The Executive also reported that all arrangements had been completed for
the journey to Queenston Heights; that the Militia Department had
ordered that salutes be fired from all saluting points in Canada on the
12th inst.; that commemorative church services would be extensively held
on the 13th inst.; that special exercises would be observed in the
public schools in accordance with letters received from the Honourable
R. A. Pyne, M.P.P., Minister of Education for Ontario, Mr. Augustus W.
Ball, Deputy Minister of Education, Saskatchewan, Mr. Alexander
Robinson, Superintendent of Education, British Columbia, and from Mr. R.
Fletcher, Deputy Minister of Education, Manitoba; that a detachment from
the permanent infantry force at Toronto would proceed to Queenston
Heights on the 12th inst.; that the Toronto, Hamilton and other corps of
militia would be represented, and that large delegations from patriotic,
national and historical societies would take part; that many wreaths
would be sent to the monument; that the Dominion Government had ordered
its representative in London, England, to place a wreath on Brock's
Memorial in St. Paul's Cathedral; and that letters from prominent public
men had been received, either regretting their inability to take part or
accepting the invitations to be present.
This being the last meeting of the General Committee, it was agreed to
refer the suggestion that a bronze centennial tablet be placed on
Brock's Monument, the striking of a Centennial medal, and all business
connected with the celebration ceremonies, or arising therefrom, to the
Executive Committee, with full power to dispose of the same.
The meeting then adjourned _sine die_.
CELEBRATING THE DAY
It had been decided to travel by the Grand Trunk Railway train leaving
Toronto at nine o'clock a.m. (a few only going by steamer from Yonge
Street wharf). The unsettled, rainy weather of the two previous days had
caused some misgiving as to the number of people who might venture on an
open air demonstration on a cold October day, and the grey looming skies
at dawn on Saturday, the 12th, held no hidden hope of a silver lining.
The enthusiasm awakened by the name of Brock, however, was resistless,
and betimes the seats in the waiting train were crowded. The Union
Station witnessed a lively scene--the soldiers in bright colours, the
ladies and gentlemen in gay humour, and the stirring music of the
bagpipes, combining to enliven and mark the unusual character of the
occasion.
At Hamilton a number of friends joined the party, and others who could
not do so came to the railway station to express their good wishes. St.
Catharines also gave its contingent. Niagara Falls was safely reached at
11.45 o'clock.
Shortly afterwards Major Gordon J. Smith, Brantford, Superintendent of
the Six Nation Indians, and a fine delegation arrived, and luncheon was
served at several of the hotels.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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