CENTENNIAL WEEK

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 March 1940, Page 6

CENTENNIAL WEEK

CELEBRATIONS IN MASTERTON FEATURES OF PROCESSION. MANY INTERESTING EXHIBITS. Matters are now rapidly reaching finality regarding the Centennial celebrations to be-held in Masterton during the week from March 10 to 16. A further meeting of the committee was held yesterday. Items of interest in the procession will include a Maori canoe, loaned by Mr W. Rayner. “The Cliffs." The canoe is 70 years old and will be manned by Maoris of the district. An ancient cart made at Kurupuni by Mr W. York some 65 years ago is among some of the exhibits, loaned by Mr Harry Evans, Upper Plain, a very early settler. Mr Evans is also showing an old chaff cutter. 70 years old. Mr Lawrence Sutton.- also of Upper Plain has a chaff cutter over 50 years-old. and will also show some of his modern agricultural machinery. Interesting exhibits are also being arranged by the Wairarapa Electric Power Board and the Wairarapa Hospital Board. The Hospital Board's exhibit will depict the hospital and the ambulance service down through the ages: The order of the procession on Thursday, March 14. is now amended as follows:—

Wairarapa College Pipe Band; Territorials; Wairarapa College Cadets; Masterton Municipal Band; Pioneer Maoris with canoe on trailer; Pioneers of the district, and early settlers on foot, in original dress; pack bullocks; pioneers of the district and early settlers on horse back and accompanied by children on ponies and pack horses; pioneers of the district and early settlers in open motor cars; Plunket Society; Townswomen's Guild; ancient and modern farm implements and machinery: transport section headed by ancient vehicles. followed by modern cars; Salvation Army Band; ancient tiro engine (1878); ancient and modern roadmaking machinery; Maori hut and Maori party on motor lorry; military section headed by cavalry in ancient uniforms, followed by mechanised armaments; amateur athletics; Interhouse girls: Boy Scouts and-Girl Guides; Rod Cross and" St John’s ambulance; primary schools, headed by the Central School. Band. Central. St Patrick’s. Whatman School pupils; West School Band, West School. Lansdowne. Fernridge, To Ore Orc mid-country districts school children; College'pupils. Wairarapa, St Matthew's. Solway: Hadlow; and-St Bride's; Masterton Fire Brigade. The- military section, headed by the Wairarapa College-Pipe-Band will, precede the procession. It will march through Queen Street, at approximately 1.20 o’clock and will form a guard of honour at the Masterton Park gates for the pioneers and early settlers. The procession will assemble in Dixon Street, at’l.3o o'clock; the Municipal Band marcKirig off from the Memorial Park gates - promptly' at 1.45 o'clock, proceeding: via - Russell. Queen and Park streets to the Park.

All primary, secondary and private school children- under the control of. teachers will assemble on both sides of Queen Street, between the'Queen's Hotel and the Masterton Central School and follow the procession to the Park. On arrival at the Park all school children will'take" up a position especially reserved for them in'front 'of the grandstand. Oil arrival, at the Masterton Park the procession will’ make one complete circuit of' the Oval, the pioneers - and early settlers proceeding to a space in tile grandstand; Others will’ take up positions as directed, at the rear of the school children in■ front - of the stand. It in interesting: to note that among the old conveyances-is'a" phaeton used by Mr H. M. Boddington's father, also one used b’y'tht late' Mr'James McGregor, of Balquhidder,' nearly up to the time of his death. Also figuring in the procession will be an interesting exhi-bit-provided by'Mi-S'te'inpa, who came out from Poland. Il will be a four wheeler chaise with a postillion seat, built by him over 50 years ago as a rOplica of those’in’ use - in his home country. Mr’ Norman Jones has offered a’s-horse-te’am wool-waggon, built by the Farmer’s Implement Co. some 50 years ago. being.the first one built. The waggon was used by the late Mr Edwin Jones, and is at present at Penrose Training'Farm;

It is hoped by-the committee to secure the first'vehicle which-came over the Rimutakas, and is now at. Brancepeth Station. ' . The committee is very -gratified for the response that has Been made to its appeal in connection with the cavalcade of transport, and wishes to thank all who have given assistance. It is felt, however, that' there are still a large number of ancient vehicles of historical interest in the Wairarapa, requiring only the attention of the owners, which would form valuable additions lo the procession. A bright note will be struck in the procession by old Guard uniforms ol 1790. complete with' headgear, wigs and proper accoutrements. The brilliant red coats and uniform' associated with the pioneer days of the settlement of' the Dominion will make a striking.effect. CIVIL LUNCHEON GATHERING IN MUNICIPAL HALL. DONATIONS INVITED. A rrie'etirig in connection' with the luncheon to be tendered pioneers and early' settlers in' the main Municipal Hall on Thursday! March' 14, was held yesterday, the Mayoress. Mrs T. Jordan ' presiding over a large attendance. It was decided' that, the luncheon be held' in the Municipal' Hall, early seniors and guests to assemble' at’ll.3o a.m. oners'were"made"by those'present for tlie donation’ of home cooked meats, fruit salad,'etc.', and it is confidently anticipated, that tlie appeal now being made for further supplies will meet with a ready response. Catering" will be required for about 200 persons, and those desirous of giving assistance are kindly asked to communicate with Mrs 11. E. Pither. who will give an indication of what is required. THANKSGIVING SERVICE GATHERING IN THE PARK. ADDRESS BY REV D. McNEUR. A United Centennial Service- of Thanksgiving, will be held-in-the Mas-, terton Park at 3 o'clock on Sunday,

March 10. This- will' appropriately mark the’ commencement of Masterton’s celebrations of New Zealand’s first’ hundred’ years of progress. The service: will commence with the National Anthem, followed by l exhortations and confession, led by the Ven

Archdeacon E. J. Rich, ending in the Lord's Prayer. The hymn "Now Thank Thee Ail Our God." and scripture reading by the Rev Fred J. Parker will follow. Major Mahaffie will lead in prayer and thanksgiving, followed by the hymn "O’ God of Bethel." The address will be given by the president of the Masterton Ministers' Association, the Rev David McNeur.

Prayer of intercession will follow, and the"service will conclude with the New Zealand National Anthem and tlie Benediction. The music- will be provided' by the' Mast'er'ton Municipal Band. Seating accommodation will be reserved in the grandstand for pioneers and others of mature years. An amplifying system will be installed to enable all to hear the service. As the committee consider the service the most fitting with which to commence th'e celebrations, it is hoped, that'there will be a large attendance.

SHOP DISPLAYS

ARTT'CLES' OF GENERAL INTEREST.' An appeal is made by the local Centennial celebrations committee for early photographs, period furniture and articles of historical interest which could be displayed with effect in local retail shop windows during the Centennial celebrations week. Contributors are asked to kindly communicate with Mr D. Costello, secretary of the Masterion Intorhouse Association (C o. Wairarapa Farmers' Sports Depot >. who will make arrangements accordingly.