PEACE CELEBRATIONS

Patea Mail, Volume XLIII, 18 July 1919, Page 2

PEACE CELEBRATIONS

LOCAL ARRANGEMENTS Arrangements are well in hand for (lie local celebrations on .Saturday and Monday next. The South Taranaki Amusement Company has kindly consented to arrange for a children's matinee at the Town Hall on Monday afternoon at .''» o'clock, which will be heartily appreciated by the youngsters. There Avill be a free entertainment for adults and children alike in the Kail in the evening. The full programme of the celebrations will be as follows : Saturday :. 10.30 a.m.—Assembly at the Town Hall when Peace Proclamation and Summary of AVar Events will be read. 10.45 a.m.—Procession headed by Land Veterans, Returned Soldiers, and various bodies will be formed. 12 noon—Luncheon for Returned Soldiers. I p.m.—Sports in the Domain. 3 p.m.—Fancy football match. 8 p.m.—Soldiers' smoke concert. Monday : 10.30 a.m.—Procession starts from the Town Hall. II a.m.—Children's luncheon. 12 to 2.3o—Children's sports. j p.m.—Matinee picture entertainment. 5 p.m.—Children's tea. 7 p.m.—Picture entertainment at Town Hall for all.

LOCAL DECORATIONS The local business people evidently believe in making the Peace celebrations memorable, and to that end several have made a special point cf decorating their premises in the most artistic manner, the decoration j u many cases being embellished by war trophies kindly lent for the occasion. In one of Mr. Edscr's windows is to be seen a very fine collection of regimental badges, including one of the fh.mous tank corps, the first brought to Hi is district. There is also "a buckle from a belt belonging to a member of the famous Prussian Guards with a bullet hole through it. In addition there is a very line shrapnel helmet — •i heavy cumbersome adair camouflaged with green paint. In the same window is to be seen a Hue sample of the German saw bayonet and a Gliurka trench dagger. The bottom part of the window is taken up with a model of the Passchcndnclo battlefield, which gives some idea of the difficulties the*" New Zealand troops had to contend with. In another window in the same establishment is a very fine wireless set made entirely by Mr. Leo Bould. There is also an ingenious illuminated clockwork device, the word "Peace" being shown every couple of seconds.

Messrs. Gibsons' Ltd. have excelled themselves in the'matter of doeoraHons, one window Inning a splendid model of the battlefield of Messincs, where the New Zealanders greatly distinguished themselves. In this window are also some war trophies, including sonic German bullets and fragments of

shell. One very fine window is devoted to goods wholly of New Zealand and British niaufacture. Messrs Boyle & Jones have also a very fine display of British goods arils! ically arranged with bunting. That this firm realises to the full what has been accomplished, thanks to Britain's incomparable navy, is shown by the life sized figure of Admiral ortl Jellicoe which occupies a place in Hie centre of the windoAT. Messrs E. A. Adams and Sons, Ltd., have one of the most tasteful and appreciative designs, a dove of peace being the central figure in one window with the word "Peace" underneath. On the next window the word "Liberty" serves as a reminder of what wc owe to our gallant boys who have preserved us all from what would have been a slavery worse than death. Mr. J. J. Holtham has a design that should gladden every Britisher's heart, the whole window being taken up with a large representation of the Union Jack, the flag of Freedom, Justice and Liberty. GENERAL COMMITTEE A meeting of the General Committee was held on Wednesday afternoon, when the Chairman reported that the Domain Board were obtaining five trees from Wanganui to be planted in commemoration of Peace. It was suggested that one tree each lie planted by the Borough Council, Domain Board Red Cross Society, Children, and the Choral Society. He would move that the Borough Council, Domain Board, and the Choral Society be asked to plant their trees on the Saturday and the Children and Rod Cross on the Monday. Tilts was seconded by Mr. D. Thompson and carried.

The Chairman also staled that a proposition had been made that a ball be hold on Monday night and the picture programme curl ailed. Ho was not in favour-of the ball on the Monday night in view of the exceedingly fine treatment accorded the Committee by the South Taranaki Amusement Coy.

It was unanimously resolved on the motion of Mr. Hemingway, seconded by Mr. Horc, that the present programme be adhered to, and it be a recommendation that a fancy-dress ball be held on the' Tuesday night, the ladies providing a basket and the gentlemen paying 2s. The ball to be a children's ball from 7.30 to 9 p.m. and for adults after.

The question of the routo of the procession was considered, and it was pointed out that the suggested route was cause some confusion as the head o" the procession would have to pass the roar at a narrow portion of the road near the hospital where it was difficult to pass. It was finally decided that the mattor be left to the Marshal to confer with the bandmaster ; a suggested route being from the Town Hall to the Triangle, thence to the Hospital and back to.the I>or:ahi via Yw'torn Street

Mr. Horc suggested ii'at facilities be offered photographer.; to photograph the procession on the understanding that a copy of the photograph be donated to the Borough Council as a por-r-ianont memorial.

It was decided that the photographers arrange with the Marshal for the procession to be i-altc:l for a few moments to have photographs taken It was also decided that the procession on Monday be a children's procession onlv.

It was unanimously resolved tha< i!io Committee* give their sanction to tho football match, Patea v. Alton, being played on the local Domain on Monday at ?> p.m. Country people are reminded thai horse paddocks will be available at .Surrey Street (near the Domain) and at the Convent and High School paddocks.

A torchlight procession is to bo held before the pictures, starting about 6.15 p.m. on Monday.