PALMERSTON NORTH CELEBRATES ITS GOLDEN JUBILEE

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 108, 3 November 1937, Page 18

PALMERSTON NORTH CELEBRATES ITS GOLDEN JUBILEE

it Avas there that the residents of Palmerston North enjoyed their simple pleasures —concerts, lectures, and occasional dances.

THE PART OF THE CHURCH

The story of the coming of the Church to the Manawatu district is one of much interest. Up till 1872 church services had been very intermittent, and it was only when an enterprising minister, fired by the call for missionary service, made the arduous trip from Wanganui or Marton that the people received the benefit of religious ministration. As the town and district developed, however, the churches realised that ihey had a greater duty to the residents than mere missionary service. In the spring of 1872 a Methodist minister, the Rev. Mr. Elmslie, who was stationed at Wanganui, held services in Peter Vfanson's sawmill, and it was this service that laid the foundations of Methodism in the Manawatu. In 1875 the first church, with seating accomodation for 150 worshippers, was erected, md three years later the Rev. Mr. Hammond became the first Methodist minister to be permanently Rationed at Palmerston North. The Anglican Church, represented by the Rev. Henry BeVis, made its first appearance in 1874, the first service being held in the sitting-room of Mrs. G. M. Snelson. On September 29, 1875, the foundation-stone of All Saints' Church was laid by Mrs. Snelson. The first Catholic Church was built in 1875, and the parish priest, with headquarters at Feilding, had to double-bank. He conducted early .Mass at Feilding and then set out for Palmerston North, arriving there in time for the usual morning service. The Presbyterians erected their first church in 1878.

With improved means of access and with the means available for the enjoyment by the residents of a better standard of living, Palmerston North continued to make steady progress, and already gave signs that it would some day show the way to the nearby towns of Foxton and Feilding. The population grew apace, and on October 23,1875, there was published the "Manawatu Times." This was followed five years latee by the "Manawatu Evening Standard," which for some time was the only daily newspaper published between Wellington and Wanganui. On April 15 the town of Palmerston North was raised to the dignity of a Town■'■ District, and the following gentlemen took office as commissioners:—H. S. Palmerson, James Linton, C. R. S. McDowell, Thomas Walton, and William McDougall. The schoolmaster, Mr. R. W. Keeling, acted as secretary of the board. The same year also saw the formation of the Manawatu County Council, the members of the first council being Messrs. E. S. Thynne and J. W. Liddell (Foxton), G. M. Snelson and H. McNeil

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(Palmerston North), A. F. Halcombe (Feilding-, D. 11. Macarthur' (Kiwitea), It, Sanson (Oroua), J. W. Gower (Kawakawa), and H. McDonald (Horowhenua). On July 12, 1877, Palmerston. North was constituted a borough, and the following were elected to the first council:—Messrs. Fritz Jensen, Peter Manson, Thomas Walter, James Gilbert, and George Rowe. Mr. G. M. Snelson was the first Mayor and Mr. Keeling was the first clerk. The sixty years that have passed since Palmerston North was proclaimed a borough have been years of remarkable progress, and today the City of Palmerston North plays an important part in the business life of the Dominion. Not only does Palmerston North look prosperous, but it is prosperous. Around its well-kept and beloved Square are fine shops which attract customers from all parts of the Manawatu district and in Rangitikei Street, the centre of its

business area, are to be found all the signs of solidity. In the building of Palmerston North many outstanding personalities have played their part, and in the present article it would be impossible to give them all individual mention. The town has certainly been fortunate in having had so many public-spirited men to guido its destinies, and there could be no better tribute to their memory than the town itself. Today Palmerston North has assets totalling nearly £1,000,000, its annual receipts are close to the £250,000 mark, it has close on 700 permanent employees on ; ts payroll, it controls reserves, public parks, recreation grounds, etc., which are valued at £82,000, and it owns electrical undertakings vajued at £225,294 and gasworks valued at £118,756. Its total liabilities amount to just „over £800,000, and its total annual interest charge to just over £52,000. The affairs of the city have always been run on efficient lines, both from a material and aesthetic point of view, and when citizens join in the celebrations which have been planned for the week commencing on November 20, they will know that they have something to celebrate. THE CELEBRATION PROGRAMME. With customary thoroughness and efficiency, the people of Palmerston North have arranged to celebrate the diamond jubilee of the city in fitting style, and during the week commencing on November 20 there will be numerous attractions to mark the important event in the city's history. The City Council will again have the services of Mr. H. E. Bennett as organiser of the festivities, and those who remember the success which Mr. Bennett made of the golden jubilee ten years ago will agree that it would be .difficult to secure a more efficient master of ceremonies. On the opening day there will be a monster procession, and this will be followed by a display of drill and competitive events by the members of the inter-house sports association. In this twelve teams will compete. An. outstanding feature of the week's celebrations will be the Maori cavalcade, the staging of which will occupy one afternoon and one evening. There will be scenes representing the arrival of the first canoe and the life of the Maori before the advent of the white man. There will be demonstrations of poi dancing, tattooing, and Maori carving, and a mock battle will be fought at the showgrounds, where also will be staged a tableau depicting the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi. For two nights at the Opera House "The Precious Years," a locally-written drama on the early history of Palmerston North, will be staged under the direction of Mi* Mcßeath. Other attractions will include an electric light athletic meeting and a display of fireworks.