EXECUTIVE AND FINANCE COMMITTEES.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 95, 23 April 1901, Page 2

EXECUTIVE AND FINANCE COMMITTEES.

A. joint meeting of the Boyal Reception Executive and Finance Committees was held yesterday afternoon at the City Council Chambers. His Worship the- Mayor presided until be was called away to a City Council committee meeting, when Mr. Itaos. Peacock was voted to the chair. I here were also present: Dr. Campbell, Messrs. Wesley Spragg, C. Hanson _K. Farrell, George Fowlds, M.H.K., W J. Napier, M.H.R., •>■ <-■. Jlackv. J. McK. Geddes, A. G. Horton, .7 . Savage, N. A. Nathan, C. C. Macjuillan, J. Stichbury, W. Speight, J. IT Upton, I. Alexander, F. Wright, J. H. Witheford, M.H.R., J. J- Holland, J. L. Holland, 11. C. Tewsley, M. A. Clark, L. Benjamin, D. R. Caldwell, Craves Aiekin, A. Kidd, 11. Brett, Warnock, E. W. Payton, Suggate. Watson, the Hon. E. Mitchelson and Lieu-tenant-Colonel White. \ telegram was read from the Government stating that they propose.! to provide a platform for the Boyal visitors, their suite, mid visitors, the platform to accommodate tvyo hundred people, and to be built an tiers The addresses would be presented from this platform. The Government wished to know whether the committee wished to have the two platforms apart or contiguous, or ■whether they wished to combine the two into one structure. The Hon. E. Mitehelson moved that the Government and civic platforms be combined in one structure, and suggested that the platform be enlarged to enable a space to be set apart for the public, who shoiild pay for the privilege. The Mayor said that any public platform would have to be distinct from the official one, though it might Tbe near to the latter. He thought it would be "in fra dig." to invite people to pay for the reception platform. They might erect platforms alongthe line of route and charge for them. Mr. Ranson thought it would be impolitic to charge for any platform. Mr. Vickerman, District Engineer, questioned as to the capacity of the allotment at the corner of Queen and Quay streets, stated that it would accommodate on platforms 400 people along the front, and 800 along- the back. , On the motion of Mr. Speight it •was decided that the question of accommodation on the platform be referred to a. committee consisting ot the Mayor and Messrs. Upton, Horton, Mitchelson, and Dr. Campbell. This was agreed to, the names ot Messrs. Fowlds and Napier, M's.H.R., lieing added. The sub-committee appointed to confer with the Harbour Board on the subject of a joint fireworks display reported that the Board had agreed to spend £150 in this direction. It was decided to vote £150 to cooperate with the' Harbour in this display. '< In this connection Mr N. A. Is T athan, honorary treasurer, said that up to date £466 10/ had ieen received and banked, exclusive of the balance of the Imperial Troops , Reception Fund. The borough councils of Grey Lynn and the Thames had donated £25 each. In answer to a question, the chairman stated that some portions of the town had not been canvassed. Mr Alexander submitted the report of a sub-committee appointed to arrange for the purchase of materials urgently required. The committee recommended that £120 be voted for the immediate purchase of flags, bunting, etc., stocks of which might be soon exhausted. They had found on experimenting that illuminating lamps were unsatisfactory. It was decided to vote the £120, and to abandon the idea of illuminating lamps. Mr Napier said the Harbour Board would illuminate the wharf and sheds with electric lights. The telegram from the Hon. J. G. Ward intimating that the Government declined to carry canoes from Mercer to Auckland by rail free of cost was read. The secretary stated that the Hon. J. Carroll had informed him that he was against the proposal to have a canoe display ou the Waitcmata, as he wished to concentrate all available natives at Kotorua. The resolution of the committee on the subject could not therefore be carried out. The sum of £10 was voted to the art committee for the purpose of purchasing Venetian poles to experiment upon with a view to ascertaining- the best mode of decoration. The secretary reported that the timber companies had stated that they would not erect an arch, but that they would subscribe to the funds. The secretary reported that people were, constantly coming- to him and inquiring about accommodation in the city at the time of the Royal visit, and other similar matters. He could not attend to these inquiries, but he had a letter from a gentleman, -who offered to form a bureau of information relative to the Eoyal visit. Mr. Napier thought the Town Clerk's office should undertake the work, as was the case in Sydney during the commonwealth celebrations. Mr Stichbury said it was next to impossible to do this. On the motion of Mr Napier it was decided to ask the Mayor to place the Town Clerk's office at the disposal of the committee for an information bureau, a junior clerk to be appointed. The Art Committee reported that they had considered the designs sent in for the city arches and had found none of them suitable. They would report more fully on Wednesday. This committee also advised the appointment of a-foreman of works who should superintend the decorating of the streets and take his orders from them. Such an officer was necessary if confusion was to be avoided. It •was decided to request the Art Committee to report in writing on this matter -to the Decoration Committee, who should report to the executive. The question of hiring out seats in side streets not taken by the Friendly Societies was then considered. This, was a matter brought up by the Mayor, who suggested ' two courses, either that the committee hire such seats out directly, or sell the right to hire them. Mγ Alexander drew attention *t< the unsightly condition of. certain ground on the south' side of Wellesley-street. and moved that a stand be put on the allotment on -which the advertisement

hoarding was placed, and that the charge "for admission be one shilling. Mr Brett did not see .that they had any right- to interfere with traffic by placing seats in side streets. It was decided to refer the question to the Finance Committee.