CELEBRATION OF CORONATION

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27112, 7 August 1953, Page 8

CELEBRATION OF CORONATION

Cost To Christchurch £l7OO

BUDGET FIGURE NOT REACHED

The Coronation celebrations in Christchurch cost slightly more than £l7OO. When the celebrations committee held its final meeting in Christchurch yesterday, the Mayor (Mr R. M. Macfarlane, M.P.) said that the City Council had originally budgeted for £2OOO. With an expenditure of £3OO less, the committee’s financial statement could be considered very satisfactory. Mr Macfarlane said he wished to express his appreciation to those who had worked to make the celebrations a success. The procession was very good indeed, and could have been classed as outstanding. The floats were excellent.

The military services, the Civic Music Council, the M.E.D.. retail firms, county councils, Lyttelton Harbour Board, Christchurch Transport Board, the conveners of the citizens service, and the Roman Catholic Church, which had held a special service, were specially thanked by Mr Macfarlane. The expenditure, exclusive- of M.E.D. costs, was made up as follows: Cathedral square decorations, £200; fireworks (Hagley Park), £678 16s 6d (New Brighton), £lO7 5s 8d (Sumner), £5O; order of service, £73 Is 8d; publicity and programmes. £66 10s; civic ceremony. £4 10s; works department (charges and wages), £362 13s lOd; reserves department, £127 Ils 9d; traffic department, £129 4s 6d; sound system, £25; sundry charges (unbudgeted), £146 6s sd; King Edward Barracks rental. £5O. Total. £2021 0s 4d.

Receipts were made up as follows: Halswell County Council donation. £lO 10s; music festival surplus, £220 19s 4d; band concert. £35 4s 2d; New Zealand Broadcasting Service fees. £l5, 15s; programme sales commission. £6 8s 2d. Total. £3lB 16s 4d.