TIMARU BECOMES ELEVENTH CITY OF DOMINION

Grey River Argus, 10 November 1948, Page 3

TIMARU BECOMES ELEVENTH CITY OF DOMINION

TIMARU, Nov. 9. Timarti was proclaimed a city on Friday, according to a telegram the Mayor (Mr A. E. S. Hanan) has received from the Department of Internal Affairs. The telegram intimated that the change of statu.s would be contained to a Gazette notice <»-; Thursday, and would become effective from that date. The announcement is Ute outcome of consistent claims by the mayor in recent months that the town has reached the population of 20 ; 000 required for city status.

Next Tuesday afternoon a ceremoney will be held at Caroline Bay, the scene of the arrival of the first Maoris , and later Europeans, m South Canterbury. It is appropriate that Timaru should be proclaimed a city this year as it is 80 years since it was proclaimed a borough. The first European establishment at Timaru was a shore whaling station set up for the Weller Brothers, of Sydney, by Joseph Price in 1836. Sixteen years later William Barnard Robert Heaton and George Rhode:took up runs known as “The Levels” which marked the ope.ninc up of th' rich hinterland of South Canterbury.