s^© j^klarhii (^oapJiiq Miirt ar Vkbitas bt Pejstalbbit. FRIDAY, JANUARY 3, 1890 THE OOLONY'tt JUBILEE. ~

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 2319, 3 January 1890, Page 2

s^© j^klarhii (^oapJiiq Miirt ar Vkbitas bt Pejstalbbit. FRIDAY, JANUARY 3, 1890 THE OOLONY'tt JUBILEE. ~

Wellington we see is quite determined J to celebrate the jubilee of the colony on the 22nd of the current month, that being the fiftieth anniversary of the arrival of the first immigrant ships at that port, while Auckland is making preparations to hold its celebration a week later, viz, the 29th January, that beiDg the date of the proclamation of the colony by Governor Hobeon. Both cities are very properly putting forth every effort with ajriewjo making the jubilee festival a great success such as will long be remembered, but we do not hear m yet of any similar movement in Christchurch, Dunedin, Nelson, cr any other of the principal towns of the colony. It may, however, we suppose be taken for granted that Jubilee Day will be kept as a public holiday tbrougbont New Zealand, but the question arises which day is to be so kept—the 22nd or the 29th? Osce more we call upon the Government to give the country a lead in the matter, that is to say if any of its members, and in particular the Colonial Secretary, oan find time to attend to the public business. Let it be notified in the "Gazette" as to which dnte is to be officially recognised, and that done no doubt all the colony (Wellingtonperhaps excepted in the event of proclamation day being chosen) will accept that notification as settling the matter.

And while we are referring to the jubilee celebration, let us have another word or two about the Ashburton jubilee memorial. True it was intended to mark the jubilee of her Majesty's accession to the throne, but it will be a jubilee memorial in a double sense if placed in position during the present jubilee year of the colony. We say "if" because judging from past delay, there is no knowing how much longer we are to wait for it. There is money enough to pay for the clock, but the difficulty is that something like £100 more is wanted to enable the municipal buildings to be fitted for its reception—and for aught we can see the Boroagk Council seems to despair of raising that sum. If so let them cheer np and cast about for a way of " raising the wind." Here is a suggestion which we think might be carried out. Let an appeal be made to the ladies to get us out of our difficulty by arranging for a jubilee bazaar and gift auction. We leel sure that they would respond, and if they do the thing is as good as done; for "If a woman will, Bhe will, you may depend on't." May we further suggest that should our proposal find favor with the ladies the initiative might be gracefully taken by the Mayoress.