TEMUKA WAR TO PEACE

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVIII, Issue 23279, 15 August 1945, Page 3

TEMUKA WAR TO PEACE

“Academic Discussion” Lapses Mutual Celebrations Arranged “There seems to be a local war on at the moment, but I trust that peace will come and that the two parties concerned will pool their resources. We are not interested in this academic discussion and we should support the official programme arranged by the authoritive local body,” said the Rev. W. Wisdom in pouring oil on troubled waters at a well-attended public meeting called by the Mayor (Mi- G. A. Harris) in the Parish Hall to discuss appropriate celebrations on the proclamation of peace with Japan. The purpose for which the meeting was called was outlined by the Mayor, who occupied the chair. He submitted a tentative programme as a basis of discussion.

Mr R. L. Stokes asked what was to happen to the arrangements already made at a meeting of the Spontaneous Celebrations Committee on Sunday evening. The Mayor had said that he would not stand in the way of any organisation making its own arrangements. They had taken his word and gone ahead. The Mayor: This matter was discussed at the last meeting of the Borough Council, when I gave an undertaking to call a public meeting as soon as the cessation of hostilities seemed likely. This undertaking included entertainment for the children and received the approval of the Council, of which Mr Stokes is a member. Mr Stokes outlined the arrangements already made by the Spontaneous Celebrations Committee. They had received donations of 70 dozen buns, 46 dozen soft drinks and about £2O in cash, he said.

Mr H. Wilson: At a meeting of the Celebrations Committee the Mayor promised to support them in any arrangements made and to do all in his power to back them up.

The Mayor: That is wrong. You are now trying to usurp the power of the local authority. As a matter of courtesy to me in my office as Mayor, I should have known about the meeting called on Sunday night.

Mr T. Devine made an appeal to all concerned to pool their resources and ideas. The}' were gathered as citizens of Temuka to arrange celebrations for Temuka as a whole, he said.

Mi- Wilson: If Mr Devine will put this in the form of a motion I will second it. The Mayor: I am 100 per cent in accord with such a resolution. It would be unthinkable that we should have two bodies working in opposition. Pooling of Resources It was unanimously agreed that all money left over be given to the Patriotic Fund. The meeting then went on to discuss arrangements, the sub-committees drawn up by the Spontaneous Celebrations Committee being empowered to carry on with the various functions as arranged by them, a number of personnel being added. It was agreed that the judges for the childrens’ fancy dress and decorated vehicles be the Mayoress (Mrs G. A. Harris), Mesdames W. F. Evans and E. Blackmore. Mr J. L. Menzies was appointed marshal of the procession. Mr E. Smith said that the employees of the Public Works Department had collected £ll for the prize fund. A discussion took place on the change to be made for the peace celebrations ball on the first evening, a motion by Mr Menzies “that, the charge be 7/- a double ticket” being lost in favour of an amendment by Mr M. S. Ansford “that the charges be 1/6 and 1/- and that no supper be provided.” Arrangements for the first day of the celebrations are that bells be rung and sirens sounded at 9 a.m.. the two bands to parade the town. At 2 p.m. children’s sports will be held in the Domain, refreshments being provided.

A combined church service will be held in the Presbyterian Church at 7 p.m., and a grand peace celebration dance at 8.30 p.m. The second day will open with a procession from Dyson Street to the Domain, including decorated vehicles and fancy dress for children and adults. Prizes will be given to juvenile entrants. Representatives of the Maori people will participate. A list of speakers has been arranged, including the Mayor, Messrs Jack Acland, M.P.. A. J. Davey (representing local bodies and the farming community). A. E. Smith (chairman of the School Committee). W. Mihaka (representing the Maori people), J. L. Menzies (R.S.A.), a representative of the Churches, and one representing the Homeservicemen’s Association.

After the speeches, a programme will be given by the two bands, including a marching display bv the Pipe Band, and it is hoped to have the services of a Maori concert party. It was left to the Fire Brigade and band members to arrange a torchlight fancy dress procession and a bonfire and fireworks display in the evening. At the conclusion of the meeting, the Mayor expressed thanks to the Spontaneous Celebrations Committee for its co-operation. They were approaching the conclusion of the greatest war the world had ever seen, he said, and any function should be fully representative of the people of Temuka and of the district.

day. church services would be held at 7 p.m.. to be followed by a short civic function and community sing in the Town Hall at 8 p.m., followed at 9.45 p.m. by a mad hatters’ plain and fancy dress social and dance. It was also agreed that if news came through before noon, a short service would be held at the war memorial at 2 p.m. It was agreed that the second day’s programme should begin with a fancy dress procession leaving Mole’s at 1.30 p.m., headed by the band, R.S.A., and other community organisations in uniform and fancy dress. It was also agreed to invite floats, decorated cars, prams and similar entries. It was suggested that younger children (in fancy dress, if possible) should join at the Bank of New Zealand corner. It was decided that the procession should proceed to the secondary school grounds for a victory sports and carnival, including a baby show. It. was agreed to ask all women to bring a basket.

For the evening of the second day, it was agreed that the Fire Brigade should arrange a torchlight procession and bonfire, the procession (with their own torches) to assemble at the Fire Station. The Entertainment Committee was asked to organise a victory ball at night.

Mr J. E. Thomas was appointed chairman of the celebrations committee, with Mr W. H. Norton and Miss Janet Gresham as joint secretaries. Other members of the committee appointed were: Messrs F. E. G. Malcoimson, A. Pringle, F. W. Morgan, A. J. Kennedy, P. M. McKenzie, W. H. Kirk, A. G. Williams, H. Morrison, W. Gaby, J. Goodall, J. Kerr. G. Lyons, J. R. Hawcridge, Mesdames Angus Mackay. A. R. Manchester, M. Bell, J. Goodall and H. Mitchelmore. Messrs F. R. Wilks (chairman), C. S. Davies. E. Undrill, C. C. Knight, E. P. White and C. Gimson were appointed a community sing committee.

The committee appointed to organise the community sing on the first night comprises Messrs J. E. Thomas, E. E. Scott, E. P. Bennett. A. Vincent, Mrs Loonies and Miss Janet Gresham.