HISTORIC PAGEANT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 27, 1 February 1940, Page 8

HISTORIC PAGEANT.

WAITANGI CELEBRATIONS.

OUTLINE OF PUOGKAMMI

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, this day

Preparations were practically complete for the main national Centennial celebrations at Waitangi on February 6, and prospects were bright for very impressive ceremonies and pageantry, stated the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon. W. E. Parry, to-day.

Two thousand members of the Ngapuhi tribe would act as hosts to the representatives of other Maori tribes. Comfortable accommodation for all Maori folk would be provided in a wellplaced camp of temporary buildings. This attendance would include men of the Maori Battalion, and Members of Parliament, and other guests would number 250, including direct descendants of James Busby, the first British resident, Henry Williams; the famous missionary, the Rev. Charles Baker and J. R. Clendon. the first official representative of the United States of America in New Zealand. The-British Government would be represented by the Marquess of Willingdon and the Marchioness, and the Australian Commonwealth Government by Senator P. A. Mcßride, and Mrs. Mcßride.

The programme would consist of the "re-enactment of events leading up to the Treaty of Waitangi, and the affixing of the first signatures to the document; the official opening of the Maori national centennial memorial—a meeting house near the treaty house — by the Governor-General, Lord Galway; and the unveiling of memorials, to William Hobson, James Busby and the Maori chiefs who Mgned the original treaty. The proclamations of Captain Hobson would be on view for visitors.

"The historic pageant promises to be one of the most dramatic spectacles ever seen in this country,'* added Mr. Parry. "Every possible care has been taken to assure historical accuracy in all details. Maori and pakeha are working enthusiastically to make the pageant worthy of the great occasion. For this purpose two big Maori war canoes have been made. One of these is 120 ft long and will be manned by 80 warriors."