THE CARNIVAL.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1963, 21 January 1914, Page 8

THE CARNIVAL.

PRELIMINARIES ARRANGED.

A CITIZENS* MEETING.

A meeting of citizens desirous of forwarding tho next Wellington Carnival was held in the City Council Chambers last night. Tho Mayor (Mr. J. l>. Luke) presided, and there was an attendauce of about 34.

Mr. Luke said lie thought it a credit to the people of Wellington that the carnival of last year resulted in a net profit of £1822. Ho felt sure that tho initial efforts of last year would be an incentive to further efforts this year. Tho City Council did not desiro to bo more than an adjunct, or assistant, to the Carnival Committee. "When they remembered that tho Auckland Exhibition was being carried out by a committee apart from the local authorities, it was evident that the public only needed to bo interested to come forward and carry out good works such as this. The carnival was absolutely for tlio citizens, and not for any one class. He hoped tho voting peoplo would intcrest themselves moro than they had done in the past. In connection with tho campaign thoy had in hand there was no desiro to ear-mark tlio money. Olio result of the initial carnival was tho Central l'ark. Tho money from tlio carnival, together with assistance from tho council, would go to make a real garden city there. Ho assured them that whatever sum resulted from this year's carnival tho Wellington City Council would not stand still in assisting to beautify tho city. The council devoted ten per cent, of the ordinary revenue a year to beautifying.and keeping up tho reserves of the citv, and would continue to .do all they could to build up a city that would bo a credit. (Applause.) The secretary (Mr. H. Amos) outlined tlio suggestions which had been put forward at tho last meeting of the executive. Various suggestions, including the holding of a fireworks display, v.-erc nut forward. Mr. W. H. Morton thought it would bo advisable if those who had suggestions to make would refer them to tho secretary, so that they could bo put before the various sub-committees, No Element of Discord. Mr. A. A. Paapo thought the suggestion good. Tho meeting that night was good in that it brought them all together, hut the real work would havo to bo dono by the sub-committees. Regarding the Baby Show it had not been a success because there had been so many babies entered that tho space set aside was not sufficient, and the barriers had to be taken, down, thus admitting tlio public free. Proceeding, Mr. Paape . said that thero was a suggestion that tho carnival this year was not going to be the success of last year because some members took exception to tho allocation or money. That was not the case. What they wanted was not only the peoplo of Wellington, but the Press, to put down any feeling of discord. Tin's was a matter which was to be taken up for the benefit of the city, and not for anv individuals. They wero all agreed that nignt that the scheme adopted for spending tlio money was absolutely tlio best, and they were going to support it. Ho felt that this year's Carnival was going to be as great a success, financially, as the last. (Applause.) A suggestion for a floral fete was put forward. Ojie member present related the success of such a fete in Dunedin lasting soveral days, when £1160 was raised. j The assistance of the College students was advocated, in view of the fact that the doing awqy with tliß capping ceroJ'Y'py would throw their procession out. this always aroused a good deal of public interest, and would be a' great attraction. The presence of travelling showmen was also thought advisable. M r - G- frost, speaking in connection with tho floral fete, thought it would bo a good suggestion to ask Councillor .barber to organise this. A motion to this effect was carried. Permanent Buildings. The Mayor explained that at the next meeting of the Reserves Committee of the council Councillor Frost wou'd havo the plan of tho proposed permanent buildings to be orected at Newtown Park, so that they would not havo recurring expenses .in this connection. These buildings woujd be erected if tho council f;avo authority. Councillor Luckie said that one of tho best attractions at tlio Auckland Exhibition was tho Artillery Rand. Ho thought some suggestion might bo mado to try thoso controlling tho proposed tour of the band to see.if they could play hero at least ouo day during tho Carnival. Steps should also bo taken to havo one day during the Carnival observed as a publio holiday. There were only tho Wednesday and Saturday half-holidays occurring during the proposed dates, March 4 to 1", and an effort should bo made to havo one day between the Wednesday and Saturday observed as a holiday. It was necessary for the various sub-committees to get together as soon as possible to go into preliminary arrangements. Mr. L. T. Watkius moved,for the consideration of tho exeeutivo that £150 bo set aside for beautifying prizes. The sum of £100 could bo given to tho Beautifying Society doing the best workon a city re.serve, while £25 could be offered to the householder, making the best display, and £10 to"tho best school display, etc.

To fill a vacancy on the executive Mrs. Firth was appointed, and tho meeting then broke up into sub-enm-mitteca i'cU , consideration of further business..