CENTENNIAL CELEBRATIONS

Lake County Mail, Issue 2, 5 June 1947, Page 5

CENTENNIAL CELEBRATIONS

Worthwhile Suggestion With the influx of visitors to Dunedin for the Centennial celebrations, during the early part of next year, it will naturally bring record numbers of tourists to Queenstown "in search of further historical facts relative to this part of the province. During a recent visit to Queenstown, the Under-secretary for Internal Affairs, Mr J. W. Heenan, informally discussed the matter with two local citizens. and suggested that a move be made to establish a Centennial Museum to contain historical photographs and relics of the early days. After viewing the model of the Edith Cavell bridge, first gold scales used at Arrowtown, and photos of the early days. Mr Heenan expressed the opinion that many relics were no doubt held by the families of pioneers in this district which, together with those on hand, would make an excellent display. It was agreed that tourists, as well as local residents, would patronise such an exhibit and willingly subscribe a fee of admission which, incidentally, would assist to defray the expense involved. The initial idea was ultimately to establish a permanent museum. One of the citizens stated that he had written to the Otago Centennial Association suggesting that, in order to afford the rural communities an opportunity of taking an active part in the celebrations. the association should induce the Government to place the Mobile Broadcasting Unit in the province at a suitable period for the purposes of broadcasting local celebrations, etc. It was also mentioned that such a scheme would give local communities a direct interest in tin* Centennial and thus foster greater financial support to the Centennial Memorial project. Although the reply received admitted the merit of the suggestion the association did not consider the proposal to be practicable. Mr Heenan expressed bis approval of the suggestion and recommended further action in the matter.

The Mail is fully sympathetic to the above proposals and hopes that the local councils will give favourable consideration to this matter. It is considered

tliiit tilt* establishment of the Museum, in particular, would make the local citizens “historically” minded and thus give further impetus to the efforts of the Historical Committee at present working to establish a suitable record of the Lake County and Internal Boroughs.