Waipu To Feature In Centennial

Northern Advocate, 27 October 1938, Page 6

Waipu To Feature In Centennial

Landing of the Waipu settlers in the 1850’s has been decided on by a special sub-committee of the Whangarei County Council as the most suitable local historical event to commemorate during the Centennial celebrations. The council’s recommendation is to be conveyed to Zone 5 of the Northland Centennial Committee.

At a meeting of the sub-committee today, members were unanimous in their support of the suggestion to commemorate the landing of the Waipu settlers. “It seems that the landing at Waipu is the only event we can commemorate in the county,” remarked Mr F. Elliott. “One does not hear of things like that being done today.”

Beats Pilgrim Fathers,

“There are not many instances in this country, nor in any other country, of such an undertaking,” commented the county chairman, Mr J. A. S. Mac Kay. “Eight hundred settlers built their own ships and came out to establish themselves in the county in the early days.”

“It beats the Pilgrim F.athers,” remarked the county clerk, Mr H. C. Hemphill. It was stated that, in such a cele(bration as was proposed, the early day industries could be suitably portrayed, such as the timber ,and gum industries, the introduction of the refrigerator, transport, etc. Consideration was also given to the establishment of a suitable memorial for the county, and the sub-committee v unanimously supported a tree-pl,ant-I ing scheme. A recommendation along these lines, suggesting that beaches,

playgrounds, parks, etc., be planted . with trees as a memorial is also to i be conveyed to the Zone 5 committee. \ Tree-Planting Scheme. | / Beaches suggested as sites for tree- j planting were Waipu Cove, Lang’s i Beach, Ocean Beach, Patau,a, Ngun-1 guru, Matapouri and Whananaki. | Both the commemoration of his- • happenings and the establish-1 ment of a centennial memorial are to | carry a Government subsidy of £1 * for £3.