MOERAKI CENTENARY

Evening Star, Issue 22804, 12 November 1937, Page 12

MOERAKI CENTENARY

THE PROGRAMME The centenary celebrations at Moeraki are arousing wide-spread interest and enthusiasm not only in Otago, but throughout New Zealand, as evinced by recent communications received by the Centenary Committee. At a general meeting of the executive of the Celebrations Committee, presided over by Mr J. Rodman, arrangements were completed in connection with the programme for the three days’ festivities as under; — Sunday, December 26.—Combined service in the afternoon under the Bishop of Dunedin, the Moderator of the Assembly, and the chairman of tb© Methodist Council, associated with a full choir; a band recital to follow. In the evening the Maori divine service will take place, and this will be followed by traditional Maori numbers. Monday, December 27.—10.30 a.m.: Regatta and aquatic sports. 2 p.m.: Official opening, unveiling of memorial cairn, a pageant presenting the landing of the original whalers in 1836, and the chase and capture of a whale. In the evening tho centenary banquet takes place and a huge bonfire will be lit. Throughout the day and evening carnival will be held at the park. Tuesday, December 28.—Opening of the model Maori, pa. Following the official function will be seen Maori war dances, hakas, poi dances, etc. Cooking by Maori oven will be demonstrated. The centenary ball will be held in the evening, and alternative attractions will again be found at the carnival on Centenary Park.

In regard to camping sites, it was decided to recommend motorists, where possible, to use the camping grounds either at Trotter’s Gorge or at Hampden, and thus relieve somewhat the congestion at Moeraki. Mr F. G. Carter is in charge of _ all camping arrangements at Moeraki. Side-show space is again to be advertised, and successful applicants of last year are to be given the opportunity ito reserve the space previously held. . A full report on the activities of all sub-committees, presented by the hon. organiser, Mr J. Hill-Scully, was adopted. The arrangements for catering have been made to meet all requirements, and breakfasts, dinners, and teas, also light refreshments, will be available to the public. It is also the intention of the committee to insert a memorial tablet in the Maori language in the memorial cairn, similar to the one in commemoration of the European settlement.