MOERAKI CENTENARY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23378, 18 December 1937, Page 4

MOERAKI CENTENARY

ARRANGEMENTS COMPLETED PROGRAMME OF EVENTS The arrangements have been completed for the celebration of the centenary of Moreaki on December 26, 27, and 28. It is proposed to present the celebrations on the very spot where the first settlers landed in 1836. This area of waste land adjoining the beach has been converted from a sightless waste of mounds and hollows into a flat parklike area named Centenary Park. Many months of unremitting toil have been spent on this work. At one end of the park the Moeraki Maoris have erected a model pa, illustrating the Maori village of 100 years ago. Here the Natives will demonstrate Native life as it was before the coming of the pakeha. The carvings on the meeting house are the-work of the local Maoris, who up to this time had absolutely no experience of any kind in this type of work. At the opposite end of the _ park there has been built a memorial to mark the passing of a century. Made entirely of Moeraki materials, a pedestal in the form of a cross carries a huge Moeraki boulder, one of the geological wonders of the world. This monument gives an effect of massive structure, unique in design and beautiful in its simplicity. Close by is the dais for the official opening function. The atering tents and the side-shows and games will occupy the space backing the ridge of the promontory. Sunday, December 26, at 3 p.m., is set aside for a massed divine service. This service will be conducted by the Bishop of Dunedin (the Rt. Rev. W. A. R. Fitchett), and associated with him will be the moderator of the Presbyterian Synod (the Rev. J. Douglas Smith) and the chairman of the Methodist Council (the Rev. C. H. Olds). The service will be in the open air at Centenary Park, and suitable anthems will be rendered by combined Oamaru choirs under the conductorship of Mr D. H. Thomson. The Oamaru Municipal Band will be in attendance. In the evening the Maoris will hold divine service. Music will be rendered by a choir of Maoris assisted by their own band. At the conclusion of the service traditional numbers will be presented. For the following day a comprehensive programme of interest to old and young alike is to be presented. Launch races from Dunedin and Oamaru will terminate at Moeraki. Point-to-point yacht and launch races are to be held, and there will be dinghy races of all descriptions, and novelty aquatic events of all kinds. The Otago Swimming Centre is to stage the swimming programme, and the foremost swimmers of Otago will be in attendance.

In the afternoon the official opening will take place. The official party will be welcomed with the traditional powhiri of the Maoris and will be escorted to the dais, from which the official speeches will be given. The memorial, with Its tablets Inscribed in Maori and English, will be unveiled by the Post-master-general (Mr F. Jones). Following the official function will be the pageant of the landing of the whalers. John Hughes and William Haberfield, with their little companv, will be seen pulling ashore in whaleboat, while on the beach the Maoris from the adjacent pa will watch these intruders who have appeared in their midst. The whalers will be courteously welcomed by the Maoris r.nd escorted to the pa. The next scene will show the whaling station in full swing six months after its foundation, and will depict the capture of a whale. The pageant completed, the aquatic carnival will be resumed, and the Oamaru Regimental Band will supply further music. The centenary banquet is to be held at 8 *p.m., and at the conclusion of this function a bonfire will be lighted symbolic of the mode of expression of festivity a century ago. Tuesday is the day set apart for the Maori celebrations. The model pa will be formally opened, and visitors to the centenary will be able to observe for themselves the ancient ■-ceremony and ritual of the Maori. Ancient cooking methods of the Maori will be demonstrated, sheep and bullocks being roasted in the Maori oven, and this savoury feast will be made available to all who wish to sample it. Mass displays of the Maori war dances, the. hakes,, poi dances, and all forms of Maori entertainment under the leadership of Mr Te Ari Pitama, will make this day memorable. In the evening the centenary ball will bring the celebrations to a close.