BECEPTION OF THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF CORNWALL AND YORK.

Otago Witness, Issue 2455, 3 April 1901, Page 42

BECEPTION OF THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF CORNWALL AND YORK.

PREPARATIONS IN DUNEDIN. A. public meeting was held in the Council Chambers on Thursday to make arrangements jfor the reception of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York. His Worship, the Mayor's appeal to the people to attend the meeting wae heartily responded to, and at 8 o'clock the Council Chamber was packed 'with an attendance that was representative in every respect of the citizens. Members of iboth Houses of Parliament, mercantile and other business men of the city, the clergy, and private citizens were present to the number of fully ISO, the attendance comprising about 30 ladies. His Worship the Mayor, who took the chair, said the meeting had been called for the purpose of making arrangements to give a fitting reception and welcome to the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York. He had received a telegram from Mr John Holmes, the Executive Commissioner appointed by ths Government to arrange for the visit of their Royal Highnesses, stating that he would arrive in Dunedin that night and proceed at once to the Town Hall to attend the meeting. — (Applause.) He had also received a number of apologies from citizens, all of whom, however, promised to as3iet in any way in their power to make the- reception a success. The apologies he had received were Srom the Rev. W. Hewitsou, Colonel Webb, Colonel Smith, Captain Cullen, Dr Ogston, Messrs T. Mackenzie, M.H.R., J. Allen, M-BR-, D. A. De Maus fMayor of Port ChalJuera), K. Ramsay, J. Mill. D. A. M'Nicoll, W. J. 'Strong, W. E. MAdam, J. M. Ritchie, J: Hazlett, J. F. Kirby, and C. R. Smith. JEte had no doubt citizens would respond on ±hi 3 occasion and make it a pronounced sue- - CC3S. He had entire confidence that the citiizene would rise to an occasioji cf the kind. ' iHe had not called a meeting until he knew j Sfrom the Government to what extent they j irould assist. They were all aware now that ifche Government proposed to spend £1000 j Sn each of the four centres, the sum to be J in providing platforms for the royal j -visitors, illuminating the Government build- j ings, and erecting an arch. In view of that j Ibeing the limit of the Government's assistance, the next question was as to where we ' conld next turn to look for assistance. He .thought the City Council on this occasion ehould assist handsomely — lApplause.) He (thought Abe council should vote an amount (much larger than they were by statute able ao do, and that being his opinion he wished fto sh,o know from the Government to what ! ■extent they would indemnify the council in ! fehat connection. Being without an assurance ' arom the- Government that the council would /(be indemnified in any action they might take Hn voting a larger amount than they were by j |«ot allowed to do, iie telegraphed to the Pre- i 'jaaier on that matter also, and citizens would ; Slave noticed that the Premier intended to jpass a bill, if he could, that would suit the council's wishes in that respect. There were, two sources open — the Government /rcrould giva £1000 and the council were as jgcod as authorised to supplement that sum toy n, handsome amount. The motion he intended to submit for the approval of the aneetiug wap: — "That as it is the intention ■of their Royal Highnesses the Duke and iDuebess of Cornwall and York to honour Dunedin with a visit in June, this meeting •©f citizens resolve that a proper and fittinc welcome be accorded then; — one worthy of Buch a memorable occasion." The Hon. George M'Leaa, M.L.C., said he (had never seconded a resolution wit\ greater sgoodwill than he did on the present occasion. 'The motion might have fallen into the hands 'of one who could not speak well to it, but he Relieved it could not have been entrusted to a more loyal subject, or ore i,o whom the duty "would afford greater satisfaction. He w:n ■quite sure there were no more loyal peoplo •on the face of the earth than }he citizens of "Dunedin. At other times they had risen fully to the occasion ; the citizen* had many times .put their hands into their pockets, and he was 'sure that had the money question never been raised — and he regretted it had been- — the citizens of Dunedin would have fcubtcribed Tight generously m order to give a fitting reception to our royal visitors. This wa3 an occasion when they ought not to be sparing of their funds. He was not surprised that the City Council was careful in spending money, because if th? council spent more than £250 anyone cnuld take proceedings against th© councillors for spending money in excess of that sum. Still, he would say they need not •be afraid of -spending the citizens' money for this purpose. He was sure that Parliament would be only too delighted to sanction any expenditure that might be undertaken. That was the position he should take up in Parliament, and he was sure that the members of the Upper House and of the Lower House would do the same. As they had a pledge from the Government to propose indemnity, there need be no fear but that it would be carried. Had the Premier been approached in a manner a little more considerate, probably they would never have heard of this difficulty about funds, for this was certainly an occasion upon which the Government and the local bodies were entitled to spend freely. He was .satisfied that with regard to the visits of the Imperial and Indian troops the colony had made money in connection with its railways owing to the greatly increased traffic upon them. During the coming visit of the Duke and Duohess of Cornwall the same thing

would liappen through the i-^ux r[ visitors, thc.igh, of course, tlie menry can.c out of the pockets of the people. As he had taid, the)" ought not to be sparing i:> thoir expenuituie, but picpared to give a right roy.il welcome. There was no used to hay a.iyth iig to comrnciid the rejoluiion to the m^ftin^ It v.'.is \ cry plea.saut to see so many people present, and he felt sure th-.it one had only to look 1 .)und the hall to l.c con\u.oed t^at Daijcdm was going upon this occasion to ir.aVe a d spay such as no ot':er place in the toloi.y would make. In the past Dunedin Lad been ahead, and on this occasion they rndct not get behind .—(Applause.) He had iery much pleasure in tecouding the rc-^olut.cn t'iat had been propo=ed. The resolution on being put was adopted unanimously. Mr J. F. Arnold, M.H.R., said t! at following upon the resolution that had just been carried so unanimously he J-ad to pr<-po?e one which would immediately com in end itself to ihe'r good judgment. It wa. — That, with a view to carrying out Fuceswfully eneh welcome, this rreering resolve? to form itself into a general committee." It was, he remarked, probably superfluous to add many words to those already uttered so ably and well by thp mover and the seconder 01 the first resolution. And yet one could not but pause and .consider, and possibly lay emphasis upon, the fact already mentioned that this was one of the mest important occasions there had ever been or was ever likely to anee in the history of the city or colony. There were those to be met with — though, happily, they were few — who asked why a- large sum of money should be spent simply because two or three individuals were going to visit us. As an answer to this question he reminded the meeting of the general grief that was felt and the sentiments of affection and loyalty expressed upon the demise of our late beloved Q.ueen, and said he was sure that it was merely consistent with what Queen Victoria would have desired that we should give to her grandson the grandest welcome that was within our power. There could be no doubt that we were a people whose hearts were full of love towards oiir King and towards his son. Our hearts were full of sympathy ; we still felt the bereavement that had fallen upon our nation, and as we claimed to be second to none in our loyalty to the Crown, there could be no doubt that the welcome Dunedin would give to the royal visitors would be second to none they would receive in the colony. He could also promise his support to any. bill of indemnity proposed respecting exenditure for this purpose — (hear, hear) — but he would remind them that the success of the demonstration of welcome would depend upon individual effor/s, upon individual enthusiasm, and upon the business ability they were prepared to put into the movement. If they did theu 1 duty there could be no doubt that the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall would have cause to realise that their welcome in Dunedin would not simply be second to, but far surpassing any welcome they had received in New Zealand. — (Applause.) Mr N. Y. A. Wales seconded the motion, which was also carried without dissent. The Hon. D. Pinkerton moved— " That as their Royal Highnesses are not able to visit other towns in Otago and Southland, the Executive Committee communicate with the various mayors and chairmen of other local bodies, giving them an opportunity of joining in, and that the proposed programme be sent to th© mayors and chairmen of such places asking for co-operation and suggestions." The country district? should have every opportunity of co-operating with the committee in Dunedin in making suggestion*! for the proper reception of their Royal Highnesses on this occasion — the most important Orago had seen for a long time,' and the most important it was likely to see for a long time to come. — (Applause.) Mr D. E. Theomin seconded the motion. The reception was not one from the city alone, but from the whole province of Otago. He also hoped to see Southland included — (Hear, hear.) If the idea was circulated that it was not only a city welcome, but a farreaching one. a preat amount of enthusiasm would be enlisted from the country districts. (Applause.) The Hon. W M. Bolt asked if the chairmen of the local bodies would be associated with the committee. The Mayor replied in the affirmative. The motion, was carried unanimously. Mr A. R. Barclay fcaid he wished to move that several sub-committees be formed from the General Committee — viz., an executive committee, a finance committee, royal route committee, illurrination and arch committee, entertainment committee, children's demonstration committee, and catering committee The executive committee, he presumed, would supervise everything. The royal route committee would make arrangements in regard to the route of the royal parly. He would move the names of the committees separately, and the first committee he ■ had to propose was as follows: — Executive Committee — the present Mayor, the future Mayor, Crs Park and Scott, and Messrs Theomin, Fraser. and Speight, together with the chairmen of the several sub-committees. Cr Christie seconded the motion, which was carried. The following sub-committees were also appointed : — Finance Committee — Mr T. Mackenzie. M.H.R , Mr G L. Denniston. the Mayors of Mornington, North-East Valley, Roslyn, Caversham, Maori H'U, Sr. Kilda, and South Dunedin Royal Route Committee — Messrs J. Hutchison. J. F Arnold, M.H.R.. A R. Barclay, M.H.R.. C R. Smith, and Colonel Webb Illumination and Arch Committep — Mr N. Y. A. WV.ps, Cr Christie. Messr~ J F Kirby. W. Mills, A. Wilson, J. H. Chapman, and F. H. Rawson Entertainment Committee — Messrs A. Glendining, W. Dawson. G. Fenwiok, N. H Bell, G. Roberts, A. J. Barth. Hon. W. M Bolt, and the Ladies' Committee. Catering Committfe — Me~srs C P. M Buttenvorth, C. W. Rattray. D. Reid, jun., T K. Harty, and Cr Muir. Mr A. R. Barclay moved— " Tint the following Children's Demonstration Committee be aopointec I—Messrs1 — Messrs G C Isr?el, M. Fraer, T. K. Sidey. W M'Adam. and J. A. Arthur. ' He understood there wa= a proposition that the executive of the Schools' Conference should take over the supervision of the children. The Hon. W. M. Bolt seconded the motion. Mr G C. Jf=rael moved as an amendment — "That as it is proposed to hold during the royal vi«it a monster demonstration of the school children of Otaero. this meeting promises to accord material assistance to the same, and requests the executive of the Dunedin and Suburban Schools' Conference to undertake all arrangements in connection with the proposed demonstration." He said it would perhaps peem ungracious to run counter to the wishes and feelings of the meeting, but ho had reasons for the action he was taking. He represented the execu-

1 tr>e 1 f the Schools' Conference, 1! 0 delegates to vhich in t! en turn u-oiesxiited the 18 o'20 <-,'hooi committee-! m ;*n r l around Dunodin Froirious dc'iioni-tialions undertaken unJer their auspices had up to a point boen vtry successful, but on reaching that point it was found that the Evocutivo Committee of the derrcn&iration were inclined to pusli the children'- srheiaes into the background it had thorefcra fact 11 c'etfcim ned to oi^anise the de.,">c.i B tratK..n :;i r uc'a a way that v would be carried ouC by people vlio imrVr-tood how it a! oukl b-> managed He might say they \.eie agitable to t lie t-usgerlion made ly Mr FiJitT t.s to brin/.ng into toun the Ciiildre.i fr0.,1 the country. Such a demonstration would afford great pleasure to their rjy« 1 % i^itor . Mr M Coh?n seconded the amendment. A di t cu3 i-iOiii -iOii ensued, some gentlemen objecimg to the clemonstiation being anything else than part of the gencial reception. Tae •amendment, was ultimately withdrawn, and the motion was carried. On the motion of Mr J. F. Arnold, it was agreed that all the committees, excepting the Executive Committee, should have power to add to their numLer. Mr John Holmes (the Government Organising; Commissioner), who had just armed from tii3 north, addressed the ideating. He mentioned that the resolutions that had been adopted embodied many of tho suggestions he would have been prepared to ipake. One suggestion he would make was that the Bishop of Dunedin (the Right Rev. Dr NomII), the Right Rev. Bishop Verdon, and representatives of various religious bodies, of friendly societies, labour bodies, Freemasons and Oddfellows, Foresters, members of the Hibernian Society, and of other associations, should be incited to take part. It was most desirable the reception should be as complete and representative as possible. A greater subdivision of work than had been proposed, he also thought, would be found advisable, and he suggested that step 3 should be at once taken to dipcover what quantity of fireworks could be procured and to import supplies, which, for this purpose, would bo admitted duty free. The Government expenditure would be of very considerable magnitude, as the party of guests was variously estimated at from 85 to ICO, and the gathering at Rotorua would be the largest assembly of Natives that had been held in the colony. In concluding. Mr Holmes mentioned what the proposals were in Auckland regarding the reception and welcome of the royal visitors, and also mentioned facts connected with (the proposed visit that hav-e already been published in these columna The Mayor thanked Mr Holmes for his address, but. referring to what was being done in other places, remarked that the people of Dunedin had the peculiarity of doing things in their owi way —possibly the effect of climate, — md generally with pretty satisfactory rifults. He thought the committees would be able, without further subdivision, to overtake the work assigned to them ; and as to the matter of procuring fireworks, in this Dunedin had anticipated what was needed and already had the required fireworks safely stored in the Fire Brigade etation. The Hon. Ge-orge M'Lean said they were much obliged to Mr Holmes for attending and gi-.ing thorn information. He thought it could be relied upon that the different committees would work harmoniously with Mr Holmes. As the assistance of the ladie^ would be most valuable, he puggested that those present should remain after the gentlemen had retired, and should form a ladies' committep. Mr J. A. Park wished to Fay a few words about the programme for tho royal vis-it. Firstly, he desired to point out that the GoTernment grant was £1000: then from the City Council they could expect, pay, £500. Mr Israel said the school children would want £500 for themsehes. Other gentlemen remarked that tho council should give more than £500, and one said £1500. Mr Park went on to say that the seven or eight loc.il bodies round Dunedin would contribute £70 or £00 each, bringing the total up to about £2000, and private citizens would spend, say, £1000, in illuminations, etc. That was a sum of £3000 odd for the day and a-half. As for tho programme, he had drawn one up, roughly, in this form : On the evening of their arrival (Tuesday), the Mayor would welcome the official party at the railway station, after which the Duke and Duchess would be driven to their residence, which, he understood, wai at Littlebourne — Mr John Roberts's hou«e. On tl at night there would be illuminations. On Wednesday the Duke and Duchess might open the winter show; if not, on the following day. If the visitors had an hour to spare in the morning, they should be driven round to view the scenery, which would be better than a visit to the university or to Mosgiel. The route of the procession should be in George and Princes streets only, these streets to be decorated for the occasion with bunting, festooning, and other decorations. Each block from Knox Church, or further down, to the Southern Oval should arrange its own decoration. Let the shopkeepers in each block unite in friendly rivalry for the day. Throughout the route there should be arches of different kinds exhibiting the productions of Otago. For instance, Che dredging industry should be represented by an arch, and on a small platform beside it would be its representatives. The frozen meat industry could be similarly treated. Representatives of foreign countries, the trades unions, the Masonic bodies, and others could also have arches as well as the other towns — Invercargill, Oamaru, and so on. Tn the evening there would be a citizens' reepption 111 one of the large halls. On rho Thursday thf Duke would open the winter show, if that ceremony had not been performed on the previous day. Afterwards their Royal Highnesses would visit Forbury Park and witness the school children's demonstration, and leave Dunedm about 4o'clock. The=e wore the lines of the pro gramme which he intended to pubmit to the committee for consideration. — (Applause.) Mr J. F. M. Fraser did not think it should go forth to the people of the city that the expenditure of the corporation would be limited to £500 — (Hear, hear.) Tf the corporation got out of it under £2000 tbpv would be lucky.— (Applause.) The school children thomeehes would co--t at lea=t £600. The Mayor remarked that tj.e council's resources were limitless. — (Laughter.) A vote of thanks was accorded Mr Park for his information. The Mayor remarked that -any programme drawn up must be submitted in detail io his Excellency the Governor for appicval. At a ladies' meeting, subsequently held, the following ladies formed themselves into a general committee: — Mrs Denniston, Mrs Butterworth, Mrs Ogston, Mrs Woodhouse, Mrs W. Wood, Mrs Gordon Macdonald, Mrs N.H. Bell, Mrs Eva. Mrs Esther, Mrs Mpckerras, Mrs Corliss, Mr? Barth, Mrs J. Taylor, Mrs L. J. Levy, Mrs W. Howes, Misses Rattray, K. Rattr&y, M. Lang, H. Lan^ Amx_ Esther,

Mackena*. Je^io Fnh, Arm=tioiig, N Anntliong, and C .Maitni. Mr* Dcmiiston was, appointed secretary. The following executive committee was appointed.— Mr, Gordon Mucdonald, Mis licnmston, Mrs Vvoi dhoutc. Mrs Ogffton, -Mn Mackeiuib, a .id Mrs Bell, wit'i power to ac.J to their nun.be..