TARANAKI'S ANNIVERSARY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 38, 10 March 1909, Page 3

TARANAKI'S ANNIVERSARY.

There was oulv a moderate aiteiulai.ee last night «t the public meeting convened by the Mayor, .Ur. li«h, tu discuss Die proposal to revue tiie celebration of 'larauuM'. iiniuvcr»ai> day. March 31st. His Worship the Major presided, ami in opening said that he could see no reason whv the anniversary of the province should be allowed u> pass un.iuu.;ct It should be celebrated ill a 111tJi'H manner, lie, and i.jubtless many oi tiiose present, could iwuemuer uie very eiiioyaole anniversary days in years gone bv when there were happy re-iluiuas of old settlers and shipmates, mid so on. Anniversaries wee regularly eeleluateil in the other provinces, but H there was one province that should maintain me custom that province was Tarauaki, the early settlers of which nad done so mudi ia building up New Zealand's history. This year was a good one to revive tlie observance of tile holiday, for the Oddfellows had already decided to hold their annual premier picnic at Moturoa on anniversary day, Wednesday, March ■>' lie thought New Plymouth citizens could work hand in hand with the Oddfellow.,' executive in making the holloa v a titling observance of the day. He understood from Mr. J. C. Webster, local agent of the Northern Steams.ii',> Company, that the company would probablv place the steamer Rarawa at the disposal of the committee, lie had received a letter from ilr. \Y. Ainbury, who suggested that the holiday should he celebrated on the last Thursday in March each vear, so as to settle the holiday difficulty. Mr. Tisch moved: That in the opinion of this meeting it is desirable to celebrate Taranaki's anniversary day, aad that a committee be formed to make the necessary arrange-

uients. * ~ , Mr. C. E. Bcllringer outlined the scheme uuder which the Oddfellow s were working. Tile people down the line, particularly about Stratford, were very keen an making this a l>ig representative affair, and Stratford would close lor a lull day if New Plymouth tradespeople adopted that course. The speaker thought that Taranaki's failure to observe its anniversary was discreditable to the district. An opportunity now presented itself of doing something that should have been done continuously. The premier picnic was going to be aa annual affair on anniversary day. Mr. J. C. Morey seconded the motion, and in doing so he regretted the meagre attendance of tradespeople, who were so vitally interested. They would have to he consulted, of course, upon the question of a holiday. There would probably be some difficulty in getting the tradespeople to agree to a half-holiday, hut to secure a whole holiday would be more difficult. Of course, the Mayor could proclaim anniversary day a public lioliday, and then tradespeople would not he compelled to close on Thursday I afternoon as well aa Wednesday. " Mr. W. Skinner thought the idea a capital one, particularly as the proposed picnic was to he held where the early settlers first set foot on these shores. As to the proposal to celebrate the anniversary on the last Thursday in March each year, he was not in favour of that. Other provinces adhered to their anniversary date, and made it a whole holiday every time. The motion was carried.

Some discussion ensued as to the method of inviting the early settlers to take part in the function, and eventually it was decided to issue a general ithougli cordial invitation to all early settlers to be present, the committee .undertaking the entertainment of those who arrived by the Plymouth Company's ships. Mr. K. Cock said he was very gratified lo note that the best holiday of the .early days was to be revived, and h'e ihoped that the "old-t..iue" picnic stylo would be adhered to as far as possible, .with a little assistance from the volunteers, the Maoris, and others. There was no reason why Taranaki should not have its annual re-union of early settlers, of whom there naa still a sturdy hand Qf survivors.

It was agreed, upon the suggestion of llr. Humphries, not to adopt a set programme, but to write for the Oddfellows 1 scheme of entertainment and endeavour to supplement it with a whaleboat race, sailing race, greasy boom, greasy pig, and other novelty events. The meeting formed itself into a. committee to make arrangements, with Mr. Tiseh as chairman and air. A. L. Hum phries as secretary. The chairman, secretary, and Mr. Cock were delegated lo wait upon the tradespeople to secure their assent to the closing of businesses in town for the whole day.