PATEA CELEBRATES

Hokitika Guardian, 17 October 1931, Page 3

PATEA CELEBRATES

JUBILEE OF BOROUGH. FESTIVITIES COMMECED. * WANGANUI, October 13. Celebrations in connection with the jubilee of Patea as a borough commenced to-day with the jubilee meeting of tlie council. Telegrams were received from the' Governor-Ceiierai, Lord Bledisloe, and the Prime Minister, the Jit. non. G. W. Forbes, coil, gratulatiiig the borough and expressing the wish that progress and prosperity would be its lot in the future. The Mayor, Mr F. Ramsbottom, extended a welcome to visitors and the Hon. J. A. Young congratulated the council anq citizens. He apologised for the absence of tbe Prime Minister and the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates. He said that Patea had made wonderful progress during the past 50 years and nail a record to be proud of. Mr Young said that people of to-day owed a great debt to early settlers, to whom the present prosperity' of the town was due. Mr H. Dickie, M.P., mentioned that Patea had worked up from a tiny settlement, and many difficulties had, been overcome by the people of tindistrict.

During the alteruoo-n a monster procession wound from the main street to the domain, one of its chief features being Maoris dressed as their forefathers were when they landed at Patea nearly 600 years ngo. In the morning the Minister of Health, the Hon. J. A. Young, paid visits to the Blanket rooms and to the public hospital. Later in the afternoon visitors were welcomed at the domain and a Maori gathering with pois and liakas was staged To-night a jubilee dinner was given in the Town Hall, the mayor presiding. To-morrow at 10.30 there will be an old identities’ reunion in the Borough Council Chambers, and • in the afternoon there will be a sports gathering at the domain. In the evening a grand jubilee ball will be held in the Town Hall. On Thursday evening a fancy dress carnival for children will be Held in the Town Hall, and on Friday children will hold a sports meeting at thg domain. Saturday has been planned as a monster shopping day, and on Sunday afternoon a combined civic service and band concert by the Patea. Band "'ill he held at the domain. Commemoration services will be held in all churches in the evening.