PETONE MEMORIAL

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 71, 25 March 1939, Page 11

PETONE MEMORIAL

ART AND UTILITY

GALA PICNIC OPENS

"I question whether anywhere else in New Zealand there is a more beautiful objective for a Centennial Memorial," said the Minister of Finance (the Hon. W. Nash) shortly before noon today, in opening the comedy gala picnic at the Hutt Park. The picnic is the first function arranged in connection with the Hutt Valley Centennial celebrations. Mr. Nash, who was introduced by Mr. O. N. Gillespie, chairman of the picnic committee, congratulated the organisers and workers on their splendid efforts. He praised the work of the architect responsible for designing the memorial. The building was a truly magnificent one, which would improve the Hutt Valley from a cultural viewpoint, and would stimulate a respect for tradition and the work of the pioneers. The beauty of the building, however, and its link with the past, placed as it would be on the first landing-place of the settlers of the Wellington Province, were not its only advantages. It would aid the young residents of the Valley in their search for physical fitness, and would offer them an opportunity to achieve competence in the very necessary science of swimming. Those responsible for the organisation of the function had shown truly amazing industry. He congratulated the Petone Borough Council on its endeavour to make the surroundings worthy of the building in every respect, and wished the picnic the success it deserved. Mr. J. W. Andrews, Mayor of Lower Hutt, thanked those who attended the picnic, and assured them of a good time. Today the whole of the district, including Upper Hutt, was combined in an effort to have a memorial as near as possible to the site of the first landing of the settlers. Mr. G. London, Mayor of Petone, expressed surprise at seeing so many people present at such an early stage in the proceedings. He was an entrant in the draught horse mayoralty stakes, and confidently tipped himself to win the event. On the conclusion of the addresses, Mr. Nash was "arrested" by two very capable "policemen" and haled before a mock court, where he was charged with opening the picnic with a tinopener instead of a corkscrew. A substantial fine was forthcoming, but the two Mayors were not allowed to escape.