KAITANGATA RELIEF FUND.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1579, 12 March 1879, Page 3

KAITANGATA RELIEF FUND.

A meeting of the general committee of this fund was held last evening at the City Council office. Present—-His Worship the Mayor (in the chair) and Messrs Binstead, Lez-ird, Ayers, Alport, Seager, Pr.itt, Hulbert, Gapes, W. King, W. H. mith, W. Wil on, C. E. Briggs, Clifford, .Jenkins, Coombs, Hobday, W. Dunford, and H. F. Towle. The Mayor said the meeting had been Called to consider the question of carrying out the sports in aid of the Kaitaiigata Relief Fund. The movement was brought about through a letter which he had received from Mr W. H. Smith, the hon. sec. of th* muff- cricketers, challenging the Council to a game of cricket. It was then thought that the matter might assume a wide • scope, if general sports were incluCea in the programme. He was glad to say h ■ had met with the greatest possible encouragement from everybody to whom ho had spoken on the subject. Mr Harman, the chairman of the Domain B ard* had promised to do everything that was possible. Mr seager, the superintendent of the Asylum, bad likewise offered his services and his wardrobe to assist the object. He bad also received a letter from Mr Geo. Geddes, the business manager of the Tneatre Royal, and other gentlemen had promised to assist by every means in their power. It would be for the committee that evening to initiate proceedings, and perhaps the best they could do would be to appoint commit'ccs, sub-committees, Ac., to take the necessary steps to make the affair a success. The minutes of the last meeting were then read and confirmed.

'J ho Hon Secretary stated that he and Mr Hulbert had waited upon a number of gentlemen, and had received every encouragement, and he had no doubt that the fete would bo a very success. Mr Hulbert stated that they would not be able to have the ordinary cricket graund, which would be required upon that day for a cricket match. He had seen the promoters of the promenade concert, and they had agreed to hold it on Monday evening, and promised to give the whole of the proceeds to the fund. The Foresters had given the use of their marquee for a Richardson’s Show, which would be under the charge of Mr Seager, and everything would be included in the bill, from pantomime to tragedy. The lessees of the Theatre Royal had given the use of their theatre, and the King of Pain had also promised t > give the use of his company. The friendly societies had agreed to take p »rt in the procession, as well as the carriers who had offered the free use of their vehicles. The fire brigade would also take part in the procession, and other bodies had also promised -o assist. Mr Harman had given them the right to sell booths, and Mr Charles Clark would sell these privileges. The Press Company had promised to give the whole of the printing, &c., as their contribution to the fund. The King of Pain would sell his medicines on the grounds, giving half the proceeds to the fund, and Mr B. J. Dale had kindly promised them every assistance. Messrs Seager and Towle had placed their costumes at the disposal of the committee at a very small charge, say 5s a co-tume, half to go to the fund and half to the repairs of the costumes. The band had promised to go in costume, so that altogether he thought the whole affair was likely to be a great success. The Mayor thought they only wanted good weather to have as great a gathering, and as good a result as they had on the occasion of the Indian famine relief fund fete.

Mr Briggs suggested that Mr Pratt should be appointed captam of the collectors—of course immediately under the Mayor —and also that those who were got up in costume should as far as possible be money collectors. Mr Smith stated that it was not intended that any persons should act as collectors except they were in costume.

Mr Pratt suggested that the gentleman who acted as chief collector at the Indian Famine Fete should fill tho same capacity now. This would leave him (the s eaker) alone to do the more active work of moving about from place to place. Mr Alport thought Mr Pratt might at least appoint the collectors, as he had such a thorough knowledge as to their efficiency. Mr Briggs had spoken to Mr Thomson, who had told him that, not having been in very good he <lth lately, he would not be able to take an active part in the fete. Mr Pratt was then appointed chief of the collecting staff, with power to appoint his own money takers. In answer to a question, Mr Smith said that twelve money collectors at least would be required, all to be on dut- at the same time. He might state that they had authority to _ place a couple of men at che gates leading into the cri ket ground, and to collect as much money as they could tor th fund at those gates.

In answer to a question, Mr Hulbert said tie procession would start from the Theatre Koyal It was resolved that Mr Hubert should act as head marshal. Mr Alport acting as his assistant; the head m .rshal to be mounted on a donkey. It was resolved that the proce sion should leave the theatre at half psst ten o’clock, the route to be left to t'e marshals.

The following gentlemen were appointed a sports committee Messrs Se-ger, Hehden, oorabs, Towle, Andrews, Harris, and Ness The Mayor said it would of course be for the sports committee to make all the arrangements with regard to the sports. It would be the committee of the day. Mr Hulbert stated that the carriers had offered their vehicles to convey all the people in costume to the ground free of coat. The following gentlemen were nominated a ground omraitte, the hon sec-, Mr. Seager, and Mr Wulkden, the city surveyor. Some discussion took place on the subject of admitti g musicians to the ground? and allowing them to collect money. it was resolved to leave the matter to the committee.

It was resolved to put up the privileges of re-fre-hin nt aud publicans’ booths for sale by public auction —to have two publicans’ and two confectioners’ booths on the ground, and one confectioner’s booth at the drill shed in the evening. Mr Hulbert stated that the General Manager of Railways had promised to put on late trains for Rangiora and Port, if the committee felt certain they would be required. He wanted some sort of a guarantee however. Mr B iggs said the usual guarantee was .£5. The secretary was empowered to make arrangements with tho General Manager in regard to the trains in question. Mr Hulbert stated that Capt. Hawkes had promised to have a detachment of his volunteers at the Drill Shed in the evening.

The secretary was requested to apply to the Superintendent of the Police to have a body of police in the park on the occasion of the fete. The following gentlemen were appointed a costume committee Messrs Seager, Hobday, Towle, Hulbert, and King. Mr Alport moved that showy bills be prepared for circulation in the country places. Mr Hulbert said this matter would be in the hands of the sports committee. Mr King handed in a cheque from Mr Sumner Hays for £B, which he stated had been collected by the contractors and workmen at the Perry road drain in aid of the fund.

’t he Mayor said he had received the sum of £24 from Miss Robinson, the proceeds of the late concert. The following names were added to the general committee —William Hoskins and George Geddea. Mr Wilson suggested that an eminent photographer should be on the ground to lake photographs of the scene, the proceeds from the sale of the same to go to the funds. The suggestion was adopted, the carrying of it out being left to the sports committee. Mr Hulbert moved a vote of thanks to Mr Liddy for placing the theatre at the service of committee. Seconded by Mr Wilson, and agreed to. The Mayor impressed upon the members of committee the necessity of putting their shoulders to the wheel, in order to make the fete a success. The meeting then adjourned until Friday evening.