THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY DAY.

Colonist, Volume LVIII, Issue 14528, 4 October 1917, Page 3

THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY DAY.

The first' of February, 1843, being the Anniversary Day of the foundation of the Settlement, was celebrated with much feasting and amusements'of various kinds. Ali classes seemed determined to put their animosities aside for this day, and to forget their hardships a-s'well as they could. The Committee to carry out the arrangements |ware —Messrs Wakeiield, Thompson, 'Richardson, McDonald, Scianders, Poynter, Empsori, Leighton, Oautley, Greaves, Fell, Mills, Metfariane, Hoare, Ross, King. Dillon, Dappo, Tytler, HJng-: land, Monro, Young, Otterson, Wallace,; Howard, and Macbhanc. Mr W. M.i Stanton acted as secretary. j At tho "Fair," as it was called, the' programme for the day consisted of guns linn<» i'rom Britannia Heights and the Church Hill,.at 8 o'clock $v.m. He-, gatca at 9 o'clock, under the auspices of Mr James Howard, JMr Pilot Cross, Asst. Pilot C!aringbold ami "Uosen" Wilson, including whale boats, sailing boats, and Maori canoes. .Races at 11 o'clock —tho course being from Trafalgar street, round the Church Hill by the east and south to the Waimea Road. The horses were Captain Wakefield's "Slyboots," rideen by Mr Thompson; "Hairtrigger," ridden by his owner, Mr Duppa; Mr Weightman's "Lottery," ridden by Mr Thorre; and Mr Tinline's "Car.nonball," ridden by Mr Rutter. "Hairtrigger" was the winner. At one o'clock tho sports commenced —vaulting, catching the soaptailed pig, climbing the greasy pole, running, wheelbarrow and sack races, and the piece do resistance, the war dance of the Maoris in great force.

Refreshments ad libitum during the whole of the day, were finished "by a monster free, tea-at five o'clock on the grounds, which had been specially levelled and '-oiled for the occasion, aiterwards known as "The.Green," and fronting Hardy and Collingwcod streets, near Selwyn Place.

At night there was a dance on the Green, which was brightly illuminated with variegated, colcuied, and other lamps, and surrounded by refreshment tents and lounges. The mirth was kept up to a late hour. The orchestra was composed of Messrs Purnell (violin), Miles- (clarionet), Smith (cornopean) and Parker (trombone).

It was the first and last anniversary some of these, the earliest Nelson settlers, were to see. Within a few month? the awful tragedy of the Waira.u had closed their earthly careers.