MEETING OF THE LYTTELTON COMMITTEE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6717, 13 February 1900, Page 3

MEETING OF THE LYTTELTON COMMITTEE.

A. meeting of the Lytteltori Committee in connection with the demonstration to take place at the departure of 'the Third New Zealand Contingent . 'was held in the Borough Council Chambers ■"■ last night. There was a large attendance, and the Mayor (Mr W. Radcliffe) presided. Messrs Murphy and Palmer were added to the committee. A letter was received from the Lyttelton Harbour Board, stating, in reply to a communication from the committee, that the Board's inspector, Mr Derbidge, would be empowered to employ his men to erect a barrier at No. 7 wharf, where the embaikation of the contingent is to take place, and promising to do all in the Board's power to ensure the success of the demonstration. Mr J. R. Joss, on behalf of the Marine Procession Sub-Committee, reported that satisfactoiy progress was being made with the arrangements, and that • Captain Galbraith, Acting-Harbourmaster, was giving all assistance in his power. Mr E. U. Just reported that a successful practice of the children who were to sing at the demonstration had been held; that a choir of about 400 children and 100 adults would be provided, and that the Garrison Band) would accompany the singing. It was proposed to provide the children with flags, and to hold a rehearsal for adult sing-, ere in the Colonists' Hall on Wednesday evening. Mr J. Sowden, on behalf of the sub-com-mittee appointed to provide for the erection of barriers and other arrangements on the wharf, presented a report, recommending that No. 7, the ocean steamers wharf, should be barricaded at 50 feet from the entrance, and that a temporary platform should be erected thereon. The report was adopted. Mi" White, for the committee appointed to organise an art union to dispose of a picture presented by Mr M'Millan in aid of the; Wax Fund, reported that two smaller pictures by the. same artist had been purchased as prizes, arid that 2000 tickets had been .printed*, the cost of printing having been defrayed (by advertisement on the tickets. The. report was adopted. . The Rev E. E. Chambers and Mr White were appointed to attend the meeting of ladies and 1 obtain their assistance in regard to disposing of tickets. Later in the evening they reported that the ladies had kindly consented to dispose of a large number of tickets. ' The Mayor reported that the Luncheon Committee) ihad waited upon LieutenantColonel Gordon and obtained permission to entertain the Contingent at luncheon a* Lyttelton on the day of departure. The luncheon would be held in the drillshed, and itenders had been invited for the catering. The luncheon to the Governor, Ministers, officers of the men of war, and other official guests would be held at the same time and pkce, and provision far it waa included in the tenders. Colonel Pole-Penton. had accepted an invitation to attend it. ,The report was adopted. The Mayor and Mr G. A. Lewin, honorary secretary, were appointed to interview Qolonel Pole-Penton in reference to the military arrangements. The Mayor stated that Captain Cowlishaw, of the ship Sheila, had generously placed bus vessel ait the disposal of the committee. Thi9 announcement was received with applause. Messrs Brice, Hewlett, Toomey andi Suiter were appointed a sub-committee to decorate the drillshed!, and Messrs Kay anid Cleary were appointed to arrange for the necessary furniture. Offers of (tables and seats were received from several tsources. . In reply to Mr C. Cook, the Mayor said that it was intended to proclaim a whole holiday on Saturday, the day of tha Contingent's departure. After some routine business, the com-? mittee adjourned! to 7.30 p.m. on Wednesday.