PEACE CELEBRATIONS.

Colonist, Volume LXI, Issue 15048, 16 April 1919, Page 4 (Supplement)

PEACE CELEBRATIONS.

PUBLIC MEETING 'OF CITIZENS.

PROGRAMMIikARRANGED

1 At a public meeting convened by the. Mayor, (Mi- ;W.-..W; Sriodgrass) held at thfe City Council Chambers last evening for .the purpose of considering steps to be taken to fittingly celebrate the signing of peace, there was a large and representative attendance of citizens. A number of apologies for absence • were also ■received. v The Mayor said he had been requestedby the Government to call a meeting to make preliminary arrangements for tno tsele'bration, of peace. The celebration of completed peace should'perhaps be more dignified than tlie armistice celebration, which was an occasion for great joy '.''At;the same time he hoped the peace celebration would also be joyous. Special attention should be pail to the 6oldiers who had won the war, the children, arid the poor. It, was proposed that the celebrations should take place at one time throughout the . Empire; certainly throughout New Zealand. The first day, Smiday, would be. a day of thanksgiving, the second soldiers' day, and the third children's day. The Town Clerk read a circular from* the Minister of Internal Affairs, stating that appropriations in connection with the peace celebrations by local bodies would be validated, and that subsidies would be paid to local bodies.. . The suggested programme was as follows:— . Sunday: Day of thanksgiving, with appropriate services morning and evening and combined open-air service in the afternoon.

Monday: At 8 a.m., salute by artillery; 10.30 a.m., procession of returned soldiers, naval ratings, members N.Z:E.F., Territorials. Cadets, veterans, decorated vehicles, friendly societies labour unions, etc.; in afternoon, military reviews, etc., in suitable parks; evening, carnival processions, masquerade.- , '

Tuesday: Children's day, etc The Town Clerk (Mr G. A. Edmonds) was appointed secretary. It was resolved that all present be a committee (v/ith power to add to their number) to carry out the peace celebrations.

It was resolved fhat the proposals in the circular regarding the services on feunday be^adopted, the arrangements to be leit to the Nelson Ministers' AssociaT'lon. ■ ..

Major Robinson stated that the entire stall: of the local Defence Office would assist in the, arrangements for the celebrations.

- The Mayor suggested that in addition to the processions,, etc., on Monday, there should be a short public gathering at the Church Steps at 11.30 a.m The suggestion was adopted. - It was resolved that the arrangements of Major R. W. Stiles, with power to appoint his own executive Wr.T aS 1'!iso1^ 1 t0 have a RHir^} 11'^! 80^161'8 on Mo^day in the LUiirhhed, the committee which carrie<l out the Returned Soldiers' Association luncheon last year to make the arrange-

To ensure satisfactory finance it was r n eT?H° lVw -tbat- $» Nelson City^'CounSl and Waimea County Council and the other local bodies be asked to provide funds to enable the celeSrations^to"be ■*hil« fe said that in Marlborou^h *ne local bodies were contributing £1200 It was resolved that the^Vaimea bounty Council and Nelson City CWfl be asked to appoint three members earh to act with Messrs E. J. Allen O T Har ey and W. S. Snodgras^ o f the SSSSS 8 Coraniittee >as a Fi--at^?fS?enie?f S 7for- tlie Sports meetir'K "wt~ 1 «g?r ?i irk i.on Monday■ afteraooH FT™ n » t? e hands of Messrs G. +X' + S s£', jWO re Pr.e«entatives of the Returned Soldiers' Association acd two from the Defence Department It was resolved ; that sub-committees Sommitle" 11111^8 befor6

\J\S T° lv(t S aithe Gov ernment be asked through Mr T. A. H Field M P., to provide, in addition to raflwav fares, free transport *by motor and steamer for all returned soldiers Attendmg the celebrations ■ ™hf ,followinS Transport Committee I F 3!? "P:-Messrs A. E. Tasker, C. W w «^ Maunsell ' J- E. Allen, and w. VV. bnodgrass. . . ' It was resolved that the evening entertainments on Monday and TuesdL bo O VVn C°/ mmittee s com P««ng Messrs n" jii ■^(convener), G. Bush W T vitetta and a representative of the ?aclS^ S°lld^" S' Associ^ion, and each city %and, the committee to engage halls for dances, concerts, etc. * „" w"s rfolved that the school teachrange the programme for . children's

A proposal that the children's Wttf.erfeftJd P at Ri^mo? d .was de-

. It vrap resolved to .hold the torchlight procession and fireworksdisplay on Monday night, and that the Fire Bri^t have charge of the arrangements' "* ' ' It was resolved that a deputation coustl"g of Messrs T. A. H. Field M P H. R. Duncan, E. J. Allen, C. J Harley and W. S, Snodgrass wait upon tie City Council m reference to th^grant towards the cost of the celebrations A suggestion was made that the Nelson Automobile Association be asked to take the returned soldiers for a motor run m the Waimeas on the Tuesday afternoon. •

It was resolved that the various- subcommittees be asked to prepare a wet day syllabus in the event of ram. Ihe meeting then adjourned, the next meeting to be called by the chaii-man and secretary.