SILVER BULLET CANNONADE

Nelson Evening Mail, 30 May 1916, Page 3

SILVER BULLET CANNONADE

DECIDED OX AT PUBLIC MEETING.

LIVELY DISCUSSION' OX OBK3-ANISFJVS REMUXERATIOX

I Sonic 69 citizens, of both sexes, and thoroughly representative, met at the City Council Chambers last evening to consider a proposal to hold a silver bullet cannonade and carnival in aid of the Nelson Sick and Wounded Soldiers' Fund, the goal being to raise £25,000. Mr E. S. Cresswell, 'Chairman of the Sports. .'Committee of the Sick and Wounded Committee, took the chair. Mr W. Lints, the organiser, outlined liis scheme, full particulars of which were published in last night's Mail. The I programme would include the cannonade, Britain's Imperial Reveille, and Paddy's j Market, and contributions would be eoi- i lected on the Barometer principle. Dealing with the latter, Mr Lints said this J would bo handled by special committees | in different- parts of the district.. The I Carnival would extend over eight weeks, J and he anticipated that everyone would i give something. They had done so in other places, and he believed would do { so in X T 'e!son. "Britain's Imperial Re- ' veille" and "Paddy's Market." it was expected, would pay all fcho expenses of

the carnival, so that if a person £ave

£IOOO he could be assured that all the money he subscribed would go to the funds. In other places there had been raffles, etc., and it was for the Nelson Committee to decide whether they were to have similar things in Nelson. In replv to Mr Cecil King, Mr Lints stated that it cost £BOO or 1 per cent, in Wanganui to raise trie £67.000. He thought it misht cost from £4CO to £SGO in Nelson to get the £20,000 or £25,000. Mr J. S. Evans asked how the organiser was to be paid. Mr Walter Snodgxass said the contract was made between the Advisory Board of the Sick and Wounded Committee and Mr Lints, and it had been left to the Sick and Wounded Sports Committee to carry out the scheme. The question was one for the- Advisory Board. Mr "W. J. Doyle thought the meeting should be informed what the organiser was to be paid. -. Sir Evans asked why there should bo any secrecy? -Of course Mr Lints must , be* paid, but there seemed no reason why the amount should not be made: known.

The (Chairman said they might as .well a.fi'j&Jsrhat the Theatre, etc, was to CCSt!'

Mr 'iSvans said there was a contract, and why'shoidd' there be secrecy? :t'M r t"" JLeaper Mated that in ronnee'.biori with, the 12th Regiment Band Carbival, Organised by Mr Tin As. the performances at the Theatre Royal paid all expenses. Mr Lints said it was for the Committee'±'d answer the question, though he .woukt not mind doing so ; but he couid say tthat he was engaged on the Com:mh'U?rov;n terms. .. Mr C Broad also thought the amount be disclosed. It had been mentioned' \6 the Sports Committee, so why not-: "now?

The chairman said he did not know the terms on which Ctfr Lints was appointed. .Mr Walter Snodgrass did not see how they could make public what was done ,by- "the Axlvisory Board, which was not officially represented at the meeting. The amount which was first mentioned to the Sports Committee, and referred to by Mr Broad, was turned down. '.Mr Lints-said he had previously a«ked fo r £2OO and (hotel expch-ses. That was the offer that had been turned

down. ~ "MrKing asked if it was to be underthe present : terms were tor less' t£aro £2OO and hotel expenses? ; " Mr Lmts replied that it was not likely that they would be more. Mrs Lock, speaking for several ladies in her vicinity, said they were not satisfied with the replies given, and con-side-red that as the workers in the Car"nival they .were entitled to know what the organiser received. i Mr Wallace Snodgrass. who entered a this stage, asked that the meeting decide if the Advisory Board was not to be trusted in making terms with Mr Lints. Mr Doyle then moved that the meeting had every confidence in the Advisory Board, which appointed !Mr Lints, hut wispifed, to know how much Mr Lints was to ,tfe paid. Mr G: Broad' seconded the motion, which fes! declared carried. , 2; sMr yyallace Snodgrass stated that Mr? Lints was to receive no specified paymerfe l>ut a commission on the.pro-, ceeds.; \'< \ uMt? iJock said: they* should know the amount' ,'o'fi the commission.

Mr Snodgrass said he was not asked that. fl. j • ,

Mr JSjyans' thought this was only begginaTithe question. slr Lmtfc said he would he candid to this exllnij. ; He had come on a percentage bas)i, but was now prepared' to take £2OO straight out. If the percentage was disclosed he would at once close with the Committee for £2OO. ■Mrs Lock again thought the amount Mr Lints was to receive should he disclosed.

■ Mr Lock thought it would, be better to accept the offer of £2OO. Rev. W. Baumber said the Advisory Board thought it would be better to pay a percentage rather 'than £2OO. The meeting had voted confidence in the Advisory Board, and should leave it at that.'

Mr H. I?-. Duncan moved that the meeting agree to hold a carnival, and ■that Mr Lints be paid £2OO as organiser. Mr 060. H'ogg seconded the motion. Mr Lints said that after the discussion it 'would' be better .to drop the percentage basi« and pay him £2OO. The disclosure of a percentage basis would give people a loophole to escape contributing. The motion was carried without a dissentient voice-

Mr H. R. Duncan.' wias elected manenit chairman amidst applause. . ■Mr Duncan then took the chair, and in rf'turning- thanks for his election, said he believed a large sum of monoy cou'ld be raised. Nelson had contributed to the Sick and Wounded Soldiers'

Fund only 83 a. head, against an. average of £1 fo'r the Dominion, and the carnival provided a form in which those who could' not go to the front could helj> the Empire. Many of ooir own men would come back sick and -wounded, and all <that was possible should be done for them. He felt sure Nelson would . rise to the- occasion and largely increase its

amount for the benefit of sick and: T.-ounde-d soldiers.

Mr Walter Snodgrass was elected secretary amidst applause; and Messrs Geo. Robertson and E. J. Allen as joint trustees, also with applause.

An Executive Committee of six was elected as follows :—Messrs E. S. Cresswell, G. Hogg, Frank Hamilton, H. J. Harris.'D. 11. Edwards and J. S. Evans.

All present were constituted a General Committee., with power to add. Mrs Crawford was deputed to convene a meeting of ladies to form a Ladies' Committee. A letter was read from an organgrinder, enclosing 6s towards the fund, and; intimating that he would contribute 6d a day during his stay in Nelson.

The Executive Committee met s>ubse.quenitly, and appointed sub-committees to make* arrangements among other matters, with regard to advertising, an office ar..d. fittings, the appointment of a, cerk, to divide the district into suitable divisions for competitions, and to arrange for a motor car to be at the disposal of the organiser in view of the scattered nature of the district and the numerous meetings which wmld have to be attended and addressed.