JUBILEE CELEBRATION.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1575, 30 April 1887, Page 2

JUBILEE CELEBRATION.

A meeting of the Committee appointed to receive suggestions and formulate a plan for the best method of celebrating Her Majesty’s Jubilee in Graldine was; held in the Town Board office, Geraldine, on W-dnesdny evening* Present Dr. Fish, Dr Foster, Messrs H, W» Moore, J. Cunningham (Secretary) J; Mundell, A. White,, J. Williams, JT Si Waite, O. E. Sherratt, and N. Dunlop. An apology for non-attendance was- read from Mr Pearpoint. . On the proposiMon of DrFish;*econded by Mr J. S. Waite, Mr J. Mundell woe voted to the chair. MDTDTE3. ' The minutes of the last, public and Committee meetings were read and coo* firmed. CORRESPONDENCE. A letter was read from Oaptsitt'Temple slating that the lateness of the hour of meeting prevented his attending. * He hoped, however, that the Jubilee celebra* tion would take some practical form. The Rev. Father Boners wrote asking that his name be taken'off .the Committee list, as owing to private reasons he was unable to attend. ' ' . The Rev. J. Preston wrote stating his inability to attend, but his vote would be given in favor of any tiling for the benefit of the people of Geraldine.' He thought it would be a good thing to form a Working Man’s Club, or something of that description. ;

The Rev. J. W. Dean wrote regretting thai his clerical duties prevented h!iji attending that evo-'ing. He thought, tha suggestion to foim a Free Library or Athenaeum was a very good one, also to give the children a tea and entertainment so that the Jubilee year would be joyfully recollected by them. SUGGESTIONS. A letter was read by the sub-Committes appointed to make inquiries as to tha cost of making the library a free institution, The letter gave information as to the course adopted in Timaru when making that library free. , The Chairman then read, some clauses of the Act relating to making libraries free. ’ Mr W. E. Barker wrote suggesting that instead of supporting a home for fallen men the Committee should support ~a home for fallen women. He enclosed papers showing that such a home; had been established in Christchurch. Mr John Kelland, juor., wrote suggesting that an ornamental lamp should be erected in the town, say opposite the post office ; that a holiday should be declared.; a procession of Friendly Societies, volunteers, school children, etc., shoald taka place in the Park, and a Royal Oak should be planted.

Mr H. W. Moore said he bad a- sugge#* tion to make. He wpulfl like to see a Working Men’s Club established, say in connection with the present Literary In* stitute. He did not mean it to be con* fined to day laborers, but hoped that all present would approve of its being estab* fished. The subscription to be made as small as possible, say 10s a year* paid quarterly. His scheme would be' that there should be a room in which men could smoke, read the papers, play games, etc. There should be a lecture room withj, the library, which might be combined with the present library. Interesting lectures might be given, or anything'that might attract the people. A billiard room, for instance, might be erected. He thought also a bar might be kept, or it might be left to the caretaker to supply tea, coffee, cocoa, etc., but a fundamental ru'e should be established,: that could not be changed by any incoming Committee, that no alcoholic drinks otVgambling ef any description should be' tolerated. He thought such an institution would be an attraction to many, and have a good effect upon the rising generation. He thought it would be an attraction to people living outside the town. . , The Chairman asked if Mr Moore had calculated the cost of such a scheme ? Mr Moore said no. He thought, bow* ever, that as far as the building of the rooms was concerned the carpenters ' would give their labor free. Mr Moors read a letter from Mr Trippj in whicji that gentleman heartily approydd'of such a suggestion. . ■ fMr Quin wished to know if it'Was suggested to make the library free in cotmec* tion with such an institution. Mr Moore thought the one subscription to the o>ub should admit to the library as well. .• Mr Quia thought the sohetne would answer very well, r 'dally asdrinking and gambling were to be kept out, which were so often the bane of such clubs.

Mr Williams seconded Mr Moore’s suggestion. Dr Fish said he did not care for the title of “Working Men’s Club.” He did not think the working men liked, as a rule, to be patted on tbe back and patronised. He did not like to make any class distinction—they were all working men as far as that was concerned. Mr Moore said he was willing for any" change to be made in tbe name, or modification in the scheme. He hoped all would take advantage of such an institution as he proposed for their own comfort and benefit. Mr Waite said the suggestion to add a smoking room to the present library had . been suggested to the Committee of thel Mechanics’ Institute but never earned out. He felt inclined to favor Mr Moore’a scheme with the billiard-room left out. Dr Foster thought they could not coma to a decided vote upon it that evening. As far as he could see at present hs was rather inclined to vote for it. Hs thought it would be as well, perhaps to

appoint • Committee Of one or two to r " consider the cost of each an institution, W ? HU fear waa that if they mixed it up with the preaent library they would create an antagonism with the preaent institution. Posaibly they could start such n scheme by hiring a separate room where lectures. . ate., could be given. j regard to the question of a free library, Mr Col (man said be bad talked ; the matter over with Mr Pearpoint, and they considered that a sum of about £4OO would be necessary to invest in order to make the library free. Mr Sberratt considered it was not necessary at all to do so, and read from the Act upon tha subject in support of bis view. He thought they could not decide upon a scheme that evening. He thought the children should have somethiag to remind them of the Jubilee year. He would like to have something th>children would remember it by. He would be in favor of Mr Moore’s schema with the possible billiard table left out. Mr Moore again stated tbat he was quite willing to have any modification of the scheme. Mr Wm . suggested that out of subscription- ' htaiued a portion be bandcl over to the Geraldine Domain Board for the purpose of having the Park thoroughly renovated, and on Jubilee day it be opened by the wife of the Chairman of the Town Board aa th >

-Victoria Park, and tbat each child reoeiru ft small memento of Jubilee day. Ur Celtman was in favor of the scheme ' propounded by Mr Moore. Be thought that in Oonneotion with it there would . probably be a stone. laying, and all the children, friendly societies, etc., could march to it. He thought they should < r have something for the children to remember it by. He considered that they ahould now hold a public meeting, and }§t the schemes bo laid before the public, giviog them to ondentand that whatever W‘as decided npon at the public meeting waa to be the final scheme. He thought tbs Sports Committee would band over the balance thay, had in hand from the late sports if tkey were asked to do so. Mr Cunningham suggested that all the 'schemes ahould be placed before the meeting, aa the public would then be In a better position to make a choice than .if only one was brought before them Mr Quin auggested that the schemes be advertised in the public papers. Mr Dunlop asked tbit the schemes at present before the meeting be read over. The Secretary read them aa above, with *[" the addition of that suggested by Major ' Moore at the previous meeting—Hint Geraldine join with the Christchurch •ibemo.

Mr Dunlop was quite in favor of Mr Moore’s scheme if it could be carried ont. They would have to see bow much money was forthcoming. Be thought Mr Waite’s scheme was very good, but would like to add to it that a small fountain be erect'd in the Park. Mr Wsite added to bis suggestion the words, 11 That a small fountain be erected in the Park at such a place as may be deemed best.” Dr Foster proposed, Dr Fish seconded, and it was : earned —■ " That Messrs H. W. Moore, White, Waite, and the Secretary be requested to act as a Com* mittee for the purpose of ascertaining the probable cost of the schemes now before the Committee, and any others that may be proposed.” After soma further discussion, Mr Dunlop proposed Mr Whito seconded and it 1 was carried—That the snb-Oom-mittee appointed to bring np a report of the probable cost of the schemes row before the Committee, and others that may ocme in, lay the report before « full meeting of the Committee on Wednesday, May 4th, at 3 p.m., and that the public meeting be held the same evening at 7 o’clock.”

On the proposition of Mr Dunlop, seconded by Mr Uoltman, it was decided to advertise the public meeting in the GwtiimiNi Guardian and the Timaru Herald, twice in each paper. A rote to the Chairman terminated the meeting.