RE-ENACTMENT OF LANDING

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28792, 13 January 1959, Page 15

RE-ENACTMENT OF LANDING

Impressive Scenes Watched By 15,000

(New Zealand Pres* Association/ TIMARU, January 12. The biggest crowd ever to assemble on Caroline Bay—some 15,000 —today watched a re-enact-ment of the landing of the first immigrants to arrive at Timaru from England aboard the sailing vessel Strathallan 100 years ago. The ceremony was a major event of Anniversary week—the highlight of the South Canterbury Centennial celebrations—and a public holiday was declared for the occasion. In fine, warm weather and against a background of beflagged overseas and coastal ships in the harbour, four boatloads of men, women and children representing the first arrivals landed on the beach. Wearing costumes of the time and carrying all their worldly possessions, including livestock, they made their way up the beach to a Maori whare where, after first being challenged, they were accorded p welcome by a party of Arowhenua Maoris, who entertained with hakasp singing and poi dances. Many of those taking part were descendants of the original settlers. An interested spectator was the Chief Justice (Sir Harold Barrowclough), who is spending the week in Timaru.

At the conclusion of the reenactment. Sir Harold Barraclough was presented with a carved totara paper knife used during the ceremony as a knife of challenge.