CENTENNIAL EVENTS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20103, 24 November 1939, Page 9

CENTENNIAL EVENTS

HISTORICAL SCENES PLANS FOR RE-ENACTMENT GISBORNE, OCTOBER 9 (Pur Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. With tile exception of the pageantry planned for Auckland, the national centennial celebrations scheduled for the Bay of Islands on February 6, at Wellington on January 22, at Gisborne on October 9, and at Akaroa probably on April 3 will be carried out. It was announced yesterday by the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon. W. E. Parry, and the acting-Minister of Native Affairs, tile Hon. F. Langstone, who are directly concerned with the organisation of the Waitangi celebration —the most important one—that the prospect was bright for a successful re-enact-ment of the affixing of the signatures to the Treaty of Waitangi and for the official opening of the new Maori meeting-house, which will be a national Maori centennial memorial.

A special camp would be made to accommodate the Maoris. The Ngapuhi tribe would act as hosts and representatives of other North Island tribes would be invited. There is every reason to believe that, with the whole-hearted co-operation of the Ngapuhi tribe, the celebration will be one of memorable and historical importance and, with its colourful pageantry, would appeal to both Maori and Pakeha.