Page 6 Advertisements Column 2

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 136, 15 March 1940, Page 6

FRUITFUL FIRST CENTURY OFFICIAL ; ' r ' GOVERNMENT I llP* ' > THE signi ficancc of the New Zealand Centeri lial '• -mMn* Celebrations Avill not be " K„ overlooked by anyone who I jll. t ias {UIJT f° c li n g for the I ' llilll romance and stirring ena tlfillll terprise of the pioneering tL * .. , Jl|S past. To our forebears L" .. -'•■ Ave ou e a ( ' (,( 'P del)t of gratitude. Part of this ■ s debt we can, in a sense ' r( 'P:'y. by worthily celebraling the immensely fruitful first century HBB3Bjg& j, of effort and achievement, A since the beginning of organised settlcnient and .(loverumenL in New ZeaTHE HON. W. E. PARRY, Esq. ] am i. WliakaliiUe and district are to be commended upon playing their part in New Zealand's Centennial Celebiations in a similar manful spirit to that of our early pioneers, grappling with the more immediate and concrete tasks of carving farms from virgin iorest, and linking settlements to each other by roads and bridges. One of the most important aspects of the Centennial is the provision of local memorials, both dignified and suitable, and in this respect the Whakatane Centennial Memorial Park will fittingly preserve the memories of the pioneers in local history. In New Zealand's Centenary story, the Bay oT Plenty and Whakatane, have a. history second to none in interest and significance. For many years past, Maori and Pakeha have lived in peace and harmony, building a joint life which has contributed materially to the remarkable progress and achievement story of our first one hundred years. I congratulate Whakatane upon being alive to the importance of the Centenarv celebrations. At the same time I wish the Bay of Plenty and Whakatane prosperity and happiness in the iuture. I welcome tin's official Souvcnii as concrete evidence that the people of Whakatane and district are alive to the full importance of the Centenary celebrations. W. E. PA PHY, Minister of Internal Affairs. From Swamp Waste to Pastureland County Acting-Chairman's Message The absence of the County Chairman,, Mr J. C. ClilKMcCulloeh, who is at present. serving the Empire in the Navy, makes it necessary for me to speak on his behalf on the occasion of the observation of the District's Centennial celebrations. I do so with pleasure, and in full realisation of just what one hundred years have meant for the County and those who live therein and have their homes. The picture of the Rangitaiki Plains in 18-10 was not the pleasant vista of green farm lands it is to-day. Practically frohi end to end it formed vast swampy tfstuaries for the Whakatane, Rangitaiki and Tarawera rivers. Alive with game it was the happy hunting ground for the Maoris who paddled their canoes between the few hard ridges on which were situated scattered settlements. The prosperity of the Plains dates from the introduction of systemised drainage, and the exercise of river control. Slowly the waste of marshland receded before inroads of the drain-makers. Gradually the water-logged areas were reclaimed and agriculture and dairying flourished where only a short time before the silence of untold centuries had reigned undisturbed. It is hard to realise that the change has all taken place within a short thirty years. Yet if this smiling transformation can be acfiieveri within such a period, the same country in another hundred years must become a veritable paradise. J. L. BURNETT, Acting-Chairman, Whakatane County Council.