THE CENTENNIAL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 65, 18 March 1938, Page 6

THE CENTENNIAL.

Auckland's plan for its great share in the Dominion's first century celebrations took definite shape last night, when a general programme, comprehensive in character and covering all the great events of the colony's foundation, was submitted to the Centennial Council for consideration and review. Earlier meetings have approved the plan in outline, but with last night's meeting the organisation began to function in concrete form. Only four local bodies in the area surrounding Auckland have failed to co-operate, but with a fuller appreciation of the importance of the occasion it is quite possible that the executive will be able to report complete accord. The response already received is heartening and will provide sufficient finance for the foundations of the celebrations, which must be laid immediately. The recent celebrations of the centennial of the landing of Bishop Pompallier have shown what can be done by a relatively small section of the community with long-range and efficient organisation, and with this lesson to stimulate it the executive can be relied upon to make its preparations commensurate with the [importance of the occasion. In every part of the province memorials, all of them of i permanent value to the people, will remain as j perpetual records of the first hundred \ r ears, jand this angle alone should ensure the fullest [co-operation of every local authority. Last night's meeting established a sound basis j for the greatest commemoration ever planned in this province, and the enthusiasm displayed is an assurance that the general public will have part in a series of celebrations which, in recalling a century of self-reliant colonising effort, will be jui inspiration and a challenge to the future.