Trafalgar Centenary.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXI, Issue 8893, 21 September 1905, Page 1

Trafalgar Centenary.

i'RIIPO.SEI) OAMAIIU CELEBRATION. His W'nsiiip the AI ;iyo r presided at the pnbhc meeting held in the Borough Coun--ii Chambers yesterday afternoon. Those prci'-nt besides wore Messrs H. Dcnnison loc:d a.-,',-nt or tie- Xa.vy League), W. 11. !'ose, Monson. Mowl.rav, (.!. M. Bruce. -Colon -1 Headland.' ])r M'Adam, «r Garland, and the Rev. I!. J. Porter.

'1 lie minutes of the last public meeting were read and confirmed.

Mr Ilennison reported that Admiral f'anshnwe had written a very nice letter in msv.er to an enquiry, regretting that he '■mild not driail a vessel to be at Oamaru for tho local celebrations, as the only two fit- had would be on dutv elsewhere.

The sub-committee's report, recommending the adoption of a programme for October 20t!i. on which day the anniversary will be kept, was rend. Mr D<-nnis'on's suggested programme, liu'htly differing from the Committee's, '-'•'•is also read, and it was decided to confide. the recommendations together and -rriaiim. Lieut.-Colonel Headland mentioned that if there were a whole holiday on Oetober 20th, the Volunteers would turn out and march past, as well as take partin the celebration on Takaro Park. On the motion of Mr Dennison, seconded by Lieut.-Colonel Headland, it was resolved to ask the Mayor to proclaim the date a whole holiday, and it was agreed to ask the citizens to display bunting. The clause in the programme, recommending that the Volunteers, cadets, Garrison Band, school children and teachers assemble at the Monument at 2 p.m. and march thence to Takaro Park, was adopted. the school children to fall in first at their respective schools and be marched in order to the Monument.

Mr Dennison said it would be impossible, without a- special flagstaff, to hoist Nelson's immortal signal, as it consisted of no less than 28 flags. However, he had made arrangements for a Union Jack, British Ensign, flagstaff, and platform (for the speakers). This was approved of, and it was resolved, if possible, to arrange to have the flagstaff for tho denoting of Nelson's signal hoisted. The meeting then passed the recommendations as to the flags being halfmasted and the singing of the National Anthem.

It was moveel by Mr Rose that Bishop Weldon's prayer, specially composed for the occasion, be adopted as an integral part of the ceremony, and that it be left to the Ministers' Association to arrange for one of their number to recite the prayer. Dr M'Adam moved, and Rev. R. J. Porter seconded, as an amendment, that the whole question be referred to the Ministers' Association, to arrange for one of their number to offer up a suitable nraynr.

The amendment was lost on a division, and Mr Rose's motion carried. It was pureed that the recital of Kin ling's ''Recessional" be part- of the ceremony. and that the Ministers' Association be rerineKt"'] to nominate some one to do liver the hymn. Afterwards "The Death

•>i Nelson" and the National Anthem wil be phyed.

It was further resolved that the celebration be called the "Trafalgar Centenary." The matter of finance was then gone into. Mr Dennison estimated that not more than a few pounds would be required. It was decided that -a collection be taken tip on the ground by the members of the Nnvy League, to defray expenses, any surplus to go to the Navy Leaguo funds. Mr Dennison was instructed to ask the Citizens' Band to co-operate.