CARTERTON

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 March 1940, Page 7

CARTERTON

OLD TIME DANCE OPENING OF CENTENNIAL CELEBRATIONS. ("Times-Age” Special.) Packed to the doors the King’s Theatre, Carterton, was last night the mecca of hundreds of folk from the town and all parts of the Wairarapa gathered to enjoy the social and old time dance, the first of the Centennial celebrations in Carterton. The theatre, crowded to overflowing, presented a very gay appearance, bedecked with flags. Bowls of choice dahlias stood on the stage and the word “Welcome” overhead finished the picture. Occupying the seats of honour in front of the hall were the pioneers of the district and residents who have been in New Zealand for a period of 75 years and over. Several were born in the district. The Mayor, Mr D. L. Taverner, associated with whom were Mr B. Roberts, M.P., and Mr D. McGregor, was in the chair. Mr Taverner said the functon had been organised by the Borough Council and South Wairarapa County Council to do honour to the older sections of the community. They had gone through the trials of an unsettled land so that their descendants might live in the comforts of today. A memorial to the pioneers of the whole of Wellington Province had recently been erected at Petone. Now they were collecting for a memorial gate and swimming bath for Carterton. Mr Taverner went on to relate the hardships of the pioneers and told an amusing incident of the trials of one settler who, having been for stores, was forced to swim the flooded Waingawa River, first of all discarding his clothes which he placed on the back of his bullock, whose tail proved a useful tow-rope across the swirling waters. In conclusion the Mayor read apologies from the mayors of neighbouring towns and thanked members of both councils and the energetic ladies’ committees for organising the function. He congratulated all the pioneers present and to those who were too infirm to attend he sent the best wishes of the gathering, trusting that in this, their eventide of life, content and good health would be theirs. The next speaker was Mr B. Roberts, M.P. for the district. He declared that they would be poor hearted men and women who did not thrill with pride to see the advance of New Zealand throughout the last 100 years. They were there to pay tribute to the men and women who had travelled 12,000 miles in sailing ships to colonise a practically unknown country. They had the eye to see, the mind to conceive and the spirit of self-reliance. He concluded by wishing the older residents happiness to the end of their days.

Mr Duncan McGregor, chairman of the Wairarapa South County Council. gave a most interesting address. He said he was born in this district over 70 years ago when Carterton was still practically in heavy bush. He remembered vividly Mr William Beetham, who owned the first sawmill in the district, and was the popular “boss” for miles around because his men were paid in gold. In the early days Wairarapa land was sold at 10s per acre and Oft wide tracks were cut through the bush to the pioneer holdings. Mr McGregor paid a glowing tribute especially to the pioneer women who braved the life of the bush to help their husbands to found homes. He felt convinced that that pride in doing something for themselves had bred the individual character so noticeable in the New Zealanders of today. Reference was made to the Maori race, especially to the wise men of the Rangatira class, through whose influence the Maoris and pakehas gradually came to live as citizens of one country. In conclusion Mr McGregor summed up the true pjoneer spirit—faith in New Zealand. faith in themselves, and the faith in God for the early settlers were invariably souls of definite religious convictions. An enjoyable programme was presented by the following: Mr T. Udy, violin solo; Mr A. Kay, songs with Hawaiian guitar accompaniment; Mr T. Udy’s orchestra, with song by Mr D. Irwin; Mr H. B. Keenan, song; Mrs Leonard Cronin, F.T.C.L.. song; Messrs Darke, W. Thomas, D. Irwin, Leete, vocal quartette; Mrs M. W. Worsfold, songs. The accompaniments were played by Miss V. Sorenson and Mr Darke. Mr Taverner thanked those who contributed to the enjoyable programme. At the conclusion of the social the

pioneers were entertained at supper. ' The supper-room was beautifully decorated with streamers in tomato and sky blue colourings and flat bowls of choice flowers were set along the heavily-laden tables. The elderly guests were waited on by the committee ladies, charmingly attired in crinolines. Meanwhile the hall was quickly cleared for dancing, when hundreds of merry-makers took part till the small hours in old time dances to the accompaniment of concertina, pianoaceordions and banjos. The singing of “Auld Lang Syne” brought to a close perhaps the most brilliant evening function Carterton has witnessed for many years.

FIRE BRIGADE DEMONSTRATIONS AT PETONE. The Carterton Volunteer Fire Brigade at Wanganui last year won the New Zealand Fire Brigade's champ.’onship, and on their return home were accorded a very hearty civic reception. This year they have to defend their title against allcomers, and the demonstrations, under the auspices cf the N.Z. United Fire Brigades’ As-

sociation, are being held at Petone. They take place on Wednesday next, and form part of Petone’s Centennial celebrations. Some 60 brigades will participate. The Carterton Volunteer Fire Brigade will be represented by the same team which won the honour at Wanganui, and the members of it have been putting in some solid practice. The team is:—Deputy-Superintendent J. Churchouse, Foreman A. Clark, Firemen G. StelTert, H. Matson and H. M. Call. They will leave for Petone on Saturday. On Monday and Tuesday the annual conference of brigades will be held, and at this function the Carterton Brigade will be represented by Fireman H. Matson, who has been unpointed - delegate. Superintendent R. P. Wakelin will attend the demonstrations as an official.