ROYAL VISIT.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18920, 8 February 1927, Page 4

ROYAL VISIT.

* CHILDREN'S DEMONSTRATION.

FOREST OF UNION JACKS.

A meeting of the .Schools Committee in connexion with the demonstration liiiriiig the Kpyal visit was held yesterday aiiernoon, .Air A. C. -Maxwell presiding nver an attendance of nine mem-

ber.-. .M: (1 A. W'l.'Lb, instructor in nhy--icai drill in tlie [iriniury schools, and Mr J. liradstock, secretary of the ilciuimasteia' Association, were elected members of-the committee. Ihe cliairin.-ii said the meeting of the Headmasters" Association to ileal uith the denioiistralion would be held on Wednesday evening. U conld make no jirranL.'.onn'im for the secondary .m Imols. tlie stalls of which must take action on their own account. lie did not think ilagley Park would find fat our with the Association, as Laneastei Pari; was thought far more suitable. A mareh past would give all the children the opportunity to see the 1 toy a I visitors. .Mr Webb said Lancaster Pari; was ideal for such a proposal. .Mr \Y. H. Leadley (secretary) said if Bishop West-Watson's idea was followed out, Lancaster Park would scarcely be suitable. It was decided to hold a march past by Standards 11., 111., and IV., and a Jiftplny by Standards V. and VI. Mr Maxwell said the Government should not object to n change to Lancaster Park. Tlie crowd could not bo controlled nearly so well rt Hagley Park. Lancaster Park Preferred. A i-esolution was carried in favour of a request that tho demonstration bo held in Lancaster Park. This suggestion will go forward as a recommendation to the Reception Committee. In reply to Mr Webb, the secretary said tlio function would Inst from 10.30 a.m. to noon. Mr 0. R. Kirk, secretary of tho Canterbury Education Board, undertook to ascertain what were the proposals of tho secondary schools, and whether they proposed to co-operate. Mr A. K. Anderson said he would endeavour to arrange for a meeting of headmasters. Several samples of flags were shown to those present. It was decided to procure 16,000 Union Jacks for the children. Tlie committee decided to recommend that the Municipal Rand be engaged. The general manager of the Christchurch Tramways advised that upon receipt of the necessary information, adequate facilities would bo provided for the conveyance of the children. Presumably, ordinary fares would be charged. Tho chairman said that no presentation from the school children of Christchurch to the Royal baby would be allowed, but if tho srhool children of the Dominion made such an offer, it would be admissable. It was decided to ask the Navy Leacuo to undertake the catering for children from the suburbs and country. Tho next meeting was arranged for February 14th.

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE VOTES £lO. SOME MEMBERS OBJECT.

Some of the members of'thc Council of tho Chamber of Commerce expressed the opinion Inst evening that it should not be called on to subscribe to the funds for tho enetcrtninment of the Royal party. A circular letter from the Mayor (Mr J. K. Archer) requested the Chamber to grant a subscription, assuring it that the funds would be expended with a strict regard for economy. It was suggested that tho letter bo held over for the return of Mr C. P. Agar, the president, who also acts as chairman of tho Reception Committee. Mr O. H. Hewlett advocated a donation of £lO. Mr 1?. K. Jones said they should be careful about giving donations, as such action might bo regarded as a precedent, and they would bo swamped with appeals. Mr AV. Machiu said he was inclined to support tho giving of a donation, bearing in mind his Royal Highncss's close association from time to time with tho Federation of British Industries. He did not think it was the duty of tho Chamber to subscribe, but in_ view of this, the Duke's sympathy might bo quoted as justification. American Fleet's Visit. In reply to a question, tho secretary (Mr P. It. Climie) said no donation had been made to funds in connexion, with tho visit of the American Fleet. Mr U. W. Heslop moved that a subscription of £2O bo given. For this motion there was no seconder. Then Mr Hewlett moved that the donation bo £lO, and Mr Heslop seconded tho motion. Another member opposed the motion. Individual members were being asked to subscribe, ho said. They had quite enough calls for subscriptions privately, as firms, without making it necessary for them to subscribe as a Chamber. Mr Hewlett said he would withdraw tho resolution and move that a suggestion be mnde to individual firms to contribute. "They would get a lot more that way," he said. Mr Heslop would not consent to the withdrawal of the motion. If the Chamber subscribed, ho said, it would give some people their only opportunity to contribute. He would be ashamed to be a member of the Council if it turned a deaf ear to such an appeal. 'The thing is paltry, sir," he said. Mr D. Colquhoun 6aid tho Chamber collectively represented the commercial interests of the City, and even if only a small amount ,was voted, it would be supporting the action of tho City Council. To refuse would be to create a wrong impression. When the motion to donate £]o was put to the meeting the "Ayes" had a narrow majority.