ROYAL VISIT TO HOKITIKA.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 April 1920, Page 1

ROYAL VISIT TO HOKITIKA.

GENERAL ARRANGEMENTS. Mr T .Pollard was in town yesterday and conferred with tlio local officials regarding picture entertainments for the children at the time of the Royal visit. It was decided to give free entertainments to the children on tho evening of Wednesday May 12th. and the afternoon of Thursday, May 13th. The whole of the ground floor of Princess Theatre will be reserved free for the children. A charge will be made for adults upstairs. Mr Pollard is proceeding to "Wellington this week, and in conference with Mr Seddon will select programmes specially suitable for the occasion. Mr Pollard met the local authorities very fairly in the matter. The ladies of the Town Hall Committee met yesterday afternoon, when a scheme of color for decorating the Town Hall, and converting it into a lounge was decided upon. The ladies will decorate the large room specially, as H.R.H. is likely to pass some little time in that portion of the building, where it has been suggested the mothers and wives of soldiers should have n special opportunity of being present on the Wednesday night. Upstairs of the Town Hall will be reserved for dressing rooms on the night of the hall, and will be decorated also.

The School Billetting Committee met yesterday, and steps were initiated for ascertaining the number of country children parents would accommodate locally. Enquiry is being made .also as to the number of country children likely to come into town. Accommodation for children other than at residences, was discussed, and tho state school mostly favoured for the purpose —there being heating and lighting effects installed already, as well as tho facilities for preparing tea and hreakfst. Boys will he accommodated chieflly at the school, and bedding etc is to he obtained from tlio Defence Department if possible.

Tho Street Decoration Committee met last evening, Mr W. ißraddon being appointed Chairman. The route of the Royal party from and to the railway sta t-ion was considered. It was decided to erect an arch and Venetian poles with streamers in Stafford Street. Three arches will he reared in Revoll Street, and the remainder converted into n fern grove. Greenery will be provided for the shop-keepers for the purpose, who will be asked to provide flags or other colouring in addition. In Weld Street tho premises will ho decorated, and a special display of Hags etc. will he made at tho Clock Tower. Sowell Street will he decorated with ferns and flags, and it was resolved to ask that the Government buildings in that vicinity, as well as tho railway station and police camp grounds, he specially decorated. Tn Hamilton Street arches are io be raised and other decorations put

up. Messrs Maunder, Millner, Thompson and Stevenson were appointed an executive to attend to the arches, and secure tho material for the street decorations. It was resolved to commence the erection of the frames of the arches next week.

Tlie question of lighting was mention- I ed, and Messrs Brnddon and Evans | were appointed a snh-connnittee to see 1 what could he done. It was reported that Mr Seddon was interviewing the j Public Works Department regarding | lights for public buildings. Other matters of detail were discussed and referred to various sub-committees. Tho orchestra for the Royal Ball has been organised, and held its first practice. Special music of a Welsh national character will be introduced for several of the dances including “St David’s Day” lancers for the official set, with which the ball will be opened. The orchestra will be specially organised and will include two pianos, violin, flute, piccolo, cornet, drums, cymbals etc. The programme for the ball will be similar to that of the State ball at Government House, Wellington, and in addition to the National music, will include, also, tho latest English and American danco music.