VETERANS' HOME PROPOSAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 12000, 24 June 1902, Page 6

VETERANS' HOME PROPOSAL.

A COMMITTEE APPOINTED.

A public meeting, called by the Mayor, was held at the Municipal Buildings yesterday to consider the proposal of His Excellency the Governor (Lord Ranfurly) regarding the establishment of a home for Imperial veterans. There were about 20 persons present, including Bishop Lenihan, the Rev. Dr. Purchas, Father Patterson, Major Pirie, Captain Daveney, Captain Morrow, Commander Archer, Messrs. Upton, Culpan, Cameron, Myers, Baume, Kirker, Rosser, Savage, Stichbur3, and MeLcod. His Worship the Mayor (Mr. Alfred Kidd) presided. Introducing the subject, the Mayor said it was a keen wish of His Excellency the Governor that the citizens should establish a home for aged military and naval veterans, and so commemorate the Coronation, as well as erect a fitting memorial to those who had fallen in the South African war. It was a matter in which Aucklanders must take a great interest, as four-fifths of the veterans were resident in this district. There must be some commemoration in connection with the war. His Excellency favoured the idea of a home, as he was convinced that it would do a great deal of good. Taken as a whole, Mr. Kidd thought the proposal that the Coronation memorial should at the same time be a memorial to those who had fallen in the war, and that it should take the form of this home, would meet with general approval. The Governor had stated that there was every prospect of getting substantial assistance from a soldiers and sailors' help society at Home, if it were decided to establish such an institution. His Worship, considered the best thing to be done at the present stage was to appoint a small committee to consider the matter and report. Mr. J. Savage moved and Captain Daveney seconded, That those present form a committee, with the Mayor as chairman." Mr. J. Stichbury thought the meeting was hardly representative enough, and favoured postponing the matter for a week, when a larger meeting could be got together. He moved an amendment to that effect.

Dr. Purchas and Captain Daveney saw no need for delay. Mr. Arthur Myers thought it was very desirable that the meeting should be thoroughly representative, and he seconded the amendment.

Mr. J. Kirker wanted to know what amount of money would be required to establish such a home. Before they proceeded to serious business they should have some information on this point. Mi. F. E. Baume said he took it that the Mayor's intention in setting up the committee was to collect information on that and similar points. He did not see what object would be gained by deferring the matter. All they could do at the adjourned meeting would bo to elect a committee, just as they could do at the present meeting. Mr. J. H. Upton thought the meeting was too small to form a committee from.

The Mayor said the meeting was quite large and representative enough to elect a committee from. Referring to Mr. Kirker's remarks, the Mayor said he had a certain amount of information, but it was more for a committee than for a public meeting. All they wanted was to get a committee elected, so that they could draw up a report and get the tiling started. The amendment was then put and lost, and the resolution was carried.

The Mayor agreed to obtain detailed information from His Excellency, the committee to be called together when it came to hand.

TELEGRAM FROM THE GOVERNOR. Subsequent to the meeting the Mayor received the following telegram from Captain Alexander, private secretary to the Governor:—"The, Governor has placed the matter of preparing rough plans, for Veterans' Home in hand. General Babington has consented to join committee as hon. treasurer, and an account has this day been opened at the Bank of New Zealand, Wellington. The homo being in memory of the fallen in South Africa and as mark of Coronation year, the Governor is most anxious to make a start with the least possible delay, so as to have it completed for occupation by tho end of the year, if possible. He trusts to get many in Auckland to take an active interest in this worthy object. Over 2000 men who have served in tho Imperial army and navy and colonial forces— latter being only those who have medals —havo already handed in their names for the Governor's list, which he hopes to publish in the course of a couple of months. To this must be added those who have fought in South Africa, and of these there are some who are incapacitated more or less from earning a proper livelihood." In answer to this Mr. Kidd will send the following telegram this morning:—"At public meeting yesterday influential rommittee set up to formulato scheme and report. Your wire unfortunately received too late. Will be pleased to have particulars of proposed plans, accommodation and cost, also as to requirements for maintenance and any further information to guide the committee in placing the matter before the public. No action likely to ensue until after Coronation festivities. Hope to be in Wellington next week."

TH AM ARRANGEMENTS. [BY TELEGRAPH. OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Thames, Monday. A meeting of the local Coronation Com- j mittee was held this evening, at which several matters of detail were arranged in connection with next Thursday's festivities. The secretary announced that satisfactory train arrangements had been made for the conveyance of country school children, and also arrangements for their entertainment at lunch in the Miners' Union Hall on the i arrival of the train. He also announced that a considerable number of Maoris would take part in the afternoon procession, including a Maori ladies' band, from Kerepahi, and that a haka would be given by 510 Maori wahines at the conclusion of the ceremonies, already arranged to take place in the Baillie-street, Kauaeranga, school ground.. It wfas resolved to forward a, special invitation to Mrs. Lydia Kitching, relict of the. late Mr. Valentino Kitching, asking her to join in the afternoon procession, taking up a position directly after the members of the local bodies. Mrs. Kitching, who is an old lady of 9+ years of age, has the proud record of having lived under five English monarchy, commencing with George 111. Hence the reason for tho invitation. Tho drawing for the order of position which the friendly societies are, to take up in the procession resulted as follows:—Court Pride of Parnell (Oddfellows), Thames Miners' Union, Protestant Alliance, Loyal Charles Bruce (Oddfellows), Pride of the North (Foresters), Rechabites, Hibernians, and Loyal Waikato (Oddfellows). It was resolved that the torchlight procession in the evening should start from the far end of Grahamstown at half-past six sharp, and that the school cadets be invited to take part in it; also that provision be made for entertaining the chairmen of the various friendly societies and the president of the Miners' Union at the social which is being arranged for the volunteer corps after the fireworks display.

COROMANDEL. [l)Y TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] CoEOMANDEL, Monday.

At a mooting of the County Council it was decided that the donation of £200 to the Coronation celebrations fund be granted, subject to approval by the Government, and if the Government agree to a refund of £10u of the above, that it be explained to the Government that £80 is being contributed by the public to the county fund. It was also decided in the event of the Government not agreeing to subsidise the donations that the Council expend £50 on the Coronation celebrations. CORONATION ODE. [BY TELEGRAM. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Wellington, Monday. It had been the intention of the Citizens' Committee to have a Coronation ode by some local poet recited during tho celebrations on Thursday next, and specimen odes were invited to be sent in. Thirteen were submitted to tho sub-committee, but that committee is of opinion that none .of them are quite suitable. PRESENTATION OF MEDALS. [BY TELEGRAPH.OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Wellington, Monday. Advantage is to be takes of the demonstration on the Basin Reserve on Thursday by His Excellency the Governor to present South African medals to returned troopers. Similar presentations are to be made in other parts of the colony as follows: —Timaru, by tho Hon. W. Hall-Jones; Christchurch, the Hon. W. 0. Walker; Gishorne, the Hon. J. Oarroll; Dunedin the Hon. J. McGowan ; Blenheim, the Hon. C. H. Mills. Presentations will also be made by the Mayors at Whangarei, Auckland, Thames, New Plymouth, Stratford, Hawera. Wang&nui, Marton, Feeding, Palmerston North, Napier, Dannevirke, Mastertan, Nelson, Wostport, Greymouth, Hokitika, Ashburton, Gore, and Invercargill. THE WELLINGTON PROGRAMME. [BY TELEGRAPH. OWN correspondent.] Wellington, Monday. The souvenir Coronation programme issued by the Wellington Committee is now ready for sale and for distribution. Ten thousand copies are to bo given to the school children after they have had refresh™«wits at tho various schools on, Thursday, i:-.-- jiood, and

5000 copies are to be sold to the public at 3d each. The programme consists of eight-pages enclosed in a coloured cover that bears portraits of the King and Queen and some decorative work typical of New Zealand life and scenery. Details are given of Thursday's procession, and the demonstration on the Basin. Reserve, together with the words of the hymns to be sung and the words and music of the prize Coronation Hymn, " When the Empire Calls," and "God Bless the Prince of Wales." Pictures of the King and Queen in their robes are also included. Solemn High Mass, followed by a solemn "Te Deum," will be celebrated at the Roman Catholic Churches of the city at halfpast eight a.m. on Coronation Day.

CLOSING OP HOTELS. [BY TELEGRAPH.PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Ashburtok, Monday. The hotelkeepers of Ashburton and Tinwald have decided to close their premises during Divine service on Coronation Day, from half-past ten, to half-past twelve. Dunedin, Monday. The Licensed Victuallers at a meeting.today resolved to recommend hotelkeepers to close hotel bars between nine and eleven a.m. on Coronation morning. They desire it to bo understood that the decision is not the result of any outside pressure.

By advertisement in to-day's issue the executive of the Licensed Victuallers' Association request all hotelkeepers to close their premises on June 26 (Coronation Day) from nine a.m. to noon. This act of loyalty is the more commendable, as hotelkeepers occupy a different position to other traders, inasmuch as they have to attend to the requirements of the travelling public and visitors to the city, great numbers of whom we may expect to be with us on that day, but as the hotels will be open from noon until ten p.m. the convenience of visitors will not be overlooked, while at the same time it affords the hotelkeepers an opportunity of showing their loyalty to the Crown.

PREPARATIONS FOR THE CORONATION. {from our own correspondent.] London, May 16. Preparations for the Coronation go on apace. London is becoming utterly transmogrified all along the line of route which will be taken by the procession. The destruction or mutilation of fine old trees that has been perpetrated by certain clergy in order to scoop in more coin by getting) in a larger number of seats is eliciting severe and widespread censure. . This has been particularly the case in the instance of St. Margaret's Church, Westminster, whose surroundings have been permanently disfigured. A still more serious matter is the risk incurred of burning down Westminster Abbey. That unique and historic and irreplaceable building is being filled internally and surrounded externally with vast structures of inflammable' timber, which any chance spark might ignite with disastrous results. The utter recklessness and indifference with which smokers will fling about lighted matches, drop them and hot ashes down the ladies' backs or on their thin muslin dresses, has long been proverbial. It only needs some such casual act as that on the part of one of the thousands ocoupying tho blocks of scats to bring about a disaster.which the whole world would deplore. It is true that every precaution which experience can suggest is being token, and will be taken, to avert so grievous a mishap. Still, the more fact of these huge structures of dry wood being adjacent to the Abbey, and inside it as well, does constitute a very imminent peril. People are growing more and more anxious as to the weather possibilities for Coronation time. The meteorological atrocities to which I referred last week still continue. The day before yesterday the highest-day temperature in London was hardly 45deg. (only 13deg. above freezing-point), and at night several degrees of frost were registered. It is a fact that on or about the same date in May, 1895 and 1898, the temperature was no less than 40deg. warmer, the heat being 85deg. in the shade. Snow has fallen again this week in many parts of the country, and in some places to a considerable depth, and a black fog of the darkest "November" typo visited us a few days ago. Yet we are little more than a month distant from MidSlimmer Day." For threo years past, however, there has been cold and ungenial weather even in Juno, hot weather then coming with a sudden bang as it were. Very likely it will be so- in this case, too. Otherwise, one will envy the peeresses in their heavy -velvet and ermine robes, which would be such a grievous encumbrance on a real summer's day. One peculiar feature of the " cold snap" is that although rain has fallen in more or less degree every day, it has been so light and accompanied by such dry and harsh and cold northerly or easterly wind that no impression at all has been made on the parched soil beneath the surface, and, of course, there has not been the slightest effect on the streams and springs, which are sinking lower and lower, until one begins to wonder what will be the end of their shrinkage. Certainly, the water question looms largo on the horizon of the early future.