Worthwhile Schemes for Centennial Year

Northern Advocate, 27 October 1938, Page 6

Worthwhile Schemes for Centennial Year

INTEREST in the fitting recognition of Centennial year is shown by the eagerness with which special projects, to commemorate the occasion, are being planned sand discussed by the various districts throughout Northland. In Whangarei itself a number of different schemes have been put forward, while a meeting to discuss Centennial plans is being held at Kamo tonight. The Whangarei County Council dealt with the.question at a special meeting (.(.•day, and the residents of the Otamatea comity are to be called together on November 16 for the purpose of discussing Centennial proposals.

AJread/ several suggestions have been made for celebrating the Centennial in Whangarei. Among them may be mentioned memorial gates for Kensington Park, a playground for flora Cora, tepid baths, an assembly hall for the High School, and latest of all, the devviopment of a motor camp park on the area of land in Rurumoki Street and adjoining Mair Park, which was purchased for the purpose some time ago. The proposal of the Borough Council to establish a permanent motor camp adjoining Mair Park as a Centennial gesture, gives a good lead to other districts in the way in which it is possible to make a practical and progressive move as part of the general Centennial programme. The present municipal motor camp at Kensington Park has no great advantages, and does not compare at all favourably with the modern camping grounds developed in many other centres. Experience has proved that a good and well-equipped motor camp, in agreeable surroundings, attracts large numbers of visitors to a town. Napier, for instance, has a municipal motor camp, the fame of which has spread far and wide. Auckland, too, has provided for touring motorists a modern and well-equipped camp, which is never empty throughout the year.

There is no reason why Whangarei should not have such a camp, and the general plan to which the council is working suggests that it recognises the particular needs of such an. amenity. The proposed camp will have the advantage of location, for no motor camp in New Zealand will be more charmingly situated. It is apparent that general thought in connection with the Centennial is being awakened, ‘and there is commendable appreciation of the constructive value of worthwhile Centennial plans. Time is passing and it is to be hoped that every county in Northland will give early consideration to the organisation of plans for celebrating in a fitting manner the most important occasion of the century.

There will, we are sure, be general endorsement of the gesture of goodwill made by the Whangarei Borough Council to the Mayor- and Mayoress of Whangarei. This gesture took the form of giving the name of the “William Jones Park” to the new motor camp site adjoining Mair Park. Mr. Jones has given many years of useful service to the'county arrd borough of Whangarei, having, among other offices, filled the position of county chairman for many years, been Member- of Parliament for the district, and occupied the Mayoral chair of Whangarei since 1929. In the fulfilment of these duties he has filled other important roles as representative of local bodies, and has done much to promote the advancement of town and district. In all his work he has been ably supported by a gracious consort. Mrs. Jones has earned a warm place in the hearts of the people, and the recognition of the services of both Mr. and Mrs. Jones in the manner adopted by the Borough Council is as pleasing as it is well earned.