ANNIVERSARY SERVICE

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31866, 19 December 1968, Page 16

ANNIVERSARY SERVICE

Attendance By Public “I wish to correct the impression that the Aniversary Day service in Christchurch Cathedral on Tuesday evening was only for members of the Canterbury Pilgrims and Early Settlers’ Association. On the contrary, it has always been intended to include all the people of Canterbury, not merely those connected with the association,” said the association’s president (Mr J. A. Hendry) yesterday. “For many years, a public holiday was held to mark the anniversary day of Canterbury Province, as in fact has been done and is still being done in most if not all other provinces in New Zealand. In our case it was December 16. However, because it came so close to Christmas, it was decided to observe the holiday earlier in the year and Show Day was substituted for this purpose. “Thus, any observance on the actual day ceased, until now there are very few who realise the significance of either day.

“Six years ago the executive committee of the Canterbury Pilgrims and Early Settlers’ Association decided to attempt to restore sonn meaning in the observance and sponsored in Chris' church Cathedral a publi memorial service to all carl, settlers of this province. wh« by their forward-looking ant pioneering spirit laid the foundations of our preset., prosperity. This has become an annual event and is the only conscious public recognition of Anniversary Day and all it implies. “The committee had hoped that the Christchurch City Council, the premier local body in the province, would recognise the importance of this service and take over the sponsorship. In our opinion that would be more fitting than sponsorship by a private association, no matter hoW closely connected to the earljj | days of the province.” |