The Temuka Leader. SATURDAY, APRIL 9, 1887. THE QUEEN’S JUBILEE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1566, 9 April 1887, Page 2

The Temuka Leader. SATURDAY, APRIL 9, 1887. THE QUEEN’S JUBILEE.

Wb are glad to find that both in Geraldine and Temuka there is a strong disposition to celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee locally. Any other course would, we are certain, be unsatisfactory to the majority of the people. To join with Christchurch in such « celebration is cut of the question. We have not money sufficiently plentiful to subscribe towards such a thing ; and, if we had; very few from this district could afford the time which it would take to attend the Christchurch demonstration. The promoters of the Christchurch demonstration havedone their best to securfc the co operation of all Canterbury : they have placed on the Committee representatives of every trade and industry and public institution —they have not even neglected a class which is seldom thought of unless their assistance is required, that is, the representatives of the Press. But generous as thev have been, and widespread as they aim at making the interest in their demonstration felt, we do not think their terms are sufficiently alluring to induce the people from this district to coalesce with them. They did not begin well, and they continue getting from bad *to worse. Petty jealousies and miserable class distinctions introduced their discordant voices into the first meetings of the Committee, and they hove not yet been silenced. The great bone of contention is the prospective knighthood. The aristocracy could not bear the idea of any of the democracy receiving that honor, while petty jealousies wrecked and ruined the chances of the democracy securing the much-coveted prize. Snooks is as good s man as Jones, and he cannot see why there should be Sir Somebody and Lady Jones, whilst he and the partner of his joys and sorrows would have to trudge along oyer life’s journey as plain Mr and Mrs Snonkes. So that there should not be any Sir Somebody and Lady Jones, Judge Johnstone was selected, and without a doubt it would be difficult to get one less in Record with the popular will. They could not make a selection better calculated to alienate sympathy and support from the movement. But apart from this we see no legitimate ground for the expectation Christchurch appears to have from South Canterbury. Down hero we are a community in ourselves ; we have always, even in the old provincial days, shown no great desire to ' associate with the northern portion of the province, and as the capital town of the district is inaugurating a demonstration similar to that of Christchurch our allegiance is due to it in preference to the cathedral city. We see no reason why wealthy men in this district should not show their loyalty by giving support to whatever movement is set on foot in Timaru, but that must not interfere with a local display of loyalty. We cannot hope to do anything great locally, but there is no reason why we should not celebrate the happy event in a manner that would be loyal to the Queen, and at the same time pleasant to ourselves. It would cost very little, and with that little we could make it a day memorable in the district. The following programme would, we think, give general satisfaction, and be within our reach :—lst—Procession of the Volunteers, Oddfellows, Masons, Town Boards, Road Board, trades, professions, school children, etc., from the Volunteer Hall to the Park. 2nd— Planting an oak in the Park. 3rd— Athletic sports. 4th—Concert in the evening ; and 5th —A ball to wind op with; In this all could participate; every taste would be gratified, and with a fine day the demonstration would be i crowned with success. The expense would certainly not be great ; the oak would remain a monument of the loyalty of the present generation, and would perhaps serve (o inspire the coming race with similar feelings, while the day’s amusement would be something to keep the matter green in the memory. These remarks apply both to Temuka and Geraldine ; a similar programme would suit both, but in our opinion anything more ambitions will result in a failure. However, public meetings are to be called in both places, and doubtless a programme satisfactory to the public will be formulated. '