RAILWAY CELEBRATION.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume II, Issue 139, 13 August 1881, Page 2

RAILWAY CELEBRATION.

A meeting of the Committee recently appointed at the public meeting, held at the Hawera Town Hall, was convened by piivate circular for Wednesday afternoon, at Mr. Bate's office. At the appointed hour — 2.30 p.m. — there were only four or five gentlemen present. After waiting a short time, Mr. McGuire was voted to the chair, and by 3 p.m the following gentlemen were in attendance : — Messrs. Bate, Barleyman, I. Bayly, G. T. Bayly, Campbell, Galvin, Kempthorne, King, Livingston, Martyn, McLean, Morecroft, Thomson, and White.

THE PRESS.

Before the business commenced, Mr. Barleyman objected to notes being" taken of the procfidings, as he considered the meeting a private one. Meetings of committees were invariably regarded as private. There would be a certain amount of restriction on those present, if they knew that every word they spoke was to be reported. Mr. Bate considered it better to have the proceedings reported. At the late meeting held at the Town Hall, the remarks made by one of the speakers had created a good deal of annoyance at New Plymouth. • If the present meeting was reported, the Taranaki people would be able to see that there was no ill-feeling towards them in this district. " Mr. King thought that the resolutions only should .be printed.

The Chairman considered it better that the press should be represented, as people then would be careful about what they said.

Mr. Thomson agreed with the remarks made by the Chairman.

Mr. Galvin (who represented the Stab) said it was not unusual to report the proceedings of committees, and instanced the fact that meetings of school committees, committees of agricultural societies, and similar bodiesVere generaly reported, and the representatives of the press were seldom objected to. However, if the committee decided otherwise, he would leave the room, but as a member of committee he would give every assistance in his power to make the celebration a success. Mr. Morecroft thought that it would he a good advertisement to have the proceedings reported." It was ultimately decided that the meeting Bhould be open- to the press, Mr. Barleyinan being the only dissentient, - CORRESPONDENCE. From Mr. J. Brewster, hon. secretary to the New Plymouth Eailway Demon-" stration Committee, as follows: —

" I have the pleasure to hand you herewith a copy'of the Taranaki News of 6th August, giving an account .of a public meeting held at New Plymouth on Wednesday last, to consider the most suitable measures to be taken to celebrate the important event? of opening the line of railway between New Plymouth and Hawera, The residents of this, district desire on such an occasion to have an interchange of mutual courtesies with the residents at Hawera, and as we have read in the newspapers of your intention to celebrate this event with a luncheon, we desire to cooperate with your committee: and to that end, I am instructed to request the attendance of the people of Hawera, as our guests, at a, ball to be. held at New Plymouth on the evening of. the opening. There is at present some uncertainty about the date when the line will be declared open. We have, however, interviewed the General Manager of the District Bailway, and understand from him that it is his intention to run a special tram from New Plymouth on the opening day; leaving New Plymouth about 8 a.m M returning from Hawera about 3 p.m., and arriving here about 6 p.m. There would be an afternoon tram — hence to Hawera — the next day, thus enabling our visitors to attend the dance and spend a portion of the next day with us. Eeturn fares', we hope at a reduction on present prices, would be'issued on the occasion ; and we hope to arrange that the day shall be observed as a public holiday. Will you, therefore, place yourself in communication with your committee, and advise me at earliest convenience if we may rely on your support to the arrangement here proposed. We purpose sending the tickets of invitation to your committee for distribution, and I should be glad to receive an estimate of the probable number likely to visit us."

From Messrs. W. J. Furlong, F. Or. Mace, and J. C. Yorke, consenting to act on the committee.

Letters were also received from Messrs. J. B. Lysaght and H. B. Parrington. Mr. Lysaght stated' that he was afraid he would be in Wellington at the- time of the celebration. Mr. Parrington was unable, through pressure of business, to act on the committee, but would be happy to assist in the preparations. Mr. Bate stated that several persons had consented to act, bat had not sent written replies to his circulars.

THE INVITATIONS.

After some general discussion, Mr. Barleyman, in order to place something definite before the meeting, moved- the following resolution:— "That invitations should be issued to members of both Houses of Parliament between the. White Cliffs and Eangitikei, the Chairmen of the Taranaki and Patea County Councils, the Mayor of New Plymouth, the Chairman of the Patea Town Board, the Chairman of the Taranaki Education Board, the Chairmen of the New Plymouth, Waitara, and Patea Harbor Boards, the legal and medical profession, the chief mercantile men of New Plymouth and Patea, and the heads of general departments." Mr. Barleyman said he-had not had much experience in these matters, but when-the line was finished to Picton, the course he indicated was followed by Mr. Brogden, the contractor. Mr. Bate seconded the resolution pro forma. He thought it better to avoid, as far as possible, making any class distinctions. Everybody who came to the celebration should feel that they were on an equal footing on that day. They should all be the guests of the people of Hawefa, without any distinction whatever. Mr. I. Bayly said that if they invited the heads of public bodies, they would be doing all that was required. Any departure from that plan would only tend to create ill-feeling. _ It Was very difficult to draw a line in these matters, but nobody could object to the heads.pf locally elected bodies being invited.; ••'• Mr. Davidsonwas afraid they would be unable to provide sufficient accommodation.

Mr. Thomson said it might be left' to the New Plymouth committee to say how

many should come down by the excursion train.

Mr. Livingston said, if they were to_ issue invitations, they would be in a similar fix to that of the Waverley people when the line was opened there. Many respectable people came, and until they got to the station, they were unaware that invitations had been issued. They then found they could only get in to the luncheon by paying a guinea. The illfeeling over the matter had not yet subsided. All who came from the other side of the Patea river should be made welcome. Those residing in the Patea County ought to pay for their tickets, except the heads of local bodies. After a general expression of opinion of a similar nature, Mr. Barleyman withdrew his proposition, as he could see it did not meet with the approval of those present. But he thought it better to give them something to discuss.

It was ultimately decided, on the motion of Mr. King, seconded by Mr. Campbell, that all the people in the Taranaki County, who came by the excursion train, should be invited' to the luncheon, and that a general invitation should be issued through the Press.

Mr. I. Bayly proposed, and Mr. Morecroft seconded — " That special invitations be sent to the members of both Houses for the West Coast, N.l."— Carried.

The Chairman proposed, and Mr. Bate seconded — " That special invitations be sent to the Chairmen of the Taranaki and Patea County Councils; the Mayor of New Plymouth, the Chairman of the Patea Town Board, the Chairmen of the New Plymouth, Waitara, and Patea Harbor Boards, and the Chairman of the Taranaki Education Board." — Carried.

An amendment, moved by Mr. King — "That no speoial invitations be sent, except to members of Parliament " — was lost.

MODE OF CELEBRATION.

The Chairman said the next step to decide was as to the manner of the celebration. The New Plymouth people appeared anxious to have a share in the celebration, and he thought it would be better to give way to them. If they had the luncheon here, and the ball at New Plymouth, it would, he considered, be the best course to pursue. There was no use having any ill-feeling over the matter. It was better they should work together.

Messrs. McLean and Livingston agreed with the Chairman. It would be much better to consult the feelings of the New Plymouth people, as they appeared so anxious to share in the festivities.

Mr. King suggested that an address should be delivered to the visitors, and that a cricket or football match, and other sports, should be got up for the occasion. He was afraid, if the celebration was divided, that it would militate against the buccobb at both ends.

Mr. G. T. Bayly (captain of the Football Club), who was present, promised to get up a match. Mr. Bate said if people started from New Plymouth at 8 o'clock in the morning, it would be nearly 12 before they reached Hawera. If they left here at 3 o'olock in the afternoon, there would not be much time for cricket or other sports. Mr. Moreoroft considered it a question of ways and means as to whether they could act alone at this end. He was very doubtful. It -would be as well to have the ball at New Plymouth, as they were anxious to have it so at that end.

Mr. King urged that the journey to and from New Plymouth would take eight hours. Those who came down would be hardly inclined to go to a ball after going back. He did not think that very many from this end would be able to get to the ball, if held on the same' evening.

Mr. I. Bayly said the New Plymouth Seople were afraid that enough accommoation could not be provided in Hawera lor all the visitors.

Mr. Bate said that Mr. Harris, the general manager, had kindly offered to place the goods-shed at the disposal of the committee.

After some further discussion, Mr. Livingston proposed — " That the opening of the railway to Hawera be celebrated by a luncheon, so as to meet the views of the Taranaki people." Mr. McLean seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously; there oeinrr r>, general feeling that it was most important to have a good understanding with the people of New Plymouth, and that their co-operation should be accepted.

THE BALL.

Mr. I. Bayly thought the luncheon and ball could not be successfully carried out the same day. The New Plymouth people would now see that they were anxious to co-operate with them, and he would therefore move — "That the New Plymouth Celebration Committee be asked to postpone the ball to the evening following the clay fixed upon for opening the line to Hawera." Theresolutior v,-< .<-, <?rr f > unanimously.

■3 I. XlVi ?,

The price of uckti-, 2a ;he luncheon was fixed at 7s. Cd. each. Ladies to be admitted free.

BAND. Mr. Martyn urged that some amusement should be provided for the ladies and the children. Mr. G. T. Bayly proposed, and Mr. Martyn seconded, — " That the New Plymouth Volunteer Band should be invited." — Carried. V SECRETARIES. M

essra. Bate and Galvin were appointed joint secretaries.

COMMITTEE. The following gentlemen (including those who have already consented to act) were proposed as members of committee, . with, power to add to their number:— Messrs. G. V. Bate, J. Barleyman, I. Bayly, H. M. Baylyj G. T. Bayly, D. Buchanan, F. H. Brett, H. B. Baker, C. H. Beresford, A. Campbell, J. S. Caverhill, H. Cook, J. Crawford, J. Davidson, J. Duffill, R. Dingle, W. Dingle, W. L. England, W. J. Furlong, M. J. Goodson, P. Gftlvin, O. E. Gibson, . J. Gore, A. Hastie, A. S. Hobbs, M. Hunter, R. Hicks, P. Iredale, — Kempthorne, M. D. King, C. Laishloy, A. E. Langley, J. Livingston, J. R. Lysaght, T. Lloyd, W. L. Martyn, F. G. Mace, T. Mason, D. McGregor (Normanby), D. McGregor (Manutahi), C. H. McCutchan, sen. ; H. G. Morecroft, G. -McLean, F. McGuire, A. Milne, J. Morrison, R. H. Nolan, H. Owen, H. S. Peacock, J. L. Perry, J. W. Partridge, T. Parsons, H. R. Parrington, P. Peterson, B. Pulford, H. G. Pitcher, J. Prosser, 3?. Riddiford, W. Reid, A. Strachan, J. C. Sutherland, W. M.Thomson, W.Treweek, J. Winks, P. G. Wilson, G. Wilson, J. C. Yorke, W. S. Young, J. Muir.

AD3TOTJBNMENT.

It was decided that the meeting should be adjourned till next Wednesday, the 17th mat., at 2.30 p.m.