JUBILEE COMMITTEE.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 931, 3 January 1890, Page 22

JUBILEE COMMITTEE.

A meeting of the Jubilee Committee was held on Monday evening. The meeting was well attended, and the Mayor presided. The Secretary reported that he had addressed letters to the various bandmasters in the city asking for the services of their bands on Day. The only answer received vas -from St Patrick’s College, which regretted that as the pupils would be away on that day, the College band could not assist.

Mr Creighton remarked that there was a difficulty,; in that Gray’s band was being paid for its services at the regatta, and the other bands would be disinclined to give their services to the Committee gratuitously.. The Chairman remarked that if the bands had no patriotism, the Committee couldn’t give them any. However, it was early to say anything on the subject yet, for tho bandmasters were not perhaps able to give an answer yet. The Secretary reported that Sir William Fifczherbert had given L 5 toward the fund, and would probably draft the loyal address to be presented to Her Majesty. A letter was received from Mr S. Mahupulcu, of Grey town, stating that the Natives would do their best to assist. Mr H. Eagar wrote on behalf of Mr H. Taipua, M.H.R., stating that the. Natives at Otaki were not able to attend at tlieir own expense. Mr Eagar also suggested that there should be a procession of early settlers. The letter was referred to the Procession Committee.

The Mayor remarked that it might almost be taken for granted that the men of the warships to be in port on Jubilee Day would be suitably entertained by the local Naval Brigade.

The Finance Committee recommended the allocation of the money collected as follows : —Children’s fdte, L 125 ; childpgn’s sports, L 25 : procession, etc. (inqiudlpg purchase of coloured fire), LBO ; the sports and Maoris to be paid out of the gafeo money. The report of ( die Children’s Amusement Committee was rpad. The recommendations of the Gpnamitfcee were, briefly .-—That the children should assemble at tlieir respective sohopls .(distinguishing banners being given to each school) and march to the Government Buildi< gs to join the procession. ; that on arrival at the Basin Reserve the children should sing the National Anthem, and a Jubilee hymn ; that the booths, fancy stalls, etc., be sold, tut that no infcoxL eating liquors should be sold or games of chance allowed on the ground. All the schools, so far as the Committee were aware, had arranged for their annual treat on another day than Jubilee Day. The Committee also recommended that estimates should be obtained of the number of children likely to take part.

Councillor Petherick announced that he had been promised five or six trophies, some of them silver medals, for the children’s sports. He suggested that trophies, and not money, should be given as prizes in these sports. (Hear, hear.) A portrait in oils of Captain Cook would also be presented to the Committee.

The Procession Committee reported that satisfactory progress was being made by them, and that the friendly societies and trades’ organisations were lending substantial assistance. The lorry-owners of the city had agreed to lend their vehicles free of cost. Several excellent devices and representations were being arranged. It was hoped that the various trades would, if possible, arrange for tableaux representing men working at their different pursuits. It was proposed to have a tableau representing the Land of Plenty. The Committee hoped that the General Committee would not hamper them in the way of funds, but in the meantime the Committee could not decide whether or not they would accept Mr Campion’s offer to provide illuminated representations of New Zealand in 1840 and 1890. The Committee further recommended that the use of the Mount Cook Drillshed, for the storage of lorries, etc, should be applied for ; and that the Masonic bodies, the Mayor and City Councillors and members of the Harbour Board should be invited to join the procession.

Such recommendations of these various committees as referred to matters upon which it was necessary to take immediate action were agreed to. It was decided to include Mr Campion’s emblems in the procession if a satisfactory arrangement could be made.

Mr G. F. Petherick moved that there be two days’ celebration. The Mayor pointed out that the 23rd of January was not a public holiday. Councillor Petherick said the Mayor could be approached to proclaim a holiday. Mr R. P. Johnson suggested that only a half-holiday should be asked for on the 23rd. Mr Petherick’s motion was carried unanimously, and it was decided to ask the Mayor to proclaim a half-holiday from 12 o’clock on the 23rd of January. This was all the business.