CARNIVAL MEETING.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 263, 10 August 1915, Page 4

CARNIVAL MEETING.

A meeting of the General Carnival Committee was held at the Supper Room, in the Town Hall, last night, when there were present: Messrs A. James. S. Peyton, J. Evans, P.E. Wakeman, D. Neagle, F. McLaughlan, A. E. Wakeman, N E. Drayton, L. B. H. De Latour, S. Powell. H. Whenuaroa, Geo. Bray, W. McLennan, G. Wrightscn, R. W. Smith, Mr Downing, A. Murrell, Mr Currie, W. McCormick, Baird and Lyall. Apologies were tendered for the absence of Messrs R. J. Davis, A. Loader. S. Beban and D. McLennan. A letter was received from Mr F. W. Stringer, tendering his resignation from the committee.

Some little discussion arose as to

who should act as chairman, but even

tually Mr

A. James agreed to act in

that capacity. The chairman explained the events

leading up to the present meeting, and stated that many members of the committee had thought it was time

they made a commencement if they were to hold a carnival. If they decid-

ed to hold one, it would mean two or three months before the function

would be held. It was for the meeting to decide whether they would hold the Carnival or not. Mr Bray said in order to invite discussion, he would move that they hold a Carnival, and that in the opinion of this meeting the Carnival should be proceeded with. Mr McLennan spoke in favour of the Carnival being held, but number at the meeting was not encouraging. They would first have to find the executive, men who would have time to devote ot the work. If they were going to make a frost of the Carnival, he would rather not hold it at all. The chairman said that the sparseness of attendance was no criterion to the success of any function in Taihape. Mr Bray was rather annoyed that they should rave been cried down by one side. He would be prepared to go ahead at any cost. (Hear, hear). Mr Mcaughlan thought the district would back them up if they decided on the Carnival being held.

The chairman said he; had spoken to people connected with other Carnivals and he found without exception that, the same trouble had arisen in other towns. He did not think they should allow Taihape to be the only town in New Zealand that could not run a Carnival. Mr. Currie said, as regards the railway people, they wer e thoroughly in favour of the Carnival. (Hear, hear). Mr McCormick said a Carnival had been held in other places, and they ought to be able to carry one out here. It would be a good idea if they were to launch the proposal. Mr Evans said it was regrettable that they had sotpped gving on with the Carnival. If they went on with it whole heartedly they would have every success. Mr Peyton said he had interviewed a great number of farmers, and there was no dissentient voice. Some of the men were even discussing what Queen they would support. Mr Smith said he took it that the people of the town and district were only waiting for a lead. Then they would take it up enthusiastically. It was their duty to make up their minds to-night. If they only got a few pounds, they should hold the Carnival. If the Carnival proposal fell through, they would not be doing justice to the district.

Mr McLennan said he was not opposed to the Carnival, but he was not sure where they would get the executive officers with the necssary tlme . — Two secretaries, in fact, was what he meant.

The Chairman said he was wholly in favour of holding the Carnival, and be knew that the opposition feeling had now subsided.. He believed the Carnival should be gone on with. They should be jealous of the amount collected by Taihape, for it was on a contribution basis that their representatives would be elected to the Dominion Executive. He would ask Mr Smith to briefly explain this to the meeting. Mr Smith said that at the Wellington conference of delegates, from organsations engaged in raising money for patriotic purposes, it was decided that a Dominion Executive should be appointed. Later on New Zealand will be divided into certain districts, and the number of delegates from each area will depend upon the amount sent in from those areas. One area would probably take in Taihape and other towns, and if they wanted to have more than, one representative, they would have to raise the necessary money.

The motion was then put to the meeting, and carried unanimously amid applause.

The chairman said they should now broadly discuss the proposal. They should decide upon what basis the secretary should be engaged before any names were mentioned. Personally, he was of the opinion that the matter of the engagement of a secretary should not be left to an executive. He also thought that the resolution should be worded in such a

way that there could be no two opinions about it. It would be better if it was publicly announced that the secretary would be supplied with the necessary money for any expenses incurred. They should state that all expenses incurred by the secretary be taken from the results of the Carnival. Mr McLennan said the public now thoroughly understood that the £5 mentioned was the limited amount given to the secretary for expenses. Mr McLennan also remarked that a secretary should not be elected on a stated amount of salary, Mr Smith thought it would be unwise to limit the selection of their secretary from those who would do the work gratitiously. if they got a poor secretary, it might mean failure. Mr S. Powell suggested they should call applications for the position, and that the applicants state on what terms they would carry out the work. He moved that applications be called for a secretary, the applicants to state their own terms for organising the Carnival. Mr Smith seconded. Mr Powell’s motion was then put to the meeting, and carried. Mr Evans asked whether they would call applications for assistant secretary. The chairman said he thought the appointment of an assistant secretary should be left to the executive. Mr Murrell suggested that the advertisement should be inserted in theWellington and Wanganui pacers. Mr Wrightoon moved that it should be advertised in Wellington, Wanganui , and Taihape papers, and that, applications close at 7.30 on Wednesday, August 18th. — Carried. The chairman said as they were in favour of holding the Carnival, he would like a definite statement on the matter Mr McLennan said he would move that the Carnival be gone on with forthwith, (Loud applause) The motion was carried unanimously. The chairman said they now had the appointment of a chairman. It was very necessary that they should have a chairman who would work well with the secretary. He thought they should elect a chairman that night. Mr Evans thought they would have twice the number at the meeting when the applications were considered, and he did not think it was necessary to appoint a chairman that night. Mr Wrightson said he had verymuch pleasure in proposing Mr McLennan as chairman.

Mr McLennan said the whole project involved some self-sacrifice, and he would start the ball rolling in this respect. Although the position meant work, he would he pleased to accept the position of chairman. (Applause).

The chairman said he was very pleased indeed to know Mr McLennan was going to accept the position, for if there was one man more than another that he would prefer to see in the chair, it was W. McLennan. Mr McLennan replied that he had been one of the primary movers, and be thought it was the duty of every one to put his shoulder to the wheel. And everyone should practice some self-denial The chairman proposed that Mr with every confidence that they.-ph rv-r-'-' +h" + ‘her would have a big meeting on Wednesday week and he thought at the ent meeting they should not discuss details. Mr McLennan took it that once the movement was put in motion the executive might have to meet two or even three times a week. The chariman proposed that Mr Drayton he asked to act as secretary pro tem. Mr Drayton replied that h e was willing to carry out this duty. (Hear, hear.) The meeting closed with a vote of hanks to the chair.