PEACE CELEBRATIONS.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 March 1919, Page 5

PEACE CELEBRATIONS.

MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE. A meeting of the Peace Celebrations Committee was held in the Borough Council chambers last night, Mr J. W. Hayden presiding over an attendance of about 20 members. The following appointments to the committee wore notified: '"uranaki Trench Comfort, Mrs Hugh Baily; Veterans, Lieutenant Colonel Evans; School Committees Association. JOarcia. The chairman reported that the People's, Empire and Everybody's theatres Had been pencilled for Peace Sunday aiternoon, if wet, ftt a rental of £ 15. The Coronation Hall had been arranged for the ball. Arrangements had been marie for the electrical engineer to keep sufficient materials for illuminating Devon street from Liardet street to Queen street, at a cost of £23. The Salvation Army band had offered their services. Replies accepting the positions had been received from various convenors of sub committees, but some had not replied. It wa3 resolved to accept the offer of the Salvation Army band, and to invite the band to appoint a. representative to the committee. ■Mrs (Dr) Walker replied regretting that she was unable to a"t as convenor of the Ball Committer, and suggested that the whole of the Peace Celebration Committee should be renponsible, as it was a. huge undertaking for a woman, particularly after the strenuous times all had gone through recently. Personally silo was quite against spending money on such things at the present time of vmro3t. "Let m, the public," she added, "have our thanksgiving service, then let us entertain our soldiers and children. What more is needed?" The chairman stated that the Government had again changed its mind regarding the subsidy and instead of the 'Borough Council's contribution of £2OO producing £740 as expected, it would now onlv entail a subsidy of £l5O or £lfio. making £360 or £360 in all. Last meeting, by cutting out the triumphal arch, they had reduced the cost from £740 to £540, and by cutting out the fireworks they could reduce this by another £2O. He thought that the fireworks display might he run by another organisation. He noticed that in England it was proposed to have a chain of 'bonfire*, and something of that nature might be done here. He moved that the fireworks display be deleted. Thin vas seconded by Mr J- S. Hillla reply to Mr J. D. Sole, the chairman said" that it was estimated there •vould be a loss of £7O on the balls. Mr Sole said the fireworks would provide amusement for a larger crowd than the ball would, and this should be considered. He asked whether it would not be possible to finance the fireworks hv subscription. * Mr Bellringer said that the fireworks would have to be ordered now. He favored getting a limited supply of fireworks, and having an organised procession in Da von street The motion was carried and it was resolved to expend £i'o on fireworks, the matter to be left in the hands of Mr F. C J. Bellringer. The question of a bonfire on Mar&land Hill was referred to Mr Garcia. It was resolved that the Pierrots be given charge of the gymhkana. and that they be allowed to dispose of their parcels, the proceeds to be devoted as decided by the Ladies' Patriotic Committee. , ~. It was resolved to advertise a public meeting of citizens to arrange for the balls. The question of finance was discussed and in order to enable the proceedings to be amplified, it was resolved to invite public subscriptions through the press in addition to the Borough Council's £2OO. Mr Stratford reported that at a meetin* of teachers from each school it was decided not to have any physical drill displavs Hv the children, as the time lost already from school worV rticl the in dofinitewsß of the date precluded any wenarations. There will be no organised arrangement for the children to view the procession as it was felt they will he with their parents. A sports programme will be arranged in which punils- from the IligX Schools, Technical Soliool. Convent and primary schools, will take part. A special meeting of delegates will be held at which the programme will be arranged.