WELCOME, 1940!

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20133, 30 December 1939, Page 3

WELCOME, 1940!

TURN OF THE YEAR CENTENNIAL PROJECTS PATRIOTIC ACTIVITIES A LITTLE NEARER PEACE Though December does not give place to January until midnight tomorrow. most people will celebrate the turn of the year to-night, and will welcome the incoming centennial year with at least modest rejoicing. The ensuing 12 months will be full of important happenings, and every day may bring its burdens and its worries, but likewise each day will take the world a little nearer to peace again. Centennial celebrations throughout New Zealand hardly can be as effective in war-time as in peace-time, but the Government and the provincial centennial councils are determined to make the best of a difficult situation, and 1o press on with the various projects which will mark significant incidents in the history of the country.

The re-enactment of the first landing of Captain James Cook on New Zealand soil at Gisborne will be the major feature of the celebrations so far as this district is concerned, and the provincial council and its committees should find the prospect of a substantial Government grant towards the cost of this project most useful in sustaining enthusiasm.

Centennial Plans Progress

The degree of success already achieved in respect of certain centennial programme features, and especially with the Waikanae Beach road to which the name Centennial drive is being attached, also should help to arouse public interest in the opportunity offered by the incoming year.

Patriotic activity will go almost hand in hand with centennial celebrations, it is expected, and on past records it may be assumed that the public of Gisborne will take as prominent a part in raising funds and providing comforts for the troops as the public of any other centre of the Dominion. The ushering in of the new year offers a good chance of starting 1940 with a gesture of generosity, for the carnival to be held this evening at the Waikanae Beach, under the auspices of the social committee of the Gisborne Returned Soldiers’ Association, will provide a major 'contribution to the district funds for patriotic purposes.

The fact that New Year’s Eve falls upon a Sunday will complicate things for some people, and solve minor problems for others. The conflicting claims of church attendance and private celebrations will not arise in opposition this year, at least, for in a majority of cases the private celebrations will be carried out. to-night, and the religious obligations observed tomorrow night, when watch night services will be held in almost all the churches. ,