THE ANNIVERSARY.

Feilding Star, Volume III, Issue 81, 20 March 1883, Page 2

THE ANNIVERSARY.

The celebration on Saturday last of tlie ninLli anniversary of the settlement of Foilding and the Manchester Block, passed off very successfully. There wns no* a hitch of any kind to mar the hurmony of the proceedings, and the visitors one and all expressed themselves as highly satisfied and pleased with the provisions made for their enjoyment. Indeed we do not see how they could have been otherwise, for certainly there was nothing lacking that could possibly have added to the happiness of all present. The affair was everything it was it was intended to be— a reunion of old settlers, and later arrivals on the Manchester Block, and a commingling together and "comparirig of notes" of all classes ot persons who have any interests, private, or public, in the progress of the settlement. The decorations, so artistically and tastefully designed, and in t very way so appropriate, were objects of great attraction, and drew forth frequent expressions of admiration. Never has our fine Town Hall presented such a pretty and pleasing appearance, or been " set off" in such an effective manner as was the case on Saturday night, when the double illumination of gas and was lights displayed to the fullest advantage the result of the labours of the decorating committee. The walls, ceiling, stage, all. had their share of ornamentation, yet there was no superfluity or overdrawn effect. The principal device was attached to the curtain, and was not inappropriately designated the Feilding "coat of arms." This bore the motto "Labor omnia vineit," in large letters on a bine ribbon, bearing underneath representations of the axe, beetle, wedges, cross-cnt saw, pick, shovel, hillock, slasher, &c, and beneath in silver characters were the words " Advance Feilding." This and other designs which we have not space to describe, prove Mr B. Gosling to be an artist of no mean order, and reflect great credit upon him and his assistant in the work, Mrß. J. Gosling. On one side of the stage visitors were reminded of the desired " Success to Feilding and the loan," and on the other was a compliment we must personally acknowledge, namely, " Success to the Fourth Estate, and our local Stab." At the tea his Worship the Mayor took the chair, and at the sama table sat Messrs Macarthnr, Sherwill, Beattie, and others who have been identified with the opening up of the settlement, while dotted about in other parts of the room were some of the very first arrivals of settlers. The tables were presided over by Mesdames Curtis, HWorsfold, Nicholas, Heading and Barker. The provisions were all of an excellent character, and for which the caterer, Mr Pollock, must receive his due share of praise. After the numerous visitors had finished tea, the Mayor spoke a few kindly words of greeting to all present, expressed his great pleasure at being a participator in the proceedings, upon the evident success of which he congratulated the committee. He felt a little backward, not being one of the oldest settlers, and would call upon one or two of these to say a few words. Mr Macarthnr said he had been here since the time of the V huts of 1874, and had joined in the hardships and straggles which the early settlers had experienced At that time the block was valued at £76,000, and he was now proud to say that its present value, according to the valuation rolls was £600,000, which does not include the value of the stock, which probably represented £150,000 more, and he thought he was safe in saying that in another 9 years the value would be double. He spoke very complimentary of the work of the Anniversary Committe, and said he had never before seen the hall so beautifully decorated. Without meaning to criticise he thought the circular saw might fittingly have been added to the Feilding "coat of arms," together with the cross-cut saw. Mr Sherwill chiefly endorsed Mr Macarthur's remarks, but he had bo idea that the increase of value referred to had been iy> great. The committee were to be highly congratulated on the manner in which they had carried out the present arrangements, and the appearance of the hall that night was something to make the shareholders and publio more than ever proud of it. Mr H. Worsfold, as one of the oldest emigrants, thanked the company for attending to assist in the celebration, and, as one of the committee, acknowledged the complimentary remarks of the previous speakers.* He hoped all would be spared to see another anniversary, and that it would be a still greater success. The ball commenced at 8 o'clock, and was attended by about 100 couples, who danced with little intermission till 11.30, to the able accompaniment of Mr Daw's band, Mr B. J. Gosling acting very efficiently as M.C This concluded a very enjoyable day*