THE EXPECTED RELIEF OF MAFEKING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6795, 15 May 1900, Page 1

THE EXPECTED RELIEF OF MAFEKING.

PREPARATIONS FOR A CELEBRA-

TION

At the meeting of the City Council last evening, the Mayor, suggested that a subcommittee should be appointed to make arrangements for the Mafekimg celebration, and that they should confer with a few other citizens whose capacity for organisation! was known. He had made inquiries, and found that nearly everybody was in favour of observing a half-holiday. They all hoped it would not be very long before they received the news, and it would be better that they should have some definite plan. •

Councillor Gray said that he agreed with the Mayor. On Ladysmith Day the patriotism and enthusiasm of the people had been unmistakable, but, through want of organisation, things had been somewhat at sixes and sevens. He moved— "That the Mayor and a committee of six be set up to consider the arrangements to be made for the Mafeking celebration." The motion was seconded by Councillor Sandstein and carried.

On the motion of Councillor Smith, seconded by Councillor Sorensan, the following were appointed the committee:—Councillors Gray, Samuels, Sandstein, Kincaid, Prudhoe and Cooper. The committee met subsequently, when it was decided to invite the co-operation of the following gentlemen: — Dr Jennings, Messrs R. C. Bishop, G. R. Hart, J. A. Frostick, C. Louisson, S. Maiming, W. Harris and G. G. Stead. A meeting of the committee will be held at the City Council Chambers afc 4 p.m. to-day.

On. Saturday evening a meeting was held at the Oust institute Hall to consider the question of wba:fc steps should be taken to celebrate the prospective relief of Mafeking. Considerable interest •was taken in the proceedings, and it was decided to arrange for a bonfire o<n a central site, to take place at 8.30 on the evening following the announcement of the news. Patriotic songs will form a part of the programme.