WHEN THE.GUNS CEASE

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 39, 9 November 1918, Page 12

WHEN THE.GUNS CEASE

PROGRAMMED JOY ANOTHER MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE

The general executive _ committee set up under the chairmanship of the Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke) to • fittingly celebrate, the receipt of the news of cessation of hostilities with Germany inet again at noon on Thursday to arrange details of "The Day's" proceedings (which were discussed at the big meeting held tho day previous, and reported in The Dominion). The general' plan as- submitted to tbo initial meeting was. accepted as the basis of action—i.e., speeches of a fitting character from the Ministers at the Town Hall two hours after the firing of the guns (in order to allow of sufficient time for the people to come to town from the suburbs), a procession at 2 p.m. from the Government Buildings to the Basin Reserve and a united service of, thanksgiving there at 3 p.m. < With regard to tho "Children's Day" it was decided that in view of the declared intention of the men of the Tramways Union to cease work for twentyfour hours from 3 p.m. on the day the 1 glad tidings arrive, the function should I be held on the second day after the news of. the armistice is received, when the cars would be running as usual. The I function, >it was arranged,, will' be held, on Lambfon Quay in front of the Parliamentary Buildings (a site purposely selected on account, of the width of the Quay at that point, and the fact that it' is under the shadow, so to speak, of our national edifices (which will count, from an historical standpoint, with the children). Sir -William Eraser (Public Works Minister) has consented; to allow a dais to be erected on' that little j'patch of lawD lately the site of tho Copper Trail pavilion, and 'from there the speakers will address' the children, who, it is estimated, will number about' 14,000." The massed bands are to be present and will play "A Garland of Flowers" in honour of those who have "gone' West" in the victorious struggle for freedom. The children will also sing : tho hymn "Oh God, Onr Help in Ages Past," and national songs. The speeches will all bo of the briefest, so that the interest of the vast crowd of children (many of whom may not be able to be 1 close enough to hear the speakers) may be held. The' guard of honour io His Excellency the Governor-General will be .provided by the cadets of the Wellington, St. Patrick's, and Technical, Colleges. AT THE CATHOLIC CHURCHES. The arrangements made by His Grace Coadjutor-Archbishop . O'Shea for the celebration of tho expected nnnjstice announcement are advertised. On the mbrning following the arrival of the glad news there will be a Solemn -Pontifical j High Mais of Thanksgiving, sung by His Grace, in 'the Sacred Heart Church, Hill Street, at 10 o'clock. Tho day the news arrives the children attending the Catholic schools will be taken to tho respective churches, where there will be a short thanksgiving service before they a.re.dismissed for holidays; . There .'will be a Solemn-Requiem Mass for the souls of the fallen soldiers at St., Joseph's.Church on the.Wednesday in,(he we^k' following the-declaration.of the armistice. ISLAND BAY ARRANGEMENTS. There was>a largo and enthusiastic attendance at the meeting of Island Bay residents held on Wednesday evening for the purposo of arranging an appropriate local peace demonstration on receipt of news announcing the cessation of hostilities, a committee of thirty prominent residents being formed to tako arrange-ments-'-in hand. Mr. C. C. Odlin presided. ■'•■•. . ; . : » It was felt that for various, reasons a large number of residents and children would l>9 prevented from taking part in the big city demonstration, and it was therefore decided that at a later hour in the afternoon a local demonstration should be arranged in which all residents would be,able to participate. The programme drawn up is that' ..the gathering should take place in, the. lpc.aj., school grounds at 3.30 p.m., where "a : thanksgiving eorvice should be lipid, same to be followed immediately by patriotic speeches' by prominent citizens and national and patriotic airs by the assombly. Various institutions have notified their intention of being.fully renre?enfed, am! it is expected, that this will be the larg-. est demonstration ever held in the district. RETURNED SOLDIERS' PARADE. The committee of the Wellington. Returned Soldiers' Association has decided to organise a big parade in celebration of the.impending armistice between tho Allied Forces and Germany. The procession is to start two hours after the funs at the forts have.announced the deiniite news of the final .armistice. The association will'later -on ; have a great thanksgiving service in commemoration of the signing of peace.