TEMUKA CELEBRATIONS FOR PEACE

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVII, Issue 23215, 31 May 1945, Page 3

TEMUKA CELEBRATIONS FOR PEACE

Discussion At Public Meeting Delegation To Wait Upon Council

The opinion that the public was overwhelmingly in favour of a spontaneous celebration when the news of the final capitulation of Japan was received, and that arrangements should be made beforehand for different local organisations to participate in an organised celebration, was expressed at a public meeting convened by the Temuka Volunteer Fire Brigade on Tuesday evening.

A committee was elected and four delegates were appointed to wait on the next meeting of the Temuka Borough Council and seek their co-operation. Mr R. L. Stokes was appointed chairman by a meeting of 14 representing the Fire Brigade, Borough Council, Public Works Department, Caledonian Society, Pipe Band and Municipal Band.

The chairman said that the meeting had been called to discuss the question of peace celebrations. It seemed that the Borough Council did not intend to do anything until some time after the war, but it would not stand in the way of anyone doing as he wished in the matter. It had been the unanimous wish of Brigade members that the meeting be called. Mr J. Allfrey emphasised that the meeting was not a Fire Brigade meeting, but had been called m an effort to set up a committee representing the various local organisations with a view to a combined effort. After V-E Day things had been left to the last minute, and if it had not been for Toe H. the bands and the Fire Brigade nothing would have been done. The crowd that turned out to the bonfire was sure proof that the people wanted some sort of a celebration. Mr H. Wilson said that there had been considerable confusion after V-E Day as to when the bands were to parade. If they were going to run anything, plans should be made beforehand.

Mr F. Chapman said that some coordination was necessary to present overlapping by different organisations. The meeting should decide on a set plan. Mr E. Smith said that they did not want to be at loggerheads with the Borough Council. Mr A. Russell: If we could obtain the co-operation of the Borough Council, we could have something worthwhile. Mr M. S. Ansford said that, if the Council saw the public considered an immediate celebration necessary, he had no doubt it would agree to go ahead with plans. When the Japanese capitulated, the people would be keyed, up and want to let off steam. Council’s Responsibility The Mayor (Mr G. A. Harris) said that he was not there to pour cold water on the scheme. There was a poor representation present and it included no businessmen, but he would like to sec the meeting appoint a committee and discuss the matter with the Council. He had no objection to anyone celebrating, but the Council would be responsible for the official celebration, which would take place probably six months after the conclusion of the war. It could not move officially in the matter of immediate celebrations as it could not expend public money on such a function until authority had been received from the Government. He considered they should take a reasonable view and not make people think the war would soon be over. Up to date only 7 per cent of the territory conquered by the Japanese had been retaken, and they had the raising of the War Loan and their patriotic quota to consider. Mr H. Wilson said that if it had not been for the Fire Brigade there would have been practically no celebrations on V-E Day. He considered that arrangements should be made for the children to participate and have something to remember. They should at least be given some little memento, such as a flag, and some lemonade and a bun.

Mr Ansford suggested that arrangements be made for a bonfire and fireworks, sports for the children, and dancing and a community sing in the main street. The only way to get things going was to arrange them in plenty of time, he said.

Spontaneous celebrations would not call for any expenditure of public funds, said Mr Chapman. The Fire Brigade was not going behind the back of the Council in calling the meeting, but he considered arrangements should be made for various district organisations to participate.

Mr D. Milne: I certainly think we are taking a step in the right direction. The following committee was elected: Messrs H. Wilson, E. Smith, M. S. Ansford. A. Russell. V. Thomas, J. Allfrey, D. Milne. R. L. Stokes, V. Hammond and H.- Hirst.

It was unanimously agreed that the Borough Council be requested to receive a delegation at its next meeting to discuss the question of cooperation in arranging some function, and Messrs H. Wilson, J. Allfrey, D. Milne and H. Harrison were appointed as delegates. A further meeting will be called next month to consider the report of the delegates.

School Resumes

The primary department of the Temuka District High School will resume this morning after being closed for two days on account of no coal being available for heating the class rooms. The loan of one ton of coal has been obtained locally, and this will be sufficient to last for approximately a week. The secondary department has been carrying on by the aid of two bags of borrowed coal.

Euchre

Winners at a euchre party held in the Band Hall by the Temuka Croquet Club were Mrs E. Broad, and Mrs S. Douglas. Competitions were won by Mrs T. Anglem, Mrs G. Fisner and Mr W. O’Neil.

Personal

Constable and Mrs N. Wylie, who have been the guests of Mr and Mrs W. Ives, Birkett Street, have returned to Christchurch. Mr and Mrs J. A. Meek, Oamaru, are visiting Mr and Mrs G. Marshall, High Street Mr D. Taylor, Milford, left yesterday to spend a holiday in Wellington.

Ploughman Injured

Mr T Pagan, of Pleasant Point, employed by Mr R." Moore, of Orton, suffered a severe gash in the shoulder yesterday through falling from a tractor in front of a plough. He was attended by Dr. F. A. Scanneli.