ANNIVERSARY DAY.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1964, 22 January 1914, Page 4

ANNIVERSARY DAY.

;:vcrsaryjpf;'theisettlemcnt ! ofsWcllingf loh^an?occasipn f ;\vhich;should : carry? Mnattc'rVof ?f act-'generation :'v w ] 1 i ( -'i?^s'i s Jinelineclto^take the past for "grantecl; Vnyjotbf overlook : jits'-?pV.ogrcs'si-;pfrtthc.---Cit)'j;. possible; s ?-?ln> jnolSbcenKapprcciatedsvat > itsjsStruV has,-.tended to', degenerate' formal .holidayJUnd; as a' mernb'rial' of ; pa'st'. ■'achievement'and' a -milestosie.-.'-inf the* -.City's.i/pr.ogress. has■ been- to ;, 'a ■ great, ■extent'ignored.' This tendency should be! : resisted'.in every- possible way; and -the .'efforts;Vofv-- patriotic^;citizens v ''to ' cir'-local, the ; promr: .inence- ; and r to-; which; it j is; ,entitl.e'd.Yflo'se.rve',,thcjiCricou'ragemcnt."an'd'':supp6rt":'oli the" whole; ity,#At.;first' sight' the!history; of' a': colonial', town 'and'thc' simple events "'connectedavith 'its establishment andearly./growth, may.-.'seem_ to hays: fev,',; claims:.upon the.,attention of■':.", btisy people,' bat,this.is.a. superficial view; 'which'- will not ...bear ; ' examination.;. The.force-and appeal of local tradi-. : tion*,mayi'bc- largely;.based on'-scnti : merit,: but it is a' sentiment which: has 1 !; a.:'rcal : and potent.beai'inguponjthc [developing life of. a community."; It ,if."thb; story, of. the.'pioneers were'al-. Jewed to pass'into oblivion, for it fis.'f'uir of .inspiration, for .those who ,4v;i!k : sin'' their jfootsteps. 1 " Some of the; hardships \ and'-, difficulties that and over-■eamc-:'arc,:;interestingly described in our news' columns to-day by one of -.'the diminishing band who saw Wcl-■Jington-'in ' its. primitive state and /assisted to lay its foundations as a fcity.'v.-The relation .is of a kind to i ; kindje:'civic and national pride, for ■like'other; records of the-early days it :tells'.;;of. dangers and privations boldly faced and overcome nnd of ■wonderful changes- wrought by the courage and untiring energy of the pioneers. Apart from the clement of human achievement the preservation' and perpetuation of local historical records is an obvious duty. Unless they are very dull indeed people are ■ naturally interested in facts '■-con- . .corning their immediate surroundings and the- orderly collection and arrangement of these facts provides a record which gains increasing in'■terest- and value as the years go Jjy. The growing recognition accorded to the Early Settlers' Association is a hopeful indication in 'connection with the formation of local tradition. To-day the Association is inviting old and young Wellingtonians to assemble at a public ■sports gathering, the profits from Which are to go towards providing a permanent memorial in honour of the'' Wellington pioneers. The_ enterprise is a worthy one, and it is to be hoped that citizens will respond to the spirit- of the day and afford.some tangible evidence that they, appreciate the work accomplished by the early settlers and this traditions. ; which 1 they have Handed down;-; ■ -...,'■",,' ■