CITIZENS’ CARNIVAL

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8354, 14 February 1913, Page 2

CITIZENS’ CARNIVAL

OBJECTIONS TO DATES. A deputation consisting of Bishop Sprott, Archdeacon Harper, tho Rev. A. M. Johnson, and Mr E. H. Anderson, waited on the Mayor (Mr D. McLaren) yesterday afternoon with reference to tho dates provided for the several functions of the Citizens’ Carnival, to be hold in Wellington at Easter time. The Bishop and the Archdeacon laid stress on tho pomt that they desired to see the carnival in every way successful, but said they regretted to find that it was evidently intended to have certain entertainments held just prior to Good Friday, in what the Anglican Church recognised as Holy Week. This would place members of the Anglican Church in a difficult position, and would probaibly withdraw their support from tho carnival if an alteration could not be effected. They recognised that tho carnival committee could have nothing to do with entertainments which were promoted by private citizens —it was beyond their control—but, as tho carnival itself was a citizens’ affair, they urged upon the Mayor that the arrangements should bo so made as not to inflict on any portion of the citizens conditions Which would offend their consciences through being in conflict with tile religions observances of their churcn. They considered that it would meet the situation if an assurance were given that the carnival proper would only commence on Easter Saturday, and not take up any portion of the week just before Good Friday. Tho Mayor thanked the deputation for waiting upon him, and in pointing out that the whole scheme of the carnival was of such a largo character and there w-as so much work to be attended to, said that it was probably due to this fact that the view presented by the deputation had not come up at an earlier period. The members of the carnival committee belonged to various churches, and amongst them were certainly a number of Anglicans, so that there was no intention. of offending the consciences of any portion of tho people in carrying out tho work of the carnival. The fixing of tfio dates had been considered largely from tho standpoint of what holidays the people had, as the members of the committee could not get away from their business or employment except on certain fixed dates. This factor had weighed in choosing the particular days when the entertainments should be held. He would place the representations of tho deputation before the meeting of tho general executive on Monday evening next, and he felt sure that they would receive full consideration. In conversation it was elicited that tho members of the deputation had no objection to tho two days set apart for the visiting of industries and works, as they recognised that this would he earned out at odd times. They desired, however, that the boxing tournament, which was supposed to he held on the day before Good Friday, should bo postponed for some evening on tho week following Gooo As some business arrangements had been entered into, tho Mayor said he could not give a final assurance, but he thought that probably some adjustment would be made which would meet with the approval of everyone in regard to the dates selected. Ho desired, as Mayor, to have the hearty co-operation of all citizens in seeing the carnival carried through to a successful issue, and would do all that he could to prevent conflict with any section of tho people. He certainly did not wish to offend anyone’s religious feelings.