CORONATION CELEBRATIONS.

Feilding Star, Volume XXIII, Issue 1459, 10 June 1902, Page 2

CORONATION CELEBRATIONS.

A meeting of townspeople was held in the Council Chambers last evening to receive and discuss the reports from the various sub-com-mittees on the proposed coronation celebrations. His Worship the Mayor, Mr Goodbehere, presided. About forty gentlemen were present. A letter was received from the Captain of the Salvation Army stating that the Band would take part in the celebrations. Mr R. F. Haybittle reported that the Fire Brigade were also agreeable to join in the demonstration. The Fireworks and Bonfire Com* raittee recommend that a stand 10ft x 10ft about 6ft off the ground should be built in the plot in Manchester Square where the well is sunk, the cost to be about £2 10s ; that the sum of £9 9s be spent in fireworks according to a list prepared by the Committee providing for an elaborate display, including several set pieces and about 30 rockets. —The report was adopted. The Rev. Innes Jones, on behalf of the Religious Services Committee, reported that it was suggested to hold a united service in the Drill Hall at 11.80 a.m., and that special hymns had been selected, which should be printed. A discussion arose as to whether the service should be held in the Drill Hall or Manchester Square, but Captain Barltrop intimated that the Drill Hall would be available for the service free of chargo, and it was accordingly decided to hold the service in that hall. Mr Desinond reported that he, along with Mr Drury, had interviewed the natives at Awahuri and Aorangi, who had expressed their willingness to join in the day's re* joicings provided food was supplied to them. Mr Desmond also stated that the Maoris would take part in the procession, besides giving a haka and war dance in native costume. It was unanimously resolved that the sum of £10 be voted toward^ entertaining the natives, and that Messrs Desmond and Drury be authorised to make the necessary arrangements for food supplies. The matter of the proposed tableaux was then discussed and Messrs Morshead, Neill, and Hunter were appointed a sub-committee to interview and assist the ladies in preparing the tableaux. Mr Cobbe reported that in connection with the procession of school children, and the refreshments to be provided for their benefit, the amount which had been voted (£8) was inadequate to provide refreshments for the children as originally proposed. He estimated that fully 600 of them would be present, and therefore moved that the suggested school demonstration be abandoned, and that the sum of £10, to be supplemented by the Government £ for £ subsidy of £10, be devoted to improving and planting the grounds of the District High School and Lytton Street School. Mr Tusfcin seconded the motion, which, meeting with some opposition, the majority present objecting the resolution was allowed to drop. Mr R. F. Haybittle then moved that in the event of the Government presenting cards to the children, that no medals be struck as proposed, but that the sum of £18 be handed over to the committee to entertain the children, which was carried. The Mayor reported tbat a sum of about £17 was in hand, being the balance remaining from the amount subscribed towards the Peace Demonstration, but against that, according to a resolution of the original Peace Committee, there would probably be an amount to pay for commemoration cards ordered by them from A. D. Willis, which had not, however, come to hand. It was decided that if the cards had not been printed to cancel the order and to devote the money towards the Coronation celebrations fund. On the motion of Mr A. G. Carty Messrs Richmond, Bramwell, and the mover were appointed as üb-com-mittee to arrange for Printing the programmes of the United Service, including- hymns. Resolved, That a service at the Church of England to be held at 9.30 a.m,|be included in the day's programme. The names of Capt. Barltrop and Lieut. Harford were added to the committee appointed to make arrangements for the music and the evening programme. ' On the motion of Mr Cobbe, it was decided to ask the Manchester Road Board to vote a sum of money for entertaining the school children, which had been done by the Rangitikei County Council towards JVlarton. It was understood that flags, torches, etc., are to be procured for the procession. The meeting then adjourned until Monday evening next.