FIRE BRIGADE'S DEMONSTRATION

Hokitika Guardian, 9 February 1929, Page 3

FIRE BRIGADE'S DEMONSTRATION

GENERAL COMMITTEE AI FETING. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY Bth. The General Committee met at 8.15 p.m. Present:—lion. H. L. Michel (in the chair), .Messrs Paterson, McGregor, Duff, Groufsk.v, Stapleton, Lynn, Mclntosh, Bvaddon, and Coles, Evans and Lukin (joint secretaries). Apologies were made for the Mayor, Deputy-Mayor, Dr Teichelinann, ami Deputy-Superintendent Ross. The minutes were confirmed and outward correspondence approved. INWARD COR.R ESP ON PENCE. From H. F. Bickerton, Christchurch, in reference to fireworks for (1 isplav.—Received. From Johnson and Cousins, Christchurch, quoting prices for rent of tents and marquees.—Received ; referred to Ground Committee to confer with Captain Watts and act. It was resolved that a free entertainment at the pictures oil-the Wednesday lie provided for visiting firemen, and firemen in uniform on other nights he admitted at a reduced fee. It was resolved that the Fire Brigade arrange for the marshalling of the Church parade. The Secretary (Mr Coles) was authorised to make an offer for the rights to games on Cass Square during the week. A deputation from the Licensed Victuallers. consisting of Messrs Gilloolv, A. Dowell. Keller and Field waited on the Committee. Mr Gilloolv stated that the hotelkeepers objected to there being a- licensed booth on Cass*Sqnare during the Demonstration, as they considered it ail unfair interference with their business, and they asked that no booth ibe placed there. The Chairman asked what proposal the deputation had to place before the Committee in lieu of the booth, pointing out it was necessary to arrange all the finance possible to carry out their financial arrangements. Mr Gillooly stated they had no offer to make, they simply wanted the holding of a booth cancelled. Nfi* Evans pointed out that if the hotelkeepers bought the right to tinbooth they could do what they liked with it. Their proposal was a very unfair one and could not he entertained. Mr Dowell said the hotelkeepers objected to the booth on Cass Square ns it interfered with their business. A general discussion took place in which there was an apparent deadlock, no suggestion Iwing forthcoming with a view to supplying any concrete proposal to meet the request of the de- I putation. Mr Evans then moved that the de-

putation bo thanked for their attendanco and that the several rights for Cass Square be sold by auction on Thursday next at noon. This was seconded by Mr Duff. During the discussion mention wasmade of the number of visiting firemen that the several hotels were putting u]), and Air Dowell said if the Committee sold the rights to a booth, men in? could speak for six hotelkeepers who would not put up any firemen at their hotels. The Chairman: Is that a threat? Air Dowell: No; I am only stating a fact. The statement was laughed at, one member stating they would not be so foolish to cut off their nose to spite their face, and lose the trade that was accruing. Afr Lynn said the fact of there, being some four hundred firemen being brought into the town would mean a considerable amount of business for the hotels, apart from the booth on the Square. The motion was then agreed to unanimously and the deputation withdrew. Air Lynn reported in regard to the sports programme at Lake Afahinapua on excursion day, agreed to at a meeting of the Sub-Committee.---Re-ceived, and programme approved, to be published later. The Housing Committee reported that arrangements Were progressing satisfactorily. Some difficulty had been experienced in placing married couples and children, some hotels refusing to take any other than men otherwise many hotels not yet full would have had their quota fully supplied. Jt was stated that there would Ik? no difficulty in arranging for all the visitors. The report was received as satisfactory. Other matters were discussed and the meeting terminated at 9.30 p.m.