ANNIVERSARY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 18, 23 January 1933, Page 5

ANNIVERSARY.

WELLINGTON'S DAI. BIRTH OF THE PROVINCE. OVER NINETY YEARS OLD, The anniversary of the foundation of Wellington fell yesterday and is being celebrated by a public holiday in the province to-day. It was on Januaiy 22, 1840, that there arrived in Port Nicholson the first emigrant ship, the Aurora, associated with organised settlement. The first anniversary of Wellington's foundation was duly celebrated in „1841 by tlie pioneer settlers who had arrived in the Aurora, reinforced by later arrivals. When Wellington was one year old the population numbered about 2500 souls and there had already been erected gome 400 buildings. Two lots of celebrations took place, organised by the aristocracy (the "Selects" as early records call tliem), and by the democracy (the "Populars"). Different dates were clioscn by tlie respective for their celebrations, the "Selects" striking bad weather and the "Populars" good. However, it would seem that social baij'iers were not impenetrable, and many "Selects" were seen at the "Populars'' ball. In 1542 the second anniversary celebrations were on a more elaborate scale. There was a regatta of soiHs; a race meeting—the first in New Zealand, although there was only one race on the card, this being "a hurdle race for horses"; and various athletic eventsThere were no grounds available for such games as cricket, bowls or golf, and lawn tennis had not then been introduced. There was no place to. wliicli to make excursions and no means by which they could conveniently be made. To wander far afield in those days was to invite a possible excursion to the next world at the hands of the Maoris. This year the holiday follows much the usual lines, states the " Evening Post," but when 1940 comes it is to be expected that the centenary celebrations will' be something very much out of the ordinary.