JUBILEE MEETINGS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1578, 7 May 1887, Page 2

JUBILEE MEETINGS.

GERALDINE. A public meeting was held In the Town Board oflice, Geraldine, on Wednesday evenins l"st for tho purpose of receiving the report of the Committee appointed to crniff-r on the best scheme to adopt for this celebration. There wag a large attendance, and Mr B. H. Pearpoint occupied the chair. The Chairman stated that the following schemes had been submitted to the Committeo:— Major Moore's Thiit donations be sent t) the Home in order that persons of both sexes might be sent there from the Geraldine district. An arrange* ment to be made that the number sent should be in proportioa to the subscriptions. Mr H. W. Mooro's—That certain rooms should be built in connection with the present Institute, to be used as rooms in which the pubic could smoke, read the papers, and also have games of various sorts. It was also suggested that tea, coffee, and other edibles should be kept ou hand by the ct re taker, and it was estimated that this scheme would involve an outlay of about £IOO. The idea was to get a number of subscribers at, say, £1 per annum, the carpenters and other tradesmen to give their labor free, and the storekeepers to give donations of wood, iron, etc., instead of cash. Mr W. E. Barker's—That should be mads for a home for fallen woman. Mr J. S. Wmile's—For renovating the park, and giving the children an outing. Mr J. Kelland's-Tbe erection of an ornamental lamp in a conspicuous pljce. The Chairman said that three other schemes had been received. The Rev. G. Birclay suggested that the drillshed shou'd bo floored for the purpose of holding meetings, etc. ; the Hon. L. Walker suggested that subscriptions should be made towards the completion of the Christchurch Cathedral; and a suegestion was received from a person signing himself "Junius" that public baths should be erected, the water to be obtained by means of a windmill. The Chairman said that the Committee had decided in the afternoon, afte' discussion, to recommend that Mr Moore's scheme be ndopted, if it was found to be at all practicable. He would like to make a few observatioss with regard to Mr Moore's scheme. They would doubtless agree with him that whatever might be don« must be done by an arrangement between the trustees of the Mechanics' Institute aDd the Committee.appointed by the public. A great mauy details would have to be arranged afterwards. He would suggest that a speoial Committee wait upon the Trustees to arrange the urorking of the scheme. 1 In reference to throwing the library open for books, etc., he did not think that would be the proper course to pursue at present. He thought it would be better to throw nil the other rooms open, and make a small charge for the use of the books. Mr Maslin asked if the schemes before the meeting were all that could be laid before it. He considered that further schemes should be considered if forthcoming. The Chairman did not think it too late at any time to receive suggestions. Mr Maslin suggested that the money obtained be expanded in opening up and improving thi piece of bush now being fenced by the Domain Board. It would thus be attractive to picnic parties from Timaru. Another advaotage he considered was that they would not be obliged to spend any fixed sum upon the improvements, but could regulate the latter by the sum subscribed. He thought there were several objections that could be raised against Mr Moore's scheme. Mr C. E. Sherratt asked bow it was proposed to manage the club ssggested. Mr Moore said one Committee could manage the whole. Mr Shen-jitt a*ked if it was intended to devote the whole of the mooey subscribed to the one pcheme. Mr Maslin said they could have a celebration for the children in connection with opening tho park. Mr Moore said he should have added to his soheme (hat there should bo a demonstration for theohildren at the laying of the foundation stone of the Institute, Mr Shiers thought that Mr Moore's scheme was a very good one if it could lbs,

carried out, but he was afraid tlwy would get the building partly finished and then have to leave it. If Mr Mislii.'s scheme were adopted they could suspend work just whenever th«y had spent all their money. Then they would also have to deal with the Committee of the Mechanics' Institute, «nd us these Committ' , Oß were changeable one Committee m ; g !, t not work according as the other had done. \fr Moors said Mr Maslin'e scheme was a very unsatisfactory one, as the Park might be kept open for a little time and then allowed to be neglected, He had received letters from Messrs Tripp, Acland, and Eolleston, all of whom were in favor of, and would support, his scheme. Mr Tripp had promised £5 towards it. Re (Mr MooreVthonght the scheme might be adopted, and subscription lists got out to see how much money was available, and the scheme could be dropped for another if found not practicable. Mr Maslia asked wont had been the history of such clubs in the past f The Rev. Mr Hamilton started one in Temuka, and there had bean one started in Geraldine on the same principle as Mr Moore's and they had both failed. His opinion was that; anything that had to depend up.ui .uuuul subscriptions would fall to the ground.

Mr Mundell said with reference to the (.ark scheme, they had got a Domain Board that would have large revenues coming in from this domain, and would be in a position to make it a very pretty park indeed, Why ihould an endeavor be made to get hold of the bit of money that might be subscribed | lie thought they should endeavor to gat something for the tenefit of the young men of the place and for future genentions. There would be no trouble in carrying out Mr Moore's scheme. Prom £BS to £IOO would be sufficient, and there wera a number cf carpenters and others willing to give their labor towards it. He thought with the promises Mr Moore had already received, and the assistance of merchants and others who could be asked to help, the building could be put up without theit being a peony in debt. If it was added to the present Institute it would make a Urge and permanent institution. He considered it would be a really good thing. There could be a .grand gala day, laying of the foundation stone, etc., and it would be a most fitting and entertaining way of celebrating Her M«j"»Iy'« Jubilee. He thought if the 'small amount of money required was available they could not spend it in a more appropriate "iy. He begged to propose—" That Mr Moore's scheme be adopted, provided satisfactory arrange* ments can ba made with the Trustees of the Institute and that sufficient sums be subscribed for its future maintenance; also that the friendly societies and public bodies be asked to take part in the ceremony of laying the foundation stone." Mr J. Williams seconded the proposition.

Mr Quinn considered that the pro* motors of both schemes should canvass the district and see what amount of money »ould probably be forthcoming for them respectively. The Chairman thought there would be no harm' in living Mr Mooro's scheme a trial. He would rather be in favor of improving the park nearer the town than the one higher up if anything in that line wure done. Ha thought a Committee should confer with the Trustees of the present Institute, make some arrange* ments, get their consent to put the same on paper, and auk for subscriptions. In all fairness to subscribers he thought can* vHssers should be in a position to say how much the subscription should be. Mr Sherratt asked what would be considered a satisfactory arrangement with the Institute Committee. Could the Committee bind their successors in offic6l The Chairman thought that question could hardly be answered there. Dr Fish saH he supposed the Institute Committee would not oppose the scheme, as it was for the benefit of the pnblic generally, and they wero appointed to study the public'* intereat. Mr Shiers asked if the Committee would be prepared to take over any liability that might arise) If, fur in* stance, £3OO wera required and only £2OO subscribed, would the Committee become liable for the other £IOO ? The Chairman said thac £IOO was all that was required to get the building up, and about £2OO as a sinking for its future maintenance. Mr Quinn asked what would be the probable cost of Mr Barclay's scheme ? The Chairman said about £l5O, including tho rooms at the back of the drillshed. Mr Maslin moved as an amendment " That any money subscribed for the celebration of Her Majesty's Jubilee be expended in opening up the newlyacquired park of 20 acres of natural bush." He pointed out a number of objections to which he considered the scheme of Mr Moore was open. Another thing was that the park would be open to the ladies. The proposition for the club was a one-sided one, as it was only in* tended for the men. Her Majesty, as they knew, was a lady, and he thought it was better to have a celebration that ladies could take part in. Mr Taylor seconded the amendment. Mr Moore pointed out that the proposed rooms should be open to both sexes. Ladies coming in from the country would be able to obtain refreshments, etc. Ladies attended the present institution, and they would hn able to attend then. Mr Kallaugher wanted to know if it was desirable to lay out walks through the park why they should choose a mountain side for it. They had a small park of natural bush near the town; they could improve that. It would require a good deal of money before people could nee the park suggested, and it would also take : one man almost constantly employed to look after it. Mr Waite thought Mr Maslin should waive his proposition. They had a little patk they could look after, which would be quite enough for some time to come. Mr Flatman thought from what he had heard it would be better to let both schemes be canvassed before the public. If the meeting were adjourned for a week they could then report and lists be got out for the one most favorably received by the public. Mr Kelland asked if Mr Flatman would extend the same privilege to the other schemes. Mr Flatman thought it would only be right. He proposed—" That action in this matter lay in abeyance till Tuesday

next, and that the Geraldine Koad District be canvassed duriDg that time, and subscription lists be then got out. Mr Quin seconded the amendment, which upon being put waß carried. The meeting then adjourned till Tuesday next. ' TEMUKA.

A public meeting to consider t he best means of celebrating the Queen's Jubilee was held last Thursday evening in the Tolunteer Hall. At a quaiter to eight o'clock there very few present, bat shortly afterwards people begao to roll up, and ultimately a large meeting collected together. On the motion of Mr Rutland, Mr Gray look the chair, and explained that they bad met to consider the beat moans of celebrating the Queen's Jubilee. Every town in the colony wan preparing for celebrating the Jubilee, and he did not think they ought to be behindhand in Temnka. In his opinion the best thing that eould be done that night was to appoint a Committee. There were several persons unavoidably absent that night. Or" of them was the Rev. Mr Thomas, w! ?.-ud he would do anything he could ii. -..matter. Another was Mr C. J. Raynei, who had written the following letter:—"Temuka, sth May, 1887. ToK. F.Gray, Esq., Chairman Temnka Town Board. Dear Sir, — Although absent from your meeting tonight,- I beg to express my sympathy with its object. 1 should much like to see the movement for celebrating the Queen's Jubilee take the shape of a fund for building here a eottege home for a widow or aged couple. If the district were well canvassed a sufficient sum would sorely be raised to e/ect one and provide for its maintenance, say £3oo— £2OO for the building and £IOO to b< invested, and the interest used for keeping the cottage in repair. Should Bumcient not. be raised the money could be given as a contribution from thi* district to the fund being formed in Ohristcburch for a smilar object. A cottage hospital would b» another very worthy object, but 1 am afraid would be too expensive to maintain,—Yours,etc., 0. J. Rainbb" He thought that was a very grand suggestion, and now he would invite any of Iftbose prosent to make any remarks they h desired. The Rev. Mr Hamilton (mid his idea was that something should be set free. They had a Mechanics' Institute, and he thought it would be a good idea if they eould set it free, or at any rate enable | the subscription to it to be reduced to ; 10a a year, and if possible build an addition to it, so that people might have a toom wherein to meet. Anothet good thing would be to make the Volunteer Hall free to the chVtens of Temuka whenever they wanted to hold meetings in it. These were his ideas as to what should be done to celebrate the Jubilee. Mr Lawsoo was in favor of naming the park Victoria Park, and of planting »n oak in the most conspicuous pari of it. He would also have a procession, and a children's treat, where each child would get a ticket and a priz*. Mr Blyth tbonglt the Rev. Mr Hamilton s suggestion with regard to the "Mechanics' Institute a good one. He bad long held that if the subscription was reduced there would be a great many more subscribers. As regards adding another toom, he did not think they could undertake that. They would do well with the soom they had, Mr Badb&m said he was proud to have the honor ot addressing so large a meeting on this auspicious occasion. (Cheers). He was sorry that he could not fall in with the tin-pot ideas that had been put forth—one was to plant an oak, another make the Hall free, and another to make the Mechanics' Institute free. They had too many 'hings free already, and if they , paid a little more for them they would k* value them more. They had free education, which was only roaring up a lot of larrikins, who would be no use whatsoever not worth their salt. They.. would soon be asked to bny pianos for them. If these larrikins married they would find their wives would not be able to wash their clothes for them. (Laughter), He had Something original *o suggest. This was •the most fruitful dintrict on the face of earth, and their ideas ought to be fruitful too. A district which grew only three or four bushels of wheat to the acre might not have more than three or four ideas amongst the population, but when fifty or sixty bushels can be grown they ought to havej fifty or sixty ideas. (Laughter). If his proposal were adopted no one would be required to put a hand in his pocket. John Bull favored every scheme which did not require him to dip his hand in his pocket; Sandy was not much better, and as for Paddy there was ' always a hole in his pocket. (Great lauehter). One feature of bis scheme was that no money would be required j another was that it would advertise Te'muka all over the world, and they *ould : soon have the cre»tn of British society in their midst, In a few years Temuka be pointed out on the map by every child as the capital of South Canterbury, and its inhabitants) known all t'over the world for the liberality of their ideas. They had bankers who lent money on personal security (laughter); a journalist who would be an ornament on the London Times (laughter), aod 'who, he had no hesitation to prophecy, JWould be Premier before six monihs they had doctors who could cure tbem at a moment's notice, teßch ■' them the noble art of self defence, or how to get thoir heads io d.snncery (great laughter); they bad storekeepers who would belp tbem until they went to the wall, and would then keep them there ; and they had farmers, who were the only ■ honest people on the face of the earth. [Mr Badham is a farmer], (Great laughter.) His proposal was—" That the Justices of the Peace of this district be requested to meet the citizens in this Hall; that they be escorted by the citizens to ma public park, and that tbey Bhall there foe hung by the neck till they are dead." l (Great laughter). If he had been a of the Peace he should feel proud of the honor of dying for bis Queen and country, and if the Justices of the Pease had the pluck they would glory in being for such a sacrifice. ok> The Chairman said he did not think it P**ras neeessary to ask any one to second Mr Badham's motion. It was an attempt _vto throw obloquy on the Commission of Wthe Peace, and he could not countenance t. , . I Mr Twomey said that in order to. give ! dlreotion to the proceedings he) would move-* "That ire, the people at th»j

Temuka district, in public meeting assembled, deem it desirable to celebrate the Queen's Jubilee, in such a manner as the following Committee shall think proper." They could now select a Com* mitiee and arid their names to the resolution. As regards Mr Bad ham's way of celebrating the Queen's Jubilee.— The Chairman hoped Mr Twomey would not refer to Mr Badham's proposal ;i3 it *vas offensive. Mi Twomey said that in that cubo he would not, but he thought it was no use to take any notice of it. It wai some of Mr Badham's humor—grim humor. Mr Blyth seconded Mr Twomey's motion. Mr Rutland favored Mr Hamilton's idea with regard to the Mechanics' Institute.

Mr John Hayhurst dissented from the motion. It was putting the matter in the hands of gentlemen at present unknown to them. Aa regards the Mechanics' Institute 1i» thought it was large enough, and if it bad more subscribers they could get more benefit from it. It was all "we, the people of Temuka " do this and that ; " we, the poop e of Temuka," built the Volunteer Hall," and now other people had got it into their possession; and " we, the people of Temuka," could not get it except by paying exorbitant prices, and those who who held it, would keep.it, at the pcint of the bayonet. The Jubilee was a time for rr'joicing, but it appearod people were going to make it a time for lamenting o<rer their past sins. He would let old institutions alone, and do something more definite. Mr Rayner's scheme was a good one, and if anything could be done for the aged and weak, he would be in favor of it. They ought to rejoice in doing something that would be p-r----manently good. Mr H. Goodey said the Queen was a widowed lady, and he believed nothing would give her greater pleasure than that something phculd be done for widows. He would favor giving every widow in the district a full ,c rig-out" including a good pair of boota, and that would approach nearest the old way of celebrating jubilees. When the Queen was left a widow, it was said she felt it very keenly, but bow much more so must widowswboarelefi with large families feel it. Let tbem do something for the widows, and not only Her Majesty but a Higher Majesty would rejoice in their actiono. (Applause.) Mr Bolton anid he was caretaker to the Mechanics' Institute for years, and he could say if the residents who could afford it supported it as they ought it wouid be in a more flourishing condition. As regards charity, the Government looked after that, but there was a great deal of distress among the people of England, and he would suggest that they send their money Home to them. He considered it a mockery to celebrate a Jubilee while the people were starving, flfd he thought they could do nothing better than fend their money Home to England, to be distributed amongst the Btarving poor. He moved a resolution to that effect.

Mr John Hayhurst seconded Mr Bolton's motion. The distress was very bitter at Home at present, and any little we could send would show the people of England that their brethren out here had n.>t forgotten them. It would be a creditable thing to do, and he would contribute towards it. As regies Mr Bolton's refereuce_to the Mechanics' Institute, it was intended for mechanics and people who had not sufficient books at home, and it ought to be supported by such people. The Chairman said that before deciding on anything it was necessary to form a Committee. If the fuads could be obtained he thought Mr Rayner's a real, practical, good suggestion. Mr Twomey auid his object in moving the resolution was to get something definite before the meeting. It was plain to everybody that no conclusion could be arrived at in an open meeting like this, and consequently a Committee was absolutely necessary. The Committee could receive suggestions and report to a future meeting, and when they had all suggestions before them and knew the amount of money they could raise, then they could come to a conclusion as to the best means of celebrating the event. He was glad to see so much shurity developing iteelf in Temuka j the suggestions in reference to it were prompted by right feelings, but he could not forget that the Jubilee was a time of rejoicing and not of sorrow, Charity was a thing that ought appeal to their feelings every dsy in the year | they ought never to forget it (hear, hear), but if there was a day on which it was pardonable to forget it, that day wai the day of the Jubilee. It wai a day for rejoicing j a day on which they should forget works which should be attended to oti other days. He would contribute his mite, but oertainly not tp pend it Home to England. There were milliSns upon mil r lions of pounds heaped up in England, and the people of England were well able to look after their poor without any assistance from them. The people of England were draining this country of its money) they were sucking their life blood.and he certainly would not countenance suoh a scheme at Mr Bolton's. As regards the cottage suggested—one widow would get iotp it) and all the other widows would look with envy on her, and the £IOO proposed to be set aside would only yield about £5 a year. It was a good, charitable, benevolent ides, but it could not work satisfactorily. He urged that it would be batter to submit the suggestions to a Committee, and Jet ihem report upon them to a fifiure meeting, and 0P Messrs Bolton and Hayhurst represented a oertain idea he proposed that their names be placed upon the Committee. Mr Bolton ridiculed the idea of the Chairman of the Town Board marching down to the park to the musio of a band to plant an oak. It was the duty of public bodies here to look after the poor, but at Home they had no one to look after them. Ha spoke at considerable length in favor of sending the money Home. After some discussion Mr Wills suggested to amend the motion in the direotion of getting the Committee to submit their proposal to a future meeting,

Mr Twomey then altered bis resolution to read as follows:— ? That we, jibe people of Temuka district, in public meeting assembled, deem it desirable to celebrate the Queen's Jubilee, and that the following gentlemen be appointed a Committee to receive suggestions and report to a future meeting, viz. j—Revs. T. A. Hamilton, W. G. Thomas, and Father Fauvel, and Messrs Bolton, Blyth, Miles, Lawson, O. J. Rayner, Twomey, Hargreaves, E. Lee, Henry, Dyson, J. Talbot, and K.F. Gray, with power to add to their number." Mr A, Q. Wright moved aa an amend: ment— >' That thjs meeting appoint a Com r mittee to receive suggestions, and to bring forward a schema to celebrate the Queen's Jubilee, and to report to a public meeting at a future date, {the Cesimitteo to consist of

■oven members, with powar to add to their number." Mr Wills amended the amendment. Mr Bolton moved—" That the members of the three Boards act ai a Committee," but this finding no seconder it lapsed. The amendment hating been put to the meiting only three were in favor of it. The motion wa> then put and carried almost unanimously. The meeting then terminated.