The Reunion Programme

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29366, 19 November 1960, Page 8

The Reunion Programme

The 400 persons who are expected to attend the centennial celebrations. on Mesopotamia station on the afternoon of December 3 will come from all parts of the country, but principally from Mid and North Canterbury. Mr R. G. Gerard, M.P., the son of a former owner, is among those who have been invited.

The proceedings will begin close to the site of Samuel Butler’s first homestead, where a plaque will be unveiled to commemorate about six men who went from the station and lost their lives in World War I. So far as is known no man who left Mesopotamia in World War H to join the services was killed.

A conversazione and afternoon tea will follow and later there will be a banquet in a marquee on the lawn outside the station homestead. Movie films of station life will be shown either in the marquee or in the woolshed, and later there will be a dance and social in the barn. In preparation for the reunion the head shepherd on the station, Mr F. Hampton, was busy early this week repairing an old fourwheeled waggon once used to carry wool and merchandise. The old vehicle, drawn by eight horses, had long since been abandoned.

Mr Peter Newton, who has mustered on Mesopotamia, is preparing a booklet on the work and people on the station in the last 100 years, which it is hoped will be published in time for the reunion.