THE JUBILEE.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13802, 13 January 1909, Page 6

THE JUBILEE.

Sir Joseph -Ward, who, with Lady Ward, has been visiting Eldershe as the guests of Mr and Mrs John Reid, will leave Oamaru to-day for Timaru, where he will take part in the jubilee celebrations to-morrow . In the afternoon Sir Joseph Ward and party will leave Timaru . for Fairlie en route for Mount Cook Hermitage. .The committees '.who have, in hand' the preparations, for the celebrations of the Jubilee; of South Canterbury tomorrow are feeling some anxiety about the weather as it has been so unsettled of late, and last evening a change from bettor to worse was threatened. ;The procession committee suggests that persons who are lending, cars and other vehicles, would do well to add a little colour to their part of the procession—something decorative. Also that the request that shop blinds and shutters be not put to their accustomed uses during the day. Besides the invitations to old identities, about five-and-thirty others have been sent to public men —such as Mayors of Boroughs, chairmen of other public bodies, etc. ' Otherwise there will be other invitations given, as the space in the Drill Hall is small enough for the accommodation of the guests in view.

Only those who possess invitation cards will be admitted to the drill hall, and this by the large door on Mill street. The card must be shown to the doorkeepers, but. may be kept as a memento of the occasion. The liistorical committee have determined to make a charge of 6d for admission to the picture room, to prevent the room being rushed by people who only wish to be in the crowd, and have no interest in the display. The ingress will be by the southern side door only; the exit by the middle door.

Mr Budd who is to be caterer tomorrow was busy yesterday preparing tables for the luncheon. He has provided seating for about 400. H.M.S. Pioneer will probably arrive this afternoon. Given fine weather the main wharf to-morrow night should be the centre of attraction for old and young, for preparations are being made for one of the very best fireworks displays ever seen in Timaru. The Harbour Board is making the most complete arrangements and expects the masters of the Aparinia, Tainui, Corinna, and the Charles F. Crocker to join with them. H. M.S. Pioneer, too, will be requested to come into the fold of peace, for the evening, and to make a display worthy of a unit of His . Majesty's Navy. The Garrison Band is rendering worthy assistance, so that altogether, the oldest identity and the babes- that saw Timaru for the first time last Christmas, and all persons of both sexes and intermediate ages of the span of life named, should find their way to the harbour front to-morrow evening. Further subscriptions for the expenses fund are £1 Is each from Mr T. Buxton, M.P., Ven. Archdeacon Harper, and Mr Jas.' Medlicott; £1 each from Mr Wm. Budd, Otipua, Mr M. McLeod, Biverslea, and Mr D. Shaw; and 30s 6d from Mr Bardsley. A discussion arose at the Procession Committee meeting last night as -to the advisability of including the traction engine (or Borough Council exhibit) in the centre of the procession, and it was unanimously decided that' it would he quite unsafe to do this owing to the number of horse vehicles in the procession, and it was eventually decided thai, the safest place would be to have this exhibit at the end. The Procession Committee met last evening, and made final arrangements. It was definitely decided that the route of the procession should be as' follows:—Leave post office 11.30 a.m., lead up Sophia /street into Sefton street and round x the Melville Hotel, down Stafford street to Shepherd's corner, enter' North street, along Craigie Avenue into Queen street, then to Hospital corner, ' from there to Drill Hall via High street. "' The earliest arrivals will lead the procession (in front of bullock waggon) in motor cars, it being understood that a difficulty would be experienced by drivers of motor cars in navigating their cars on account of the irregularity of pace that usually attends a procession of this I description. It was decided that the , Procession Committee should meet at ! 9.30 a.m. at the Sophia street Hall, to take final instructions from the marshals directing the procession. It is advisable for those trades, etc., who intend taking part in the procession, who have not already sent in their names ,to do so at once to the secretary, so that they can be added to and allotted a place in the procession.

The names of Sir and Sirs Eobt. Irwin were omitted from the " Echunga"' list yesterday. A suggestion has been made that the Procession Committee should arrange, if possible, "for each vehicle conveying old identities, to have a placard on each side, bearing the number of the year in which the occupants •of the vehicle arrived in the district. This was done at the Dunedin jubilee celebration, and was considered a very good idea.