CENTENARY PLANS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 43, 31 July 1939, Page 5

CENTENARY PLANS

BAY COMMITTEE MEETS APPROVAL OF DATES The Bay of Plenty zone centennial celebration committee met on, Thursday in the Borough Chambers, Whakatane, when there were present: Mr L. R. Wilkinson, Rev Father Eccleston (Tauranga); Messrs S. M. Jephson, G. S. Moody } G. W. Button (Opotiki); B. S. Barry, D. V. Saunders, C. G. Lucas (Whakatane) . Apologies for absence were received from Mr Short (Opotiki) ? the Mayor of Te Puke, Mr Brown, and Mr J. L. Burnct't, chairman Whakatane County Council. Mr Wilkinson took the chair. The first, matter discusscd was connected with the dates of the celebrations. Tauranga suggested that a series of athletic meetings be held throughout the Bay on succeeding days, tentatively suggesting January 3rd, 4th and sth. It was agreed that the main Bay of Plenty celebrations be at Maketu on January 2. ATHLETIC CIRCUIT. Delegates agreed with the suggestion for athletic meetings provided that athletes from the other Bay centres competed. It was considered by the Opotiki delegates that Saturday 1 meetings might be more successful, but Mr Wilkinson pointed out that the idea was to enable competitors to tour the entire "Bay without having to return to their home towns between meetings. It was left to Mr Button to make final arrangements. Mr' Barry outlined W T hakata,ne'"> plan for the opening of the centennial park on February 28, and the meeting approved of this date. Mr Wilkinson said that it was nc. cessary to get dates fixed as early as possible so tha,t they could be ineluded in the national printed programme. When Opotiki's plans were sought Mr Moody said that they were having a meeting that night to discuss matters. There was a proposal to incorporate the proposal for Plunket rooms and rest rooms in the town hall, and permission would be sought from the Government. The meeting approved the Opotiki suggestion. Mr Lucas asked for approval of the county 1 dressing shed plan at Ohope. This scheme was being car_ ried out in-addition, to the joint local body plan at The Heads. The sheds would cost about £600 and would include sanitation and cold showers.

Mr Wilkinson said 'the Bay committee thoroughly approved tho scheme and had recommended it to the National committee from whom a reply was awaited. According to its minutes the national committee had approved The; Heads plan said Mr Barry, yet a let. ten had been received stating that the approval was delayed until more detail could be furnished. Mr Wilkinson said he would take the matter up with the provincial zone meeting in Rotorua on Saturday. TWO SCHEMES. Mr Button asked whdther it was sri order to have two schemes. Opotiki was interested because it wished to embark on tree planting as well as the PlunkCt rooms. He was assured by Mr Wilkinson that this would be approved. The question really resolved itself to one of money and if the total grant for th,? Bay w r as not exceeded there would be no obstacle raised. The tree planting scheme was one particularly favoured bj' the central committee. He thought the two Whakatane schemes would be since one was in the borough and one in the county. La'ter 1 in the meeting Mr Wilkinson said that Te Puke Wished to hold Bay of Plenty bowling and tennis championships. The Francis Cup bowling tournament in Opotiki on January 1, 2 and 3 could also be included in the ccntennial dates.