CARNIVAL WEEK

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18764, 18 January 1923, Page 2

CARNIVAL WEEK

BOOKING CHARGE CONSIDERED. The annual meeting of the Carnival Week Executive was fairly well attended yesterday. The Mayor (Mr J. S. Douglas) was in the chair. Tho annual report stated’; — It is now three years since the first public meeting was convened for the purpose of setting up a citizen’s committee to organise a Carnival Week for Dunedin and likewise assist in catering for the wants ot visitors to the Winter Show. The first duty carried out by the committee was tho accommodation of visitors to the city during these periods. This department has now been firmly established and has proved that under our organisation ample accommodation has been found through the generosity of the citizens who a<x;epted. paying guests. r lhe Housing Committee has

devoted a good deal of time to this department in arranging accommodation, directing and advising visitors. in their requirements, and assurance that the work has been satisfactorily carried out is supported by ample evidence through numerous letters received from visitors from all parts of the dominion expressing their entire satisfaction for what had been arranged. The committee consider that it is in the best interests of the city for the work to be still carried out gratuitously for the visitors. This, of course, cannot be done without financial assistance from the business organisations who benefit from the influx of visitors on these special occasions. Last year the General Executive took in hand the arranging of an official programme of functions for Carnival Week. This met with a fair measure of success and could doubtless"' be of immense .value if all the organisations holding functions during this period collaborated and issued an up-to-date souvenir programme of events. This would not in any way interfere with the management or responsibilities of the various organisations but would give due prominence for each in a methodical manner.

Last year a sub-committee was appointed to control an open air entertainment for the benefit of the local orphanages. This was a most successful function held at Forbuiry Park. The weather was perfect and consequently the function attracted a gratifying attendance together with the generosity and cordiality the committee met with both in gifts and assistance. The treasurer's statement shows that the receipts amounted to £585 2s Id from which £450 w r as equally divided between the Momington Children’s Rest Home, the Anglican orphanages, and the Roman Catholic orphanage. The expenses incurred by the plousing Committee amounted to £69 14s 6d, leaving a credit balance of £64 7s 7d. It is mainly duo to tho following organisations for financial assistance that the committee is able to continue and undertake the work ;—Dunedin Jockey Club, Forbury Park Trotting Club, Licensed Victuallers’ Association, Otago A. and P. Society, Warehousemen's Association, Merchants’ Association, Master Bakers' Association, Otago Drapers’ Association, and the Tobacconists’ Association.

The committee desires to tender its sincere thanks to the Indies for their able and willing assistance in connection with the “mardi gras,” also to the Forbury Park Trotting Club for tho use of ground, and members of tho Commercial Travellers for assistance.

Tho balance sheet shows a satisfactory position and it is hoped will enable us to carry out tho functions of the committee this year without haying to make any levy or call upon societies or organisations interested. The thanks of the committee are due to Mr Geo. Davidson, of Messrs James Brown and Co., accountant, for services in auditing tho balance sheet. In conclusion, the committee desires to express its appreciation'at the able manner in which tho secretary, Mr H. Divers, carried out the duties for accommodation of the visitors to the city. Tho adoption of the report having been moved by the chairman, Mr A. A. Pna.po advocated tho introduction of a booking fee. If the fee were introduced it would mean that there would bo more money available with which to procure assistance to ensure that the places selected for billeting were suitable. Mr J. Goldsmid also favoured a booking fee, but tho proposal was strongly opposed by Mr Y. Jacobs. He argued that there would bo nothing more irritating for visitors than to be charged a few pence for booking. Mr B. S. Irwin favoured a small chares, it would alleviate any element of charity that there might ho about the present arrangements. It was eventually decided to leave the question over to a fuller meeting, and the report, was adopted. A committee was appointed to make arrangements for the preparation and production of an official programme. Messrs F. H. Dough. P Beunell, H. F. Nies. J Goldsmid, C, Dunkley, and A. A. Paape wore appointed a snb-eoniniittee tp make laa-ran.gemjents for the “march eras” in March.