CORONATION CELEBRATIONS.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 426, 27 May 1902, Page 3

CORONATION CELEBRATIONS.

The meeting of the Coronation Celebration Committee held last evening was largely attended. His Worship the Mayor presided, and the following members were also present : —Messrs Humphreys, U’Ren, M. Hali, W. l ettie, J. A. Harding, Barton, W. Webb, j. Rosie,' G. Stubbs, East, Simpson, Sawyer, W. Morgan, Crarnond, Billed], Dixon, Lunn, Cole-bourne, C. P. Davies, T. Morrison, Little, Robinson. P. Maher, Colley, Gaudin, and Major McCredie. REFRESHMENTS AT PARK. j

The Refreshment Committee reported that Mrs Err,kino was prepared to pay the sum of £2O for the privileges at the Park on Coronation Day. A lunch in the grandstand would he pro- ! vided at 2s, and in the outside boot!) for Is, tea inclusive ; cup of tea and sandwich fid. Discussion arose as to whether Mrs Erskine would pay the sum stated for tiie privileges and allow the Committee the right to supply hot water free of charge to all persons who required it. 'it was also suggested that the privileges might he sub-

mitted to auction. The report was referred hack to tiie Committee to arrange for a supply of hot water at the Park. Tiie question of a liquor booth being raised, Mr M. Hall said that it had been decided at a previous meeting tiiat no liquor booth should be allowed on the ground. The Mayor said that it nad already been agreed that there should be no liquor booth. CHURCH SERVICES.

The following letter was received

from the Rev. VV. Welsh in regard to a religious service on Coronation Day: “I have received from tiie Bishop a copy of a service to be used at Westminster Abbey and all Anglican Churches on Coronation Day by order of the King. At a meeting in our vestry after the services yesterday it was decided to hold the service at nine o'clock in the morning of Coronation Day. We shall be glad if you will accept this as a part of your programme. If nine o’clock is too early will you suggest a later hour. We are looking forward to it being a grand musical service.” Mr Stubbs said that he had a message from Major Winter, who wished the procession to muster at 10 o’clock. The Mayor said that Major Winter had been appointed Marshal /if the procession. Major McCredie pointed out- that it was quite contrary to ail military rule that any oflicers should he api>ointed to marshal civilians. As a matter of fact, they could only act as military oflicers in connection .with military affairs.

The Mayor said that under the circumstances they would have to find a civilian wiio would act in the posi-

tion. Mr East urged that a united_service should be field- It was only right upon such an occasion that all denominations should be included. I-Ie did not desire to throw cold water on the .service, but thought that a more public meeting would he acceptable. Messrs Pettie and Gaudin pointed out that services could be held hi all the churches on the morning of Coronation Day. They supported the request being granted. Mr East thought that as tiie occasion was one of general thanksgiving, a united meeting at the firebell would be better than services at each church. Tho Mayor said that he had been looking forward to the ministers having something to say upon the question of a service. 0 Until the Rev. Welsh's letter was received nothing was said on the question. Tho rev. gentleman mentioned was the only one that had written, and therefore should be the only ono that should be considered. With regard to a united service there was no hall large enough for the purpose. As several speakers had pointed out it would bo an easy matter to have a service at oach Church. Mr Harding said that there always seemed to be trouble in regard to tho churches. He remembered when the last contingent departed there was a difference in regard to the service. Ministers were always at war with themselves. Mr Robinson said that the difficulty could be got over by inserting the words “ church services ” in the order of the da l'ftcr further discussion it was decided to accede to Rev. Welsh’s request in regard to a church service, the latter to take place at half-past eight in the morning. TRAIN ARRANGEMENTS.

It was decided that the train should run to Ormond early in the morning to bring down excursionists from that place, and then after the procession take the town contingent. A DEAD COMMITTEE. Mr Cramond remarked that as there was no Finance Committee in existence it was just as well that ho handed in his iesignation. He had interviewed most of the gontlemen whoso names appeared on tho committee, and they were not disposed to act. They were all opposed to canvassing the town for subscriptions, and preferred that tho necessary funds should be provided by tho local bodies. With regard to the Finance Committee it was dead. (Laughter.) Mr Darton asked that the names of the Committee should bo read, and, on this being done, it was found to comprise membors of the clorgy, all tho bankers and leading merchants, with a prominent Councillor as treasurer. There was a good laugh as tho name of the latter was read out; but the gentleman in question, who was present, assured the meeting that he was quite prepared to act, but was opposed to canvassing the town for subscriptions. Mr Darton having been responsible for the election of the gentlemen whose names had been mentioned, die question was asked whether he had their permission to propose them, seeing they were absent from the first meeting. “ They aro all public men,” replied Mr Darton, “ and if they are not prepared to take their part on an occasion of this kind, their names ought to bo made public.” . , With regard to a suggestion that ttie Borough Council should bear the chief expense, the Mayor remarked : “In other places, the local bodies have plenty ot funds, but we havo not." A LASTING MEMENTO.

Mr Fettio urged that, in celebrating the occasion, somo substantial memento should bo provided. He wished to see the chief expenditure go towards that enu. Mr Webb wanted to know what the three chief local bodies were contributing, and whether they had been written to. It was stated that the County' Council fvas contributing £SO, and the Borough Council £IOO. It was also expected that the Harbor Board would contribute £SO. Mr Harding thought that the Borough Council should find tho sum of £2OO. He was altogether opposed to individuals being called upon to contribute upon this occasion. Upon such an occasion as this promised to be, the sum of £2OO should not bo quibbled at. Mr Morgan thought that tho Government should contribute a pound for pound subsidy upon the amounts voted by the Harbor Board and County Council, in the same way as they did for the money voted by tho Council. It was agreed that a telegram should bo sent to tho Acting-Premier asking if amounts voted by all local bodies would bo subsidised to tho extent of pound for pound. STREET DECORATIONS.

The Decoration Committee submitted an elaborate programme to submit to the Council this evening, providing for a double arch at tho firebelk erection of street poles for flags, etc., and the illumination of public offices and dwellings. Mr W. Morgan preferred to see the money the above would cost put into something of a permanent character; The arches and tho poles would be gone the day after, and there would be nothing to show for the money. No doubt they were very nice in their way, but he wished to see something of a more lasting nature. Mr Morrison pressed the claims of a band rotunda on the meeting, and other speakers urged a town clock, Coronation gardens, a swimming bath, and a statue to Captain Cook. The band rotunda mot with the greatest favor from the meeting, and it was decided

| that the Council should bo recommended I to spend their rnonc-y in that direction. THE NATIVE RACE. The Mayor stated that so far nothing had been done to include the natives in the celebration of Coronation Day. This, he thought, was a mistako, and should be remedied at once. It was decided to communicate with several of tho chiefs, and have the natives represented. CORONATION BALL. The Soeiul Committee reported that some difficulty had been experienced in I regard to acquiring either the Theatre Royal or tho Academy of Music for the purpose of a ball or social entertainment, the price asked being prohibitive. [ Mr Robinson said that he had both halls under offer until tho following day for £7 7s and £0 5s respectively. On iho motion of Mr Sawyer, seconded by Mr Gaudin, it was decided that the Coronation Ball should be abandoned, and the secretary was instructed to inform the owners of tho halls that the latter would not bo required for Coronation night.

DISTINGUISHED VISITORS. It was decided to extend an invitation to Ministers and members of Parliament to bo present upon tho occasion of tho opening of tho railway on Coronation Day.