RECEPTION OF THE ORIENT'S CONTINGENT.

Otago Witness, Issue 2524, 30 July 1902, Page 22

RECEPTION OF THE ORIENT'S CONTINGENT.

TIIE DUNEDIN ARRANGEMENTS

At Monday's meeting of the Coronation Celebration Committee the question of a reception for the men returning from South Africa was brought up by hi& Worship the Mayor (Mr J. A. Park).

His Worship t>aid he had i.o^ed a few lemarks lie desired to inakp in r-»fericice to ilie returning trooper*, whxh were as follows :— You will .lipve notired that about 1200 men of fievcial rontm^ents ar<* to arrive on Monday by the Oviont — jn. I think, Monday, 4th Angu-t. Whether the whole numbpr aro to be landed at Port Olialmcrs or only the 300 for Dimcdin I cannot nay, but am makiujr inquiups. yins being what yon may call the final fcen<> to a most important duty performed by New Zealand in swim ij tioops to South Africa to assi=fc lir tani. I Hunk it beho\Co us all to join in ard make tliH reception a^, roidial and a-. pntliu*ia--»t;f 23 on all previous oecasictis Tite manner of wokoining home these troopers is difßcu't to decide. To give them a luncheon is, T think, too unme al, and h;ts been given too ofton to he now sucr^ssful. My proposal if Ui-it the city entertain them on their arrival in Dunedin at a garJcu party in the Triangle, and provide them with r?fr< an-d eatables, served out by all who will offer to as=it. Let the reserve be pented oil over, so that relatives and friends can sU down and chat with their returned heroes, and, while seated, ladies could fiuuplv tea. cake, and sandwiches; the friend and the public to be admitted to the Trial, jr!e on payment of a. small charge to help to defray expenses. A band could hf oeeured, and altogether a. novel aad entertaining afternoon could be spent with the trooper* Given fine wrathrr, th.^ nffair would I am sure be a huge success, nn-d something- new. Should the weather oro7* uaLauvauiable arransomeuts could be

made to hold the entertainment in tha Garrison and Agricultural Halls, and the best made of it. This would do away with the separation of the relatives from their sons immediately on arrival, wh'ch Jias always created disappointment. The gather-*, iag would be free to chat and talk and wa'k about the grounds, and gradually disperse as they felt disposed. JWToivis of welcome could be spoken orr the arrival of the contingents in the Triangle. As the citizens are not likely to be called on again to a'.sist, I trust they will on this final occasion come forward with help as they did, notably, on the sending away of the Fourth Contingent, by sending in tea, sugar, hams, bread, cakes, butter, etc., to the committee. Lst it not be said that Dunedin. and suburbs have waned the least in loyalty and patriotism. There is no time for me to call a meeting and elect committees, I therefore suggest that the Coronation, Ceremonial, Lurcbeon, and Illuminating Pommittees form themselve3 into one large committee, and each invite as many ladies to join as they can. I wiM then call a meeting of th's committee and ladies for Wednesday evening at 8 o'clock to carry cut the programme and assist to get over th» reception ,of the last of our plucky and determined colonial warriors from South! Africa. Continuing, the Mayor said the> reason he had brought the matter be-fore t-hd meeting wa3 that it was impossible for hinz to get a meeting of the citizens i n time. His suggestions wouid not be difficult to carry out, and he asked tho committee to fall ia with them.

Mr Smith considered the suggestions very good, and they could be carried into effect with but little expense. The affair should, pay for itself. As tho time was so short, hethought the various committees would ho only too gad to co-operate with the Mayor in carrying out the project. Ona thing thafe should be done was to get a strong body of ladies to assist them.

The Mayor asked Colonol Robin if h» had any information concerning the return of the. men.

Colonel Robin replied none at all. The number o>f mtn coming here -would probably b3 about 500, and it was probable that tho Canterbury men would be landed in Dunedin. Practically one-half belonged to the north and one-half to tho pouth.

Mr Stilling suggested that the service* of those who had had to do with receptions previously should be obtained, to which the Mayor replird that a great many of them were to be found among themselves.

Mr Fcuwick thought thoy should conprahf.ate the Ma3-or upon his very happy inspiration. They had sent the m-en away with great fervour, and let them receive th°-m back with no les3 warmth. It was a. good way of receiving the men back, and if they bad fine weather he was sure they would have .*, *pl-erdid day of it. They might have a patriotic speech or two from t'ip> plntform erected in the Triangle.

Mr Chisliolm endorsed Mr Fenwick's remarks. The Mayor was to be complimented! upon his suggestion. Th<? Mayor having said he would call a. meeting for Wednesday at 8 o'clock, the bubine-ss ended.