FIRST CENTENNIAL PAGEANT

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 22908, 3 January 1940, Page 8

FIRST CENTENNIAL PAGEANT

PORTRAYAL AT WAIM ATE NORTH

EPISODES FROM HISTORY OF . NEW ZEALAND [THE PRESS Special Service.! . AUCKLAND, January 2. Five thousand, spectators gathered to-day on the Waimate North Show Ground to see a historical pageant portrayed, the growth of , New Zealand from the earliest times. As the Hon. W. E. Parry, Minister for IntefnaT Affairs, wrote in a foreword to the official programme; It was particularly fitting that the first pageant of the centennial celebrations should be held in the cradle of British settlement in New Zealand. About 1000 persons took part in the portrayal of characters and supernumeraries which were introduced, during, the - ' presentation of eight episodes' in New Zealand’s history.' For some weeks roles had been assiduously practised and the entire programme Which covered the period from the coming of the Maoris, to the present day was performed with remarkable precision. The Government was represented by the Attorney-General (the Hon. - H. G. R. Mason), and at the conclusion of the pageant he congratulated the Bay of Islands Centennial Committee on the success of the production. The gathering was also attended by the Primate, of New Zealand (Archbishop Averill). who, in an address during the service which formed _<eart of the/episode depicting the introduction .of Christianity, paid a tribute to-the missionaries and pioneers. > LANDING OF ARAWA CANOE CAIRN. UNVEILED AT MAKETU CPSEBS ASSOCIATION IIUliSBAIl.) ROTORUA, January 2. One of the largest gatherings yet held in connexion with the centennial took place to-day at Maketu, the site of the landing of the Arawa .canoe. In the presence of, up Wards'of 4000 Maoris and pakehas, a memorial cairn marking the site of the landing and a specially-constructed access roadway leading to the cairn were officially opened.. Among the official visitors present were the" Hons. W. Nash, F. Langstone, and P. C. ■ Webb, Messrs FV W. Doidge, M.P., F. W. Mundt, chairman of the Tauranga County Council, T Jackson, Mayor of Rotorua, H. Tai Mitchell, chairman of the Arawa Trust Board, and the Rt. Rev. F. A- Bennett Bishop of Aotearoa. The access, road was first declared open by Mr Webb, after which Mr Langstone unveiled the cairn,; which was then dedicated in Maori by Bishop Bennett. A large Maori hangi, then took place, at which the official • guests were- entertained. ; The gathering included representatives of all the subtribes of Te Arawa, and. many old pakeha residents of the district,, including some, who arrived at Tauranga 60 years ago .by the ship Lady Jocelyn.