PEACE CELEBRATIONS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 247, 12 July 1919, Page 8

PEACE CELEBRATIONS

AND GOVERNMENT SUBSIDIES

BAN ON ILLUMINATIONS

A statement regarding Hie Peace celebrations was made last night by (he. Minister of Internal Affairs (the Hon. (i. W. Russell). The most important announcement he "made was regarding tho restriction on illuminations.

"From a. number of districts," said the Minister, "applications have been received asking for permission to hold consolidated celebrations on either Saturday or Monday, and in every case where this application has been made the Government has approved the arrangement. Generally, the Dominion is coming into line with a view of making tho celebrations fully effective. Cabinet has definitely resolved not; to encourage illuminations which will require tho use of coal, and in all cases where tho illuminations will require the consumption of coal the local authorities have been notified that while the Government will pay its share in the subsidy proposed up till the date of the prohibition 0. the use of coal for illuminations, if the local authorities persist in having illuminations in opposition j to the direction of the Government, the entire cost of the illuminations must be paid bv the district involved. I wish to emphasise the fact that the Government, in coming to the decision regarding the illuminations, has done so with great regret, but at tho present time there is such a. shortage of coal it is felt that nt (lie present time every possible ton of coal should be retained for household purposes and for the industries of the country." _____ DIFFICULTIES OF THE COMMITTEE FIREWORKS AT OMENTAL BAT. Certain difficulties arc confronting the Peaco Celebrations Committee in its efforts to make satisfactory and comprehensive arrangements for the proper celebration of tho victory on July 19. "With the intention of obtaining further assistance a deputation from the committee waited on tho City Council at its meeting last evening and slated the position. , . Mr. \V. H. P. Barker explained wbat the committee had done, and said that the altered dates had upset all the arrangements. However, the committee was doing its best to make the celebrations 11 success. It was originally intended to festoon the streets and the council had arranged for the provision of the necessary green foliage, but in view of the fact that illuminations were to be prohibited owing to the coal shoreage the committee had come to the conclusion that it would be as well to nbandon the street decorations. I hey had been compelled to take this step as tho lighting arrangements and the festooning of the streets would have to go together. The council had given a grant of £'M for fireworks, anil here again the committee had been laced with disappointment, as they were unable to receive, permission to hold tho display at a central point. It was proposed to utilise a lunk, and hold the lunction in Oriental Hay, but the harbourmaster was opposed to this, and cited the fiasco wliiuii attended a similar function during the visit ol the Duke and Duchess 01 York. It would be difficult to moor a hulk sufficiently near the bay, and there was 1 lie trouble in gelling' tne hulk lowed there and buck. Captain Dawson then suggested OljUo Quay Wharf, but the committee had viewed the spot, and had come to the conclusion that it was entirely uusuited for the display. The locality and surroundings were not accommodating. Oriental Bay was next though I of, and the band rotunda silo was selected, but tho Superintendent of the Piro Brigade was strongly opposed to this, .owing lo the danger to private property. Tile speaker could not seo tho danger, and tnought the spot ideal lor Ilio display. However, Hie corumitlee was laced with the position of not knowing where to hold the function, lie asked that the council do what itcould in clearing up the difficulty. The committee was uecoming very, disheartened owing lo the many obstacles which conlrunted them in their efforts to make Hie.'celebrations worthy of the city and of the occasion. As 10 tho children it was propose'd to presenl each school girl and boy with a bag of sweets, but it all depended on finance. The committee hud .incurred many liabilities, one of which was ..MOO for muslin with which to decorate the lorries, etc.

Air. 1). M'Enren spoko on the matter of the illuminations, and suggested that there might be sullieient electricity available to nave the illuminations if the trams were stopped. Ue pointed out that everyone would be out on that night, ami there would not be any demand for private lighting, lie trusted that these pc/.its would be considered by the council. As to the fireworks display he could not sec any difficulty in holding the function jn Oriental Bay. Ue emphasised the dilhctilUes which the euuimiltee had had to face, and trusted that the council would do what it could to help the matter on. Councillor M. Luckio asked if tho committee had considered the question of holding the fireworks display on tho Town Jielt, near the signal station. To his mind, it would be quile tlie best,spot for such an event.

In reply, Mr. Barber pointed out that the fireworks would not be effective at such a distance. The manufacturers had laid stress on the fact that spectators would have to be wilhiu half a milo of the display to view it.

i Tho .Mayor said that the council and the Finance Committee would bo only too pleased to give the committee every assistance 'possible. He did not agree with the Superintendent of the Firo Brigade's objection to the holding of tho fireworks display in Oriental Bay. He could not foresee any danger, and ho trusted something could bo done. He proposed that the Finance Committee should meet to-day, and ho thought Iliac they would be able lo overcome the difficulties of the committee. it was agreed that live Peace Celebrations Commit leu meet the finance Committee at 10 o'clock this morning. PMACH BONFIRES. The question of bonfires on peace night was mentioned at last evening's meeting of the City Council by Councillor M. Luckie, chairman of the By-laws Committee, who said that applications had been received for permission to light bonfires on Saturday night, July 19. The by-laws prevented this, but be suggested thai; tho particular regulations should bo waived for the occasion provided, of course, thai arrangements were made with the Superintendent of tho Fire Brigade. Special areas would havo to be selected for the purpose, and indiscriminate bonfiro lighting would not be allowed. JI was decided to give the By-laws Commitlco tho necessary authority to take whatever aclion titey considered necessary in tlio matter. OUTLINE OF THE PROGRAMME DETAILS FOR "CHILDREN'S DAY" The arrangements for tho peace celebrations are gradually; taking slurpc. Saturday's programme will, as has been announced, consist of n lengthy procession in l.he forenoon, a sports gathering at Newtown Park during the rest of the day, and a torchlight procession through the city, and a fireworks display off Oriental Bay in the ovening. . On the Sunday two big memorial services are to ,be held in the Town Hall, one in the afternoon and another at 8.30 p.m., after the church services. This latter service is being arranged, as it is felt that a very large numbor of people will not be able to securo admission in the afternoon, and lo give these people an opportunity of attending in the evening. The Peace Choir will attend both services, and it is hoped that, tho occasion will be musieiilly graced by the ■Wellington Professional Orchestra, which will play music appropriate to tho historic event.

.Monday will he given over to tho children. AH schools, primary, secondary, and private, aro being asked to .mrt'icipiilo, and the response should result in tho assembling of something like 8000 children- Those attending schools situated on I lie eastern and southern parls of the city are to assemble at about. 9.30

a.m. in Hint large open spate in Clyde Quay, near tlio'Clyde Quay School, and those belonging to schools on Hie western and northern parts of tlio oily will assemble in the Post Office Square, both in lime lo move oil si I. 10 a.m. sharp in processional order, headed by bands. I 1 our brass bands, the Highland Pipe Hand, and Cadets' Bugle Band will supply the march music for the children (who, in the case, of the State schools, will lie those from (ho third standard Howards). I The girls will lie dressed in white, and j the boys will wear red, while and bine, favours on one, shoulder and their school colours on the other. I'laeh child will carry a Hag on a stick (provided by the Peace Celebration Committee), and thus equipped "''" march through (ho city to . the "rounds of Parliamentary Buildings, where each school will bo allotted n definite place. The -Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke), in his robes of office, will preside, and read the official Declaration of Peace, and the Acting-Prime Minister (Sir .tames Allen), if in town (or failing him a member of the Cabinet), will deliver a brief address appropriate to the occasion. The children will sing the national hymns of England, France, and America (led by Mr. 'Robert Parker), according to the order of the programme. It is anticipated that, if all goes well, Iho ceremony wil. conclude about 11.15. It is not desired that, it should extend any longer,, as it is not advisable to keep the children standing in the one place any longer thai, is necessary. There are no arrangements for the afternoon, which will simply be ob-erved as a general holiday. Tho arrangements for "Children's Day'' is in the hands of a committee of schoolmasters, of which Mr. William Foster is the. chairman.'