JUBILEE COMMITTEE.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 933, 17 January 1890, Page 13

JUBILEE COMMITTEE.

A well-attended meeting of the Jubilee Committee was held in the Council Chambers on Monday night, Mr J. H. Wallace pi’esiding. A letter was received from the Railway Commissioners, quoting the scale of fares to be charged on the Government line from the 20th to the 28th inst. Major Kemp, of Wanganui, wrote, stating that he hoped the celebration would be a success, and regretting that, they could not afford the expense of sending war canoes and their crews to Wellington and back. He, however, intended to be present himself if his health would permit. Mr Eager, of Otaki, wrote, stating that there were no canoes available at Otaki, but Mr H. Taipua would select the best Native dancers, and would let the Committee know how many would come to Wellington. The writer expected that a good number of old settlers would go to Wellington and take part in the procession. A letter was read from the Independent Order of Rechabites stating that it had been decided that the members of the Order should take part in the procession. Communications were received from the Aorangi Lodge of Freemasons and Lodge Waterloo, S.C., stating that they would not be able to take part in the pro-, cession. A telegram was received from Samuel Mahupuku, of Greytown, stating that, owing to the opening of a Maori carved meeting house on the 22nd instant, none of the Wairarapa Natives would be able to attend the Jubilee celebrations in Wellington on that date. Mr J. Norman, secretary of Pearson’s band, Masterton, wrote stating that the band were engaged on the 22nd, and therefore there must be some mistake with regard to the statement that they had offered to take part in the celebration at Wellington, and no person had been authorised to offer the services of the band for that date. The Secretary stated that the Committee had decided to accept the band’s offer at last meeting upon the recommendation of the Procession Committee, who could doubtless explain the matter. The Secretary stated that he had written to Colonel Butts asking if he would furnish a guard of honour on the occasion of the presentation of the address to his Excellency the Governor on Anniversary Bay. He understood it was likely the guard would be furnished.' The Procession Committee’s report (already published) as to the order of procession and route to be taken, was read. It was decided that Sunday school scholars not attending day schools should take part in the procession, and that the “old identities’” gathering should consist of persons who had arrived in the Colony, or were born in the Colony, between 1840 and 1850, instead of from 1840 to 1865. It was decided that the procession should leave the Government Buildings at 11.30 a.m. Mr J. D. Tustin, who had been requested to make arrangements for the carriage of school children from the Newtown and Kilbirnie schools, reported that he had had an interview with Mr S.

Smith, manager of the Tramway Company, who had offered to take the children to the Government Buildings at 3d per head. Since then, however, he (Mr Tustin) had received a communication from Dr Grace, stating that the children would be conveyed by the trams to the Government Buildings free of cost. The Committee awarded a vote of thanks to Dr Grace for his generous offer. The Sports Committee recommended that the privileges in connection with the sports on the 23rd instant should be offered for sale on Friday next, and that the Inspector of Police should be asked to provide several constables to keep the centre of the ground and the running track clear. The Secretary of the Committee (Mr G. Petherick) said the Committee wished to know if the General Committee would allocate a prize for a Maori haka. On the motion of Mr Jones, seconded by Mr Guise, it was decided that a sum of L 25 should be given as a prize for a Maori haka, providing 50 Natives took part. After some discussion the report of the Committee was adopted. rh" A report from the Children’s Amusement Committee was read and adopted. The Committee stated that practices for the children taking part in the Maypole dance had been arranged as follows : Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday,B a.m. and 7 p,m. ; Wednesday, 8 a m. The Committee then adjourned until Friday night.