A FULL WEEK OF FESTIVITY

Southland Times, Issue 22992, 11 September 1936, Page 8

A FULL WEEK OF FESTIVITY

Riverton’s Centenary COLOURFUL PAGEANTRY PLANNED Riverton, the oldest settlement in New Zealand, now fully realizes the dignity of its years and is eager that its 100th birthday, which will be celebrated from January 9 to 16, 1937, will stand as a momentous occasion in the history of the Dominion. A definite programme for the jubilee celebrations will be drawn up at a special meeting of the Centenary Committee —which has been meeting regularly for a year—on September 21. But the fertile brains of Riverton’s leading citizens have been busy for many months past and the tentative programme which has been arranged holds promise of a full and enjoyable week for those who attend the jubilee celebrations. Rich Pageantry. Rich pageantry will dominate the opening of the festivities on Saturday, January 9. A procession of old timers and members of the younger generation will be followed by a representation of the landing of Captain Howells, the founder of Riverton. It is understood that a man well known in amateur operatic circles in Invercargill will take the part of Captain Howells. The official opening and a banquet will be held in the evening. Later King Carnival will reign at what is described as an “unofficial opening.” The town and its citizens will, of course, be in garb appropriate to the occasion, while sideshows and a gala on the recreation grounds will contribute further to the festive spirit. A regatta, a Maori carnival, children’s fancy dress parades, dances, galas, fancy dress parades, a special display of arts and crafts by H. and J. Smith, Ltd., fireworks displays and a sports carnival are among the various events listed on the tentative programme. The sports carnival, which will probably be held on Saturday, January 16, the final day, should be one of the biggest events on the comprehensive programme. This meeting is to be conducted by the Tuatapere Sports Society—a body which has the distinction of conducting one of the finest sports meetings in New Zealand. An effort is to be made to secure champion Australian athletes and bushcraftsmen to appear at the meeting, while, if a suggestion from the South Canterbury Caledonian Society, received at a meeting of the Centenary Committee last evening, is approved, two of the Commonwealth’s leading cyclists will also be competing. Race Meeting Desired. The committee has been endeavouring for some time past to arrange a one day’s race meeting as one of the principal items on the jubilee programme. Difficulty is being experienced, however, in securing a permit. No finality has yet been reached. When the Hon. P. C. Webb, Minister of Mines, was touring the Western District a few months ago, a deputation waited on him urging the advisability of a jubilee race day. The Minister explained that he was not qualified to give a ruling on the matter, but promised to bring it before the Minister concerned. The Hon. Adam Hamilton also promised his assistance. A recent letter from the secretary of the New Zealand Racing Conference stated that the conference regretted that the request of the Centenary Committee for a meeting could not be acceded to. There was only one reason for this: the 246 days of racing at which the totalisator could be used in one racing year had already been allocated for the current year. The only way to secure the extra day's racing desired would be by Act of Parliament. A covering letter from Mi- Hamilton stated: “It now only remains for us to impress on the Minister the necessity for granting another permit.” The Hon. W. E. Parry, Minister of Internal Affairs, also wrote stating that he regretted that he would have no authority to grant a totalistator permit for a meeting in excess of the statutory limit. It was agreed at the meeting at Riverton last evening that the matter be left in the hands of Mr Hamilton. No pains are being spared by the Riverton Centenary Committee to ensure the success of this week of festivity. Mr T. Borland, the chairman of the committee, has the enthusiastic support of a body of capable men, while, to make assurance of success doubly sure, the committee has Mr A. Sutherland as official organizer.

Arrangement For Celebration COMMITTEE MAKES GOOD PROGRESS On January 9, 1937, and until January 16, Riverton, the oldest settlement in New Zealand, will celebrate its centenary. For the past year a committee has .been active in Riverton making preparations for celebrations which will fittingly honour the township’s 100 years of existence. Meetings have been held every fortnight and all the necessary details fully discussed. Enthusiasm for the jubilee festivities runs high in Riverton. This enthusiasm was reflected in a meeting of the centenary committee held in Riverton last evening. Mr T. Borland, the chairman, presided over a good attendance of members. That the Riverton Centenary is not regarded as a purely local enterprise was evident from the correspondence received at the meeting. Former residents of Riverton wrote from all parts of the Dominion expressing great interest in the project, while impressive looking documents showed that members of Parliament, too, were showing active interest. Minister’s Interest. The Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon. ■W. E. Parry, advised that the Government was prepared to subsidize moneys raised by the committee to the extent of £1 for each £3 raised, with a limit of £l5O. The Minister’s letter continued: I have read with great interest the newspaper reports of the progress your committee is making with a view to having suitable celebrations. If at all possible I shall take the opportunity of visiting your district while the celebrations are being held. The enthusiasm of your committee and the residents of the district augurs well for their taking a prominent part in tire New Zealand centennial celebrations in 1940.” “The Riverton Centenary Committee has received suggestions from various quarters that it would be timely and fitting to have something in the form of a permanent memorial erected to the memory of Captain Howell, the founder of Riverton, and the one who opened up the whole of the Western District for settlement by emigrants from Home,” said Mr Borland. “The committee has followed out these suggestions and has selected a suitable site for such a memorial—on an elevated

rocky ridge in South Riverton, on the point which bears the founder’s name. The committee has also employed an Invercargill architect to make a drawing of a memorial best suited for such a purpose.” Proposal Approved. The cost would probably be in the vicinity of £lOO, Mr Borland added. If sufficient money were forthcoming, the work would be put in hand at once, and the unveiling would take place on the Sunday during the celebration week. After a brief discussion, in which speakers stressed the desirability of such a monument, it was decided that the project would be gone on with. The township and district would be canvassed and a subscription list opened. A letter was received from the South Canterbury Caledonian Society asking whether the committee would be prepared to sponsor the appearance of a team of Australian professional cyclists at the centenary jubilee athletic sports meeting. Previous Visit Successful. The letter stated:—“To create greater public interest in athletic sports at meetings which are held at New Year, this society has arrangements in hand for the importation of two first-class Australian cyclists to tour New Zealand, competing at meetings held from Christmas to January 20. Last year two cyclists were brought over and the venture proved successful. Public interest in athletic meetings was greatly stimulated and if a similar tour is arranged this year, this interest would be maintained. If eight or ten bodies could arrange meetings to suit these men it would not. prove very costly. The gate receipts would, moreover, be considerably increased. Our gate receipts last year showed an increase of £lO4 over those for 1934, and this was due solely to the extraordinary interest shown in the riding of the two Australians. At the present time it is not known who will make up the touring team, but you may rest assured that only men of firstclass ability will be invited.” It was decided that the matter be left in the hands of the Tuatapere Sports Committee, which was conducting the jubilee sports meetings. The offer of Mr William Gill, of Browns, to provide six bullocks to be represented in the jubilee pageant parade, was gratefully accepted. After an animated discussion it was decided that a special meeting should be held on Monday, September 21, when the chairman of sub-committees would report the dates and times arranged for the various events in the jubilee celebration programme. i