THE ROYAL TOUR.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7088, 2 May 1901, Page 1

THE ROYAL TOUR.

DECORATIONS COMMITTEE

Yesterday afternoon the Decorations Committee proceeded to the City Council yard to inspect specimens of the . arches designed by Mr S. Hurst -Seager in his scheme of decorations for the city during the Royal visit. After inspection, the committee held a meeting, at which there were present — Messrs E. W. Ropep (chairman); A. E. G. Rhodes, H. H. Loughnan, R. Allan, G. W. Elliott and Dr Jennings. The Chairman said the meeting had first to discuss Mr Seager's designs for the decorations. Mr Seager submitted several plans to the committee, which set out that the route from the Railway , Station to Victoria Square would be occupied by alternate arches and pairs of- Venetian masts. Manchester Street .would be decorated with red, white and blue, High Street with red and gjeen, and the street from Cathedral Square to Victoria Square would he hung with gold and purple. Venetian • masts would be placed around Cathedral Square and round that part of Victoria Square used in the functions. Mr Seager submitted estimates of the probable cost. Considerable discussion ensued on the scheme suggested by Mv Seager, and it seemed- questionable whether the retention of one scheme of colour through a whole street would become monotonous!. A feature of the scheme was a continuous festoon along the route, and some members seemed to think this might be modified to some extent. Eventually it was resolved that Mr Seager should be asked to consider whether the suggested alterations were necessary. On discussing the question pf tenders, it was finally Tesolved that Mr Seager should be author•ised to invite tenders for the erection of the necessary structures and the supply of the material for decorating tbe same. A letter was read from the Public Works Department, intimating that the Government desired that the committee anould consider whether the local committee .could ; nbt, erect a Government arch, as the design, sent to the Government was not considered feasible, and offering a limit of £250 to meet the same. It was pointed out' that an adequate ai*ch could not be erected for that sum, and in amy case there would ha-rdly.be enough time to complete such a work. It was decided to suggest that the Govenmnent should expend the money on producing a pavilion for the laying of the foundation stone, such pavilion to be used as a triumphal arch. It. was resolved to write to t&e City. Council for permission to m&ke tie. necessary decorations, and that the executive should be asked- to .empower the Committee to make arrangements for illuminating the decorations. The com-mittee-wished it to be known that they would like to see the citizens illuminate them homes, but deprecated advocating, any necessity foi» them to proceed to any decorations beyond, the display of flags.