FIXING DATES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23113, 11 August 1938, Page 18

FIXING DATES

JANUARY TO OCTOBER USE OF SUMMER MONTHS IMPORTANCE OF WEATHER A tentative schedule of dates encompassing the periods over which the Auckland metropolitan area should celebrate the Centennial was submitted bv the Mayor to last night's meeting. He said that although dates of historical significance should, wherever possible, receive due consideration, the basic period must be governed by considerations of climate and vacation. The time of the year when the weather was reasonably settled and people were free to travel offered the most suitable period for the main celebration effort. It was important to select also those weeks during which special attention could be given to the requirements of school children, to the suitability of the season for gatherings of the Maori race, and to the relationship of pageantry effort to the whole. The choice :was obviously January and February, 1940. Holiday Period "In my opinion," said the Mayor, "the objectives should l be: — "(A) Concentration on the period between* Sunday, January 7, and Thursday, February 15, in the presentation of a compact programme of practically continuous celebration, including the initial fortnight, after the official opening, which I consider should be thanksgiving in character, for the summer, series of the New Zealand Centennial Games, and covering our principal pagqantry events, street processions, special school children's demonstrations, historical re-enact-ments, harbour "displays, gatherings of the Maori race, and, if possible, dedication or -unveiling of the _ great national memorial to the Maori race, -proposed to be erected on the summit of One Tree Hill. Balance ol Year "(B) Identification of the period, intervening to August by the "dedication of: —(1) One week each in March and April for commemorative festivals or events; (2) a in May for the presentation of suitable indoor pageants and other events; (3) one week each in June and July for commemorative (4) a fortnight in August for the' winter series of the New Zealand Centennial Games; (5) one week in September for commemorative festivals or events; (6) one week in October (from the 13th to {he 20th) for a series of commemorative festivals and events, yet to be defined, to mark thd 100 th anniversary of the founding, of the City of Auckland, the celebrations for the year to conclude with a united open-air thanksgiving service, The dates proposed for the projected big game fishing world championship are from December 20, 1939, to April 20, 1940." Possible Royal Visit Sir Ernest added that the primary object in providing, after the main presentations, for regular celebrations in each month was to keep alive the centennial spirit until August, for the winter series of games, and until October, for the city's anniversary celebrations,v were reached. Commemoration of the 100 th birthday of the foundation of the city appealed to him as an appropriate climax to the Centennial. ' Tho reservation of a fortnight in May, he thought, would facilitate the successful production of indoor pageants and other events presented on spectacular lines. Moreover, the visit of Royalty to the Dominion during 19-10 was a possibility to he considered, and it was advisable to anticipate such an event by planning the programme accordingly. Tho Mayor therefore recommended that application he made forthwith to tho provincial executive for submission of the dates outlined to the National Committee for approval. Tho recommendations were adopted. WHAKATANE PARK COUNTY CONTRIBUTES £250 [by telegraph—OWN correspondent] WHAKATANE, Wednesday The proposal to establish a centennial park at Whakatane Heads was advanced a further stage at a meeting ot' the Whakatane Borough Council by tho receipt of a letter from tho Whakatane County Council agreeing to contribute £250 toward the cost, and recommending the council to apply to tho Government for a grant. The cost of building the harbour walls and levelling tho ground is estimated at £IOOO. Tha borough offered £6OO as its contribution. The matter was referred to the centennial committee for further consideration.