CANTERBURY PLANS FOR CENTENNIAL

Grey River Argus, 8 April 1948, Page 2

CANTERBURY PLANS FOR CENTENNIAL

CHRISTCHURCH, April 6. “We will promise a good celebration of the centennial of Canterbury, ’ said the Mayor, Mr H. Andrews, yesterday, when he was questioned on the alternatives to the exhibition which is now highly unlikely to be held. As soon as official advice that the time was not considered good for the holding of an exhibition was received, the board of directors for the exhibition would be dissolved and a public meeting would be called, said the Mayor. The committees to make arrangements for the centennial celebrations would be much wider in its scone than the committee from which the exhibition directorate was selected. The centenary of the arrival of the first Canterbury settlers would fall on December IG, 1950. said Mr Andrews. The celebrations would probably begin on Anniversary Day and be continued throughout the summer months. “We should be able to do, as well as Otago, which raised more than £.100,000 to celebrate its centennial, as we have a bigger population,’’ he said. “The Government gave a subsidy of £1 for every £3 collected in Otago, and we can expect at least equivalent assistance." Many valuable things had been gained from visits to the Otago Centennial and it was obvious that one of the big pagents would be that honouring the arrival of the first settlers. Other pagents would also be held. The holding of a fireworks display would also be considered. If it could obtain equipment. Christchurch had facilities for staging an exceptional amusement park. ‘We hope it will be much better in 1950,” replied Mr Andrews when the problem of accommodation was -.hen raised.