THE JUBILEE SURPLUS.

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 8966, 17 April 1890, Page 7

THE JUBILEE SURPLUS.

HOW IT IS TO BE DISPOSED OF, The Mayor presided, at a meeting of the General Committee of the Jubilee celebration last Friday night. The Finance Committee submitted a final report, in which they stated, that they had agreed to an equitable settlement of all claims made. All the accounts had been paid, and suitab’e recognition had been made of the seivices of_ persons who rendered material assistance in carrying out the demonstration. ' The amounts received were as follow :—Subscriptions, L 393 lls ; net gate , money, L 557 17s ; proceeds from sale of privileges, L 34 10s 6d ; sports entrance ; fees,’ Ll 4 17s ; total, LIOOO 15s 6d. To this had to be added LlB 19s 6d, the value of trophies given as prizes to the children. The expenditure amounted to L 694 18s, namely—General Committee, L 96 7s ; Procession Committee, Llßl 18s 2d ; Children’s Fete Committee, LlB7 9s 6d ; Children’s Sports Committee,. L 42 13s lOd ; Athletic Sports Committee, LlB6 9s 6d. A credit balance was thus shown of L 319 5s 4d. The Committee had agreed to give Ll 5 to the Cricket Association toward repairing the damage done to the Basin Reserve ; and they recommended that a sum of money should be allocated for. the purchase of a piece of plate to be presented to the general secretary as a souvenir of the occasion. .... It was decided to increase the grant to the Cricket Association to L2O, and to give gold medals' to Messrs G. Clapham and J. D. Tustin (members of-the Children’s Sports Committee) in addition to those gentlemen whose names have already: been mentioned. Mr G, Fisher warmly urged that complimentary addresses should.be presented to the Mayor, and Messrs J. Petherick, J. H. Wallace, and T. W. McKenzie, in: recognition of their special services in the promotion and carrying out of the celebration.' It was decided, on the motion of Mr Fisher; seconded by Mr R. Hunter, to give effect to a recommendation of the Finance Committee in this matter. Mr G. Crichton moved that the sum of LlO lOs be allocated for tlm purchase of a piece of plate, to be presented to the General Secretary, Mr T. W. McKenzie, as a memorial of the Jubilee celebration, and that the purchase be left in the hands of the Finance Committee. Mr Fisher expressed an opinion that th e sum named was quite inadequate to the services rendered by Mr McKenzie, and moved as an: amendment that the amount be L 25. Mr J. H. Wallace, supporting the amendment, warmly eulogised Mr McKenzie’s energy. Mr Crichton declared himself inaccord with the amendment, and with-: drew his motion. Mr Fisher’s amendment was carried unanimonsly, the selection of a piece of plate being left to Mr McKenzie. Subsequently Mr McKenzie returned thanks, and read an interesting account of the whole proceedings of the Committee. The question of the disposal of the surplus was then discussed. Mr Fisher moved, and Mr J. H. Wallace seconded, that the final disposal of the surplus of the Jubilee celebration fund, 1890, be left in the hands of the following gentlemen, who are authorised to appropriate the sum to commemorate the historical event of the foundation of the Colony, January 22hd, 1840—Sir William Fitzherbert, his Worship the Mayor, and Messrs G. Fisher, J. H. Wallace, T. W. McKenzie, J, Petherick, R. Hunter, S. Waters, C. W. Benbow, and L. L. Bacon. Mr J. D. Tustin moved, and Mr H. B. Bridge seconded, as an amendment, that the surplus be placed in trust for the benefit of the Committee, and that the Public Library Committee should be notified that the money is at their disposal as soon as the erection of the Library is decided upon ; also that a marble - tablet should be put up iu the Library, setting

forth the circumstances under which the donation was given. Mr Fisher objected to the amendment, on the ground that this money was raised for a specific purpose, which was not concerned with the Library. In what way would the placing of this marble tablet mark the Jubilee celebration? Something standing out iu the light of day was, he considered, far more commensura'e recognition of the Jubilee. No doubt the Corporation would attend to the Free Public Library ; but he repudiated the idea that the old settlers and the men who had projected this celebration should be merged into a free public library, there to be forgotten. Mr Wallace also opposed any misappropriation of the funds to other purposes than those of the Jubilee, for which they were raised. Mr Crichton supported the amendment, remarking that they had been told pretty clearly what would be done with the money by the proposed committee. Mr Fisher : Hear, hear ; we don’t beat about the bush, Mr Crichton said the public clearly understood that any surplus would be devoted to the Free Public Library. (“No,” and “ Hear, hear.”) Mr Wallace : That’s abaolutely incorrect. Mr Crichton went on to declare that the people of the city were under the impression that the money would, be given to the Library, and to contend that this Committee should decide what was to be done with the surplus. Mr W. Miller also supported the amendment. Mr J. Petherick thought it was unfortunate that the young members, having been paid for their services, should now come down and want to dispose of the balance, (Cries of “No!” “Shame!” and “ Order.) Mr Petherick: I am quite in order. Mr Tustin, you have been paid for your services. (Cries of “sit down” being raised, Mr Petherick, addressing Mr Crichton, said “ I won’t sit down ; and, if you insult me, < I’ll do something elge. 11l knock you down, sir ! (“ Order,”) Mr Petherick went on to urge that the money should be devoted to a commemorative obelisk. . Mr S. Waters supported the motion, and remarked that a good deal had yet to be done before the public library was an accomplished fact. Mr Robert Hunter opposed the proposal to hand the money over to the library, and resented “the grabbing spirit ” which the Library Committee had shown in trying to get hold of this surplus. Mr Fisher remarked that Wellington was peculiar in not having anything commemorative of its past. Mr Benbow, while he protested that he had every respect for the old settlers, did not think the erection of a drinking fountain or an obelisk with two or three names on it would suitably commemorate iheir work. On the other hand, a public library was a most valuable insti ution. He did not think a tetter object cou’d be supported, Mr Bacon supported Mr Fisher’s motion. On division the amendment was lost by 12 to 7, as follows Ayes, 7—Messrs G. Crichton, J, D. Tustin, 0. W, Benbow, H. B. Bridge, W. Miller, J. Kershaw, and G. Petherick, jun, Noes, 12,—Messrs J. H. Wallace, J. Petherick, J. L. Bacon, J. Hutchens, T. W. McKenzie, G. Fisher, R. Davis, E. Payne, S. Webb, S. Waters, R. Hunter, and G Petherick, sen. Mr G. Crichton then moved as a further amendment, that a special meeting of the General Committee he held to consider the disposal of the surplus funds. Mr W. Miller seconded the ainendment. Mr Fisher remarked that when Mr Crichton had had a little more experience of public affairs, and a little more hair lifted off the roof of his head, he would know better how to take a defeat. Mr Wallace considered this further amendment childish. The amendment was l©st, and Mr Fisher’s motion was put and carried on the voices. It is estimated that, when all liabilities have been met, the surplus will amount to L 250 or L 260. Votes of thanks to the Mayor and the press concluded the meeting.