Borough of Patea Celebrates Fiftieth Birthday To-day

Taranaki Daily News, 13 October 1931, Page 9

Borough of Patea Celebrates Fiftieth Birthday To-day

■! Patea to-day celebrates the Golden Jubilee of its constitution as a Borough. A fiftieth birthI day is essentially a time for looking back and i taking stock of the progress achieved. For a few j days the people of Patea intend to do this, and at : the same time to honour their old-pioneers.

The story of the development of the town and port forms one of the most interesting pages in the eventful history of Taranaki. Although it is only fifty years old as a borough, the story of Patea dates back to the time of Turi, in the 14th century., Down through the centuries the legends of the Maori folk contain sketchy but recurring references to Patea. Then in the late ’so’s and early 60’s came the white settlers —attracted by the fertile soil and climate which to-day plays such an important part in the growing dairy industry of the district.

The history, of settlement is always interesting. From the first military base at the heads in the 60’s and the survey of Carlyle in 1870 the town progressed amazingly until a few years' after its constitution as a borough; then it flagged for some time, but gradually picked up. The in-i troduction of the refrigerator and the adoption of co-operative dairy factories finally stabilised its position as a sea-gateway for the rich lands of South Taranaki. I

To commemorate the . Golden, Jubilee of the’ town the News presents a history of Patea and all its activities—the town itself, its local bodies/ the churches, industries and people.

Progress Since .Historic Days of the Maori . War

t The following programme has been confirmed * by the Patea Borough Council for the conduct of the celebrations:— !■ . TO-DAY. I 1.30 p.m.—Council’s Jubilee Meeting. ! . 2 p.m.—Procession. ! 2.30 p.m.—Welcome to Visitors. • 3 p.m.—Maori Display. !. 7 p.m.—Jubilee Dinner. ( TO-MORROW. 10.30 a.m.—Reunion of old identities at Borj ough Chambers. 2 p.m.—Sports at Domain; Hockey Match by ! Hawera players, and Sports as arranged I by the Committee. j| . 8 p.m.—Jubilee Ball. | THURSDAY. . ’ ' • i 7 p.m.—Children’s Fancy-dress Ball. •! ' • FRIDAY. » 11 a.m.—Children’s Sports Meeting. !f . . - j SUNDAY. 2.30 p.m.—Civic Service and Band Recital at the Domain. 7 p.m.—Commemoration Services in all the Churches.