CORONATION CELEBRATIONS.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 420, 20 May 1902, Page 2

CORONATION CELEBRATIONS.

DIVERTING PUBLIC FUNDS.

MR ATKINSON OBJECTS TO INDEMNITY BILL,

(Per Press Association,; WELLINGTON, last night. (he Committee appointed to make arrangements in connection with the Coronation celebrations met this afternoon. The members had a long discussion on ways and means. It was decided that the City Council be requested to place at the disposal of the Committee a sum not exceeding £SOO on condition that Government subscribe pound for pound of that amount and that Sir Joseph Ward be telegraphed to asking 'if he will introduce an Indemnity Bill.

Mr Atkinson, M.H.R., said that if there was sufficient real enthusiasm in tile community in regard to the Coronation, the money required could be raised without improperly diverting public funds held in trust by the local bodies.

The objection was over-ruled by the supporters of the resolution, who contended that the occasion was a national one, and all the public bodies should - bear the necessary expenditure. A MILITARY DISPLAY, (Per Press Associativa.) AUCKLAND, last night. The volunteers in the Auckland district have received instructions to take part in a military display in Auckland city in Connection with the Coronation festivities, NELSON’S PREPARATIONS. (Per Press Association.) NELSON, last n ; ght. At a representative meeting of citizens to-night, it was resolved to celebrate the coronation of the King fittingly ; also to ask the City Council to vote £2OO for the purpose. Committees were set up to make preliminary arrangements.

PREPARATIONS AT TIMARU. (Per Press Association). TIMARU, last night. At a meeting of the Coronation Committee various suburban committees were appointed. It was resolved to ask the Borough Council to vote £2OO, a Government subsidy of £ for £ to be obtained .on half the amount actually expended. A ball orr the secon.i night , will be considered an independent affair, any surplus from it to be otherwise dealt with. A vote from the Borough Council is proposed, so that everyone will pay, and no canvassing will be needed. CELEBRATIONS AT GISBORNIL MEETING OF GENERAL COMMITTEE. A meeting of the Coronation Celebration Committee was held last evening, when the following members were present :—His Worship the Mayor (in the Chair), C.-.H. W. Dixon, M. Hall, Rolley, G. E. Darton, Simpson, W. Pettie, U’Ren, Robinson, East, Cramond, Gaudin, Webb, P. Maher, and G. Stubbs. TOWN DECORATIONS. Mr G. Darton, as representing the Decoration Committee, placed before the meeting a few proposals in regard to the above question. He submitted the plan of one large arch, and also gave details of suggestions that had bee.i made by several members of the committee and others. These included the illumination of the main street by means of lines of lights, Chinese lanterns, etc., illumination of all shops and offices, banks, and private residences. The suggestions were favorably considered, and it was decided to ask the Decoration Committee to put the proposals in writing, so that they could be submitted to the next meeting, and afterwards to the Borough Council. CHILDREN IN PROCESSION. The question as to whether it would be advisable to include the school children in the town procession was considered at some length. Several members thought that the children should be conveyed direct to the Park Racecourse by train, but others on the other hand were of opinion that the procession would be robbed of much of its interest if the children were excluded. It was decided that the children should be included in the procession to be held from the Post-office to the railway station on Coronation Day, and that they should afterwards go on the first train to the Park ground. It was agreed that the children should assemble at the school at nine o’clock in tho morning, and march to the Post-office in charge of the teachers, who would also take charge of them during the train journey. RAILWAY CARRIAGES.

Mr W. Webb stated that he understood that there would be no railway' carriages available for the opening day, but there were twenty carriages which could be brought into requisition. Mr W. Pettie said that it could not be called the opening of the railway if they were only to have a few old trucks. It was only a farce to go through such a ceremony. (Applause.) Mr Cramond remarked that the scow Ngaru was shortly due with some heavy railway stock, probably the carriages. On tbe motion of Mr Claudio, it was decided that the Minister of Railways should be telegraphed to as to the truth of the statement that there, would be no carriages available. A BIG ORDER.

The Mayor, in answer to a question from Mr Cramond, stated that he expected that over four thousand people would be conveyed by train to and from the Park racecourse. He did not anticipate any difficulty with regard to that number of persons being taken out. He did not think it would occupy more than two hours.

One or two members doubted the probability of this bemg accomplished, but Mr P. Maher assured tbe meeting that it could be done with the present engine and trucks.

A Traffic Committee, consisting of Messrs Stubbs, Cramond, W. Pettie, and C. H. W. Dixon was appointed to arrange at the station gates for the entraining of the different parties, a report on the same to be furnished at the next meeting. The Mayor : Talking about the children being the first to travel in the train, I forgot that it had been decided that the veterans were to go in the first carriage.

Mr Dixon: I was speaking to ODe veteran on the question, and he assured me that he was not going in the first carriage, as there might be a smash up, and he was not in it. FEEDING THE MULTITUDE. The question of catering for such a large gathering was considered, Mr Stubbs stating that some difficulty had been experienced in arranging for supplies. The committee were anxious that the prices charged for eatables should be moderate, and W6re endeavoring to arrange for Is luncheons. The committee had been unable to arrange for a supply of milk from either factory.

Mr Gaudin urged that the privileges should be sold by auction, and that the committee should find hot water only; £2O to £25 would be obtained by this means.

This was objected to on the ground that the public would have to pay too dearly for the refreshments, and the matter was referred back to the Committee for a further report. A SHILLING SOCIAL.

Mr Dixon suggested that a social should be held, music with dances interspersed. A charge of one shilling could be made, and on the following night tbe children could be given a treat. He suggested that the Government subsidy on the amount raised would more than make up any loss. The matter was referred to the Social Committee,

WAYS AND MEANS. Mr Darton pointed out that very little could be done until tho Finance Committee reported. They required to know v. bn’ "louey win collected, and how much .ac.- ..remittee had to spend. The Mayor: I suppose Mr Darton had authority for giving the names of the gentlemen who were elected to serve on this Committee. As far as I know, none of them have been round with the hat. Mr Cramond : lam the only member of tho Finance Committee present. So far, 1 have not been invited to attend any meeting, and canuot say what has been done. CORONATION BALL. Mr Gaudin stated that the Social Committee wished to have an expression of opinion from the General Committee as to whether a Coronation Ball should be held.

Mr Cratnond thought that a ball would be one of the best means of celebrating the occasion, and this view was also taken by Messrs Hall and Pettie.

The Mayor also spoke in favor of the proposal.

Others present were opposed to a ball being held, on the ground that it would not be a financial success. Mr Maher said that the several functions of the kind recently held had been a failure, and there was great risk in such an undertaking. Mr Stubbs was sure that exception would be taken to any portion of the general funds being devoted towards such a purpose. Mr Gaudin said that the Social Committee would not go on with tho function unless they were assured a week before the date that it would be a financial success. There would be many settlers from all parts of the district in Gisborno on Coronation Day, and many of them would no doubt like to attend tho ball.

A vote was taken on the question,“the meeting deciding in favor of a Coronation Ball, on the understanding that the Social Committee were to finance the matter, and make no call on the General Committee for funds.

It was agreed that double tickets should be 7s fid, extra ladies’ tickets 3s, and gentlemen’s tickets ss.

The meeting adjourned at ten o’clock.