PEACE CELEBRATIONS

Waikato Times, Volume 90, Issue 14023, 28 March 1919, Page 5

PEACE CELEBRATIONS

MEETING OF COMMITTEE.

i' A meeting of the committee sot up to go into the matter of arranging a programme for the peace celebrations was held in the Borough Council Chambers, Hamilton, yesterday afternoon. Mr F. W. Mason (Deputy Mayor) presided, and there wcie also present Messrs A. E. Manning, Ewcn McGregor, Bellamy, and E. Dayev. Apologies for absence were received from the Mayor and Captain Burn. The chairman read a circular received from the Minister of Internal Affairs, recommending that local celebrations should he carried out by local bodies. The celebrations would he held on the Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday after the signing of the Peace Treaty. The Sunday should he a day of thanksgiving, with religious services and special music. The chairman said lie had hold an interview with the Ministers’ Association, which suggested a combined ser. vice in the Theatre Royal, with the combined bands. The hymns suggested were: “The Old Hundredth,” “Recessional,” “Nearer, My God, to Thee,” and “0 God, Our Help in Ages Past.”

On the motion of Mr McGregor, it was decided that the Ministers’ Association he asked to arrange a procession of the united Sunday Schools, and that the children he addressed; and that if tiie weather Is suitable, the service he held in the open-air. In regard to the second day—Monday, Soldiers’ Day—the Government suggested that a salute bo fired at 8 a.nr. At 10.30 a.m. a procession to take place of military units (especially returned soldiers), hands, friendly societies, members of public bodies, snorts unions, etc.; appropriate patriotic songs to he sung; all buildings to be beflagged. In the afternoon, athletic or militarv sports to he held. In the evening, illuminations and fireworks, carnivals, masquerades, etc. The Government-recommcnded that the third day be celebrated as “Children’s Day.”

After much discussion, it was resolved to adopt the Government proposals, and submit them to a public meeting. The Government notified that it would grant subsidies to local bodies at the rate of £1 for £1 on amounts up to £IOO, and 17s fid for £1 on bigger amounts up to £250. It was decided to ask the Borough Ccunc’l to contribute £IOO, and also to ask other local bodies to contribute. A public meeting will Ire called on Monday. April 14th, at 3 p.m 1 .. in the Town Hull.

The Government will provide the farce of returned soldiers and children to the. nearest city or town where, eelvhratiens are being he'd. They noluf out that the olyjeet, of the celebrations ’= threefold—H) To e'-press our gratitude for vieterv; (?) to ’•geon-niso the splendid services of opt KoWe r s: (3) to srvpeiallv impress the m'nrlt; of our ehildren with the great event celebrated.