CENTENNIAL AT AKAROA

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22661, 16 March 1939, Page 12

CENTENNIAL AT AKAROA

CELEBRATION DATES ADVANCED WEEK FOLLOWING EASTER SUGGESTED EXTRA ASSISTANCE FROM GOVERNMENT Tne advance of the national centennial celebration at Akaroa to the week following Easter in 1940 is now most likely. The date for the beginning of the week’s celebrations was originally proposed for August 11, the actual date of the hoisting of the British flag at Akaroa. The unsuitability of that date was discussed yesterday at a conference at Akaroa, and the suggestion was made that the celebrations should begin cn the week-end following Easter. The restriction of the national part of the programme to two or three days was also proposed by the Internal Affairs Department, which, however, had no objection to the local celebrations extending over the week. At only Waitangi and Akaroa would national celebrations be held, and, because of that circumstance, extra financial assistance would be given by the Government to the Akaroa committee, announced the Hon. W. E. Parry. He did not disclose the amount which would be voted. “It will be your duty,” he" said, “to go ahead, and. collect as much as you possibly can to make the celebration a success, and the Government will do its part.” The Minister was accompanied by Mr J. W. Heenan, Under-Secretary of the Internal Affairs Department, who congratulated the Akaroa committee on its enthusiasm and interest. From the beginning, it was fully seized with the responsibility of doing something special to celebrate the centennial or the proclamation of sovereignty over the South Island, he said. The celebrations at Akaroa would be unique, combining two national celebrations—those connected with the Maoris and the declaration of sovereignty. An assurance was given the conference by Mr Parry and toe.Un,£er*pecretary that the programme forthe Akaroa celebrations would be left entirely to the local committee. It was considered. however, that the national fixtures should not be allowed to extend over the week. The committee was congratulated on its proposed programme, IMr Heenan remarking that up to the 'present there had been a u » l Hroa lldeas from other places, whije Akaroa bad formulated a surfeit. Conflict With Racing "It is regrettable that it will be Practically impossible to s ® ul f t h e da te of the celebrations round the one that really matters,” commented Mr Heenan, when the views of the committee that August 11 was unsuitable were advanced. A report was made that Mr E —’ Tirikatene, M.P., considered that the health of the Maoris would suffer if the original date were adhered to. Easter was suggested as the date but Mr Heenan suggested that a conflict with the racing carnival at church would be disadvantageous. The proposal that the celebrations should begin on the week-end following Easter ■will now be considered by the commit*CThe possibility of an overseas cruise ship being in Akaroa harbour during the celebrations was mentioned by Mr Heenan. Arrangements were being made by the overseas shipping companies, he said, to arrange the visits of cruise ships to coincide with the national celebrations in New Zealand. Accommodation .and transport axangements were discussed by the Minister and Mr Heenan at the conference. No hope was hteld out hy_ Mr Heenan of a steamer being commissioned ana moored in the harbour to provide accommodation. It was lively Ikat excursion trips to Akaroa would be made by the steamer expresses from Lyttelton. . , _ Full assistance m arranging pageants was promised by the department, Mr Heenan saying that themes would be provided and the use of costumes would also be granted. The visit to the harbour for the full week of ships of the Royal New Zealand Navy could not be promised, the attitude of the Naval Department being dependent on Navy movements. No Sectional Subsidies

“Nothing in the way of sectional Interests, however wide, can be subsidised/* replied Mr Heenan, when Archdeacon A. J. Petrie, asked if any assistance would be given for the renovation and reopening of the old church at the Maori pa. “All that the Government will subsidise is memorials for the people as a whole.” Before attending the conference, Mr Parry made inquiries as to the facilities for the parking of cars at Akaroa during the celebrations. He was advised that provision would be made, and that the Transport Department and the Traffic Department of the Christchurch City Council would assist in the control of the expected heavy trsfflCi Among those who attended the conference were the Mayor of Christchurch (Mr R. M. Macfarlane). who is also chairman of the Provincial Centennial Committee. Messrs J. S. Neville (Town Clerk of Christchurch), T. H McCombs, M.P., E. T. Tirikatene, M.P., P- R- Climie (secretary of the Canterbury Progress League). W. H. Montgomery (chairman of the Wairewa County Council), and C. B. Thacker (chairman of the Akaroa County Council). The Mayor of Akaroa (Mr F. R. E. Davis) presided.