ENTERTAINMENT COMMITTEE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5310, 15 July 1895, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENT COMMITTEE.

A meeting of the Entertainment Committee was held at the rooms of the Industrial Association on Saturday evening. Fifteen members were present, and Mr G. E. Hait presided. Mr J. P. Kelly was elected a member of the committee. The Chairman reported that the Executive Committee had declined, on the ecore of expense, to accede to the recommendation that Mr J. White, of Sydney, should be engaged to give exhibitions of modelling. The Lighting Committee had accepted the draft plan for lighting the exhibition with gas submitted by Mr R. C. Bishop, of the Cbristchurch Gas Company. This would necessitate either the abandonment or modification of the scheme for an electric fountain. The question of the programme for the opening ceremoDy, the preparation of which had been relegated to the committee by the Executive, would have to be considered that evening. Several offers of assistance were received and held over for further consideration. An offer from the Queen's Cadets Drum and Fife Band, to play for one afternoon or more at the exhibition, was received and accepted with thanks. . On the motion of Mr E. W. Seager it was resolved — "That it be a recommendation to the Lighting Committee to provide for the stage in the concert hall two lines of borderlights and footlights with flexible tubes, the footlights to be sunk in a float." A lengthy discussion took place as to the hour for the opening ceremony on August 29, and it was resolved, on the motion of Mr E. C. Brown, seconded by Mr Sandford— " That it be a recommendation to the executive to hold the opening ceremony at 3 p.m." The draft programme for the opening ceremony, as suggested by the Chairman, was adopted as follows, subject to any alteration found necessary : — That Lieutenant- Colonel Gordon be requested to furnish a guard of honour for the reception of his Excellency on his arrival at the gate, and that the National Anthem be played by the band ; the Governor to be met at the entrance door by the President, the members of the Executive and other committees, including the General Committee, and escorted through the avenues to the concert hall. That Mr Inspector Broham and Mr Superintendent Smith be requeated to provide detachments of police and firemen to keep the avenues clear during the progress of the official party. That on the Governor and suite, the Executive Committee and invited guests reaching the stage the National Anthem be sung by one hundred and fifty children. The President to then invite his Excellency to declare the exhibition open. At the conclusion of hia Excellency's speech opening the exhibition the locally-composed anthem to be sung by the children. This will conclude the ceremony of opening, and the Governor and suite and guests will proceed to view the exhibits, accompanied by the President and the Executive Committee. The various offers of assistance received were referred to a sub-committee, consisting of the Chairman, Messrs E. W. Roper, j Hancock and E. W. Seager, to prepare draft programmes and submit the same to the meeting after next. The committee adjourned to 7.30 p.m. on Saturday. .