THE KINGS CORONATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2524, 30 July 1902, Page 44

THE KINGS CORONATION.

THE DUNEDIX PROGRAMME

MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE

A meeting of the Coronation Committee was held at the Town Hall on Monday afternoon, there being present — The Mayor (Mr J. A Park, in tlie chair), Crs Tapper, Scott, Braithwaite. the Rev. Mr Chodowski, Messrs H. Duncan (Mayor of North- East Valley). J. Witeon (Mayor of Caversham). W. Wills, L. R. Wilbon, (i Fenwick, R. T. Wheeler, juii , R Chi^holm, F. J. Stilling, J. Hutchison. C R. Smith, G. M. Burlinson, J M. Clark, Colonel Robin, ;tnd Mr J. M. E. (larrow (secretary). Apologiee were re-coiied for the absence of Messrs (i L. Donniston, M. Fraer. the Re\ Mr Oibb, and Cr Christie.

The .Mayor said tlie meeting- of the CJeneral Committee appointed by the citizens had been called at the tlesire of the executive, who thought it nec-cf*aary to get instructions as t-o what day the Coronatiou celebrations should be held. A strong feolingi existed that Monday, the Ufeh of August, wai the more suitable day, and efforts woro mad© to get the Government to proclaim Monday, the 11th, as the holiday, but without success. Tho proclamation of the 9th coming from his Excellency the Governor, who represented the King and the Imperial authorities, should weisph with thfin 111 coming to a decision. Mr Chienoiin paid he had pleastire in moving the following resolution: — "That it be an instruction to the Coronation Celebration Committee to ciny out a programme of celebration on Saturday, the 9th of August." The reason, lie" -aid, he had pleasure 111 mo\ mg that was tluiD ivhoie it had b^on anticipated that there, would be some difficulty 111 fixing the day for thp holiday, on account of the rosition the Retailors' Association had taken up, he was very pleaded to tell them that at a meeting of that association held 111 th© forenoon the following resolution had been carried unanimously - "That, tliw meeting strongly diis;ippro\e!: of rnlobratinc; tlic Coronation beforn it has taken place but that while the mombors of the section will sustain considerable loqg by closing on Saturday, they agree to fall in with the (Government arrangements rather than do anything that would tend to mar the success of the < elebrations."

Cr Tapper seconded the motion, and thought the enthusiasm in rhe movement would increase an thi> time drew near

Mr Fen wick thought thov '-hould express their sincere thanks to the retailers for so handsonielv giving way.

The Mayor: I think it «lioukl be a distinct resolution under tlie circumstance?*.

The motion mo^ecl by Mi- Chipholm was then carried.

The Mayor -aid brfor<> Ml- Fenw ii-k moved lilts resolution he would hkt' to mention that the Rev. .Mr Gibb, in apologising for his absence, doaired to intimate that as far as h© had ascertained from Ins brethren the opinion was that Sunday should be set aside for Coronation roiigious services, and he concurred in that opinion Ho (Mr Park) «aid thrv would r<-m.->mliFi that Bishop Npvill had spoken in the same way. The Ro\. Mr Chodowbki said he did not think his people would have services on the Sunday, as they hold them on the Saturday. The Mayor then read the following programme- which the executive had prepared:

9 a.m. — Flags to be lionted and places decorated by 9 a.m.

10.30 a.m.— Volu-itccis to muster in George stieet, norta of Albany street, and march by ■way of George a/id Princes streets to Southern Oval, returning by way of Cumberland street to a position between Triangle and railway station for purpose of firing royal salute. (Alterations subject to ColonL-1 Robin'o approval). Major and councillors of city and suburbs are expected to join m the procession.

11 30 a.m. — At Triangle, presentation of medals to returned troopers by hi 9 Worship the Mayor

11.45 a.m. — Planting of two loyal oaks in tlie Triangle by his Woiship the Mayor and Lady Mayoress.

12 noon. -Unfurling of Royal Standard by the Lady Mayoress, firing of royal salute, niw<jsed bandi play " God save the King," and all present join in singing same.

12 to 12.30 p.m.— Addresses by his Worship and othei* sls srranged.

1 p.m. — Lunchfon to returned troopers. His Majesty's veterans, and volunteer officers.

2 to 5.30 p m — Football tournament at Caledonian O-round

7 to 8 p.m. — Torchlight procession, to start from the Octagon, proceed as f?.r as Frederick street, and return by wiv of King, Hanover, George, and Princess streets to Market Reserve, and back by Pmices street, down Rattray s-rreet to Cumberland street, opposite railway station, where processiouists will take up * pociUoii during the &tewock« diaplsuf.

5.30 to 9.30 p. m — Giand fiiewoiks display on old site for railway station 111 Cumberland street.

9 30 p.ni. — Final- 3Jassed bands play " God cave the King, and all pre^.'nt jom in tinging of same.

The Mayor =;aid he understood that some members of committee had interviewed the Railway Department, who had promued to let them have the use of the niece of land

111 Cumberland street for making the firework display, a good Mew of which could bo had from the adjacent buildings.

Cr Braithnaite said he did not hear any mention of the school children in the programme.

The Mayor replied that no reference was made to them because he unilcTrto *d there was some difficulty over them in connection with the originally proposed Coronation relebra tions, antl they withdraw. He could not say whan tho difficulty wa^, but tho feeling was that rather than have any mi=under«tamling th-ey should leave them out.

Cr Braithwaite thought it was a great pity that that should be done, and he would move that it be a recommendation to the exeoutne to endeavour to get the school ( bildren to attend the ( elebrutionb.

Cr Tapper seconded tho motion, ami -aid they would re-member tl'at the reason the children withdrew before wat that the weather wac bad.

Mr Will said, a« memW of the Ceremonial Committee, that the reason the first arrangement was departed from was that there seemed no desire on the part of tho^o connected with tho schools for tho children to attend Some of the teachers corned to be averse to tho wholo thm^. aivl a few took no notice, but simply ignored t!ie committee

Cr UraithvraitA -nul a^ far a.= Arthur Stre.-t .School Committee wa» concerned it unanimou«'y roolvod t'.at th<* children should attend the celebrations.

The motion was then put and carried, and the programme a* lead by the Mayoi' ap proved.

Mr Fenwii-k «aid it had occurred to him that it would bo a vory proper thing to record their high appreciation of the action of the retailers in determining to rinse their premises on the Saturday. They know that the retailers felt some heat over the- holiday beiDg fixed for the Saturday. They were the largest sufferers by »o doing, and ho thought they had actod \<?ry handsomely 111 falling in with the vipwb of the comnnttep. He mo\ecl -"That the committee expresses its cordial appreciation of the action of the retailers."

Tho Rev. Mr Chodow»Li seconded the motion, which was campd unanimoupl}".

Cr Tapper threw out a suggestion to the committee to consider tho ach isableness of having a ball on somo buitable might.

Cr Srott hoped the ro-,i of such a thing would not eomp out of the fundd, and was assured that v would not, the "ucciestiou being then aweptec'.

Mr Chi>holm thought it was only duo that lie should, on behalf of the section of the RetaileiV Association, thank the committee for the resolution it had passed. The retailers had been vpry determined iudeed to have- the holiday fixed for Monday, but when they saw the thinsr was inevitable they gave way, and lie was sure there would be no more earnest workers in the movement that they would be

Lieutenant P. Freeman, acting-dictrict adjutant, notifies all "Volunteers, etc., that the orders issued for 26th June will hold good for August 9 — the date on which it has been derided that the Coronation celebrations will take place.