CENTENNIAL PARS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 132, 6 March 1940, Page 4

CENTENNIAL PARS

WHAKATANE'S BIG DAY

KEEN INTEREST EVINCED With the approach of the Centennial Day, March 16tli, thoughts of residents in town and country are directed to the great Maori gath ering to be Avitnessrd m the town, the re-enactment of numerous historical episodes and the programme at the Heads when the new Centennial Park will be officially opened. Meetings in connection with the have been held during the past few weeks and all going weJl Whakatane's Centennial should be well worth seeing. * » * • No Thanksgiving. At a recent meeting of the Maori sub-committee, it was pointed out by a Ruatoki delegate that throughout the entire day's programme, not one moment in the had been set aside for MaWK%iving to Almighty God for the benefits which had been received over the past hundred years. It was decided to make suitable representations to the Borough Council to include a brief religious service in the proceedings at the Heads. v * V * Rotorua Pipe Band. It has been decided to approach the Rotorua Pipe Band, inviting members to attend the celebrations and if possible to join forces with the Whakatane Band during the course of the day. * * » * Minister's Visit. There is every prospect of the Minister of Internal Affairs visiting Whakatane, for the purpose of officially opening the Park. s * « * Treaty of Waitangi. The task set the historic subcommittee in connection with the restaging of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi has been well and carefully carried out. The 13 local chiefs who'signed in Whakatane will be impersonated by their direct descendants who will attach, their mark or 'moko" as did their ancestors, a hundred years ago. m 9 m m An Immense Gathering. Some idea of the size of the gathering, may be guaged by the fact that the Maori sub-committee is arranging separately for the transport of 1500 natives from the outlying districts. This number is «.;uite apart from those in the immediate vicinity, and those at a distance who have been invited to attend. at * « • Open to All. Pakehas and Maoris alike will be invited to paticipate in the Grand Hui, which will be staged at* Wairaka pa, at 12 o'clock noon. m w « *• Victorian Ladies. A group of approximately 20 ladies who are deeply interested in the proceedings have undertaken to dress to suit the occasion and .participate in the procession and at the Signing of the Treaty. This organisation is proceeding satisfactorily., ■ « * « Short Speeches Please! "We only hope that all the speeches on the day of the Centennial will be short and to the point," said a speaker at a recent meeting. Heart ily the public at large will endorse this remark. -4 .■. m m m m What Was He Like. J Was Captain Feoarb, who acted as Government representative, and| also witnessed the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, tall, stout, short, fair, dark, lean? These are questions which the historical subcommittee are asking tlpn&elves. Can anyone illuminate? * « =s * Invitations. Apart from invitations extended to all local bodies Avithin cooee, the Maori section has sent further notes to the entire Arawa tribe, and numerous prominent Maoris in all the neighbouring districts. m m * * Grand Dance in Evening. The day's proceedings will officially conclude with the Grand Centennial dance in the evening, at which will appear the Whakatane Centennial Choir, singing the special competitional numbers which will be rendered at the forthcoming Auckland contest.