The Imperial Troops.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 3003, 29 January 1901, Page 2

The Imperial Troops.

Unit id Press Association—Per Eln it.da Telegraph—Copyright. Received 5.30 p.m., January 28th. t MELBOURNE, January 28. Unless further instructions are received the Imperial troops will probably sail for New Zealand on Tuesday.

A v ell attended meeting of citizens was held in the Council Chambers yesterday afternoon to consider the question of receiving and entertaining the Imperial and Indian troops on the occasion of their visit here. There were about a dozen ladies in attendance, who volunteered to do anything m tlie way 0 f assistance that they could. His Worship the Mayor presided, and explained that the meeting* bad been called for a. week ago, but owing to the death of the Queen had been postponed. He was pleased to see so many present. The meeting was for the purpose of considering how they should entertain the Imperial and Indian troops during their stay here. The time of their stay would be short, but he believed that it was certain that they would be here. His Worship read the telegrams which had passed between the Hons. J. G. Ward, W. Hall-Jones, and himself. He had wired to Mr Ward asking that the stay be extended to two hours, and Mr Ward had promised to consider the matter, but so far had not replied He had also wired asking for definite information as to the visit, but no answer had been received. He would, like the matter to be fully discussed,

In reply to Mr Knubley, His Worship said that the amount required to entertain the men would probably be about £6O or £7O. Mr C. S. Fraser moved: — That a committee be appointed to make all arrangements for the fit and proper reception and entertainment of the Imperial troops, the committee to consist of His Worship the Mayor, Colonel Bailey, Commandant Lamg Meason, Captain Lindsay, and Messrs Knubley, Kent, Kirk, Young, Aldred, Priest, and the mover.” Mr Fraser suggested that the men should be detrained at the Mill street crossing, have lunch at the Drill Shed, and march through the town, entraining at Strathallan street again. He thought the Life Guardsmen should be mounted, and said that there were plenty of local men who would be only too pleased to lend their horses. Commandant Laing-Meason and Captain Lindsay moved :—“ That the citizens enteitain the troops at luncheon on the occasion of their visit to Timaru.” The motion was carried unanimously. Mr Kent then moved :—“ That a subscription list be opened in the room, and that a committee be nominated to gather subscriptions.” Mr Knubley seconded , this, and it was carried. Mr Kent said that there was no time to defer commencing the canvass; the committee should get a good amount, and he did not thiiik a Is or 9d supper would meet the requirements. After considerable discussion the following were appointed a canvassing committee:—Messrs Macintosh, Foden, Grandi, Thomson, B. C. Tennent, Knubley, Satterthwaite, with power to add to their number. c The Mayor announced that the sum ol £34 had been subscribed in the room. Mr Kirk suggested that the Council should contribute an amount. Some discussion took place on the question of including the battalion officers in the committees for the reception. It was advocated that the officers would have enough to do with their regimental duties. Mr Kent said that the committees would want the benefit of their experience on matters of military procedure, and they were all good workers. He moved that the battalion officers be added to the committee. Mr Fraser objected to the resolution being altered. He moved that Captain Gillies be appointed treasurer of the fund, and the Town Clerk, Mr E. H. Lough, secretary, both to be ex-officio members of all committees.

Mr Kent accepted Mr Fraser’s amendment, and withdrew his motion, and Mr Fraser’s proposal was then carried unanimously. The meeting 1 then closed with a vote of thanks to the chairman. The committees met afterwards and transacted some routine businss. At the reception committee, Colonel Bailey was appointed chairman. His Worship the Mayor was requested to ascertain the cost of supplying the troops with lunch, and Colonel Bailey was asked to communicate with the Commander, asking for full particulars as to arrival, detraining, etc. It was resolved to wire to the Hon. J. G. Ward asking for an extension of time to two hours, and also for an indication of the time of the arrival of the troops in Timaru. The Mayor of Oamaru was communicated with, the Timaru committee wishing to avoid double-banking by repeating Oamaru’s entertainment. Messrs Aldred and Kent were appointed a committee to attend to decorations at the drillshed. Mr Kent asked that the shed be left for his use on Friday and Saturday next, and he would guarantee that his staff would fix everything up all right. A few other matters were disposed of, and the committee adjourned. The canvassing committee added Mr R. Bowie (senr.), and Dr Cox to their number, and Mr Knubley was appointed chairman. It was decided to write to different gentlemen in the country soliciting subscriptions. The amount the committee considered necessary is from £IOO to £l2O. I

The “ Otago Daily Times ” of yesterday says:

In view of there being no definite information regarding the movements of the Imperial troops, His Worship the Mayor despatched the following telegram to the Acting-Premier: “As it is uncomfortably near the date on which the Imperial troops are expected to arrive here, I would feel obliged if you could let me know if any definite or official information has been received as to whether or not the original arrangements will be carried out. In view of the frequent disappointments in connection with the late receptions, I cannot possibly do anything until the receipt of definite information, and even then recent events have cast a different complexion on the whole arrangements.” The Mayor has received the following telegram, which is official, from the Hon. J. G. Ward, in reply to one sent by himself :— ‘ I have just received a cable from Sydney advising that the Imperial troops with the Indian Contingent, will arrive at the Bluff on February 2 and proceed to Dunedin, arriving at Dunedin on Saturday night.” The men stay here over Sunday, and leave on Monday morning.