DEMONSTRATION MEETING.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume II, Issue 157, 2 June 1900, Page 3

DEMONSTRATION MEETING.

AfW- -dispersing, a mass meeting oi citizens wMsiield in the Borough Council Chambers to discuss the making oi demonstrations on the occasions of iui'Lher good news from the war. As an evidence that the meeting was not called any too soon, the news (unofficiul but still reliable) that Pretoria had been abandoned by tha Boers, came shortly before the mooting, and -tins made the proceed ings there much more enthusiastically patnotic. About 100 oi the chiaf cuizena were present, His Worship the Mayor presiding. The question ot a holiday for the school children came up first for disoubsion, and ie was moved by Mi Gaitt, seconded by Mr Mathias, " That it be a recommendation to the School Committee from this meeting that the sclioo) children be granted v, whole holiday on Friday." Mr Middleton considered the children as patriotic as the older people. They rejoiced at the coining ot good news as well as the elders, and expected a holiday. He had given a boy a shilling to ung the iirebell for an houi, and the youngster had pocketed the coin gleelully with the lemark, '• You'll get us a holiday, won't you, Me Middleton. ' On being put to uhe meeting, the motion was carried unanimously. Mr Hamilton thought, considering [ all the Rev G. Barclay had done for the cause of education in this district, that he should be 'asked to attend the school in the morning and address the clnldien on their diaruissal. This wa3 approved by the reverend gentleman and by the meeting. The liev. G. Barclay, in addressing the meeting, gave it as his opinion that though all are overjoyed at Pretoria being abandoned by tbe Boois, uanch greater joy will be felt when peace is finally proclaimed. He therefore thought that while we might have a minor £i3u_oustration now, the greatest one should be reserved till that time. He would move, " That this meeting receive ? with the utmoB6 joy and gratification, fche tidings of the fall of both Johannesburg and Pretoria ; but, Vyhile we hail' with gladness this nformatioa, any great demonstration jon our part be postponed to, and take place in connection with, the final proclamation cf peace, apparently now j not fat distant. That this meeting proceed to take steps to arrange for a j great celebration in connection wilh the cessation of hostilities, now, it is hoped, close at hand." Mr Coltman seconded this, and i* was carried unanimously. Steps were then taken to elect a committee, which it was decided to limit to twelve, in addition to His Worship the Mayor and the chairman of the County Council, who are to be on the committee ex officio. The following twelve gentleman v/ere then | nominated, and only that number being required, they were declared elected : - -Revs. G. Baiclay aad M. Gibson, and Messrs Franklin, Middleton, Pitcaithly, Walker, Mathias, A. Philip, Hamilton, Gaifct, Milsom and F. Akhurst. It was decided to include representatives of the various local bodies if they desired representationThe meeting proceeded to make suggestions as to the form the demonstration was to take, the general opinion seeming to fayour a sports meeting, mainly for children, during the 'day and a great procession, ending with a bonfire and n're-works display, in the evening, refreshments to be provided at the park during the day and a collection to be taken up at the gates for the Indian Jfamine Belief Fund. . : | Mr Akhurst made the suggestion that a bonfire; be lit on Friday night and the idea was taken up, a " Bonfire Committee," consisting of Messrs Akhurst, Walker, Goldstone, Philip, Pitcaithly and Williams, was appointed. They, at a meeting afterwards, decided to hold the bonfire in tha paddock near the Dairy Faotory. Mr J. Williams was .commissioned to purchase necessary materials, and. for this purpose a collection was taken up in the room, £1 3a Od bsing £oi:thooming. Mr Pitoaithly was a^ked to commission the school children to commandeer combustibleb all day Friday, »o as to make an euormous jpilg, MrJJ. C, fttudholuij pr coated

two cords of firewood. The Demonstration Committee met after the general meeting and decided to adjourn till Monday evening next Mr Akhurst was appointed secretary and treasurer.