THE JUBILEE CELEBRATION IN WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 791, 29 April 1887, Page 23

THE JUBILEE CELEBRATION IN WELLINGTON.

MEETING OF LADIES. A meeting, convened by tYe Mayoress, of ladies interested in the celebration of Her Majesty’s Jubilee was held in the Mayor’s room on Wednesday afternoon. Lady Jervois presided, and the following other ladies were present : - Lady btoufc, Lady Vogel, Mrs S. Brown, Mrs Waterhouse, Mrs Maxwell, Mrs E. Rawson, Mrs H. Rawson, Mrs J. C. Harris, Mrs James, Mrs Jobberna, Mrs B. Smith, Mrs F. Allen, Mrs Medley, Mrs Harris, Mrs A. Young, Mrs Moss, Mrs J. Young, Mrs Kemp, Mrs Stewart Menteath, Mrs George, Maaame La Viscomtesse Jouffroy d’Abbans, Mrsßorlase, Mrs Goodman, Mrs Hewitt;, Mrs Halse, Mrs Habens, Mrs Drew, Mrs West, Miss Jervois, Miss Cleland, Miss Young, Miss Halse, Mr C. St Barbe acted as Secretary. Letters of apology were read from Mrs J. E. Fitz Gerald, Mrs McKenzie, and Mrs J. E. Nathan. The latter expressed a wish that something should be done in the matter of an endowment for the aged needy. Lady Jervois said that it had given her

great pleasure to accede to the request of the Mayoress to preside at the meeting for the purpose of considering the celebration of Her Majesty’s Jubilee. Queen Victoria was the third English Sovereign who had reigned 50 years, but her two predecessors bore no comparison to her. In no period of English history had there been such great progress made ao in Her Majesty’s reign, and to realise that fact they had only to go back some years. There were other reasons why the Queen was so dear to English people. Never had a Queen set such a bright example—whether as danghter, or wife, or mother—to her subjects, and she thought it especially fitting that English men and women should celebrate the attainment of the fiftieth year of her reign. They all knew that the Queen herself wished that the memorial should take the form of a subscription to the Imperial Institute, and they also knew that there was a desire for some local commemoration of the event, and. various schemes were bei. g proposed and discussed. She hoped that all the ladies present would show their sympathy with the movement for celebrating the event. Her ladyship then moved that it was desirable that the ladies of Wellington assist and co-operate with the present movement in the district for raising a suitable memorial of the Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen “Victoria's reign. This was seconded by Mrs J. C. Harris and carried. The Mayoress moved, seconded by Mrs J. C. Harris, that for the purpose mentioned bv Lady Jervois. committees should be formed to decide in what manner the efforts of the ladies might be most effectively applied. The general committee to consist of the wives of the gentlemen already appointed as a committee at a previous meeting; the working committee to consist of the wives of the City Councillors and ministers of religion, aud Lady Vogel, Lady Stout, Mrs Bacon, Mrs BallaDce, Mrs A. W. Brown, Mrs L. Blundell, Mrs Fisher, Mrs Fitz Gerald, Mrs J. R. George, Mrs J. . Harris, Mrs Kemp, Mrs McKenzie, Mrs J. E. Nathan, Mrs Newman, Mrß H. Rawson, Mrs Waterhouse, and the mover. Mrs J. C. Harris said that a very good plan had been suggested in the shape of a children’s ward for the Hospital. She thought it desirable that the children should have a separate ward at the institution. She mentioned that Mrs J. E. Nathan had suggested an endowment for the Home for the Aged Needy, for women as well as men. Some conversation ensued in reference to the proposed Home, in which it was stated that although a large amount of subscriptions had been raised, nothing had been done in the matter of an endowment. Lady Jervois thought the suggestion was a good one. Mrs Habens thought they should carry out the Queen’s wishes. Stie had only expressed one wish, and it would not be doing her honor if they did not carry that out. Lady Jervois thought the idea of the Imperial Institute a grand one, and ought to be carried out. Mrs J. Young suggested that a concert should be got up during J übilee week, and the proceeds given to the Girls’ Friendly Society for thv purpose of buying a piano. Lady Jervois said that was a very kind suggestion, but it was not universal enough to mix up with the Queen’s Jubilee. There were »o many other things more universal. She expressed a hope that not only Wellington, but the whole province would take action in the matter of the endowment for the aged needy. Mrs Habens asked what amount was required for an endowment fund. Mrs J. C. Harris said £2OOO would be ample. Lady Jervois hoped that the women would join with the men in the matter of the local commemoration, and further that they should join with the General Committee in the matter. It would be much better to carry out one thing well. Mrs Habens thought they should carry out the plan adopted at the general public meetThe Mayoress had heard a lob of people say they would not give any money to go out of the place. Lady Jervois thought that was a mistaken idea. She thought it rather ungracious that they should decline to accede to Her Majesty’s wishes. Lady Stout moved that all those present should use their best endeavors to insure a large attendance at the public meeting to be held shortly. Mrs J. Young seconded the motion, which was carried. .... . . .. Lady Jervois thought it very desirable that they Bhould open a subscription list at once. She would be very glad to contribute £lO, and she understood Mrs Waterhouse would give £5 os. . .. , Mrs Waterhouse stated her intention of subscribing £5 ss. Lady Vogel thought the whole of the subscriptions should be for the Imperial l nstitute. She did not think the people had any riMit to give anything for the celebration and then expect it back again. It was most unloval. The whole of the funds should be devoted* to the Institute and not to any local Barbe explained that under the present arrangement half the money was for the Institute, but a person could give the whole of their subscriptions to the Institute if they desired. Lady Jervois understood that the gentlemen who had given large sums of money had given them entirely for the Institute. On the motion nf Mrs Waterhouse, seconded by the Mayoress, a vote of thanks was accorded to Lady Jervois. The Mayoress, on behalf of the General Committee, thanked the ladies for their attendance, and Lady Jervois for presiding. Lady Jervois said she was very glad to see such a large attendance, and she thought the committee ought to be called a women s committee instead of a ladies’ committee. In addition to those sums already mentioned as subscribed, the following ladies put their names down for the sums mentioned : Mrs J. Young, £3 3s ; Mrs Chantrey Harris, £1 ; Mrs Habens, £1 Is; Mrs Goalen, £1 Is ; Mrs B. Smith £2 2s ; Mrs S. Brown, £5 g 3> After some further conversation, the meeting dispersed.