MOVING CHAPTER.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 94, 20 April 1940, Page 10

MOVING CHAPTER.

— ■ • DOMINION'S HISTORY. AKAROA CELEBRATES, LANDING OF FRENCH SETTLERS (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) t HIiISTCHUIvCH, this day. Eventful pages, in Akaroa's history were thumbed rapidly back to the opening chapter to-day when, with the reenactment of the declaration of sovereignty and the landing of French settlers as the chief features, the South Island's principal Centennial celebration began. Once again Captain Stanley, of the staunch Britomart, raised the. flag which confirmed British rule in the" South Island. Once again Murphy and Robinson, the two magistrates sent by Governor Ilobson, prepared to hold the first Courts of Justice in the South Island. Once again Jimmy Kohinson Clough. redoubtable pakeJia -Maori, translated Captain Stanleys historic proclamation. Hum of Activity. It was the biggest day in Akaroa's history. The little hamlet, untouched by the bustle of modern ways, hummed with activity. By the main highway from Christchurch people flocked to the scene of to-day's festivities. Crowds jostled each other, in the streets, which aie usually sleepily peaceful. There was a concentration of eminent folk, headed by Lord and Lady Gahvay, and the Prime Minister. Four other Cabinet Ministers present were the Hons. Armstrong. Webb, Parry and Sullivan also Archbishop West-Watson, represented the Church of England. Three members of Parliament, mayors of cities and boroughs, chairmen of county councils and representatives of local bodies by the score. Maoris Take Part. After the reception of the viec-Regal party at the jetty, the Maoris took command of the celebrations for half an hour. Natives from many parts of the South Island, reinforced by a strong contingent from the North Island, gave Lord Galway a welcome.

A warrior of the loeal Maoris placed a challenge ■ stick in front of the Governor-General, who picked it up a* an indication that he was on a peaceful mission, and then retired to his seat in the pavilion. The warrior then save a taiaha display, a vivid illustration of the dexterity with which the old-time Maori wielded this dual-purpose weapon. After this there was a general reception, consisting of s|>eeclies and poi dances. At this stage the clock was put back for Captain Stanley- and his band to enter. It was an impressive scene, as British sailors and marines, dressed in the colourful garb of a century ago, arrived to re-enact the .historic events of August 10. 1840. As the flag fluttered from the staff while Captain Stanley and his party stood grouped against a background of sailors, marines, settlers and Maoris, there was a deep silence, and it was obvious that the thoughts of the big crowd had turned to the past. The next stage in the celebration was the reception by their Excellencies of the descendants of the original French settlers, a small band of New Zealanders whose forbears came to Akaroa as Frenchmen, but accepted the position philosophically enough wken they found the British in possession, and lived contentedly under British rule. Memorial to Pioneers. ■ After the official luncheon the venue of the celebrations shifted to Beach Road, where Lord Galway unveiled a memorial to the French settlers. The landing of the emigrants was enacted with colour at this stage. This part of the pageant emphasised the influence of the French in the colonisation of Akaroa and the amity in which the people of the two races so long lived side by side before being fused into one as New Zealanders. A moving chapter in the celebration was concluded by the singing of three national "The Marseillaise," led by the New Zealand basso, Oscar Natzke, "God Defend New Zealand," and "God Save the King."