RECEPTION COMMITTEE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 2237, 7 April 1869, Page 3

RECEPTION COMMITTEE.

The Committee appointed for the management of tho public festivities in honour of the visit of H.R.H. the Duke 'of Edinburgh, mot yesterday afterrioon at 3 o'clock, in the Municipal Council Chamber. His Worship the Mayor occupied the chair, and present wero Hia Honour tho Superintendent, Mr St. John Brani•gan, Captain Atkinson, Measrs J. H. Harris, J. Logan, J. Hialop, A. J. Burns, It. S. Dods, J. Rattray, M'Gaw, H. S. ■ Fish, and tho representatives of the Order of Odd Fellows, the Order of Forresters, and other societies. The object of the meeting waa;to discuss what steps should bo taken in order to prepare for the reception of Hia Royal Highness in Dunedin. A number of letters were read on the subject, and a niqmerial was presented, signed by 30 resident* of Georgo street, suggesting that the triumphal arch, -which'it. was decided at the previous meeting should bo erected opposite Knox Church, ehould be placed at the corner of •George and Frederiok streets instead. Consideiablo discussion took place on tho subject',, resulting in the original resolution being adhered to.

In reply to a question as to whether the Government intended to afford any assistance to the Corporation in the erection, of triumphal arches, which it had been calcinated by the Surveyor would cost, about Ll7O, Hia Honour the Superintendent stated that it would not he politic for the Committee to calculate on any'pecuniary aid, inasmuch as it was jproba'blo that nearly the whole o£ the inonoy available by the Government for ireception purposes, would have been ex-Jiaust-ed before ELRvH. arrived at tho city

boundaries. He was also of opinion that it would be well if discussions on ways and means were not aaade public, as it; could not be gratifying t<»H,E.H, to read of discussion* that disclosed the wanfc of means of the Committee. Mtf Finn expressed himself as of a different opinion, thinking that the city ought not to be ashamed of its poverty, if such poverty existed. He had, however, no doubt that if the citizens saw no 'probability of tho Government assisting them vrith funds, a Committee might be organised, and sufficient subscriptions collected io enable them to give the Duke a suitable reception. , Mir Bukkh did not think it was necessary togoto any needless expense in the matter, as without it a welcome could be given to the «6n of the Sovereign which should show their loyalty and devotion. In fact he was of opinion that the proposed demonstrations were altogether works of supererogation, and would only tend to hamper His Royal Highness, He was inclined to think that to let the citizens welcome him in their own way would be by far the better plan, inasmuch as to attempt to erect triumphal arches, or to have processions, unless indeed they were prepared to spend IAQOO or L6GOO, would be in vain. As a member of the Executive he was bound to say that he was opposed to all unnecessary expenditure, nor did he think that Bib Royal Highness expected more from them in the shape ofa reception than they could afford to give. The Mayor said that, as a number of socicjtjies had, expressed theij; desiru to form part of a procession, the demonatra- i tion would not involve much outlay to the city. He, however,had expected, up to thai time, that the Government would have assisted them to the extent of L 250. He supposed the Municipality of Queenstown and others up the country would have assistance afforded them. His Honour the SuPEanmaroßNT stated, in -. reply, that application had been made by several of the country Municipalities for • assistance; but had been refused. ;{ , .--,) ' A letter from the Committee of the Horticultural Society waa road asking assistance in the getting up of a Horticultural Show. Mr Frsn moved that a reply should be sent to the Committee to the effect that, in consequence of the Provincial Government having refused to supplement the contribution given by the Corporation for reception purposes, they were unable to grant any assistance. He was of opinion that if a subscription were got up in the city it would be liberally responded to. His Honour the Sitpebuitjbwdbnt «aid that he waa not prepared to state definitely tltat the Government would refuse to assi»t. The fact waa that the matter had never been formally brought under the notice of Hhe Execntive. Mr Bukns approved of Mr Fish's idea of a subscription in the city, if only to test the feeling of the people. He had received letters deprecating tho incurring of exponse, and in fact pressure had been brought to boar on the Government with the same object. Mr Geddks, representing the Oddfellows, oxpressed his dissatisfaction at the Government declining to assist the Corporation in the matter, as did also another gentleman representing the Order of Foresters. , Mr M'Gaw said that the Caledonian Society had nearly matured extensive preparations for Hiß Royal Highness'b reception ; and that they intended giving him a hearty and loyal greeting. The Mayor suggested that the addresses to be presented to the Duke should be given at the Octagon. Some di»cua«ion then took place asto the part the Sunday! School children should take in the procession, and it waa eventually decided that they should join in it under the care of their teachers. Mr Fish proposed that a Bub-committee should be appointed to draw up an address to be presented to His Royal Highness, and also to frame a programme of proceedings. A'dumber of matters of detail respecting the, proceiraion, tho triumphal arches, &c., were then ordered to stand over until' the next Committee meeting on Tuesday, tho 12th mat, and: the meeting terminated.