CELEBRATIONS AT AKAROA

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23000, 20 April 1940, Page 12

CELEBRATIONS AT AKAROA

* TO DAY’S EVENTS MESSAGE FROM MINISTER “Akaroa’s celebrations will be of no less importance than the great celebrations of the Centennial at Waitangi in the north in February,” stated the Minister lor Internal Allairs, the Hon. W. E. Parry, who arrived in Christchurch from Wellington yesterday morning. Splendid and complete preparations, he said, had been made oflicially and by the people for the events to lake place, and the day should be one reviving interestingly days of the historic past. Mr Parry spoke of the general succcs: and educational value of the Centennial celebrations. “In very many parts'of, both islands of tjte Dominion,” he said, v 4he people 'entertainingly and instructively let themselves go in the celebrations, and the f'gstil’to have been good to aee. Citizens 6'f to-day have a greater the -fustory of their country its founders and pioneers, than, because of lack of opportunities, they were previously able to acquire. ‘‘The Centennial Exhibition, the ceremonies, the processions showing a cavalcade of early and striking events, thg pictorial nd other publications issued' by the Government, crammed with narrative and, incident o f the life of the country, have had a direct and educative appeal of great valye. The children in the schools have also profited by representations of the country’s history placed before them in such interesting and Instructive ways. “Analysed frpiyi ah-angles, tlije whole of the 'celebrations have achieved a record of service of which we may feel proud.” Mr Parry said he regretted missing the procession" of” floats in Christchurch- “The pictures I saw in the of Canterbury’s beginnings and of the progress made since then were remarkably good and enlightening,” he said. Ofacial Programme The official party. at the celebrations will include the Governor-General (Lord Galway), the Prime Minister (the'Hon, 7 P.-Fraser), most of the other Ministers of the Crown, members of Parliament, and the Consul for France dp New Zealand • (M- Andre Pouquet). The party - will include in all 300 persons.

. .Thp. programme is:— 40.45' d.m.; Official party arrives at recreation ground, 10.55: Vice-Regal party arrives at jetty, ' 11 a,m-: At recreation ground, Gov-ernor-General receives M3°r.i challenge. 11,35; I .ageant re-enacting first exercise of entire British sovereignty in New Zealand. 12.15; Speeches - Prime Minister and Governor-General.

12A5c-Their -Excellencies receive descendants of the French immigrants gnd’ earlier’settlers, ; 1 p.m.: Luncheon for Vice-Regal and official parties.

. 2.15: At Beach road, re-enactment of arrival of French colonists. Unveiling of memorial. 3.30: ' T ice-Re al and official parties entertained at afternoon tea* at home of ’ Mi-’' E :'X. Le Lievre. On Sunday a public thanksgiving service will be held in the afternoon, when also the Maori Church at the Kaik will be- reopened. -- On Monday the Maori entertainment will be held, and on Tuesday there will b.e th.e loca) precession of floats, a garden party, ’and the centennial bgjl. The Banks Peninsula school children’s sport? and g conversazione for old residents will be held on Wednesday.'