The Royal Visitors.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 61, 13 March 1901, Page 3

The Royal Visitors.

PARLIAMENT TO BE ASKED FOR

MONEY,

EMPIRE CITY REFUSES TO GO

TILE PACE

[uv Tuniiuturii— chess association.] Wellington, last night. At a mooting of representatives of the Citizens’ Committee and of tho Council this afternoon, tho Mayor, who presided, saiil that lie considered sulliciont calls had been made on the contributing public during tho lust year, and lie had told the Premier so, and suggested that Parliament bo asked to mako special provision to supplement tho £250 voted by the Council towards meeting the expenses of the Royal visit. The Premier had intimated his willingness to advanco a bftl for that purpose. Tho Premier, who was present at the meeting, said that, whilo he did not for a moment propose to encourage extravagance, ho was desirous that Now Zealand should certainly not fall behind tiro cities of Sydney and Melbourne in the matter of display. Therefore, lie considered it tho duty of Parliament to take necessary steps to legalise any expenditure that might bo incurred. If a strict interpretation of the law were insisted upon by tho Audit Department, it would not be fair to have members of local bodies surcharged for any reasonable ex- 1 penditure incurred, and Government had decided not to put local bodies in this position. The Premier made a number of suggestions as to decorations and fireworks. Tho SOOO troops, ho said, would not take part in the procession. A section of mounted troops only would net as a body guard, the remainder would line the streets.