NETHERLANDS DELEGATION

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23819, 12 December 1942, Page 4

NETHERLANDS DELEGATION

ARRIVAL AT HOKITIKA

novel greeting for DR. VAN DER PLAS

(0.R.) HOKITIKA, December 11. The principal object of interest on the arrival here of the Netherlands Government’s delegation for the Tasman tercentenary was the beard ot Dr Charles O. van der Plas, Queen Wilhelmina’s principal representative at the celebrations. On stepping from the rail-car at Hokitika, Dr. van der Plas was greeted by Mr T. P. O Neill, chairman of the Westland County Council, who asked him if such a luxuriant growth could be real. Dr. van der Plas assured him it was. Then not such a beard has been seen on the West Coast since the days of the old gold diggers,” replied Mr O Neill. This incident was recalled by Dr. van der Plas, when fingering his beard, amidst laughter, at the civic reception tendered him by the Mayor (Mr A- «• Elcock) and Mr O'Neill to-night for the citizens of Hokitika and residents of the Westland County. ‘‘This greeting made me reel quilt at home among you people” said Dr. van der Plas. ‘T had heard of your wonderful hospitality, and unique scenic attractions. I am very honoured indeed to be representative of my Government on such a historic occaSl °At Hokitika, the delegation which was escorted by the Minister of Internal Affairs (the Hon. W. E. Parry), was joined by the Hon. R. Semple, the Hon. P. C. Webb, and the Hon. J. welcoming the delegation for the Government, said he had assured Dr. van der Plas on the journey across the mountains that he would receive a warm welcome from West Coasters, and their reputation had been iU Soon d ’afler his arrival. Dr van der Plas. accompanied the Under-Secic-tary of Internal Affairs (Mr J. W. Heeiian). who, though born m this district, had not seen it since childhood, to the beach, which Dr. van der Plas said reminded him more than any other part of New Zealand so far seen of the dunes of Holland, and he gazeu upon the sea that had been traversed just 300 years ago by his fellow countryman, Tasman. . „ To-morrow morning Dr. van dor Plas will place a wreath on the war memorial, and, with members of the delegation, will visit Lake Kanicii. In the afternoon, he will speak at the Tasman celebrations, which have been transferred from Okarito He willthen leave by air for Waiho to spend the week-end at Franz Josef.

tercentennial poem TO BE BROADCAST

MUSIC COMPOSED FOR

OCCASION

At 2 p.m. to-morrow 2YA will broadcast a reading of the poem. 'Bandfall in Unknown Seas, written by Allen Curnow for the book, Abel Janszoon Tasman and the Discovery of New Zealand,” issued by the Department of Internal Affairs to commemorate the tercentennial Ibc rending will be accompanied by music specially composed for the occasion bv Douglas Lilburn, and played by the National Broadcasting Service string orchestra under Mr Andersen Tyrcr. Both the composer and me poet live in Christchurch.