ROYAL REECEPTION EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXIV, Issue 3354, 16 April 1868, Page 3

ROYAL REECEPTION EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.

A meeting of this committee w«s beld at five o'clock yesterday afternoon, at the Board-room of the City Board of Commissioners, for the purpose of receiving the official intimation of the abandonment oE the projected visit of his Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh. Thomas Macffarlane, Esq., M.H.R., Chairman of Committee, presided. Mr. Diddams (in the absence of Mr. Og™. secretary) read the minutes of last meeting, which were confirmed. He then read a letter from his Honor the Superintendent, requesting that a meeting of the Executive Committee should be convened, and a copy of the communication which the Superintendent had that day received from his Excellency the Governor's Private Secretary in reference to the abandonment of the projected departure of his Royal Highness Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh, to this colony, and which appeared in the Provincial Gazette of yesterday's date j also his Excellency s enclosed copy of notification, which is to appear in the General Government Gazette, and which we first made public in the " Extra" published on Saturday morning last. It also appeared in the following Monday's publication of the Daily. Southern Cross. ' His Honor the Superintendent said he had a visit on the previous day from gentlemen representing the Regatta Committee, who were desirous to know at what time it would be most convenient for holding the annual regatta, now that it could not be held as proposed on the expected arrival of the Duke of Edinburgh. He suggested to them that it would be desirable to appoint some day of public demonstration or rejoicing, and that the regatta should take place on that day. Captain Daldy and Captain Guilding seemed to concur in that view ; and he believed the Regatta Committee had postponed their meeting until after the Executive Committee had come to some decision on the subject. At that interview, he informed those gentlemen that he believed the sum of £150 which had been promised by the Hon. Mr. Stafford for the regatta would be given, provided the Maori canoe race would take place, (dear, hear.) As bis Excellency the Governor was desirous to adhere to the arrangements which had been made in the programme of native proceedings for the reception of the Prince at various places, the Governor is likely to fulfil all the appointments made himself as tbe next beat substitute for the Duke of Edinburgh. He had consulted with his Excellency, who would be glad that the regatta should take place, and also that the canoe race should form a part of it. As he believed his Excellency's patronage w*a to be sought by the Regatta Committee, he might say that the Governor was quite willing to give any encouragemeut and support he could to the regatta He felt authorised in stating so in the absence of his Excellency, who had been suddenly called away to the Bay of Islands. He thought, therefore, the committee might consider what day should be set apart for holding the holiday and regatta. He thought Wednesday, the 29th of April, would be a favourable time, and they might expect fair weather at that period. Captain Casey thought that would be a favourable time for holding the regatta, and the state of the tide would be favourable. His Honqr the Superintendent said they had sent home a report of what had taken place at the great public meeting by the last mail, and whatever was done on the public holiday would be in time for the next outgoing Panama mail. If they postponed the regatta until the middle of May or Queen's birthday, the weather would most likely be unsettled and unfavourable. He believed the Regatta Committee desired to have a fortnight's notice given them, and, if the Executive Committee would request that that day fortnight should be set apart as a day of public rejoicing, he would do what he could to have it carried out. Mr. Guilding said he had been authorised by the Chairman of the Kegatta Committee to advertise the regatta for the day named by the Reception Committee as a public holiday, so that there would be no delay. His Honok the Superintendent said the meeting might pass a resolution on the subject. Mr. Yon der Heyde asked if the 29th April would suit his Excellency the Governor. His Honor the Superintendent replied in the affirmative. Mr. Guilding asked if they might put the Governor's name down as patron of the regatta. His Honor the Superintendent replied that they might do so ; he was at liberty to say that his Excellency was quite willing to patronise the regatta. The Earl of Pembroke had gone to the Bay of Islands, and if he should be in Auckland at that time he might be asked to become president of the regatta. Mr. Goildinq- moved the following resolution : — "This committee, after hearing the statement of bis Honor the Superintendent, and the letter of his Excellency the Governor, deeply regret the unavoidable circumstances which have led to the abandonment of the arrangements contemplated for giving expression to their feelings towards the Crown and Prince ; and suggest that a day be set apart for affording the people of this province an opportunity of expressing their gratitude and joy for tke safe recovery of his Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh from tbe effects of the late attack made upon him, and that the 29bh of this month be suggested to his Honor the Superintendent for that purpose." Mr. Swanson seconded the resolution, which was unanimously carried. His Honor the Superintendent said it would be necessary for the General Reception Committee to be summoned. Before doing so it would be desirable that the Executive Committee Bhould ascertain the costs and liabilities incurred j and with that view the secretary should be instructed to collect in all claims against the committee, for the purpose of being submitted to the Executive before the meeting of the General Committee. Captain Casey moved, " That, with a view to the liquidation of the costs and liabilities incurred by this committee, the Secretary be instructed to collect in all claims against the committee, to be submitted to the Executive Committee prior to a meeting of the General Committee being convened. Mr. Swanson seconded the resolution, which was adopted unanimously. After some conversation, respecting the subscriptions received, the meeting separated.