MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 11243, 8 April 1902, Page 5

MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE.

A meeting of-* the Committee in connection with the testimonial to Mr Seddon was held yesterday afternoon, at the City Cound Chjimbers. His Worship the Mayor occupied the chair.

Mr Stead, on of lie Sub-Com-mittee, said they had received a telegram from the Premier, stating that he would be pleased if the Committee would arrange for the meeting to -be held on Tuesday evening, and close in time for him to get away by tihe northward boat that night. The Sub-Committee had arranged for a band to play from 7 to 8 o'clock, and during the evening. They had been fortunate in getting Sir John Hall to make the presentation, .' Sir John was an opponent of the Premiers policy in domestic politics, ag were jnany who had taken part in tie movement, but Sir John had. iv view of the work done by the Premier in connection with the war, sunk his political feelings. He thought the fact that tsir John had consented to present the testimonial would add greatrjr to the interest and success of the gathering. It was hoped that the hall would be filled on the occasion. The volunteers, it would be observed, had been permitted to attend in uniform. No doubt Canterbury would, on this occasion, rise, to the event, and show, by their presence, their appreciation of the action cf the Premier im connection with the .South African War. He might say that it was intended to issue platform tickets to the members of the Committee and their lady friends, tie Anglican Bishop, the Roman Catholic Bishop, the Judge, and other distinguished citizens. TW Hon. Mr Louis.son suggested that the subscribers should be enabled to get tickets entitling them to a seat. If they did not take care they might find the Hall filled by those who had riot subscribed, and the subscribers would not be able to get a seat if they desired. He thought that they might reserve a number of seats for subscribers.

Mr Roper considered the suggestion a very gpod one, and the vestibule and separate entrance to the Hall would enable them to carry it into effect. Mr Bidmeade suggested' that signatures should be got in the Hall. In Wellington they had gob some 9000 signatures. mi Stead said that in Wellington they were taking the signatures without subscriptions, but in Canterbury they had decided that they would not take signatures without a eutr-Sption. Mfc Stringer mentioned that some 20,000 signatures ->Tiad been obtained. It was impossible to get the actual testimonial to ba presented to the Premier on the following evening, but it might be got ready afterwards. They had sent out invitations to his Excellency the Governor (who replied he could not; attend), the various volunteer officers, the Ministers and members of Parliament, the beads of various organisations, etc. . .

The secretary Teported that £34 hod been sent from* Timaru, and Mr Jones had been appointed to represent Timaru on the following evening. After some discussion it was resolved that three ticket* be given to each member of the 'Committee.

On the motion' of Mr Allan, it wae resolved that the members of the Committee be supplied with badges, and be in attendance to receive the Premier and assist in the arrangements. The members of the Committee are to be in attendance before 7 p.m. at the Hall. The meeting 'then, terminated.