PEACE CELEBRATIONS.

Otaki Mail, Volume 26, 9 July 1919, Page 2

PEACE CELEBRATIONS.

——. <■ OTAKI TO CELEBRATE ON SATURDAY AND MONDAY. , rtJRTHER ARRANGEMENTS. A special meeting of the Peace Celebrations Committee was held at the Otaki Town Board office last night, there being present: Messrs Byron Biow'ji (chairman), S. Norgrove, M. H. Ayre, A. Anderson, C. E. Cumpsty, Pnku Rikihana, A. J. Watts, Frank Pen:!, G. W. Kirk, H. Catley, and Rev. AT. G. Slade. The Chairman read a letter from the Minister for Internal Affairs, stating that Cabinet had decided to grant subsidy on expenditure in regard to peace celebrations held On the Monday (Children's Day), in addition to the celebrations on the Saturday. Mr Brown slated that he had that day received a telegram from the Wellington Mission Silver Band asking if their services were still required at Otaki, and ho had replied asking the band' to come up to Otaki on Friday night, and remain here for Saturday and Sunday.—Mr Brown's action was approved.

Mr S. Norgrove (secretary) reported that the Paraparaumu people had practically decided to join Otaki in the celebrations, but, since tho .altered train arrangements had come into force they had wired that tlicy would now be unable to visit Otaki. Mr S. Xorgrore said he was obliged, with much reluctance, to resign from the position of secretary of the commit tec, his business preventing his attending to the duties. The' resignation was accepted with regret, and Mr-Norgrovc was thanked for his good work. The appointment of a successor was left in the chairman's hands to arrange. Some little discussion ensued as to what days the local celebrat ions should bo held, and it was ultimately decided unanimously that: Otaki's peace celebration bo held, in accordance with the Royal Proclamation, on Saturday, 19th July, and that a combined thanksgiving service be held in Brights' Theatre on

Sunday. 20th iii.st. It was decided to ask Captain Bas to act as marshal of the procession, the procession to start from the main street, near the post, office, at 10 a.m. on Saturday, for the racecourse. It was reported that the Maori Racing Club had kindly offered tiie use of J the raceeouse for the celebrations, and

the meeting resolved to thank the club for its kindness. After'discussing the arrangements for refreshments, it was decided, on the motion of Mr Watts, that al! the children be provided with a midday men! and afternoon tea, parents and others lo make their own arrangements; children to tiring their own cups. Hot water and tea will be provided by tho

j committee. I A committee was set up, consisting I of Mesdames J. R. Hill*, J. W. JTodg-j.-on, 11. Witeholl, W. Baker, W. Bowlder!, with power to add to their ruim- | her, to take in hand the arrangements | for refreshments. | Mr Ayre was authorised to procure J 100 flags, Klin :■: 18LD, on sticks, for the } children.

• The matter of arranging speeches for the Saturday function was left in tho chairman's hands. It wan reported that tho Rev. Knowlcs Smith, of Wellington, had consented to upcak when the arrangements had been made gome time ago, and Mr W. 11. Field, M.P., had also agreed in bo present and speak |, ■■: few word*. It was hoped to secure both these speakers, for the J9th inst. It was decided, in tho event of tho weather being wet on the Saturday, to hold the Otaki celebrations in tho Theatre, the Tc Iloro people holding their own gathering at Tc Iloro. The arrangements for the combined thanksgiving service, en the 20th, were left to the Kcvs, Pctrie, Blalhwayi and Blade, to act in conjunction with the musical committee (Mrs. JJ. O. Jones and Mr Perm).

It was resolved to ask. the Rev. I'ctriu and Mr P. liikitana to arrange the proposed patriotic concert for Monday, night, the concert to be followed by a dance. Mr M. H. Ayre reported that he had secured promises of support from a committee to carry out a sports programme at the racecourse on Saturday, 19th. The meeting decided to endorse the snb'committee's action in arranging for the. members of the band •o stay at the seaside resort while iv. Otaki. \ Various other matters of detail were J attended to, and a very sueecssful j meeting closed at 10 p.ra.