JUBILEE COMMITTEE.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 932, 10 January 1890, Page 22

JUBILEE COMMITTEE.

A well attended meeting of the Jubilee Committee was held at the Council Chambers on Tuesday night, Mr J. H. Wallace presiding. A letter was received from Mr F. E. Brown stating that the Tinakori-road Drum and Fife Band wore desirous of taking part in the procession. A letter was received from F. Brady, jun., stating that the Pauatahanui Band, the members of which are all colonials, were willing to play on Anniversary Day free of charge. Mr J. R. Nicol wrote stating that the Greytowii Private Band would give an answer on the 4th inst as to whether they would play or not. The Secretary of the Johnsonville Band (Francis B. Guilford) wrote stating that the band,would play on Anniversary Day. Mr A. J. Bennett wrote stating that the Protestant Brass Band had decided to give their services for the procession free. If the band w'as required any further they were quite willing to give their service on the same terms as other bands. A letter was received from Messrs Seaton and O’Donahoo enclosing a cheque for El Is, and stating that if they could be of any use to the Committee they would only be too pleased, The general manager of the Manawatu Railway Company wrote stating that the Company would carry the Maori war canoes free of cost, and the fares for the Natives who were to take part in the dance, and the members of Friendly Societies who wished to attend the celebration, were also stated. The Committee decided to ask the Company to make the return tickets available up till the 24th, and also that the Chairman and Secretary should wait upon the General Manager of the Company and ask for more liberal concessions. A letter was received from James

Alexander-, “ the Australian Blonclin,” offering . to giv'e two performances in tile day for Ll 4, and one at night for L 6., Mr Blanch said that a friend of his had invented a chemical engine, which he proposed to place on a lorry for the purpose of working a Sinall printing press during the procession. Mr Blanch was requested to lay the offer before the Pro cession Committee. The Secretary stated that the Government intended to exhibit a small printing machine at work on a lorry during the procession, and they would print small leaflets fur circulation amongst the spectators. The ifetteVs from the various bands were referred to the Procession C mmittee, and those relating to sports were referred to the Sports Committee. In reply to a question, the Secretary stated that a deputation had waited upon the Railway Commissioners, who had promised that the war canoes Would be carried free of cost, whilst foul Natives would be, carried as one at excursion rates:' The Commissioners llad promised to give'an early reply as to what concessions they would make in conveying members of friendly Societies. The Procession Committee reported that they laid arranged with Mr W. B. Campion to supply his illuminations for the torchlight procession at a cost of Ll 9 The Committee, whilst sympathising with Mr Woodward’s suggestion, were of opinion that the matter of a band contest scarcely came within ' the scope of their operations, and they therefore left the matter in the hands of the General Committee. They recommended that the suggestion of Mr Eager, of Ofcalti, 'hat the old identities should be asked t® form part of the procession should be acted npon. With a view of creating still greater interest in the procession the Committee recommended that prizes of L 5, L 3, and LI respectively be offered for the best decorated carts in the procession, excluding, of course, the lorries containing the different emblems and devices. The Committee also stated that the Protestant Band had waited on them, pointing out that their band, and also Pearson’s private band from Masterton, were willing to give their services free of cost, but if further services were required they would expect payment. The Committee thought that the whole question should be dealt with at once, and they recommended that the fares of Pearson’s band should be paid. Mr T. K. Macdonald had informed the Committee that the Wellington Woollen Factory would be well represented in the procession. In considering the report, Mr Hicks suggested that if there were any funds at the disposal of the Committee, a band contest should take place on the Saturday after Jubilee Day. It was decided, on the motion of Mr E. Jones, that no action should be taken in the matter.

Some discussion ensued with regard to the recommendation that the Committee should pay the fares of Pearson’s Band, and eventually the recommendation was adopted. The other portion of the report was also adopted. The Sports Committee jiresented a report recommending that a programme of 20 events should be carried out on the Basin Reserve on- the 23rd instant. In reply to the Secretary, Mr G. Petherick stated the prize money would amount to L 75. The Secretary thought about LIOO would be required to carry out the sports. Mr Dimanb stated that two old settlers residing at the Rutt who had taken part in a wrestling match on the first anniversary day of the Colony, would be quite willing t<> come into town and have another bout at the sports. It was decided to add a wrestling match, meu-of-war’s men race, and a race for members of the Committee, to the programme. After further discussion the Committee’s report was adopted. On the motion of Mr Haslam, seconded by Mr Osborne, it was decided that 10,000 shilling and 10,000 sixpenny gate tickets should be printed. A vote of thanks having been passed to the Chairman, the meeting adjourned until Monday night.