Northland Centennial Ground-Work Nearing Completion

Northern Advocate, 14 January 1939, Page 4

Northland Centennial Ground-Work Nearing Completion

WITH THE HOLIDAY PERIOD OVER, MORE ENTHUSIASM IS BEING f SHOWN IN NORTHLAND REGARDING THE ORGANISING AND ESTABLISHING OF THE NORTHLAND COURT AT THE CENTENNIAL EXHIBITION IN WELLINGTON.

So far the work has been confined to an enthusiastic few, who have gone to considerable expense to carry out the necessary groundwork in order that the various committees and organisations could commence activities as an integral part of a smooth runping machine.

This has now been nearly completed and, so far as Zone A is concerned the various committees should be ready to carry out their respective duties after their next meetings early in February.

One of the most effective means ofi

creating interest in the exhibition generally and Northland’s share in particular, has been the showing at all theatres in the territory, of the Northland film. Presentation of Film.

work of public benefit approved by the executive council. To lift this sum it will be necessary to raise £IB,OOO from an area of nearly 4,000,000 acres with a population of over 70,000.

Although the attendances at the screenings and the meetings which were held in conjunction with it were rather disappointing in view of the extreme importance of the subject to Northland, nevertheless the effect has been to give to the people full information regarding the Centennial Exhibition and celebrations and the object for which it has been organised. To Stimulate Enthusiasm. The film is being shown merely to stimulate enthusiasm in the project and to show the wonderful material for the making of a first-class film to be obtained in Northland. One man with one camera on holiday could obviously not make ,a comprehensive survey of the whole of Northland’s scenic beauty and industry, but what has been done illustrates clearly and beautifully the wealth of photographic material at the disposal of the photographers and directors for the making of the big picture which will be shown at the Exhibition and then sent overseas. Of the 16 or 17 sub-committees which have been appointed in the various sub-zones, four should actively be engaged in the immediate future. A year is none too long in which to accomplish all the work on hand in order that Northland’s exhibit will < .1 • • ■ be an outstanding success,. - The most important of the committees is that of finance. The first part of its job is to raise the initial £5126, half of which has already been voted by the local bodies. Of this sum £3OOO will be for the establishment of the Northland Court, £IOOO for the film, and £IOOO for other purposes connected with celebrations in Zone A. r Money Needed. In addition to this, Northland, on a population basis, is entitled to £6OOO as Government subsidy on a one-for-three basis for the purpose of erecting nlemorials or carrying out any other

The nqxt work of importance in view of its urgency is that of the Film Committee, whose work is to collect data and forward suggestions for incorporating in the film anything of scenic, historic or industrial and agricultural interest. It is very important that this should be done at the earliest moment as the film must be made during the summer months. The assistance of all people outside the committees is invited and all suggestions should be forwarded through the various subzone executive committees in their* respective areas. Other Committees.

Of equal importance and urgency is the work of the Court ,and Historical Committees.

The former is to see that all the exhibits at the court will be of the very best that Northland can produce and will illustrate effectively every phase of life, industry and beauty in Northland. The duty of the Historical Committee, probably the most arduous and painstaking of all, is to obtain and compile material for Northland’s history. Here again the assistance is requested of any one who has in his possession records, photographs or anything of historic interests. Any material or records forwarded to the committee will be carefully safeguarded and returned to the owner. With the co-operation of everyone the success of the objects of the whole Centenary organisation is assured and Northland’s reward will be the settling of its unpeopled spaces which is so urgently required to ensure the continued progress, its opportunities and prospects merit.