A BIG PROGRAMME

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 97, 24 April 1923, Page 13

A BIG PROGRAMME

TO BOOST WELLINGTON

.WHAT THE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS

VARIOUS MATTERS DISCUSSED,

An ambitious programme for a carnival week to "boost" Wellington was submitted to a representative meeting at the Town Hall, last evening. The programme, a .tentative one, was the result of deliberations of a preliminary I committee set up at the first meeting to consider the . best ways possible to! "place Wellington on the map." Mt. D, J. M'Gowan presided, and tnere was a large attendance. The committee reported that two meetings had been held, and the following conclusions had been arrived at: — "(1) That the time available is not sufficient to allow of a carnival worthy of the city to be organised and carried out on sound lines by race week—7th to 14th July. (2) They are of opinion, however, that a lew ambitious effort should be made to provide sports, shows, and shopping displays, etc. (a) Attract people to the oity during that week and interest them when they are here; (b) to provide a fund for propaganda, and for the organisation of a. carnival week during the coming summer, and thereafter in the months of January and July of each year. "The committee, therefore, recommend: (1) That a- permanent committee be Bet up consisting «f 30 members, to be called 'The Wellington Carnival and Advertising Committee,' and to be composed of one representative from each of the following bodies: —City Council, Harbour Board, Rotary Clubj Commercial Travellers' Association, Retailers' Association^ Wholesalers' Association, Hotelkeepers' Association, Private Hotel and Restaurants' Association, Chamber of Commerce, combined bands, musical societies, racing club, trotting club, Industrial Association, Motor Association, agricultural interest, citizen, Football Associations, Athletic Association, Boxing Association, Swimming Association, Yaoht and Rowing Association','Life Saving Association, Cricket Association, and Bowling Centre, with power to add to its numbers. "(2) That this committee be instructed, to give effect to the programme suggested herein, with such additions, alterations, and modifications as may be found expedient, on race week, 7th to 14th July. _ "(3) That they go into the 'whole question and submit recommendations to the general committee at the earliest possible date for a carnival week tobe held during the summer, 1923-24, anjj thereafter'each year in the months of July and January. "(4) That during, the interval they take every opportunity to brighten our city, bathing beaches, etc., with suitable displays and music. "(5) We recommend that the period, 7th to 14th July, be called the 'Winter Sports Weeks,' and suggest tentative programme attached. GRATIFIED AT SUPPORT. "The committee is gratified at the general surmort the movement is receiving from all quarters. It will, however, be necessary to have a guarantee fund, and the committee recommend that guarantees for £3000 be. secured. In making these recommendations, the committee was influs»ced by the following facts :— That during the month of July all farm worK is more or less at a standstill, and the farmers are free to take a holiday. Parliament is sitting, and many deputations take advantage of this week to come to Wellington. Many conferences are also held_, among them the following : Kacing Conference, Trotting Conference, Associated Clubs, Fanners' Conference, and Insurance and others. "We are of opinion, therefore, that the usual attractions during race week, 7th to 14th July, should be taken adyantage of as the most suitable time for a winter carnival, which should embrace, next year and annually.thereafter, the following :—A winter show, poultry show, dog and cat show, motor show, industrial exhibition, and other such attractions. Besides the above all kinds of seasonable sports. AN ANNUAL HOLIDAY. "We believe this would become an annual holiday and shopping week for hundreds of people who cannot leave their farms at any other time of the year. Wa have reason to expect, therefore, that, with sound organisation and the loyal support of our people, our' winter week will become one of the biggest attractions of the year, and a most profitable ueriod. to our city. We have pleasure, therefore, in recommending'that a modified programme on the lines suggested be carried out this year ac a forerunner to a bigger effort in the following years, and that the committee submit suitable proposals for a summer carnival at the earliest possible date. " SUGGESTED PROGRAMME. Saturday, 7th July.-Trots at Hutt, football and hockey shield games, shop window displays (prtees £10, £5, £4) bands playing (prizes £50 and £25), ball in Town Hall, paper ball, poverty ball, trades and commerce, and farm ball (prize £10). ' Monday, 9th July.—Shopping day, special sales displays in shops, windowdressing competition, start bands competition from Parliament buildings to veitch and Allan's corner. Tuesday, 10th July.—Raoes at Trentham, boxing-, Town Hall, in evening concert in King's Theatre or Opera House. Wednesday,- 11th July.—Football, evening, concert, Town Hall or Opera House, community sinjging and choir competitions. Thursday, 12th July.—Political parties or colleges (football), school football, evening, race ball (Town Hall), races at Trentham. Friday, 13th July.—Shopping day, final ahop displays, final pip 0 and brass bands competition (marching through streets), school competition (mar-china through streets), Savage Club. ba!l (Town Hall). Saturday ,_ 14th July.—Racing at Trentham, carnival ball (fancy dress). Daily motor trips round . bays and sights. Visits to industries, etc. An effort will also be made to group the poultry show, industrial exhibition motor show, and other such attractions in this week. AUCKLAND CARNIVAL A SUCCESS. The chairman said that, in regard to the criticism levelled at the scheme by the Chamber of Commerce, it had since been reported that the Auokland carnival; held on similar lines to that proposed for Wellington, had shown a profit of £2000. He moved that the report should be adopted. This was seconded by M r . E Short Mr. G. Mitchell (the organiser) said that the motor people were going into the question of having a motor show and they had been promised the use of the Harbour Board shed at Pipitea. Tho poultry people had also agreed to postpone their annual show until the winter week was being held._ The Town Hall had also been pencilled in for that "'<#■ Ari£ h £ c cption, °f nights. Mr. W. S. Wilson objected to tho amount of; the gu»raut« fund being

stated definitely. He thought that those present should divide themselves into committees of Uvo, and canvass every part of the city for subscriptions to the fund. Mr. R. W. Shalorass did not agree with Mr. Wilson's suggestion. As a matter of fact, he did not think that there would be any need to call on the guarantors. Some discussion ensued as to the name by which the week should be known, and the name "Wellington's Welcome Week" was finally adopted. All those present (about forty gentle men representing various organisations) were elected a committee, and various sub-committees were elected. Mr. M'Gowan was appointed the permanent chairman of the committee.