MEMORIAL TABLET

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 March 1940, Page 7

MEMORIAL TABLET

UNVEILED THIS MORNING COMMEMORATION OF COUNTRY’S CENTENNIAL. ADDRESS BY HON W. E. PARRY. A handsome tablet commemorating New Zealand’s first, hundred years' of organised settlement was unveiled in glorious sunshine this morning by the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon W. E. Parry. There was a representative attendance of citizens to witness the ceremony. The tablet, which is located in upper High Street, is a truncated lonic column constructed in natural cement, surmounted by a scroll with a marble plaque inserted and bearing the inscription “1840—Centennial Avenue--1940.” There is an identical tablet at the northern end of the main approach to the town, where there is a similar avenue of trees to that at the south end.

In the course of a brief welcome to Mr Parry, the Mayor, Mr T. Jordan, explained bow an avenue of trees had been planted at the northern and southern approaches to the town, as an ever-lasting tribute to the pioneers and a memorial to the first one hundred years of organised settlement in New Zealand.

On behalf of the Masterton County, the chairman. Mr R. E. Gordon Lee, extended a welcome to the Minister, and paid a tribute to the work of the pioneers, adding that in the years to come people would appreciate to the full the action of planting an avenue to mark New Zealand's Centenary. Mr Lee then called on Mr Parry, on behalf of the Borough and County of Masterton. to unveil the memorial. Warm appreciation was expressed by Mr Parry at the presence of Sir William Perry.

“Masterton deserves to be complimented on the interesting variety and excellence of the plans decided on to signalise its part in the Centennial celebrations and to provide opportunities for the people to voice their thoughts and feelings in the great event in the history of New Zealand,' said Mr Parry. “I am able to detect in the Masterton plans a splendid motive to bring all sections of the community into the celebrations, and that aspect shows a breadth of happy thought of the importance and full meaning of the occasion we are celebrating in the Dominion.

“That all New Zealanders feel great pride in the achievement by their country of, not only its Centennial, but also the wealth of progress that has illuminated its way along the one hundred years of settlement, is evidenced by the heartiness of their enthusiasm at all gatherings, ceremonies, -and events which have taken place in different parts of the country during the past sixteen weeks" said Mr Parry. “We are a people who love our country. because we know it is worthy of that love, and we place its welfare uppermost in our thoughts and actions. We receive praise from other lands of our country, its modernity, and development, and praise of the vision and industry shown by its people in the work all have done to bring the Dominion up to its present position and high standard among the nations of the world. And we march proudly on our way. with the progress of the country, happiness, contentment, and prosperity of the people always our goal. "Ladies and gentlemen, when the record of this ceremony you are now attending', and of the events to follow today—a ceremony in which the Mayor. Mr T. Jordan, has given me the privilege of taking a part-—is resorted to for information in years to come, it will be made plain to the historian that Masterton people played nobly their part in the Centennial, with an eye to the beautification of the town. Trees, in my opinion, enhance the beauty not only of the landscape of a well-laid-out city or town, but they provide a people and their town with a peace and charm which Nature intended they should have in their lives.

“This beautiful avenue of trees, growing in this town, will permanently indicate and commemorate the thoughts and feelings of the citizens oi Mastertoil toward the Centennial of their country," he said. “No better, nor more inspiring gift of a country's anniversary of its one hundredth birthday could be given than the planting of this fine avenue of trees. They provide a living monument to the community's sentiments in. and appreciation of. an event which signifies so much in these enlightened days. Wherever, in the course of official engagements. I travel 1 see today a greater signification of the value of trees to the beautification of a town and its environs, and a desire of the people to protect and preserve the native bush. It is good to realise the impulse and foresight of the ardent native bush lover which impel a general interest in this work. 1 congratulate you. Mr. Mayor, and the citizens heartily on the admirable choice made of a memorial, and. as the representative of the Government. 1 am happy to be witli you all in the unveiling of a tablet, which echoes so well the district’s sentiments on this great occasion."