QUEEN'S JUBILEE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1579, 10 May 1887, Page 3

QUEEN'S JUBILEE.

On last Saturday evening a meeting of the Jubilee Committee was held in the Town Board office, Temnka, at which Messrs Gray (Chairman), Blyth, Dyson, Lawson, T\ Henry, Twomey, and the JRev. W. (■. i iiomas were present. On then., ion of Mr Twomey, seconded by the Rev. Mr Thomas, Mr Dyson w.-is appointed Secretary, and Messrs Gray and Blyth Treasurers. The following names were then added to the Committee, .via. : Messrs Guild, J. Scott, J. A. Young, D. Inv/ood, A. W. Ensor, M. Quinn, F. H. Barker, A. M. Clark, J. Eraser (Waitohi), J. .Findlay, W.-G.. Rutland, T.Boooey, and G. Woodhead. The following suggestions *ere then considered: — Mr C. J. Rayner'a—Cottage home, as published in laßt issue. Ren T. A. Hamilton's—Set the Mechanics' Institute free. "Rev. F. G. Thomas' —" That a public holiday be proclaimed, and a public procession be formed escorted by the Band, to proceed to the Dark, and there hold amass meeting, to be addressed by several speakers on themes suitable to the occasion, a collection to be takeo up for The Prison Gate Mission Home, or The Salvation Army Rescue Work, the whole to conclude with the National Anthem, the Band leading off." Mr George Levens'—Gentlemen,—ln presenting you with this suggestion allow me to make a few remarks an to the course that I think should be adopted on an occasion of this kind, b the first place I think it should be made a commemorative affair, a red letter day, ih tt will eventuate as a historical tranpaction, a chronological landmark mb it were, something that will last for generations. The ancients, it appears, had quite a mama in this direction-—the Egyptians seem to have had it very bud—but still we are greatly indebted to them for the major portions of our ancient history. Perhaps the absence of books might to some extent account for the extraordinary monuments they erected. It might perhaps be argued that we have the printing presß and books to hand our history down to posterity, but let it be remembered that these are perishable articles. And again, j gentlemen, I am of opinion that a name is a very hard thing to outlive or cry down. It ia said : •• Give a dog a bad name and h»ng him." 1 suppose that is the only remedy to deprive him of his bad name (no allusion intended to . the insane nonsense of the honest farmer the other night). The most of ub are pretty well acquainted with ancient names and monuments, etc. And now, as time is short, for the suggestion : 1 believe the Temuka Town Board have the privilege of naming any Btreet in their borough that is not already named. Now, gentlemen, I would suggest that that portion of the Main South Road within the boundaries of the town be named Jubilee Street or Road, as may seem fit; also that a small granite obelisk be erected to commemorate the event, aay somewhere on the Market reserve. 1 think there would be no difficulty in

obtaining the land- it would only require a yard or so square—there pould be an inscription engraved on this, describing the event, and any pergom alittleambitious could have their name engraved thereon, say bv subscribing a certain amount; the amount of course would be left to the Committee to decide upon, the stone to be called the " Jubilee Stone." This, gentlemen, I think, would be economical and almost everlasting, I think, gentlemen, this should meet the occasion, I fihould like to say a little more on fie Subject if time permitted. N.B.—Any . ceremony or sports couH be carried out -in connection with the above should the Committee think fit. Mr J. M. TVomey's—"l. Procession as follows";-—Band, John Bull with Paddy "and Sandy on his right and left arm respectively, Indian?, Nearoes, Maoris, etc., representing all the nations over which the Queen rules, school children, volunteers, public bodies, societies, single ladies, single gentlemen, married ladies, married gentlemen, etc. 2. Ornamental permanent archway over mnin main entrance to the park, with a tablet bearing a commemorative inscription. 3. Oak planted between the archway and the cottage; the whole would iu time present a beautiful aspect, and contribute ' 'the historic part of the celebration. 4. Athletic sports, children's amusements auch as apples, cakes, nndtoys hanging from a rope drawn between upright poles, so tfcat the children would have a difficulty in securing them, and thus cause amusement. Special Committee could make arrangements .for children according to age and sex. 5. Variety entertainment in the Hall that evening." The various suggestions were then talked over at considerable length. The cottage home was deemed impracticable, as sufficient money could not be raised. Doubt was expressed also as to whether the Mechanics' Institute suggestion could be carried out, and after about an hour's discussion the following resolution wss earried on the motion of Mr Henry, ieconded by Mr Dyson—"That the scheme submitted by Mr Twomey be recommended, with the exception that Mr Levens' suggestion with regard to the obelisk be substituted for the ornamental archway." The ornamental archway was rejected on the ground that it would cost pretty close oh £IOO, and waß consequently deemed too expensive. With the view ot testing what could be dope in setting the reading : room of the proposed —'? That efforts be made to raise subscriptions so that the reading-room of the Meohanics jjlnititutß be set free to the

public, and the subscription to the library reduced to l(b a year." Mr D. Henry said ho would be very much in favor of doing something for widowsand orphans if practicable, but he was afraid it whs not. If the Mechanics' Institute were free to the public he believed a great many of the farmers and country people would contribute so that tkey might have, a room to go into when they came into town to write their letters and do business . Mr Blyth seconded Mr Twomey's motion, and it was carried unanimously. It. was decided to write to all gentlemen whose names appeured on the OommitUe, and aek them to attend another meeting to be held tliis evening (Tuesday). The meeting then terminated.