CITY’S JUBILEE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 215, 11 August 1937, Page 11

CITY’S JUBILEE

PREPARATIONS AFOOT. BROAD OUTLINE DISCUSSED. Numerous matters connected with the organisation of the diamond jubilee celebrations of the city and district were dealt with at a meeting of the general jubilee committeo, held last evening under the chairmanship of the Mayor (Mr A. E. Hansford). “In your schedule of duties to be performed by me* and of events to be organised, you have followed in toto the programme as carried out by me in 1027,” stated the report of the organiser (Mr H. E. Bennett). "While adhering to mo6t of these, there may he other field events which should be incorporated. One in particular I have in mind is girls’ sports, as carried out in a big way in some of the cities of the Dominion, and which have the dual benefit of bfeing both spectacular and beneficial to the health of those who participate, and so in consequence ure a benefit to the whole nation in the way of the better health and physique of the young ladies. We should offer a good prize for the winner of this competition in order to induce a large number of teams to enter. 1 would like to have a good live committee on this section to interview employers and staffs to secure as many entries as possible. If the chariot racing is not overdone in tlie Spring Show events it would make an excellent added attraction. I have written to friends in Melbourne and Adelaide for information as to what was done, and is to be done, at their centenary celebrations, asking for suggestions on events that could be included in our festivities. I would therefore not like the committee to insist on the 1927 whole week programme being carried out in full, as this would crowd too much into a fiveday programme and leave no time for more modern attractions. 1 would like the committee to consider the matter of a central office for the organiser and of securing a hall for events for the various queen carnival committees instead of* lotting each committeo hire a hall for its functions at casual rates. This prevents a lot of overlapping and gives every committee a better chance to make something for the candidate and the organisations. I suggest that as an inducement to sports bodies and clubs requiring money for their support we hand back to the committees two-thirds of their pay-in and. in addition, offer a good prize to the winning queen, say £SO, or a trip to Sydney with all expenses paid for a month (£25 for fares and £25 for pocket money). This would, I think, entice a number of our . young Indies to become candidates and 1 could devise a scheme whereby every nominee would work independently. The one who brings the most cash into the seneral fund shall be the candidate for that committee. In other words, I would propose having competitions among the candidates as to Who would be the princess-elect. All moneys paid in would go to the winner who would, in turn, be in competition with the prineesses-elcct nominated by the other organisations. In the coronation ceremony programme 1 propose to include a special coronation eftoir by adult choristers, assisted by children singing and dancing round a maypole. In collaboration with Mr L. H. Gollinson I have cabled for information and prices of grotesque heads, figures and symbols from 10 to 15 feet high. These are usualjv inflated with hydrogen, and even if they cost a fair amount, say up to £l5O, 1 am strongly of the opinion that they could be resold to other municipalities or bodies for a similar purpose. We maybe able to form contact with Mr A. Hopwood, now in Japan, who could make inquiries for us. As to street decorations I would like the committee to go into the cost of a complete decoration scheme, utilising the garden side only of the streets round the Square, all round, and on the pylon principle. 1 am sure good arrangements could lie made to secure those used in Wellington at the Coronation festivities, either for hire or outright purchase. There must be a large amount of bunting to be borrowed from the Government, or other bodies just now. as that will not be required in Wellington until 1940. The baby show in 1927 was not satisfactory, the difficulty being to secure the sendees of judges. It is just possible that if any of the really prominent wrestlers are still in the Dominion in November we may arrange for an open air bout as one of the field events.” COMMITTEE’S DECISIONS.

The holding of inter-house sports, as in Auckland and Wellington, was discussed generally, the organiser saying he would expect to receive the entries of a dozen teams from Palmerston North. The scheme was approved.

When the matter of chariot racing was referred to, the chairman said he thought that would have to be left to the A. and P. Association.

As to the proposal to secure -grotesque heads, it was decided to communicate with Mr Hopwood, as suggested.

When the securing of pylons came before the meeting it was decided to communicate with the Wellington City Council to ascertain what had been done with the pylons used there. It was decided to eliminate the baby show. The possibility of holding' the wrestling bout is to be considered later.

When the holding of a sports meeting was discussed, Mr W. J. Woollett explained that cycling would not be staged at the Showgrounds. Mr C. M. Stagpoole advised that important, elimination cycling trials for the British Empire Games would Ire held at Auckland about the time of the jubilee. It might he possible to have some of the competitors stay over at Palmerston North.

It was decided to keep the matter in mind.

Speedway racing was mentioned and it was decided to communicate with Mr H. E. Edmunds to secure further information.

A procession is also to be held and is to he kept in mind. About a fortnight before the jubilee, the Y.M C.A. would Ire holding tli'eir annual display, said Mr B. J. Jacobs. That organisation's assistance might be co opted. The Government , departments should be asked to co-oper-ate in decorating their buildings. The decoration of those buildings at the time of the Coronation had Ireen excellent. Further, the Drama League movement might be interested. Mr .1. Holmes Runnicles followed the last suggestion with n proposal that a competitio nbe held for the writing of an historical play. Mr Jacobs said he had seen such a play in Australia and it'was his opinion' that the expense would be very heavy. There was nlso the ouestion of the short time to be considered, said the chairman, and Mr Runnicles said that his idea had been to provide something of the historical background of the citv and the district. Mr C. N» Unbone suggested seeking I lie co operation of the military forces |' or a military Tattoo, but Mr Jacobs thought that the personnel was not strong enough now. Mr J. A. Russell, as president of the Manawatu and West Coast A. and [». Association, advised that the association was now working on the development of that proposal for the

benefit of the “stand fund.” The chairman considered the military tattoo might -well be left, to the A. and P. Association, and it was decided to follow that course. A lantern parade was suggested and aporoved, while an old identities’ parade and dinner were also approved. On the motion of Mr Runnicles, seconded by- Mr Rnbonej it was decided that- the first prize for the queen eftrnival be £SO or a trip to Sydney ami back, and £25 pocket money, with a second prize of a trip to Auckland for u week with £lO pocket money. It was decided to hold the next meeting in a fortnight’s time, the organiser explaining that he would then bring down a full report on the features ’ approved, showing how they could he arranged and how long, approximately, each would take.