NEW ZEALAND’S JUBILEE YEAR.

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 8845, 23 November 1889, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND’S JUBILEE YEAR.

PUBLIC MEETING. The meeting convened by Mr W. H. Levin (Commodore of the Port Nicholson Yacht i'lub) for the purpose of discussing the question of taking steps for worthily celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of the foundation of the Colony, took place in the Council Chambers last evening. In addition to his Worship the Mayor (Mr J. Duthie), who occupied the chair, the following gentlemen were present;—Mr C. J. John ston (the Mayor-elect), Mr W. JET. Quick (Vice-Commodore of the Port Nicholson Yacht Club), Councillor Petherick, Messrs A. G, Johnson (Wellington Rowing Club), A. S. Biss (Star Boating Ciub), R. C. Renner (Oriental Rowing Club), beside a largo number of boating men belonging to the several clubs in this city. In opening the proceedings the Chairman said he bad much pleasure in acceding to the request that he should take the' chair that evening. He spoke at some length with regard to the Port Nicholson i T acht Club, and pointed out that the Club had arranged an anniversary regatta for a number of years past, which was always looked forward to with great interest. He urged that those present should do their best to make the anniversary a thorough success. He then called upon Mr Levin to propose k resolution. The latter gentleman said that, as they were aware, the anniversary of the Colony had been celebrated with an annual regatta, and an effort should be made to make the regatta to be held on the 22ad January, 1890; a great success. One way to do it was to offer more prize money, so as to draw competitors from other parts of the Colony. He spoke at some length at the advhabilenesssf having a thoroughly representative regatta. He had very great pleasure in moving the following resolution: “That the fiftieth anniversary of the Colony be celebrated in the usual way by a regatta, to be held on the 22nd January, 1890.” Mr W. H. Quick said he seconded the resolution in a very hearty manner, and he spoke at some length with regard to the founding of the Colony. He had great pleasure in seconding the resolution. Before this was put to the meeting Mr J. H. Wallace explained that a regatta was not the leading feature of the early days, as soldiers and the residents used to gather on the Te Aro flat and indulge m sports. Boating, races, &0., had gradually sprung up during thepast few years. He thought that efforts should be made to bring people from other parts of the Colony to make the anniversary a successful one. He would like to see the Natives brought prominently forward, He moved, as an amendment, that the programme for the jubilee celebration of the founda. tion of the Colony, as has bean advertised, should be adopted. This was seconded by Councillor Petherick. Mr G. Allen also spoke on the amendment. Mr A. G. Johnson said Mr Wallace should be asked to withdraw the amendment and allow the resolution to be put. The resa, lution was then, put to the meeting and carried unanimously. Mr . G. Johnson pro posed that the following committee, with power to add to their number, be appointed for the purpose of carrying out the regatta in a manner worthy of the occasion His Worship the Mayor, the Mayor-eleot, the M.H.E.’s for the city. The officers and committee of the Port Nicholson and Thorndon Yacht Clubs, the Star, Wellington, and <<rieatal Boating Clnbs, Captains Rose, Babot, and Halliday, the members of . the City Council ’ and Harbour Board, Messrs J. H. Cock, A. E. Hislop, G. Campbell, and H. Rawson. This was seconded by Mr A. S. Biss, and carried unanimously. The following resolution was proposed by Mr G. Mee, and carried unanimously—That a subscription list be opened at the banks and various other offices, and that the Secretary be. instructed to got the necessary lists prepared. Mr I. H. Wallace proposed that the following gentlemen, with power to add to their number, be appointed a committee to carry cut the arrangements for the celebration of the jubilee:—His Worship the Mayor, the Mayor-eleot (Mr C. J. Johnston-, Councillors Smith, Moeller, Worth and Petherick, members of the various School

committees, Messrs W. Muir, T. McKenzie, J. H. Wallace, W, fl. Levin, A. G, Johnson, J. B. B»air, J. Kirkcaldie, G. Allen, S. Waters, J. H. Bethnne, and E. W. Mills. This was seconded by Mr J. H. Hutchens and carried unanimously. Mr R. C. Renner said he understood that the Basin Reserve wonld be occupied by the , Amateur Athletic Club on that day (January 22). Mr S. Waters said the day on which the Amateur Club had secured the ground was in February, and not on Anniversary Day. On the motion of Mr Widdop, seconded by Mr Quick, it was decided that a meeting of the Regatta Committee should be held in the Council Chambers on Wednes. day next. The question of appointing a Secretary to the Committee was allowed to stand over. A letter from Mr Knowles was referred to the Committee.

Mr W. Levin proposed a hearty vote of thanks to bis Worship the Mayor for presiding, and also for the use of the Council Chambers, which was carried unanimously, after which the meeting terminated.