THE KING'S CORONATION.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIII, Issue 113, 14 May 1902, Page 2

THE KING'S CORONATION.

{ENTERTAINING THE CHILDREN.

THE QUEEN-STREET FEAST

ABANDONED,

A meeting of the members of the Bub-committee appointed to arrange for the entertainment of the children at the local celebration of the King's Coronation was held last evening, •with teachers of the city and suburban schools. The Mayor (Mr A. Kidd) presided, and the following members of the sub-committee were present: The Hon- T. .Thompson, Messrs A. M. Myers, W- Berry, J. McLeod, E. W. G. Rathbone, W. JBeehan, and Lieut.-Colonel White. The following teachers were present: Messrs J. W. Tibbs (Grammar School), D- D. Metge (Newton East), J. L. Scott (Parnell), E. T. Hart and Miss Mcllhone (Beresford-street), R. C. Wickbam (Mt. Albert), J. C. Dickenson (Ponsonby), G- Thwaites (Epsom), B. Cronin (Nelson-street), W. Collins (Ellerslie), W. H. Draffin (Chapel-street), F- J. Ohlson (Newmarket), J. W. Tighe (Institute for the Blind), and Miss E. Shrewsbury and Miss E. Wilson (Wellesleystreet). The recommendations of the sub-committee were read as follows: —"That the children be entertained at a Coronation feast on June 26, at half-past twelve, in Queenstreet, which for the purpose shall be covered in with canvas from Welles-ley-street to Victoria-street." "That meetings of ladies be convened in 'the city and suburban districts to canvass for subscriptions, and to arrange for the necessary help in connection with the children's dinner." "That arrangements be made for suitable entertainments for the children in the afternoon, and that an estimate of the cost of procuring medals or other permanent memorials in the shape of cards be obtained." The Mayor said personally he thought the difficulties in the way of entertaining the children in Queenstreet too gTeat. They had to consider the prospects of bad weather, and with such weather as they had that day they would not be able to keep the canvas up. Then there was the difficulty of handling so many children on such a small space- If Ithey did wish to give the children a feast, he thought it would have to be done in their own schools, under the control of their own teachers. But he did not think that the colonial children would be so very thankful for a dinner which, perhaps, would not be anything finer than they were accustomed to. He thought they would do better to arrange for entertaining the children at the circus, and probably at the Opera House and City Hall, and they might get over the difficulty of allotting where the children were to go by balloting. It was for the meeting to say whether medals or memorial cards should be given to the children; cards such as issued by the Government for the Royal visit would be framed and kept for all time. Mr Berry asked what the City Council intended to do. The Mayor said the Council could not legally spend money on this object. The Council had not heard officially of the Government's intention to introduce a Bill validating such expenditure by local bodies. Mr Scott thought that an entertainment would be preferable to a dinner. He thought it would be advisable to consult the feelings of the parents on the question, and the best way of doing this was to consult the school committees. He did not think the parents wanted a feast. Mr Hart thought the idea of feasting the children should be abaned at once. Those who suggested it had not gauged our children. If any of the proposers could come to the school playgrounds and see the r scandalous waste of good food going on there, they would alter their proposal- He thought they should have an entertainment for the whole community, and that the children should go with their parents. He thought the children- should receive an illuminated card in honour of the occasion —medals he did nut approve of. Let the morning be given up to tbe religious services, and let them have a grand fireworks display in the evening- He thought all parents who had a spirit of independence would object to their children going to a charity dinner.

Mr Ohlson thought Mr Hart had taken the "wrong view of the question. The sub-committee never intended that the proposed feast should be of the nature of a charity dinner.

Mr Rathbone pointed out that there would be great difficulty in accommodating the children in places of amusement.

Mr Hart asked who would control these children if they went to the Opera House or another place of amusement. It had been recently ruled in a court of law that the teachers had no control over the children outside of school hours.

Mr Myers urged the advisability of curtailing the programme as follows —The children to assemble in their different schools, where they would be under the control of their teachers. There an entertainment could be got up, the children to be informed as to the auspicious occasion they were celebrating. There could be a speaker at each school, and if the weather was bad the children could be entertained for the rest of the afternoon. A military display could be arranged in case fine weather prevailed, the children could go to that.

Mr D. D. Metge assured the meeting that our children could do full justice to a meal. From the bottom of his heart he pitied the children if they had to listen to speakers on Coronation Day.

Mr Tibbs thought that if the children were to be entertained on Coronation Day they should be entertained in a right royal way. The subcommittee felt that whatever arrangements were made for an outdoor demonstration on June 26th, such a demonstration would be spoilt by an hcrar's rain. No hall could accommodate the large number of children (10,000) that they expected to get together, and they were compelled to adopt the idea of the feast in Queenstreet. The covering of the part of the street to be used would be about £65, and the space would accommodate all that would come together. He thought providing the children

with refreshment was an important part of .the entertainment of the children. After the dinner the children could be drafted off to the various; places of entertainment in town. This was the only scheme that lie thought was possible. Mr Dickenson thought Coronation Day should be made a great public function. The whole of the.children should be gathered together and entertained by the public. The idea was to give some refreshment to the children, and then draft them off to entertainments. He was surprised to hear his fellow-headmasters imply that they could not control 10,000 children. As for the law question, he considered that his boys were under his control the whole day long, and he was prepared to go to law on the question and be fined if necessary. Mr Ohlson suggested a vote of the teachers as to whether they were willing to co-operate in carrying the Coronation feast in Queen-street. The Mayor pointed out that the weather was the great question to be considered. He moved, "That this meeting recommend that the question of feasting the children be abandoned and that the committee confine its efforts to getting up entertainments for the children's amusement on the afternoon of Coronation Day, either in their own schools or in such places of entertainment as can be arranged, and that each child be presented with a card as a memorial of the day." He thought they should take advantage of the offers made to entertain the children by various local clubs and societies. As for the difficulty of controlling the children, which had been mentioned, he did not think that would arise. An illuminated card would be cherished by the children for many a long day as a memento of a memorable occasion.

Mr Scott seconded the first portion of the motion. In doing so he disclaimed Mr Hart's designation of the feast as a charity dinner.

Mr Tibbs pointed out that while all the children could not be entertained that they could all be feasted. Mr Myers"moved as an amendment, "That the children be feasted."

Mr Dickenson seconded the amend ment.

Mr Thwaites opposed the feasting of the children. He favoured the ballotting of schools for places of entertainment. If they had instead of feasting a good display of fireworks from, say, the top of Mount Eden, it would be an enjoyable entertainment for the children. A good speaker could in a quarter of an hour impress upon the children the importance of the occasion. He suggested that the Mayor include a display of fireworks in his motion. Mr J. McLeod opposed the feasting of the children. He also opposed a fireworks display at night on account of the season of the year. Air Rathbone suggested that if the idea of the feast was given up each child should be given a bag of lollies or fruit. Mr Hart asked if the loyalty of the children depended upon their stomachs. i Mr Rathbone said he was judging the children by what he knew of children when he was a child. Mr Myers then withdrew his amendment and the first part of the Mayor's motion, doing away with the, feasting scheme, was carried by 15 votes to three.. The Mayor, in moving the second part of his motion, said he thought the children might be entertained at the circus, the younger in the afternoon and the older in the evening. If the circus was not available he thought that some other entertainment could be arranged. If funds were available he cordially supported Mr Rathbone's suggestion that each child.should get a bag of lollies or something. Hon. T. Thompson seconded the motion. This portion of the motion was carried unanimously. The Mayor then moved the third portion of his motion, re the memorial cards. Mr Tibbs suggested that each child attending sdho.ol in the province receive a card. The Mayor said that was a matter to be considered. He thought they should get as nice a card printed as possible. The Mayor then put the resolution passed by the sub-committee re lady canvassers, and this was carried unanimously. Mr Tibbs suggested that the public school cadets wear their uniforms on June 26th.

Lieut.-Colonel White said that the Defence Cadets would be called out. He had had a hurried interview with General Babington, who stated that arrangements were being made for the volunteers to be called out on Coronation Day at noon to fire a Royal salute and a feu-de-joie. He und'tsrstood that the military authorities would make their arrangements so as to suit any arrangements made by the citizens.

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

CHRISTCHURCH, Tuesday.

A meeting of citizens was held today to consider the most fitting way of celebrating the Coronation. The Mayor-elect (Mr. H. F. Wigram) suggested that a large bonfire should be built in North Park, and the park and gardens illuminated in the evening. A children's gathering was also mentioned, and a strong committee was finally set up to consider the schemes.