PEAGE CELEBRATIONS

Evening Star, Issue 17034, 3 May 1919, Page 2

PEAGE CELEBRATIONS

ARRANGEMENTS BY EXECUTIVE. The Peace Odlebrationa Executive met yesterday afternoon, tlhe Mayor (Mr J. J. Clark) presiding. , The other members present were Messuvs C. W. Hayward, E. F. Dutihie, J. B. Shaokkok, E, Kellott, J. S. Douglas, S. Solomon, K.C., M. Bradley, and I. Green. DETAILS OF THE DEMONSTRATIONS. Mir Douglas submitted a report on behalf of the demonstrations section. He stated that the duties of the various subcommittees were receiving full attention, and .matters were progressing satisfactorily. The procession of military and civilian organisation on Monday afternoon was now completed in tile matter of procedure, and the secretary had requested the various societies and firms taking part to advise him as early as possible iw to the details of their respective displays. On the receipt of tins information Major Lampeu (chief marshal) would allocate the assembly and procession points to each, and details would be supplied to each unit commander. Messrs Keillett, Speight, Stoneham Wilkinson, and Ritchie would act as assistant marshals On the Tuesday a trades display would be hold, and those industries wishing to take part were requested to forward their applications to the secretary at once. This portion of the proceedings would be supervised by the civilian marshals. The bonfires and fireworks were now practically all arranged for by various organisations, which !had undertaken to carry out this part of the programme. The musical festivities were in a most satisfactory condition, and the performers were showing the greatest enthueia-sin. Over 800 people would take part in the choral music, and with sufficient time for rehearsal these performances should prove unique and worthy of the great occasion. The arrangements for the orchestral and band music wore in a similarly advanced state. The Illuminations and Decorations Subcommittee had completed their detail work and had received promises of assistance from various organisations when such is needed. The scheme provided for day and night decorations, some eight 0011101118 would "be used, amd the street foorn the Octagon each way within the business area, as well as Stuart street, the Octagon itself, and the Anzac square would bo festooned from tram poles and verandahs with red, white, and blue, and the other national colon’s of the Allies. Colored electric bulbs would operate in a similar manner as night decorations. The Public Maas Meetings Committee had so far received replies from the Rev. R. S. Cray and Mr S. G. Griffiths accepting an invitation to apeak at the Thursday night meeting. It was also intended to "endeavor to secure the services of a Minister of the Crown. The report was approved, and Mr Douglas was thanked for his services. .ENTERTAINMENT OF SOLDIERS. Mr Solomon reported that_ certain difficulties had been encountered in the way of givng a dinner to the returned soldiers on the Monday evening, and this idea had now been dropped. Instead, he had been able to arrange, through the courtesy _of Messrs John Fuller and Sons, to provide the men with a free vaudeville entertainment on an evening during the celebrations. Arrangements load also been made with tire Ladies’ Patriotic Association to have a continuous dry canteen open at the Brydone Hall from 11 a.m. till 1 p.m., and from 5 p.m. till 7 p.m., and also for further hours if necessary. Here the men would be able to obtain tea, coffee, and light refreshments and also cigarettes free of charge. The soldiers were, he understood, perfectly satisfied with these arrangements, which would meet the position. Mr Solomon and his committee were thanked for the successful arrangements which had been made. QUESTION OF EXPENDITURE. Mr Hayward raised the question of the alleged extravagant expenditure, especially upon decorations and illuminations. In reply, Mr Solomon stated that when the, proposal was originally set on foot the Citizens’ Committee agreed to assist the corixv.-ation. The Finance Committee then pointed out that extent of the celebrations depended entirely on the money voted by the council, and the committee pledged” itself loyally to_ carry its views as expressed by the donation, whatever those views might be. The council then provided the committee with £2,700, and the total sum received in excess of ■fcVmt Amoant Viad been only a fow hundred pounds. It was not intended, added Mr Solomon emphatically, to spend more than £I,OOO on decorations of all kinds, and the committee was now in honor bound to carry out these celebrations to the best of its ability. The Mayor added that the chairman of the Finance Committee (Cr Taverner) had clearly explained the position at the last meeting of the council. In the light of that statement, and also in the knowledge of the actual position, he did not consider for a moment that it came within the province of the committee to defend the City Council. LIST OF DONATIONS. The following list of donations was laid before the meeting:—Union Steam Ship Company, £100; Messrs Kempthorne, Prosser, and Co., £SO; Bristol Piano Company, £25; Glerdermid Company, £25; Messrs A. and T. Inglis, £25; ‘Otago Daily Times’ Company, £lO 10s; Bank of New Zealand, £10; Messrs Irvine and Stevenson £10; ‘ Evening Star ’ Company, £10; Mutual Stores, £5. In addition to these sums there have been donations of £SO from the St. Kilda Borough Council and of £7O from the Harbor Board. Mr Solomon further stated that he understood the the Warehousemen’s Association intended to make a donation of £250. DATE OF CELEBRATIONS. Some discussion took place respecting the holding of the celebrations on the first Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday after the signing of the Peace Treaty or on the following Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday. Eventually the executive decided to stand by the dates originally selected, and the celebrations will take place on the first Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday following the signing of the preliminary treaty, as it is considered that ample notice will be received GENERAL. The superintendent of the City Fire Brigade wrote Stating that ho would be greatly obliged if the procession could be diverted so as to pass along Cumberland street, as he could not allow his mtm to leave the station.—Referred to the Procession Committee, with power to act. The Rev. A. M. Finlayson (clerk of the Presbyterian Synod) wrote forwarding a resolution asking the committee to abstain from any outside demonstrations on the Monday of peace till after 11 a.m.—Mr Douglas stated that this matter had been satisfactorily adjusted. Nothing, would take place on the Oval until after 11 a.m. Messrs Cooke, Howlison, and Co. wrote offering to provide motor transport for elderly people, and also for young children, whom they would convey to town and also back to their homes.—The offer was accepted with thanks. The matter of making provision for refreshments tor the general public was left in the hands of Mr Douglas to arrange. The meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the Mayor for the services he had rendered the committee during the time he had presided over their deliberations.