Public Meeting.

Hastings Standard, Issue 415, 2 September 1897, Page 2

Public Meeting.

A WELCOME TO THE NATIVE CONTINGENT. The public meeting convened by the Mayor for the purpose of considering the question of extending a formal public welcome to the local members of the Native Contingent representing the colony of New Zealand at the recent Jubilee ceremonies in England was held at the Borough Council Chambers last night. Mr C. A. FitxEoy occupied the chair. The attendance was large and representative. The Mayor, in opening the meeting, explained that the object was to extend a suitable reception to the local members of the contingent which represented the colony of New Zealand at the recent Jubilee celebrations in London. The town should feel proud of them for the distinction conferred on 'them and for the excellent manner in which they acquitted themselves during their stay in London.

Mr A. L. I). Fraser explained that he was to some extent responsible for the meeting. Several prominent residents had applied to him to move in the matter as they considered some recognition was due to the local members of the contingent for the manner in which they represented the colony. They not only represented their own race but bv their exemplary conduct and intelligent bearing did credit to New Zealand as a whole and advertised the colony better than the columns of the London Times could have done. Under these circumstances a suitable reception should bo accorded to them. A 1 thought there was no necessity for the function to be elaborate, the townspeople .ought to welcome them back as children of the soil representing the colouy at a pageant which was an event of several life times. He would like to hear the opinion of the meeting. Mr A. B. Greene proposed that a reception committee be appointed at once which should meet and arrange a programme. Mr G. Ellis, in seconding the resolution, directed the attention of the meeting to the unique distinction conferred on one of the local members of the contingent, and indirectly on Hawke's Bay by having Taranaki picked from thousands to act in the Queen's bodyguard, and in view of this honor they should be cordially greeted by the Hawke's Bay populace. Mr A. L. D. Fraser said he would rather be in favor of testing the feeling of the meeting on the question of welcoming the contingent, and for that reason he would propose that on their return a public reception be accorded to the local Native representatives at the recent -Jubilee celebrations in London by the citizens of Hastings, and he would ask the proposer of the former motion to withdraw it as he considered the public meeting should make arrangements. Mr Greene agreed, and Mr Spencer seconded Mr Fraser's motion, which was carried unanimously. Mr Fraser said the contingent would arrive in the colony next Wednesday, after which they would probably be detained a little time in Wellington and Masterton before arriving here.' Mr F. De Lisle endorsed Mr Fraser's remarks that the public meeting should make arrangements, and he proposed that the local volunteers be asked to turn out and form a guard of honor at the railway station to greet the Natives on their arrival, that arrangements be made far a public reception, and that the men be formally welcomed by the Mayor. Mr Cashion, in seconding the motion, suggested that the Nativos be entertained at a banquet in the Princess Theatre in the evening. The motion was put and carried. Mr Newbigin said he had heard that the Natives proposed having a reception of their own in the Waipatu Pah, and the Maoris would be anxious to get away to their own function. In view of this he thought it better not to have the banquet on the day of their arrival. Mr Spencer explained that the Natives would not clash with the European reception, and arrangements could easily be made. ; On the motion of Mr G. Ellis, seconded by Mr Greene, it was decided to leave the further development of the programme to a committee to be appointed. The following committee was appointed, five to form a quorum Capt. Russell, Messrs Fitzßoy Newbiyin, Fraser, Ellis, Cullen, Beilby, George, Maddison, Hunt, A. C. Lewis, J. N. V fashion, G. Ebbett, Charts Greene, De Lisle, Ware, I i.v, Stuart, Caul ton, Gorma Si Tuiaroa, and Ansell. A vote of thanks to the chair concluded the basinet.