Battle of Trafalgar Centenary

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXI, Issue 8827, 6 July 1905, Page 1

Battle of Trafalgar Centenary

PUBLIC MEETING. A public meeting, called by Mr Hadden Dennison, local agent for the Navy League, was held in the Borough Council Chambers yesterday afternoon, to consider what steps should be taken to commemorate, on the 21st of October next, the glorious victory and death of Nelson at Trafalgar Bay. His Worship the Mayor presided, and there was a representative, though small, meeting. Mr Maitland Jones represented the ClTamber of Commerce, and Mr Monson the Harbor Board. Messrs C. W. Reid and A. H. Maude sent apologies for absence, earnestly applauding the object- of the meeting and promising support and assistance. After the chairman, had stated the, object for which Mr Dennison had called the meeting together, Mr Rose said he thought- the members of the Navy League should take the matter in hand, with the co-operation of the public. Perhaps the best way would be to ascertain what was being done in other centres and report to another meeting. Another sub-committee might look after the scholastic side of the question, for it was certainly desirable that the school children should be impressed with the meaning of the celebration and its importance. The chairman thought that a self-con-tained place like Oamaru should have a celebration of its own. Several of those present considered that, as the anniversary this year falls on a Saturday, the Government should proclaim some other day of the week for the celebration. Mr Creagh said he was strongly; of opinion that-, whatever might be decided on, special attention should be given to the schools. It was the children who should be, primarily, got at on an occasion of thi« kind. Mt Dennison and others thought an effort might be made to procure the presence of one of the smaller warships of the Australian squadron in Oamaru for the celebra-

tion. Dr .M'Adam said they might, with greatadvantage, encourage the interest of the children in the patriotic side of the question by giving prizes for essays on Trafalgar. This was done most successfully in other places, both in the colony and_ at Home, and they could not do better than follow a good example. Then there might. be held a patriotic concert in the evening. To expedite matters, Mr Rose moved that a committee consisting of Messrs Leo, Creagh, Monson, Rose, C. W. Reid (Balruddery), Hindmarsh, and Dts M'Adam, Whitton, and Wait, with power to add.be appointed to go into the whole matter and report to a future public meeting; Mr H Dennison to be convener of the committee, ex officio. _ The general opinion was expressed t-tiat any funds necessary should be raised by public subscription. A vote of thanks to the chair brought the meeting to a close.