JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS.

Press, Volume XLVII, Issue 7449, 15 January 1890, Page 5

JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS.

[press Association telegrams.]

AUCKLAND,.January 14. Apropos of the controversy relative to the proper anniversary day of the colony, Mr Williamson, Crown Prosecutor, contributes some valuable information.,. He says, *' If .tne observance of the 29th ju Auckland is traced to.lts,source,"is will be found'that the date was fixed and imposed upon us by the Government of, the Colony, and it is not, .therefore, in any sense "claimed by the* Auckland people or the Auckland district a.3 the anniversary of this particular portion of the colony." In the New Zealand Gazette of 1843, p. 16, the following notice appears :— ' Saturday, 29th inst., being the second anniversary of the establishment of .the colony, his Excellency the Governor has been pleased to direct that day to be held a general holiday, on wnich occasion the public offices will be closed by his Excellency's command. "(Signed) Wjulottghby. Shortlaktd, : " Colonial Secretary's Office, . \ " Auckland, January 27th, 1842." - A similar notice appears in the Gazette of ISI7, and in others of, the early Gazettes. If further proof is required, it ie to be found in the fact that in the Supreme Court rules of 1844' the 29ch January, amongst other days, was appointed one of the public holidays of the Court as "being the day of proclamation of the' Queens sovereignty over these islands." X^ 1 " ov year ever since the people of Auckland Have loyally observed the 29th, as the day of the '" establishment; of the colony." The Wellington people, as well as '.the people of other places where the Supreaie Court office - exists, will find that the 29fch of tftis month will be observed La those offices as a close "holiday. ;/ , A meeting of the Jubilee-Committee j was hei'd to-night, when a suggestion was made that-in order to commemorate the celebration a grove of kauri trees should Ibe planted)' an obelisk erected in J a prominent part of the city, or a tuedal struck. The consideration of the proposal -was [ deferred. A Reception Cpmmifctee waa ■ appointed to meet the Governor and party on their arrival in Auckland.. Further donations to the amount of £22, collected during the • week, - ; with a ! number of trophies- as prizes, were ' received. Some discussion took place regarding the Horticultural Show, pro* [posed to be held in the Jubilee week. It is feared that this event will have to be abandoned, but a decision on the subject was deferred. Forms of nomination for tlie athletic sports, to be .held In theDomain oa tho Saturday of Jubilee week, for the men. of the squadpoo, are to be sent South by mail to the men of the ships Lizard, and Opal, to be filled in and returned. :■., . The Mayor received a telegram, to-oay from the Hon. Jβ. lilitchelson,, stating that the Governor and party have arranged to be present at the Auckland Jubilee celebration. WOOD|VILLE , January 14; At the public meeting last night it was resolved to celebrate the Jubilee of the colony on the 28th by a general gathering ] of January 34 Tao qeettion ot whether or noc tie : Salvation Army should ba asked to take j part in the Jubilee procession formed the eubieefc of aa «Bin»te<i discussion at * meeting of the Jubilee A prominent member of the Committee strongly objected to the religious element being introduced into the precession, asid. to this remark another member replied taat it would be a disgrace to if any section of the community was debarred from taking part in the wOebrafciona, Several otners present agreed that: it would be an ill-ad vised move on the parfcof tfae Committee to exclude such a body aa the Salvation Army. Eventually it; .was der cided thfi.the- band be asked to take part iafches»ceediijgß. - I :