CHATHAM ISLANDS

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1523, 28 February 1901, Page 64

CHATHAM ISLANDS

PROPOSED ANNUAL SIIOUTh Mr R. Stone Florance, S.M., Administrator for the Government in the Chatham Islands, has addressed the following communication to the- residents of the group : “To the People of Chatham, —It is now over two years .since I came here as Administrator for the Government, and during the whole of that time I have been treated with the utmost courtesy. and received much kindly support in the performance of my varied duties. I see around me signs of progress and undoubted prosperity on the whole, aridstrife and discord are unknown to me. If our little Government is to be considered patriarchal, you will not, I feel sure, think it unbecoming of me or deem this great occasion an inopportune one to address a few words to you collectively in order that you may- know what I think. One hundred and nine years ago, come the 29tli of this montn, these fair lands were discovered and annexed to Great Britain. Ere another month has passed away the sweat -wave of time will have launched all Christendom into another century. The stancs on the threshold of the great unseen. What has the future in store for us ? What are our needs? "With the light of the past to guide u»s and lead us to better things we ought to be able to do more than guess at the answer to these questions, for it must be remembered that cur future is largely what we choose to make it. “ God helps those who help themselves.’ Sustained by tire blessing and chastened by the sorrows of the past, let us climb to higher duties and greater advancement, morally, socially and commercially, embracing every occasion to encourage and roster industry ancl sobriety 7, and all that rebels to buildup a great nation. But what we must have to succeed is zealous and persevering unanimity. All our good fellowship and friendship is but the basis of the superstructure which united effort alone can erect. I trust, therefore, that ere another year has gone we shall have obtained local government—that power which being properly constituted speaks the voice of the people as one mind, and have through it pushed on our much needed public works; that the natives will have control over their own lands, subject, of course, to proper restrictions to preclude fraud, oppression and pauperisation ; that we shall have done everything possible to increase our productive power .so as to demand better shipping accommodation, and prove ourselves a valuable adjunct of the great colony to which we belong. But you will saj- all this means work, let us have some play. I am with you there It was part of my purpose in writing you to ask how 3*ou intend to celebrate this most momentous occasion. In addition to your usual sports and pastimes, I propose that you should inaugurate an annual horticultural and industrial show which will be an incentive to increased effort, and by creating a spirit of rivalry amongst us will improve the commercial value of your products. Will you help me. In conclusion, I wish you all the joys of the season, and desire to subscribe myself, your friend truly, R. Stone Florance.” This circular was accompanied by a programme of an industrial, agricultural and horticultural show which it was proposed should be held in the Waitangi Hall on the 9th March.