CENTENNIAL NEWS

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 162, 24 March 1939, Page 4

CENTENNIAL NEWS

NATIONAL FLOWER AND BIRD CLAIMS OF KOWHAI AND TUI -i ■ : ■ _ It is anticipated by many people throughout tlie Dominion that the Centennial period will bring an official proclamation of the lcowhai as the national ' flower, • (states* the ‘,/New Zealand Centennial News”).; The bloom has a. distinct t heauty-4and more—for it is rich in*nectar, which delights Ijell-bi'ids and tuis. The -kowhai is a hardy trccfwhieh can Nourish ih: almest any;mstriclg .. It isjjftot* checked by frost. ; ft'-' : : ' ■f’ *. ■ v • ■ While people are thinking of the suitableness of kowhat as the national flower, they should also give their thought to the choice- of a birth Usually ' the' kiwi is regarded as the “national bird,” but how many New Zealanders have seen or heard a live kiwi p ft is nocturnal and has a limited range. Thereforqi the preference of many people would bt* .the ,tui, which long ago began to seek food beyond the native forests. The-jilanthig* of kowlmis; and. other-trees and shrubs, which yield nectTir of berries has enticed tuis "to many gardens in towns of the Nofih and South Islands. Increasing minibors of ' New Zealanders,

are having' opportunit%sl to'"SGe and hear the lovable tui, one of'the world's best chanters. . " . f

TOURIST VALUE OF PAGEANTRY “The publicity for the New Zealand Centennial Exhibition has mentioned the prospect of spectacular pageantry, for which' the Dominion's history offers plenty of scope”, says the Hon. W/ E. Parry, of Internal Affairs in thh. “New Zealand Centeri-, iiial; News”. It is recognised that the Exhibition alone, excellent as it promises to be, may no-t In sufficient toi induce large numbers of people to make journeys of thousands ofjiniles. Therefore the publicity lias Jinked ,tliis great national enterpriser Ay:Rh the wofkl!-fallied scenic, assets of New Zealand and with the Centennial eele=: (nations of various districts, s® that prospective visitors have the assurance of very interesting itineraries’ in addition to tlie Exhibition.

“Obviously, any district which oilers the certainty of good pageantry and other celebrations worthy of the Centennial can look forward iwitlr confideneo to visits of numerous ‘New Zenfhnders as well as ..folk fropi overseas. Even the element, of self-inter-est .should induce the, districts to show their history in . dramatic pageantry. For this purpose the advice of the Department’s Director, of Pageantry is readiily available.”