WHEN THE GUNS CEASE

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 37, 7 November 1918, Page 6

WHEN THE GUNS CEASE

PROGRAMME OF CELEBRATIONS \ MEETING OF INTERESTED BODIES SUGGESTED ARRANGEMENTS When hostilities cease, Wellington, with the rest of the world, will ceieorato the welcome and historical event in a fitting manner. In order Hiat there may be some order of events to mark tho occasion the Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke) summoned representatives of the interested bodies k> a meeting held in tho Council ChnnVber yesterday afternoon. There was a thoroughly representative attendance. The Mayor outlined the reasons for calling tho meeting, saying that there should be somo deiinite idea given tho public as to what was to .happen as 60on as tho news arrived that hostilities with Germany were at an eud.. He suggested that on the day the joyous news arrived a gathering should be held at the Town Hall where the Prime- Minister and other members of the Ministry would apeak, say, at noon; then at 1 p.m. it was proposed that everyone should join in a procession to assemble at tho. Government Buildings and march from there accompanied by all the bands to tlio Basin Eeserve where a united religious service of thanksgiving would be held. It was not advisable to arrange anything for the evening he thought, which perhaps might bo left to spontaneous action on the part of the public. On the following day it was proposed to hold a special function for the school children of Wellington. On this subject an interesting letter had been received from Mr. G. L. Stewart, secretary of tho Educatidn Board. Mr. Stewart 6aid th* letter chiefly embodied the ideas of the Headmasters' Association. It read:—

"It is suggested that on the cessation of hostilities, or the declaration of peace, a service of thanksgiving and rejoicing be held by one great assembly of all the pupils attending the State and private schools and colleges of Wellington and suburbs. It is considered that this gathering should be held on the day following the assembly of adults. A suitable place would be in the immediate vicinity of Parliament grounds, t'ho pupils to be assembled between the Artfcraft Theatre and Quintal's Corner, where it is believed all the school population of Wellington can easily be accommodated. A suitable time for the celebration will lie 10 a.m.

"Suggested Programme.—The Mayor to preside. Speakers: The Governor-Gen-eral, members of Ministry, representative clergy. . Assembly to sing the National Anthem, "Oh, .God, Our Help in Ages Past," "Eule Britannia," the Doxology, and the "Marseillaise." The assembled bands to render "The Garland of Flowers" as a tribute to the honoured dead. Suggested bands:' Trentham, Patriotic, Society's, Mission, Salvation Army,~ Watersiders', Tramway. "Bands to he distributed amongst the gathering, for the purpose of leading the singing. The whole to be conducted by Mr. Robert Parker. • '■

• "It is suggested that each child should be given a souveuir programme in memory of the occasion. • "The guard of honour for the Gover-nor-General might bo furnished by the Senior Cadets of Wellington College, St. Patrick's College, and the Technical College.

"As it is desired to give every child, however ioung, au opportunity of attending this service, it is hoped that the childfen in the remoter parte of tho city and suburbs may be conveyed by train-, way to tho place of assembly. Tne Public Works Department 'might be asked to arrange a sufficient platform, and to furnish draping. The Headmasters' Association has been good enough to offer, by its chairman and secretary, to undertake the assembly and arrangement of the children. Should it be desired that the older children—those in Standards IV, V, and Vl—should march through the city, it would be better they should do so after the ceremony, say to Mercer Street, where they might bo dismissed. Tho bands would probably willingly undertake to lead the children in tho inarch." One speaker said that he thought tho best place for the children's function would be the Basin Besorve, as it was more central and was served by the cars, from all quarters. ' Mr. W. H. L. Foster said that in view of tho unsettled state of the weather they had, suggested the street before the- Parliamentary grounds. Mr. L. M'Kenzie said that he thought Mr.. Morton ought to be consulted,' as it would be largely a question of manipulating the traffic.

The Mayor: No necessity to do that— we can arrange the traffic all right! ' Mrs, .T., E. Gibbons said there was one thing she would like to suggest. That was that on the day the news was received that hostilities had ceased no one should be permitted to sell flags or anything on the etreets. There should be no buying or selling; no bartering or lagging that day. It should be kept sacred as the greatest day in our history. (Applause.)' ■ . Mr. Foster said that as far.as the children .were concerned the function should commence ai 10 a.m. Tho children were bound to be excited at the great news, and they had best get the function over at as early an hour as possible on that accpunt. ' ' ' The'question was raised as to whether they could depend on getting tramcar transport for the children at so early an hour. On being consulted, Mr. Morton expressed the opinion that they, must not rely upon it. Tho general outline of the Mayor's proposal for the momentous event haying been approved, the following committee wae appointed:—The Mayor (chairman), Messrs. J. Lewis, K J. Collcy, Francis Holmes, George Frost, E. Marris, C. B. Norwood, J. Harper, H. Mainland, W. J. Ward, W. H. L. Foster, G. L. Stewart, T. Forsyth, E. Smith, C. E. Daniel, and M. J. Eeardon.

On the suggestion of Mr. E. J. Colley it was decided that the signal to the city that the good news had been received would be the firing of guns from Mount Cook (Buckle Street) and Pipitea Point (how and by whom was not discussed). It was also decided that should the news arrive during. the night \tho toiver of the . Town Hall was to bo illuminated with red, white, and blue lights; that at 8 a.m. the guns would bark out' tho news, and at 10 a.m. the Ministers would speak at the Town Hall, whilst the arrangements mentioned above for the united religious service in the afternoon would hold good. At tho committee meeting sub-commit-tees were set up. Mr. J. Lewis was appointed marshal of the procession, and will have with him Messrs. E. J. Colley, J. Harper, W. J. Ward, C. B. Norwood, and H. Mainland .as a Procession Committee. Mr. Colley suggested that the newspapers should be asked to print a souvenir programme of the event. The Mayor snid the matter would be given consideration later. On tho proposal of Mr. Ward it was decided that the Voliinhsry Motor Corps should be asked to provide motors for the veterans to take part in the procession.

Messrs. G. L. Stewart, M. J. Reardon, J. Lewis, and W. E. L. Foster were appointed a committee to mako definite arnngeroents for Children's Day. On the suggestion of Mr. Eeardon the Mayor moved that it bo n recommendation from the meeting to employers of labour to pay their employees full wages for the day off on the occosiou of peoce celebrations. The meeting unanimously approved.