THE PROCESSION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 11 March 1940, Page 6

THE PROCESSION

THURSDAY’S ARRANGEMENTS AMENDED PLANS. PROGRAMME AT SOLWAY. The Procession Committee met this morning and completed arrangements for the Centennial Procession which is to take place on Thursday next. March 14. at the Solway Showgrounds. It was decided to take the vehicular portion only as detailed, through Queen Street to the Showgrounds, the balance of the procession to join up at Solway to make a grand parade and cavalcade of transport around the Show Ring. The transport section of the procession, headed by the Masterton Municipal Band, will assemble in Wrigley Street, entering into Villa Street, at 12.30 p.m.. when it will be marshalled into position prior to departing for the Solway Showgrounds. The re-arrangement with regard to the military section which will be participating at the Showgrounds, has yet to be completed. The school children (primary and secondary) under the control of teachers will assemble at the Solway Showgrounds promptly at 1.30 p.m. and will parade round the Show Ring, carrying the banners of their respective schools, and will form up in their allotted posiitions in front of the Grandstand to view the Historical Pageant.

The pageant will enter the Solway Show Ring at 2 p.m., headed by the Wairarapa College Pipe Band. The band will be followed by the military section led by the Masterton boys of the H.M.S. Achilles. The whole Centennial Procession will make at least one complete circuit of the Show Ring before forming up as a Grand Parade in front of the stand. Immediately the Grand Parade is formed up the pioneers of the district and early settlers will be escorted to their reserved seats in the Grandstand by the special guard in ancient uniforms. After the National Anthem. the Mayor, Mr T. Jordan, will, in the course of his address, extend a civic welcome to the Masterton members of the H.M.S. Achilles. The following other speakers will take part in the proceedings: The Hon W. E. Parry, Minister of Internal Affairs. Mr J. Robertson. M.P.. and Mr Pita H. Paku, representing the Maori race. At approximately 3.30 p.m. a Flag Drill Display will be given by some 250 girls of the Wairarapa College, followed by demonstrations by the Maoris of the district, the Interhouse Girls Association, Wairarapa College Pipe Band. Amateur Athletics and the Masterton Municipal Silver Band. There will be no charge for admission to the Solway Showgrounds or Grandstand and as a very large attendance of the public is expected, arrangements have been made for the parking of cars in the grounds by the main entrance at Fleet Street. Arrangements have been made for hot and cold water to be available for picnic parties lunching at the Solway Showgrounds. TRANSPORT OF SETTLERS. At a meeting of the Centennial Procession Committee this morning it was reported that indications are for the event to be a milestone in the history of Masterton. It is urged that any early settler reuqiring transport to the luncheon or the Solway Showgrounds after the procession for the athletic and other displays should communicate with the Town Clerk. Mr G. T. O Hara Smith, as soon as convenient. CENTENNIAL EVENT EARLIER CLOSING OF SHOPS ON THURSDAY. DISPLAY OF BUNTING REQUESTED In response to an appeal by the Mayor of Masterton, Mr T. Jordan, the Masterton Retailers’ Association has decided to ask all retailers to close their premises at 11 o'clock on Thursday, March 14, on the occasion of the local Centennial celebrations procession, instead of 12 o'clock as previously announced. The alteration of the venue of the procession to Solway has neccessitated this change, which will allow workers time to see the procession. Retailers are also asked to co-oper-ate in the display of bunting outside their premises during this week. INTERHOUSE DISPLAY. The Masterton'lnterhouse Girls' Association will be participating in the display at Solway, as arranged for the programme in the Masterton Park, which will follow the procession to the Showgrounds on Thursday afternoon. OLD TIMERS CRICKET CENTENNIAL WEEK ATTRACTION. TOMORROW'S MATCHES. Two interesting cricket matches in which Old Timers are to participate are to be played on the Park Oval tomorrow as a Centennial week attraction. North and South Wairarapa players will try conclusions in A and B matches, commencing at 2 p.m. Many well-known ex-cricketers are taking' part in the match, which is expected to attract a large attendance of the public.