The Northern Advocate Daily “NORTHLAND FIRST” SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1939. Organising the Centennial

Northern Advocate, 18 February 1939, Page 6

The Northern Advocate Daily “NORTHLAND FIRST”

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1939. Organising the Centennial

Registered for transmission through the post as a Newspaper

r-pHR recent meeting of Northland Centennial organisers with I the Kaitaia Dairy Company to discuss, at the company’s invitation, the possibility of a voluntary contribution of a penny in the £ sterling (not per pound of butterfat) on the butterfat cheques, as a gift to the Northland Centennial Fund, struck a happy note, and provided a good augury for a concerted effort which bids fair to make Northland’s effort what the organisers hope it will be —the best in New Zealand. It was also a demon-, stration of the enthusiasm and unity of purpose throughout the North; and a striking advertisement for the charm and resources of Northland, and for the enterprise of its people. The Kaitaia Dairy Company, having heard an outline of the proposals, decided to circularise its suppliers, inviting them to sign a form authorising the deduction. All this arose from a spontaneous impulse on the part of Kaitaia’s dairying community, and speaks well for the prospective success of Northland’s Centennial effort. ' In other directions, too. the work has been going forward. In every district the spark has been kindled, and is growing into a vigorous flame. The Bay of Islands community has shown inspiring eagerness to take a very active part in Centennial celebrations, and the tentative programme, including a pageant of history, outlined by Mr H. K. Hatriek, is worthy of the great part the Bay of Islands'has played in New Zealand’s history. It has now' been suggested that the date of the proposed historical pageant at the Waimate Showgrounds, originally to have been held on January 29 next year, shall be brought nearer to the date of the official ceremonies at Waitangi on February 6. This means that visitors will be able to see both ceremonies, and the occasion would gain correspondingly in interest and importance. The interval of two days between the ceremonies would allow visitors to make a comprehensive tour of the Far North. This is a matter which the Transport Committee might well give consideration, for it may be taken for granted that if the opportunity to make a sightseeing trip in addition to attending the celebrations were widely known, the number of visitors would be greatly increased.