JUBILEE CELEBRATION.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1580, 12 May 1887, Page 3

JUBILEE CELEBRATION.

A public meeting to decide as to the means for celebrating the Queen’s Jubilee, took place in the Town Board Office, Geraldine, on Tuesday ereniug. Despite the very wet evening there was a large attendance, much interest b'-ing taken in the proceedings. Mr R, H, Peurpoint occupied the chair, ami said it was open to anyone to bring forward any suggestion. Mr Maslin said as far as canvassing was concerned he had only privately advocated his suggestion. Hu saw so many objections to Mr Moore’s scheme that he thought it was only right to bring forward another, but he would not ask anyone to come to a meeting pledged lo support it, Mr Coltman said he understood the resolution of the last meeting lo mean that anyone who hail a scheme was to canvass the district and see whAt amount of support was forthcoming, He would move—“ That there be an amalgamation of all schools and friendly societies who shall walk in procession to the drill shed, where the ministers shall be requested to address the meeting; that a Jubilee card or medal should he presented lo each of the children in connection with the affair, and that an ox be roasted and a free entertainment b« given to all.” Mr O. E. Bherratt seconded the motion, They should try to leave an impression upon the minds of the children. If they saw an ox roasted in Geraldine, and received « medal they would remember the day as long as they lived. (Hear, hear), Mr Waite would support the resolution. He had made inquiries and found the parents were willing to subscribe to such a scheme. It pas the least expensive, and wou'd make a lasting impression on the children. He re? membered a similar scheme being carried out when the Queen was crowned. Mr Taylor had promised at a previous meeting to supply the bullock, and be was quite sure ho would do so, (Hear, hear.) Dr Foster said ho did not sec why Mr Coltman’s scheme should be put in place of Mr Moore’s. Why should it not ba tacked on to it. He had no doubt Mr Taylor would giye the bullock to Mr Moore's scheme, but if he could not see bis way clear to do so no doubt they could get at other bullock. He should like to see such a meeting, ae thp one they weje attending-, say, once a month or once a fortnight, or once a week, as might fas convenient, where they might discuss various subjects of interest. They did not hold such meeting because they had not the moms to hold them in. As for the expense, £IOO would build the rooms, and he did not know of a single scheme proposed which would not involve that expense. Mr Maslin asked what that assembly had to do pith M r Moore’s scheme. He believed that Dr Poster was a.lyo; eating the establishment of a discussion class or debating club, but nothing like that entered into Mr Moore’s scheme. He contended that that scheme embraced pply pooras for reading, smoking, and games. Mr Cunningham said in the absence of tbe Rev, Fr Barclay be thought il was bis duty to bring forward the scheme proposed by that gentleman, yi»., the flooring of tjie drilUhed. Mi .Barclay’s idea was that a gootj deij.l o public money was in the drillslipd which was now incomplete, and that ii would be a very good yy&y to celebrate Her Majesty’s Jubilee by completing the shed. It would have a great man] advantages. It would giye a large ' lull for public entertainments, etc., ant the small rooms proposed to be erectec at the back could be used for Coipmittei meetings. The first cos l , about would be the only one the public wouli be called upon to pay. The liability o maintaining the hall would always res pith the volunteers, and if they treatei the public pell pp !$*

wouid be always willing to assist when any repairs were needed, tie would propose Mr Barclay’s scheme, with Mr Coltman’s added. Mr Maslin seconded the motion pro forma. Mr Dunlop pref rred Mr Cnltmou’s scheme lu «uy other. It, was inexpensive, which was a vary great point. It was a hard job to collect money during these bard limes. Mr Moore’s scheme

was a very good one, but seeing the very bad way in which the present Mechanics’ Institute was supported be did not think the scheme wouli? be supported. He would like to see such a society as Dr Foster advocated, but he did not think it would be wise to go to tbe expense of a ball, seeing that so many could bo got in Geraldine for the purpose. Mr Coltman’s scheme would leave a lasting impression upon the minds of the children. (Loud cheers). Mr Maslin said (he public would finvo no voice in the future management of the drill shed, in which case it would bo simply giving a donation to the volunteers which would be lost to the public in the future. Tbe Chairman said it such a thing wore carried out, it would be with the understanding that all local entertainments should be allowed to be held in it free. Of course the volunteers would not expect them to floor the Hall tor nothing, Mr Dunlop said that would make a deal of difference, and'in that event no doubt a great many would bo willing to subscribe towards it.

Mr Coltman said, in reply to Dr Foster, the he had to Mr Moore’s scheme was that it could not be carried out, The Good Templars’ Hall could be got lor two or three shillings an evening. If each member of a class, such as Dr Foster proposed, were to pay, say one shilling per quarter, the room could be got for the winter, and they would heve no liability in the summer, when people did not. care about such meetings. As lo flooring the drill shed, he was oppos-d to that, as he was an Oddfellow and interested in the letting of the Oddfellows’ Hall, He was afraid they had too many schemes, Let them all go in for one, and carry it out. Lie wa< in favor of Mr Moore’s schema, if it could be carried ont, (Hear, hear). Mr Mundell'said that with regard to Mr Moore’s scheme. Mr Coltman said

it would lake £l3O to carry it ou*. It had been shown that £BS wi-uld do the work, and that this sura would bo subscribed outside the district altogether. If such a sum of money could be obtained outside tbe Geraldino district, tor the purpose of adding two rooms to the Mechanics’ Institute, why should they throw • stumbling block m the way of those people who were willing to help them ? Mr Coltman’s scheme for giving the children a treat and mementoes of Jubilee day should coupled with Mr Moore’s. With regard lo flooring the drill shed, he was sutprised that such a thing should have been proposed or enteftained for a moment as a method of celebrating Her Majesty's Jubilee. He strongly urged upon them to vote for Mr Moore’s scheme, coupled wiih a grand gala day for the children. (Prolonged applause). Mr Coltman said he had seen upon the last minutes that Mr Moore’s scheme would cost about £3OO. Mr Mundell said £BS would be sufficient to get up the rooms, with the addition of the £2OO for a sinking fund. The £BS could bo got outside the Geraldine district, Mr sberr» f t B«jd h° WAS present at the other meeting when £3OO was spoken of —£loo to be spent op the building, and £2OO as a maintenance fund.

Mr Marlin said lie W»8 under ihe impression that they were going to hear that evening what arrangements had been made with the Institute Committee, but this had not been done, and Mr Mundell came there and spoke as if tl|e whole tjiing had been arranged spd there was nothing to do, IJe pointed out that new was the only opportunity they bad ot obtaining a little* money from those persons who made tbe park a pleasure resort. Mr Dunlop considered Mr Maslin’s scherpe WP ope of the greatest fads brought before the meeting. They had two parks, and neither of them could be kept in order. A large sum of money bad been spent upon them, which bad now gone to the winds. They had onpe fyeen the njost orpaipeDtal parks in the country, and now they were tbe most delapidated. If any money was spent it should be improving the park they hail and not spent on another,

The various schemes were then put to the vote, which rsuit'd as follows; Major Moore’s--For donations to the Christchurch Home—2 votes. Mr H. W. Moore’s— For certain rooms to be added to the present Mechanics’ Institute—6 votes, My W, E. JXarker’s— For dpnsH°os to the Christchurch Some for Failep Womep —None. Mr’J. KeHand, junr’s.—For the erection of an ornamental lamp in a con spicuous part of the town—2 votes, Mr Barclay’s—For flooring the drillshed ancl adding two small roopis thereto—Xß votes. The Hon. L. WalkeFs—For dpnationa towards the completion of the Christqhurph $ votes. Junius? ” —Fpr the prectiop pf Jubilee baths—None. Mr Maslih’s—For opempg the newly acquired Park—6 votes. Mr Ooltraan’a scheipe-?8 votes, Tbe'phairpjap declared Jsr Poltman’s scheme to be carried. Mr Coltm:in moved that the present Committee be dissolved. Mr Mundell seconded, and it was carried,

Hearty vot<* • * ‘iuuka were passed to Mossra Po. ri • nd Cunningham f ’■ the exce ent m n ; .o-in which they i"-i discharged the duties of Chairman and Treasurer respectively. Mr .Pearuuint said that an item of expense had been incurred t«-r printing and advertising, etc. He supposed the new Committee would take it over. It was decided that they should. Mr Mundell then moved that Messrs Coltman, Sherratt, Taylor, Maslin, Pearpoint, Waite, Dunlop, Moore, White, Mabin, Dr Foster, and the mover, with power to add to their number, be elected a Committee to carry out tho resolution passed at this meeting. Mr Gore seconded the preposition, which was carried. Mr Mailin would like bia name struck off the Committee unless they knew what they w:>ro going to do with the money. Ho moved—" That the power to deal with the surplus funds be left entirely in the hand* of the Committee, and before iiauing sub--SC; ip*ion lints a decision be come to upon the matter in order that the public might know wh&t they were subscribing to." Mr Gore seconded the proposition, Mr J. P. Kalaugher, juo,, thought the volunteers were entitled to any surplus. They were the second upon the list in the voting. (Hear, hear,) Mr Cunningham moved as an amendment —“That this mee ! in.; decide by vote what ii to be done with tho money.” People w nld then know what they were subscribing for. Dr Poster seconded pro forma. The amendment on being put was lost, and Mr Mrilin’s resolution was carried—thirty voting for it. A meeting of the newly-elected Jubilee Committee was then held. Present—Dr Poster and Messrs Waite, Mabin, Coltman, Sherratt, Mundell, Pearpoint, Dunlop, and Maslin. Messrs Pearpoint, Coltman, and Sherratt, were elected Chairman, Secretary, and Treasurer respectively. It was decided to open a current account with the Bank of New South Wales. Geraldine ; to print subscription lists and send them to the Chairman of each School Committee in the Geraldine and Mount Feel School District! ; to all clergymen, and the Chairman of all public bodies, also that the name of the Chairman and Secretary be upon the subscription list; also that all subscription lists be in by June 10th; that samples and price of medals be obtained ; that no alcoholic liquors be allowed on the ground. Messrs Maslin, Mundell, Sherratt, Coltman, Pearp ,int and Dunlop, were appointed a eub-Committee to draw up a programme and submit it to another meeting. The Sub-Committee arranged to meet on Monday evening next in the Town Board Office, at 7.30 p.m. The meeting then adjourned. i