put up whatever kind of arch was decided upon \% Wellington. The Harbour Board would also put tip its own arch. Miss J. A. Mowbray recommended utilising the arum lilies and pampas grass . rather than paper flowers, which were expensive and easily destroyed by rain. Mr J. L. Scott said the Board of Education an* the School Committees should be approached first in order to let the teachers and childten get to work. The decorations Could be made in schools and kept there till required. A request from • the Board for the teachers to assist would grealy facilitate matters. Mr Dickensoh said surely the teachers Could do this as citizens without being asked to'do so as serTants of the Education Board. Mr Alexander moved that artificial flowers be used in decorations. Mr Squirrel said if two miles of lestbotis were required it wo^lld require a lot of greenery. Coloured art mnslin could be used effectively, intertwined with the foliage. The meeting decided that' artificial flowers be used in the decorations. Rev. Mr Benning suggested that permission should be got from the Board of Education for the scholars to work at the garlands in portion ci the day: The Chairman said Sunday schools and private schools could also be asked to take part. ■ " The Rev. Father Patterson said he could speak on behalf of their private schools that they would make the garlands during school hours. Miss Mowbray said in. Parnell alone there were 100 women prepared to give a Aveek to makir ,g the decorations. It was resolved on the motion of Vlr J. L. Holland,' seconded by Mr Diclenson, that as soon as the Artist Committee had formulated plans, that head teachers and School Conr mittees be circularised to get the Work done during school hours', "arid asked what quantity of Work each School is prepared' to undertake. The meeting then adjourned until Wednesday afternoon at 4;30 o'clock. THE HOSPITAL. The question of illuminating the Hospital in honour of the Duke of Cornwall and York's visit was raised at the meeting of the Charitable Aid Board Committee yesterday afternoon. A report .was submitted recommending that £100 be spent in illuminating the front of the Hospital. Mr. John Court said he objected to £100 being spent in that way. The illumination would not be seen by the inmates, and not by many who Were not on that side of Symonds-street. If £100 was to be spent he would like it to be for the benefit and entertainment of the inmates, and not for gas. The Board's money was raised for the relief of the suffering and the poor, and illuminating the front of the building was not much benefit to the inmates. Mr. Gordon spoke strongly in favour of illuminating the building in honour of the Royal visit. Upon the matter being put to the vote the recommendation of the committee to expend !£IOO in illuminations was negatived. FREE RAILWAY CARRIAGE. The Minister for Railways (the Hon. J. G. Ward) has telegraphed to the Mayor granting permission to carry, free of cost, by rail, all foliage, etc., to be used in the decoration of the city arches. THE MAORI AQUATIC DISPLAY. Tthe Mayor has received a telegram ftpom the Hfln. J\ G. Ward, Minister lor Railways, saying that the application to have the Maori War canoes enrried from the Waikato to Auckland by ratl free of charge has been considered by Cabinet, and he regrets that the request cannot be granted.