THE CIVIC SIDE.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1137, 26 May 1911, Page 5

THE CIVIC SIDE.

CORONATION PROCESSION. SPORTS BODIES TO ASSIST.. Representatives of local sports bodies and friendly societies and the Salvation Army met his Worship tho Mayor (Mr. T. M. Wilford) at the Town Hall last evening for tho purpose of arranging some suitable method of organisation for tho civilian bide of tho procession to tako place on Coronation Day. The following were present:—Captnin Hall, whose services have been placed at Iho disposal of tho city to marshal the civilian portion of the procession; Messrs. W, Perry and J. Sweeney (Wellington Rugby Union); Paton and. Duncan (Wellington Football Association); A. A. Bennett (Wellington Hockey Association); Cusack -lid Manning (Wellington Wednesday Hockey Association); W. Jes-sou (A.0.F.); L. Boock (U.A.0.D.); lbbotson and King (Manchester Unity A.0.0.F.); L. llodloy (1.0.0. F.); Fathers, Johnson, and Newman (1.0.E.)j A. Williams (Sons and Daughters of .Temperance); l'ear&e and Richards (Aorangi Lodge); and Major Johnston and Adjutant Uurni (Salvation Army). Tho Mayor briefly outlined the programme for Coronation Day, and explained that tho object in calling tho sports bodies and iricndly societies together was to niako the civilian portion, ot the procession n<! bright and representative as possible. After referring to the part played by tho friendly societies in the last procession, his Worship said that ■ tins was the lirst time that sports bodies had been asked to co-operate, and if he understood them as he thought he did, there would bo an excellent response. I here were for instance some 3000 Rugby oolballcrs in Wellington. It could not bo expected that the lot would turn out, out il representatives came from each dub in uniform, it would niako a pic turesquo cilect, and take away tho sow- • bi:e stmde usually associated with theso processions. In fact, if Hie athletic bodies all joined in, tho procession would lie tho biggest and best ever scon in the Dominion. Iho military display on that' occasion would be the best that had ever been cocn hero and it should bo an inducement to those taking part in the civilian portion of the procession to imT i 'n l ' thcy wiU lwvc a Place allotted them that will give them an opportunity of seeing that display, while they would also have the knowledgo that Uicy would be fulfilling a duty as good' citizens. In conclusion, his Worship said: that though he.had called the representatives together, they were to run tho affair themselves. His room would be at their disposal for meetings, and he would bo ready to assist (hem in other ways posIn auswer to tho Mayor's query as to how tho Rugby Union viewed tho proP ? ? n' lr f- W. Perry said that the whole' ot ilia clubs had been circularised, and that the union had expressed tho hope that as many as possible would assist in. Hie movement. As yet tho union had !i\i I? ." cllance *° receive any replies. .Uio Hockey Associations (Wednesday and hatnrday), the Football Association, and tho various friendly societies reported in much tho same terms. Major Johnston, on behalf of the Salvation Army; reported that the Army was prepared to arrange for u. combinod'band, comprising 35 or 40 members. Iho Mayor thanked tho representatives lor their attendance, and remarked that they had done all that was possible up to that stage. His idea of the sports bodies of Wellington was that they wero Imperialistic enough to join in a movement like tho present one, and ho had no doubt they would make it a great success. On the motion of Mr. Cmaek, it was decided that the various representatives present form a committee for the purpose of carrying out arrangements, and that the meeting adjourn until June 8.