ANNIVERSARY DAY.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17633, 9 December 1922, Page 7

ANNIVERSARY DAY.

THIS YEAR'S OBSERVANCE. pbogsamme decided upon. A meeting convened by the Mayor (Dr. Thacker) of those desiring to assist in arranging for the entertainment on Anniversary Day of colonists who arrived iu Canterbury prior to 18S0, was held in tlie City Council Chamber yesterday afternoon. The t Deputy-Mayor (Cr. J. A. Flesher) presided over an attendance of aoout twenty, which included a number of old colonists, several ueing ladies. The chairman apologised for the ab- [ sence of tlie Mayor, and explained the I object of the meeting. He did not know I what programme tlie Mayor had interidI ed to piaco before tho meeting, aim ho had nothing tieumte drawn up. jto uimseil was a nativo or li.u tuv, us i parents having armed n. Ifcbl "i/he counuy was made tneu," remarked one ol the old colonists— a rc- | mark that elicited some laughter. Tlie chairman, continuing, said that I every resident of tlie city ought to support the observance of Anniversary Day, as there was a disposition to fori get what they owed to the pioneers, i'hey knew of the difficulty that arose owing to the date of Anniversary Day being so close to the Christmas holi--1 days, but, nevertheless, an endeavour should be made fittingly to oTTserve the day. He had received apologies ffoln Messrs W. Matheson and W. 'Vt. Tyers, and read a letter from Mr R. E. Green (an old member of the City Fire Brigade), who suggested that there should be an evening torchlight procession and display of fireworks. Or. Flesher mentioned that the ceremony of laying the foundation stone of the new Municipal Offices had been fixed for Anniversary Day. Mr R. C. Bishop saia that to old colonists the 16th of December was almost a sacred day, and though it might not appeal so much >to newcomers, yet it was somewhat analogous to Thanksgiving Day in America, and it would be a pity to see its observance neglected or done away with altogether. He referred to a proposed programme drawn up by Mr R. B. Owen, and said that Mr John Anderson was willing to fall in with any suggestion for the observance of the day, even if it were only a meeting of old colonists to shake hands and renew old acquaintanceships. Mr Owen said hb cam* into the matter as tho result of his connexion with the River Improvement Scheme, and the suggestion was that a function should be held to mark the opening of that part of the river between Colombo street and Manchester street. That part of the city was linked up with the early days of the city. The idea was that the function should take place at the conclusion of the laying of the foundation stone of the new Municipal Offices. A marquee would be erected on the river bank in which the pioneers would be entertained with, afternoon tea. He hoped that an opportunity would be given the children to shake hands with the pioneers. The Woolston Band and Orchestra would be present. In the evening, between 7.30 and 10 o'clock, the function should be continuued, the band would play, and the evening would conclude with a display by the fire brigades. He further suggested that the celebration should be continued on Sunday in the hospital grounds where a special service could be held and a, collection taken up for the titute patients' fund and the children's Christmas Tree for those in Hospital. . Arohbishop Julius and other prominent citizens could be asked to take part. A choir of 750 voices, the band and an orcnestra would be in attendance. He thought that there should be a permanent memorial to the pioneers in the form of fountain, continuously playing, in V ictoria square. Mr Bishop spoke in support of the scheme sketched by Mr Owen, and said that they were indebted to him for going to so much trouble in the matter. He moved: That the scheme as Bet forth by Mr Owen be adopted and that a committee be set up to give effect to it. t Mr <Q. S. Oox seconded the motion. Mr L. B. Hart suggosted that the proposed function in the afternoon should take place in Hagley Park in the vicinity of the memorial stone ret up to mark tlie place where the first huts were erected. The evening function could be held as proposed by Mr Owen. Mr John Anderson said he very much appreciated what Mr Hart had said, but there were two places where the early settlers took up tueir quarters—at "The Bricks" (near the Barbadoes street bridge) and the spot referred to by Mr Hart. It would be a happy thing to visit both places. The Rev. F. G. Bnttan said the stone referred to by Mr Hart had been set up by the Old Colonists Association, his brother, the late Mr W. Guise Brittan having performed the ceremony. Mr Hart moved, as an amendment, "That the afternoon function take place in Hagley Parle." Mr E. Claridge seconded the amendment. The amendment, on being put,' was negatived, and the motion was agreed to. The following committee was set up: Messrs J. A. Flesher, R. C. Bishop, John Anderson, R. B. Owen, Theo. Barker, E. ~R. Webb, L. B. Hart, P. R; Climie, Rev. P. G. Brittan Professor J. Shelley, and Dr. J. Hifiht. Power was given to add to the committee. It was decided to ask the City Council to close Oxford and .Uambridge terraces between Colombo and Manchester streets from noon on Anniversay Day for permission to erect a marquee and stands; and for permission to take up collections. It "was also decided .to make an appeal for subscriptions to defray the cost of the function. In reply to a question, Mr Owen said it was proposed that any unused balance should be spent on beautifying the grounds at the old Provincial Council Chambers. A meeting of the committee was fixed for 4 p.m. on Monday in the library at the City Council Chambers. On the motion of the Rev. F. G. Brittan, seconded by Mr E. Claridge, it was decided:—"That in the opinion of this meeting arrangements should be made for suitably commemorating Anniversary Day in the future and that the committee already set up be requested to consider the matter and report to a future meeting of the general committee to be held in January." I The chairman said Uat subscriptions towards the cost of the function would be received by the Acting-Town Clerk.