THE HAURAKI BRIDGE.

Thames Star, Volume LXII, Issue 17387, 27 March 1928, Page 5

THE HAURAKI BRIDGE.

OPENING CEREMONY. . BUSINESS MEN MEET. PROGRAMME DISCUSSED.' A fairlv well attended meeting was held at the Central Hall last evening to discuss- what arrangements should be made, to celebrate the opening of the Hauraki Bridge, which, it is understood, will he about the end of April." The president of the Thames Chamber of Commerce presidead, and briefly explained the object of the meeting, finally asking on the Committee that had been formed io present their report, The,,chairman said in continuation that a little misunderstanding had arisen. As a business community they had not been asked by the three chair•nen of the leca! bodies to take part in any function and after waiting some time the.. Chamber took steps to call its members, but made a mistake in calling a public meeting, which could .only be done by the Mayor. It was as a Chamber of Commerce that the present meeting of business men had been called.

The report of the Committee' was read, Mr. Dauby explaining that the programme was' purely supplementary to that officially arranged. The member for the district and the three heads of the local bodies had matters arranged officially, and it was not to be expected that the civic heads would even consider having to work up other function. They only wanted to make the occasion a momentous one for the people of Hauraki Plains and the Thames Valley as well as Thames, so as to express cordiality and to cooperate with .these people. They could make three memorable days of the function, but he stood for the fullest co-operation of the member for the district and the officials of the local bodies. The report contained merely suggestions and could be altered to fit in with the.'official arrangements. The chairman said it must be made quite clear that the arrangements considered that evening would be supple* mentary. "" If the opening was made for 2.30 p.m. when a different programme would have to be drawn up. '

In reply to a question Mr. T. W. Rhodes, M.P., said that he was sure the Minister would he pleased to come to Thames the night before if an early ceremony was desired. He considered they should work under the local authorities, but the Hon. K. S. Wil-= Hams would come at a time suitable to the people. Everyone wished to see the occasion worthy of the town. Cooperation was necessady and anything done that evening should be in the nature of suggestions. It would be an epoch in the history of the district, and the more it was advertised the better it would be.\ The chairman said if the meeting would agree to a. suitable time for the opening ceremony then a start could be made with "the suggested programme. Mr. Danby said the viewpoint of the Committee was that the celebration in this connection should be on the opening day because they had justification in asking for a school holiday. In the "second place there would be opportunities of mingling with the visitors in the afternoon. Finally the following suggested programme was drawn up:— Ceremonj' to take place on a Thursday if at all possible, and to be at 11 a.m. Shops to close from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sports in afternoon in Pollen Street with children's displays, etc., providing Borough Council's sanction be obtained. Free pictures at the King's Theatre at 7.45 : p.m. for country residents; admission by tickets for which early application would be made. The official dinner, as already arranged, was also for this evenig. On Friday there will be numerous attractions, including a baby show and a treasure hunt. The Committee were authorised to go into the matter •of further shows on that day. Saturday: Fire Brigade events and tugs of war in Pollen Street in the morning and in the afternoon football, hockey and tennis. Cars will be arranged for conveyance from Plains of school children. Saturday night: "Smoko" at Turua. The above suggestions are to be conveyed to "the local bodies jWncerned. as suggestions for an, auxiliary programme to the official one. The following committees were electr ed:—Finance, Messrs. E. Brown, J. W. Arbury, W. White, A. E. Court and J.'D. Crawford; transport, Dr. J. B. Liggins and Mr. F. S. Miller; publicityf Messrs. J. W. Danby and C. R, Cooke; amusements and sports, Messrs B. k D. Chapman, chairman of the School Committee, and the four headmasters of the schools. Mr. B. T). Chapman .was elected carnival secretary.