Untitled

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume VIII, Issue 674, 17 January 1852, Page 3

A Public meeting took place at Barrett’s Hotel on Wednesday evening last for the purpose of considering the measures to be adopted in order that the approaching Anniversary of the Settlement might be properly celebrated. C. Clifford Esq. was unanimously chosen chairman ; after stating the object for which the meeting was called, I and explaining the reasons why no Anni- ' versary Fete was held last year, lie observed 1 that as these causes no longer operated he 1 had no doubt whatever that they would this year be able to carry out the Fete with the greatest eclat. He would be very sorry indeed to see the celebration of the birth of the Settlement abandoned altogether, and he would very much desire that the day should be kept as a General Holiday, and that every man woman and child should enjoy themselves on the occasion. Fortunately all persons without distinction of class or party could unite together in carrying out the proposed object. There was nothing that would tell more forcibly on the public mind at home than the celebration of the birth of the Settlement. It would shew they were satisfied with their lot; that they rejoiced that they had come here; and would invite their friends in England to come also that they might rejoice with them. If they let this year pass without an Anniversary Fete, this, which in his opinion was a very good custom, would be for ever done away with ; but if they celebrated the day in a spirited and proper manner, it would ever after fix it as a day when all classes could rejoice together; when in short the 22nd January would be universally recognized as a General Holiday. After some conversation it was proposed by Mr. M’Kenzie and seconded by Mr. Duncan that the gentlemen who formed the Committee of 1850 be re-elected the General Committee this year, with power to add to their numbers. That his Excellency the Governor-in-Chief be requested to become Patron, and his Excellency the LieutenantGovernor Vice-Patron of the Fete. That Mr. Clifford be chairman and Treasurer, and Mr. R. J. Duncan, Secretary to the General Committee. That the Fete consist of a Regatta, Cricket Match, and Rural Sports. That Capt. Rhodes, Capt. Sharp, and Messrs. Carkeek, Varnham, Muir, G. Allen, and D. Munn be a suh-Committee fcr the management of the Aquatic Sports, three to form a quorum. That J. C. R. Wood, J. O. Hamley, and H. T. Kemp, Esqs. and Messrs. Marriot, James Wallace, John M’Beth, John Johnson, T. Wakelin. T. M’Kenzie, E. Roe, W. Spinks, J. Docking, J. Sutherland, and James M'Beth be elected a sub-Committee for the arrangement of the Rural Sports, five to form a quorum. That the general autj sub-Com-mittee meet at Barrett’s Hotel on Monday i evening at 8 o’clock ; and that subscription lists be opened at the Union Bank, and ! at the Hotels in town, to carry out the proposed object. The sub-Committees were , authorised to collect funds towards the Fete, and we are happy to say that very nearly i £BO is subscribed for this purpose.