MEETING OF THE LOCAL COMMITTEE.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 10881, 4 February 1901, Page 9

MEETING OF THE LOCAL COMMITTEE.

A meeting of the Arrangements Committee in connection with the reception of the Imperial troops was held at the City Council office, at 11 on Friday morning. Present — His Worship the Mayor (in tbe chair), Lisut. -Colonel Srat&r, Captains Hobday. Smith and Oharlewood. Lieutenants Maude and Merton, Rev. Dr. Morley. Dis. Leviivge and Miekle, Messrs Stead, J. B. Fishsr, W. R. Mitchell, R, M. Maedonald, and P. Campbell. The Mayor said he bad received some telegrams from the Acting-Premier in answer to those seat by him, which he would read to the meeting." They wme as follows: — "I have received official intimation from Melbourne that the Britannic left for the Bluff this morning, and is due there on the morning of the 4tb pros. The troops will land at Bluff early on morning of 4th, proceeding by early train to lnmcargill. They xvill leave* there" the same day, stopping an hour at Gore, arriving at Dunedin that evening, remaining there the next day and night, leaving for Christchurch on the morning ot the 6th. They will stay about an hour at Palmerston, stay an hour at Oamaru, Timaru, and Ash'burton, arriving at- Chiisteburch that evening, stay in Christelmreh until the evening ot the 7th, and then leave by steamer for Wcllbigton." As to uniform, etc., the Acting-Premier had wired as follows:—"So far as I can ascertain, full-dress uniform will bo permitted, .and we intend to have a review in Christchurch, if it is possible, but this can only be decided after arrival of Colonel Wyndiiam at Bluff, and you will bo duly advised immediately. It is desirable for you to coniev with Colonel Gordon, and decide what streets in Christchurch you would like the troops to be marched through on morning after arrival. In case there is no review, route must not be longet I than three miles. Marching can be arranged I in any case, but I presume review would be more acceptable. Regarding entertainment, public luncheon or dinner can b« given. At these I presume only quiet speeches will be made. There will require to be an absence of anything in the shape uf festivities, such as songs, and you will kindly note I am advised that, in order to conform to military etiquette, the officers and men requia-o to be entertained separately." It would noxv be for tfte meeting to' decide what stejjs should be taken. Mr P. Campbell moved—"That the troops on arrival proceed straight through to Lyttelton, and be berthed on board their own ship." x\lr J. B. Fisher seconded the. motion. Some considerable discussion ensued on the resolution, and ultimately Dr. Miekle moved as an amendment— "That a communication be sent to the Acting-Premier, offering to encamp the troops on land, and to entertain them at the Exhibition Building."

Dr. Levinge seconded the amendment. ! The resolution, after some discussion, was withdrawn, and the amendment became tha resolution.

Captain Smith moved as an amendment— "That the Hon. Mr Ward be informed of three methods at the disposal of the committee for billeting the troops, and requested to state which lie considers likely to be most acceptable to Colonel Wyndham."

Mr J. B. Fisher seconded the amendment, which xvas carried.

The Mayor said he would send an urgent telegram to the Acting-Premier, embodying the resolution.

It was resolved to adjourn till $ p.m. in ordter to receive the answer from the Acting Premier. The following is the text of the telegram sent by the Mayor:—"Please reply urgent which of the three following methods of billeting men most likely to be approved of toy Colonel Wymdham: (1) To go straight to chip, and in this connection it would appear almost impossible for Britar.nic to be in Lyttelton in time if used for same purposes in Port Chalmers; (2) encamped on Show Grounds'; (3) if possible billeted in Exhibition annexes.—W. Reege, Mayor."

On tbe meeting resuming at eight o'clock, tho Mayor a'lmoum'ced that he hud received no reply to his urgent telegram. T'b'a might be due to.the fact that the ActingPrtinier might bs on his way South ; bm as am •urg-E-r-t reply had been asked for, lit thcugiht 'that *o,m>e.»r.iß -would reply. H< sugg-esved that they might discuss Thursday's programme, and) the reply might arrive during ttbe meeting. One arrangement proposed was that the lnenjShoirld, assuming -they remained on board the steamer, on their arrival from poit pile their arms in ths Agricultural Hull, and be. allowed to look round the town. As tho day was the half-holiday the review or parade might bo held- in the -afternoon.;, when the people could aCiendi it. The ■ Mayor 'of Lyttfllton hud offered to co-opratewith- tbe committee in any -way that he possibly could. it was agreed, on the motion of Mr Stead, seconded, by Mr P. Campbell, " That arrangements be made to entertain the men at lunchson, and at dinner in the Agricultural Hall."

The question'of the entertainment of the officers was next discussed, and on the motion of Mr Stead, seconded by Dr. Levinge, it wan dacided that a luncheon be given to the officers. Much discussion of a conversational cliaracter took place in connection with the dotails of til*, programme. Mr T. Wallace proposed that an executive committee should, be formed to consider the details. He moved that such a committee should be set up., to consist of His Worship the Mayor, Mr P. Campbell, Hon. C. Louisson, Dr. Levinge, Mr G. G. Stead, and Mr R. M. Macdonaid. Lieutenant-Colonel .Slater seconded the motion, and said they would not get forward until matters were dtalt with by a small committee. The motion was agreed to, and it wa.9 understood that the -executive could, if necessary, appoint tub-committees to deal with spscial portions of the arrangements. Amongst die details to be decided upon is the question of the receotion of tho troopa at the railway station on the evening o/ their arriw.l. THE RECEPTION AT DUNEDIN. (FEESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) DUNEDIN, February 2. Some doubt arose to-day as to waethei Colonel Wyndham would permit the Imperial troops to. be billetted in twos and threes in private houses- After much telegraphic correspondence between the Mayor and the Acting-Premier, it was finally decided to earn- out this arrangement unless Colonel Wyndham disapproves on reaching the Bluff. ' • The troopers wili be entertained at suppei on their arrival on Monday night. February 3. At a meeting on Saturday, final arrangements were made for tbe billetting of the Imperial troops among citizens. If Colonel Wyndham disapproves of the proposition, the men can go into camp on the Caledonian Ground, where Colonel Webb and hie staff has everything in readiness, or they can bn taken to Port Chalmers, and sleep on the Britannic. WELLINGTON, February 1. A committee of citizens xvas formed today to make arrangements for the reception of the Imperial troops. It was decided to invite the public to provide accommodation for 900 men.