THE RECEPTION OF THE GOVERNOR.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 8603, 9 June 1908, Page 6

THE RECEPTION OF THE GOVERNOR.

DETAIL ARRANGED. There was a ••epiesentativo attendance of resident* ladies, at the public meetiii; -i in the Municipal Chambers y-jstei.'-* afternoon to discuss proposals for tiK "ntting reception of the Governor Lady Plunket to Palmerston North next week. The Mayor, Mr J. A. Nash, presided, and in the course of Ins remarks briefly detailed the ob3ect of the meeting. He considered the event marked an epoch in the history of the town, and that it should be fittingly celebrated. Mr Nash read the correspondence ho had received from the Governor (already published) with regard to his arrival here on Thursday, 18th inst., at 2.45 p.m. Mr Nash said he was sure that any decision of the meeting would meet with the approval of the Council. He had drawn up a small programme, and suggested it to the meeting. He thought that the Mayor and members of the Council, Mr Wood, M.P., Chairmen of local bodies, the President of the Chamber of Commerce, and the military should meet the Governor and Lady Plunket at the-ptation, proceed to the Showgrounds, where an address could be presented, the business people to be asked to close on the Thursday instead of Wednesday, the Cadets to be present with the Military. In the evening a citizens' banquet could be held in the Municipal Hall, the Mayors of Foxton and Feilding -and representative bodies to be present. Mr Wood, M.P., endorsed the Mayor's action in calling a public meeting to fittingly receive the Governor. He thought the Cadets and Military should meet the Governor at the station, an address of welcome presented, and His Excellency then escorted to his home by the mounted troops. At a- later date a citizens' ball or luncheon should be held. The Governor was coming here - to his home, and he (Mr Wood) thought that His Excellency would prefer to go to his house instead of to the Showgrounds, and not have any function in the evening. He considered the ball or luncheon later on would be the proper thing to do. He preferred the ball to the banquet, so that the ladies could have a share in the general pleasure. He approved of the Mayor's programme with thfe. exception of the Showgrounds portion and the function at night. The Rev. C. C. Harper agreed with Mr Wood, but suggested the ceremony should take place at the band rotunda. Mr Hoben thought a portion of the •programme should take place at Hokowbitu. and that the avenue to the house should be/ lined with the military. He favoured a modification of the Mayor's programme as suggested by Mr Wood, especially since the occasion was essentially a home-coming. If the weather was wet the Opera House could be used for the occasion; the committee appointed could decide the locality, howevrr.

Mr R. E. Bannister agreed with the previous speaker's remarks as to getting the Governor and Lady Plunket home as soon as possible after their arrival. He, suggested the co-opera-tion of the Ifeilding Military, and also the Friendly Societies. He approved of the Opera House being utilised, and suggested cards of admission, because it would be impossible to have' the multitude there. He thought a general committee and executive should be appointed by the meeting. He considered the meeting could easily arrange a reception that would be creditable alike to Palmerston and the Dominion. Cr Haydon thought the Half-Holi-day Association should be asked to close on the Thursday, and he had no doubt that the "Association would agree. He agreed with the Mayor's proposal to have the banquet on the same day as the Governor's arrival. He thought that the proceedings should take place in the Square, and not at the Showgrounds. Mr Wood moved, and it was decided, that the Holiday Association should be asked to observe the halfholiday on Thursday instead of Wednesday. It was further suggested that the Mayor and other representative citizens of {the town should meet the Governor at the station, and that a guard of honour should escort him* to where the address could be presented ; that all the local Military and Cadets be asked to parade, that the district schools be closed, and the Cadets take part in the proceedings. Conversational discussion took place on various details, and the following committee was appointed to arrange all detail's: —Members of the Borough Council and Messrs Pringle, Hoben, G. Bennett, Yoss. Simmons, Bannister, Cohen, Park, Louisson, and Wood, M.P. It was understood that all further details would be carried out by the general committee and that no farther public meeting would be necessary.

Subsequently the committee met and it was decided: —That only the Mayor and the member for the district mwt His Excellency at the station. That the reception be held on the Showground if fine, and if wet at the Opera House. That the na-tives-from Awahuri and Oroua Bridge be invited to attend. Mr Moffat to be asked to communicate with them. Business people to be asked to make a display of bunting, and that decorations be made along the line of route, and be undertaken by a sub-committee. At a subsequent date a social function will be held. His Worship tho Mayor, Messrs W. T. Wood, M.P., E." D. JHoben, H. Palmer and D. Pringle were appointed a special committee to arrange for the decorations and the route. Mr Pringle was appointed Marshal of the procession, and Messrs Bennett, Mnthcson and Pringle to have a temporary platform erected in front of the grandstand at tho Showground. Mr McKenzic was appointed hon. secretary.