JUBILEE OF SOUTH CANTERBURY.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13804, 15 January 1909, Page 6

JUBILEE OF SOUTH CANTERBURY.

■ The tone of yesterday's Jubilee celebrations was typical of the founding and the growth of settlement in South Canterbury; and it needs no prolonged blast .of the. trumpet of praise to sustain the part Timaru, as its capital, played on a day that will be long retiiembered by the aged man or woman who serenely waits the call of the Heavenly Father, and the boy or girl who with open-eyed wonder took mental note of symbols of the progress of our beloved town in fifty years. The weather, too, was typical of the land we live in; the sun rose behind a canopy of clouds, light rain in the early hours laid the dust f — midsummer i n all its glorv prevailed at mid-day when the "march of progress " was in full swing. To those who gave our nation builders a passing thought, Richard John seddon.'s. respectful and glorious phrase " God's Own Country," fitted exactly the conditions under which the thousands of people, from the babe in arms to the snowy-haired matron of three score, years and ten, looked out upon a scene sacred now to the memories of all, and typical of a day of full rejoicing.

To the one intent on conveying the impressions of the day, it was of interest to hear the question from point to., point, . " Our Jubilee! "What does •jubilee' mean?" To the searcher after truth, it means much, to the race, to the nation, to the people, .n mass and individual. Search the Scriptures! Jubilee, "the Sound of the Trumpet" comes to us with the Bible. Among the early Christians a Jubilee every century was instituted oy Pope Boniface VIII. in the year idOU. It was ordered to be celebrated every fifty years by Pope Clement VI.; and by Urban-VI. every thirty years; and by Sistus V. every twenty-fifth year. I'ifty years . are, however, the span "of the modern Jubilee, and for this, period we can point to a most ancient precedent, 141)1 8.C., when the Jews were commanded to celebrate a Jubilee "every - fifty years." Our readers would "do well to read the Old Testament, for verses 8, 9, 10 of Leviticus, chap. - xxv., give the word of the Lord to Moses on Mount Sinai: — . " Then shalt thou cause the

trumpet of the Jubilee to sound. i . . And .ye shall hallow the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto. all the inhabitants thereof. It shall be a Jubilee unto you. . . And ye shall return every man unto

his family." Thus, following the Scriptural direc•tion, the people of South Canterbury proclaimed the fullest liberty yesterday, and rtturn to the families, buoyant in spirit, determined to uphold the traditions of an age that is now turning" the year on to the century. Truly it was a day of triumph, approached in a spirit typical of the calm determination of the little bands of pilgrims that in the year 1859 left Great. Britain for the land under the Southern Cross; and, just as calmly, pitched their-tent on a land of tussock and fern. There were some who thought . the thousands of onlookers took their pleasures too sadly yesterday; As a matter of fact, there was no occasion during the splendid procession when applause was loud and prolonged; but, on the other hand, tnere ■were numerous intervals when the masses showed that their admiration was unbounded; and, as for interest, lines were written deep on every face of the great pleasure the incidents, ol the day provided for old and young. Timaru was astir early, and its people dressed in gala attire mustered at every corner, on every vantage ground. Their numbers were added to by rail and- road. People from the alpine country at Fairlie were, cheek by jowl with those from the flats of "Y» ashdyke; Waihao and its rolling downs sent in contingents to foregather with thoso from the once dreary plain 3 of Ashburton; the gorges of volcanrent Pareora sent their representatives to grasp hands with the dark and white races of river-washed Temuka, and the people on the sea front, at-Timaru, embraced all their country cousins with a warmth of manner that only he or she who lives in a land of liberty can thoroughly appreciate. For the success of the day, the inhabitants of this land must be divided. On the one"' side were those to whom the jubilee meant much; it recalled thoughts too full for words; then came those who made up the animated pictures, typical of what had been done in the half century; then, again, the men who are making history, in the cabinet of the nation, at the council table, in the factory, in the market place, in the hours of pleasure and' recreation. The procession, as it was called, was indeed typical. ' It was not, perhaps, on such a large scale as that at Queen Victoria's jubilee, of revered aud blessed memory ; or at tho "Declaration of Peace," but it was worthy of the enthusiastic promoters. There were incidents in it that recalled sad but glorious chapters in the history ol South Canterbury. The wreck monument had lovely wreaths laid upon it by Lady Ward, as a reminder of men who so loved their brothers that they laid down their lives for them on a day when sea and sky and land were shadowed in grey; and the troopers' memorial wreathed by the Mayoress, Mrs James C'raigie, reminded the sailor and soldier of the day as they gazed with fearless eye, of the comrades whose graves are on the lonely veldt, and who fell amid the crash of arms in defence of the great nation whose sons and daughters evolved from the wilderness the now fruitful fields and smiling homesteads. Coupled with these links of a strenuous past were incidents of the peaceful times we live in. The displays mainly went to show that the descendants •of the nation of shopkeepers are still in the majority. The trade turn-outs were all distinctly good, and enthusiasm burst bounds when the lifeboat Alexandra glided by, aud Mr H. B. Kirk's grand team of twelve horses and" lorry of exhibits trundled proudly along. Then, again, we had the evolution in locomotion. Mr Merry's bullock team was f[uitc a centre of attraction, tho whole outfit being made 'complete with its load of Maoris —a happy combination in which all who wereactively included took the greatest- pride. This team was typical of travelling in the early days, and From it the eye roamed iTcr all sorts of vehicles until it rested i n the modern carriages—the motor ear.-. The old people were delighted with their ride in them, and thoroughly ni'pree'ated the kindness of the owners. ' r lie whole route of the procession was lined with people: and dense masses marked the starting point, Melville Hill, Empire, Gabites' and Shepherd's corners, while the crush at the drill

|A SUCCESSFUL CELEBRATION.

HONORING THE PIONEERS.

shed must have been the greatest on record. The traffic was admirably controlled, by the military under Colonel Bailey and the police under Sergeant Bowman.

We have now, from the public point of view, outlined the active elements; to make the sketch complete, reference must be made to the passive aspects of the celebration. These included a most profuse show of flags on private dwellings, and in public places. There was a good deal of bunting flying in strings across the streets, but no very general decoration of the kind. The prettiest arrangement of flags was that on the fronf of the Bank of New Zealand, a quite artistic arrangement of flags. A prominent solitary flag was a white ensign flown from the balustrade of St. Mary's tower. The shopowners, mindful of a suggestion that had been made, left the shutters down, and well-dressed windows reflected the merry throng of holiday makers. On the water front, the scene was typical of old and new eras. The wharves were all engaged, and lying snugly at them was the old time, sailer, recalling the open roadstead and surf boat days; the coastal steamer that for a quarter of a century linked up the ports north and south of Timaru; the modern ocean liner, the latest gem of marine architect's skill, and, last but greatest of all, a representative ship of war, an embodiment of the watchdog of the highways and byeways of our people, and their commerce, on the high seas. The shipping made a gay show of bunting, the steamers, dredge, and even the coal hulk being dressed from bow io taffrail; while the American barquentine flew the Stars and Stripes and a vast and quaint house flog. The harbour, in fact, had the best display of the day; it was no allegorical group, it was an active, well-equipped, example of the great strides that the port of Timaru had made in fifty years. It was fitting, too, that when the rejoicings in the town were at an end, the thousands of participants should spend a leisure hour on the sands of Caroline Bay, sands that show the mark of the time wlien the pioneers hucl the first block of concrete on the fringe of the Pacific Ocean, to the present day when the waves sport and swirl round the rocks of a completed work, Caroline Bay in the old days was most renowned as a place for sad groups to watch a gallant ship drifting desperately to its doom; now it is the happiest hunting ground for he or she on life's pleasure bent. And so as the evening closes-in, the crowds meet to witness the brilliant display of transient fire, the night wears on, and the people return to their homes, minds at peace with all the world, bodies tho better for their day of well-earned rest —rthe trumpet sound dies in the distance; and "All is Well" along that good to live in country, called "South Canterburv." THE PROCESSION.

"Very good."— "Very line, indeed." * •• Very well arranged." "A capital show." "I am quite surprised." " lteally first class." " 1 never expected to see anything like it." ——" Wonderful, being got up in such a hurry."——"lt's splendid.'

"Bravo!" These were some of the remarks overheard among the onlookers as the Procession became well developed in its march past them. "And the length of it! The leading cars back to the Drill Shed when the tail turned Shepherd's Corner!" (The "length of it" was .North Street to the .Dett, \Y est Jbelt, Queen totreet, to the Hospital and High Street to the Shed.) Of a truth the Procession was a great success, thanks to fine weather and the efforts of certain sections of the community to make it a success.

The marshals of the Procession, with Col. Bailey at their head, had their work cut out, but they dealt with docile material and ready obedience to directions facilitated their work immensely. Their first care was providing seats in veiiicles cars, drags, buggies, etc. for the old identities, the guests of the committee. Pride of place was given to the latest in vehicles, the motor cars, and to the oldest of the old identities.

In the first ear rode Messrs Joseph 11. Dean, Woodbury, 1851, F. W. Stubbs and John Dean, Geraldine, IS5'2, and Mrs Goldsmith, Waimate, 'o'J, and Mrs Stubbs '64, filled up the car. Mr J. H. Dean came by sea to Timaru under engagement to Mr lihodes as shepherd. When he landed there was only a small Maori hut oil the beach, which Mr Khodes had bought for a few blankets, and in this Mr Dean slept, crawling into it on hands and knees. Sir Stubbs came down the following year and Mr John Dean also, a few months later. The vessel that brought J. H. Dean down took away Mr Rhodes' first clip of wool. There were sixteen or seventeen cars in all, carrying pioneers and filled up with other old identities. Then came four four-in-hands, labelled for the four ships Strathallan, Ecliunga, Lancashire Witch, and Victory, fully loaded with passengers by those vessels, and surpluses were carried in one of the big motor busses and other vehicles.

Following these came a representation of tho old days in a bush wagon and team of eight bullocks supplied by Mr .J. Merry, Hook. The wagon was fitted out by Maoris to represent a hit or rough flax land, and eneonscd within it was a party of Maoris in their mat dresses. On the front of the wagon was fixed an old plough that had been used fifty years ago, short in share and mould board, and short in wooden beam and stilts. This turn-out waited for a long time beside St. Mary's Church, and it was noticeable that far more attention was paid to the bullock team than to the picturesque Maoris. Fathers and mothers lifted up their children to sec " What they used to have instead of horses." Old and new were contrasted in the string of motor ears and coaches, and this old time bullock team. The latter were a docile lot, and gave no trouble, less trouble indeed than the motor bus. which "stuck" on going up Ballautyne's rise, and great amusement was caused by the bullock team passing it. N'ext came the carriages couveving the Mayor and Lady Ward, Sir Joseph Ward and Mrs Craigie, the "Mayor of Temuka. and Mr P. A. Chisholni, ( x-banker, and drags with the Timaru Borough Council and the Harbour Board. The Garrison Band (2'2) under Drum-Major lOb-tin, and playing, their new instruments, were followed bv a party of about 50 from H.M.S. Pioneer, in blue, bearing /utlasscs and followed by a couple of ainbulane stretchers. Then came f=ve-and-thirty of the S.C. I'eserve Corps, mounted, under Captain Gabites. making a very good show, and the C'itv and Timaru

Rifles, and Port Guards, 80 all told, under the Staff Officers. The harbour of the early days was next represented by the lifeboat Alexandra (arrived 'G-l) drawn on its truck by five horses and " manned " by old waterside men with the narbour master, Captain Glarkson, in command. An old banner with large picture oi the unfinished break water followed the boat, and behind this came a vehicle bearing large diagrams, giving .it a glance an idea of the growth Ihc t'-ade of the. pert; and following thir, a representation of: the " bigg'-.'dt stone" brought down from the qu-uw for the Eastern mole, and filling up the big lorry used were blacksmiths with fo7ge and anvil, making big things used in the quarry. Old days v tr<; again recalled y a. vehicle. bearing the Rocket Brign le's gear,_ with i in the firing stand. 1.0.0.b. banner and about tive-and-twenly im-isi-bers of the Order Mlowed, and then came the first of the trade dispiavv, Sharpe Bros.' -.v-Ufm and cart, pa..y decorated. The '.lim.irtt A!:.i ine Jo i.'d came next, followed bv one of the best shows, that of the Fire Brigade, with the old horsed engine, two reels, and the new hose carriage all very prettily decorated with flowers and greenery, and one of the. carriages bore a miniature fire tower, with ladders and doll firemen; with practicable hose too, spirting water quite realistically for instants at a tune. Some of the more striking trophies won by the Brigade were used for decorative pur poses. On the old manual rode " ex members," and among these were the founder, T. Wheeler, and another first member, T. Baker. 'I lie Hibernian Society with banner came next; and then the " Tiinaru Herald" display, led by a waJkiug advertisement.* The vehicle bore the identical Albion Press L>v which the first mini her of the' "Timaru Herald'' wys printed, and beside it stood its. first foreman printer, Mr Frederick Osborn, too stiff now to pull the lever as the vehicle moved on. Beside him \vas the veteran member of the staff, the present foreman, Mr I'. Campbell, who boy and man, has been 32 years on the staff- of the ••Herald." There was a compositor at case, and oldest printer ■ looked on while youngest "devil" wielded the inking roller. The publisher " distributed an amusing poem about Timaru's beginnings, written by " J.T.M." in 1863. Then came a long string of butchers' carts, representing all or nearly all in the trade, variously decorated, and making a very good show. Mr J. Murdoch's shop had a striking show next, in a vehicle built up with all sorts of line joinery and turnery work, decorated with ring lets of shavings. Ballantyne's sent a small turn-out, and then came tne 1.0.1-. F., M.U., with banner, and about a score of members following. The bakers came next, a long procession themselves; -Mr J. alone had seven carts. Apparently all the bakers were represented, and their carts were profusely decorated. One oi them, Mr . Hawkey had a baker at work making bread. Next came a thing that puzzled a great many, Messrs W. Shepherd and John Hughes, dragging a barrell as a roller, with bucket hung on the handle. This represented the way early Timaruvians "carted" water from the pools or the wells to their homes. The " handle of the affair was one used for that very purpose, and preserved by being puti to other uses since. There was an anachronism about it in that a galvanised iron bucket was used insteau ut a wooden or tin one. Next the Druids made a striking show with a chain pkm oil horseback in blue, iollowed by a

lorry bearing a party of grey beards m white. J- Jackson and Co. were next represented by a timber cart in- which, surrounded by liianiika scrub.- a cir-"i-ular saw was "seen in motion as if sowing up a beam of. timber stretching fore and aft. Mr G. Watts sent a- well decorated vehicle next, and the A.O.F. 'Jtiveuile . and Adult Lodges, about five. and twenty members, came jiext with banners. . The • S.C. Pipe ■Band supplied music to this part of the profession. -The Rowing Club was . nicely represented bra vehicle bearing a pair-oar with crew, on a' painted wave. Then came the •■Timaru Post," with operators at work. The Cbriatehuri-h Meat Company coming next attracted all eyes by a capital show of Smithfield and Islington products in meats, carcases in hags, slieepsheads for decoration, and a huge fat pig looking out over the horses evoked screams of delight from the youngsters. A second vehicle was tricked out withrolls of bacon and other solids, mats and bales of wool. A good deal of trouble had been taken with this turnout. The Salvation Army Baud aiid banner came next; and then a cart For "Bowie's teas," with tea nfixing and coffee and sugar grinders, at work, and a second cart§represented the dairy goods branch of Bowie's. Singer's sewing machines, a vehicle with a woman at work on one within a neat sum mer house, made a nice show. Then came one of the best- —many . thought it - the greatest show, representing Mr H. B. Kirk's .brick and tile works. A team of twelve big draught horses in pairs, well decorated, each pair with postillion in red shirt, drew a big lorry on which was built up quite an ex liibition arrangement of pipes, chimney tops, etc.. set out with greenery, a big and excellent show. The next vehicle, from the AA'estland Timber Company's yard carried a joiner at work within walls .made up of fine framed wood work at" the sides and a framed aiid glazed window at;the back'. P. W. Hntton apd Co. sent a book binder's workshop and bookseller's shop on wheels, a good show; and then Priest and Holdgate were represented. by a V liut in galvanised iron, thfe 'most re markahte thing about- which was the way the big sheets of bright metal reflected the heat of the sun. upon the people whom the lorry passed close ov. The Dairy Company sent a nice dis play, and then followed a comic turnout, an old white mare in trapes and a white donkey in. the shafts of a very old fashioned gig. This was supposed to represent the turn-out that Mr Poyndestre used to drive into Timaru. The Council's' show closed the procession, and an excellent show it was. The street, waterworks and park staffs had planned and executed well, and provided a most varied and interesting collection, and . instructive too, if people had had time to study it. • The old water cart and the new one, and one' or two of the drays, were fixed up with rough native vegetation to re present bush. Then came the Council's traction engine drawing three wool lorries. Two of them represented water supply, the first a patch of ground covered with tussock, irishman, cabbage trees and scrub, in. the middle a well windlass, and a man winding a bucket and pretending to fill a barrel with water. {The windlass was an old limer borrowed from the Hathaway's we}l, Sandietown.) On the second lorry, was a contrast-: a well4>uilV "P ' display of the numerous kin/Is of pipes, valves, junctions, £re plugs, a section of iron flaming, etc., used in connection with "the Pareora water supply, ending with domestic taps and fire hose and nozzle a very very -good display indeed. Last of all came the park lorry, with a-contrast too. The forward half ot it represented a patch of rough ilaturiil country, of tussock, etc., with a. small thatched sod hut in the middle ot it. The hinder half represented the change to civilisation,- a good sized model-Ot the park cottage; with flower gardens, lawns, and gravelled paths in front, a verv nice arrangement indeed The procession was marshaled at tne TKisi office, moved along Sophia, HewSries/Stafford.and North streets, A\ est Belt Queen and High street, started with a fair approach to punctuality, the Council s display £ under wav five minutes past noon, and it rounded Shepherd's .corner, the first cars reached the Drill Shed at I2 S?on'?ftet starting, a P ar J"J was made to allow Lady Ward to .lay a " beautiful wreath upon the W reck Monument. And at the close, - Craigie Dlaeed a wreath on the pedestal of the Fallen Troppers'. Memorial. The' latter ceremony had been arranged for and the volunteers -were arawn up about- the triangle on which the memorial stands; the Reserve Corps on" one side, the Infantry on the other two. The Mayor made a few ' appropriate remark about the duty ot remembering in the midst of rejoicing, the bravery of South Canterbury s sons who had lost their lives in the service of their Queen and Empire. "While the sightseers were given something worth assembling to see, many rceupants of the cars were also given an unusual experience, in the sight- ot the crowd of people in the streets. There was a very good ot hu jnariitrv on the spaces about the post office ~to witness the start ot the pro cession, and looking back from the rise at 'Chfllmers Church the crowd pre seiited a very fine sight indeed. Soms of the elder people who had not been to Timaru on a fete day for many vears, were much" impressed by a- * When the procession had got untler way the -crowd hurried to Stafford street, and spreading all along_ tlustreet from Melville Hill to street, r thev made .another good show for the old folks to see. Lpper windows. balconies, and stout verandahs were'well tenanted by spectators, some of whom were pleased enough to apnlaud and cheer the displays as they nassed, and the Pioneer s detachment came in for a good share ot such marks of appreciation. One of the o licer of the detachment remarked that 11!»« -was quite an eye-opener toi them, m the wav of processions. They Iyd ex pected- something good, but thing far surpassed their expectations. It was so well got up that anyone tng to pick out one as better than the rest, would have set. hiniM.l . • task The ' Borough Council s w .iter supply disp'av, he thought deserved spfeoial mention, and the bullock Hag gon was unique, but for the rest only a mixed recollection f. ™ ot °, s and decorated l»rses and vehicles sedate old people and happy young ones. d AN ACCIDENT- . \n accident happened in front o the "Herald" Office just betore 1L o'clock,, when the people were beginning to gather in large numbers. A four-in-hand drag belonging to Mr 1Gunnion, of Temnka, was standing quietly just opposite the tront door of the office of this paper, when suddenly a white motor car eame along and pulled up just in front of the dras This frightened the leading horses and swerving round suddenly thev quickly made a mess of things. The driver stuck to them, however, and men on the street collared them bv the 1 head so that they r-ould not "bolt but they tangled their harness up 'and rushed on to the footpath by the Sophia, Street Hall. The pole of the drag smashed into the brick wall of the building, and an old identity from Teniuka, Mr Hub/ind, who is a partial cripple, just managing to scramble out of the way in time to save himself from being pin- . jied to the wall by the pole of the

drag. He was knocked down by the horses but was quickly picked up. He fortunately escaped without anytliing worse than a severe shaking. There were several men sitting on the front seat with the driver at the time, ami there, were some ladies inside. One of the latter jumped out when the horses started to play up, and fell on her back on the road. The others, who kept their seats, were unharmed.

THE PIONEERS AT DINNER. It was indeed a pleasing sight which met the eye in the Drill Hall just alter the procession had ended, when the. pioneers were entertained at luncheon. Old people bent with hard work -and the' weight of years men and women —as well as others, who though they had seen many years of service were still lithe of limb and quick with ear and eye, all mingled fraternally together, chatting pleasantly over past and present as though all were members, of one common family, bound' by common ties of brotherhood.' No discordant note was struck and all was harmony iis the sons and daughters of the pioneers flitted hither and thither waiting upon their forbears at the dinner tables, the one rejoicing to give, and the other grateful to receive. The catering was entrusted to Mr Biidd, and an appetising luncheon was provided, an army of volunteer waitresses (young women of the district) assisting the veteran caterer. The . tables were all artistically adorned with flowers and foli,iige, separate tables being provided for arrivals by the different early ships, and other tables for those who arrived before, and later. These tables ran in parallel rows east and west, while at another very long table, running north and south, sat the Mayor (Mr James Craisxie) at his right hand beinb the Prime Minister and Lady Ward, Captain Millar of H.M.S. Pioneer, and other guests. Among . the latter were: Mrs Craisrie (Mayoress), Mrs _ G. E. Rhodes,-Mrs Stubbs, Miss Ward, Colonel. C. S". Bailey, Veil. Archdeacon Harper, Revs. A. E. Hunt, W. Baumber, the Mayor of Christchurcli (Mr AV. Allison), Mr Davies (Mayor of Ashburton), Mr N. Francis (Mayor of AVaimate), Mr J. Maling (Mayor of Geraldine), Mr T. Buxton M.P., (Mayor of Temuka), Hon. J. Anstey, Sir \V. J. Steward, Mr j. AY. "White,. Crown solicitor, Mr Hawley, Collet-tor of Customs, Mr Capper, Chief Postmaster, Mr Graham, stationmaster, Mr C. N., Orbell (chairman of the Levels County Council), Mr R. H. Rhodes (chairman, of the Waimate County Council), Mr J. Jackson, < hairman of the S.C. Board of Educ itio.i, Mr A. E. G. Rhodes, Mr James Blyth, Mr Duke, secretary to the Otago Early Settlers' Association, the chairman of the Mackenzie County County Council and of the S.C. Hospital Board (Mr F. R. Gillingha.il), • the ciwirine i of the Geraldine County Council, of the Temuka Road Board, and of the Geraldine Road i.'oard, M r (- Jv Rhodes, Mr A. H. Turnbull, Mr Stubbs, Mr J. Hay, Mr F. Waymouth, manager of the Canterbury 1" rozen Meat Company, Mr J. Mill, Mr D. Virtue, town clerk, Master Pat "Ward, and officers of H.M.S. Pioneer.

Just before lunch started, the big family of diners was photographed. Then grace was sung, and appetites made keen "by early rising and drives from long distances soon made an appreciable impression on the good things provided, the Mayor, who presided, uttering what he termed " one good old English word " —" Welcome " _ —before the visitors "fell to." While lunch was 011 music was played by Coombs' 'orchestra. A POl DANCE.

Directly appetites had been appeased, the Mayor introduced "two daughters of the land two Arowlienua belles," and said that they would give a poL dance. These young women were Miss T. Gray and Miss Toke Gray-, and dressed in full Maori costume, they gave a fine performance, for which they were heartily applauded. THE KING.

This ended, the company rose and honoured the loyal toast —"His Majesty the King." on the proposition of the •Mayor. Next Mr Craigie read some apologies lor absence, including one from the Rev; Father Tubman, another from Mr C. "A. Wray, S.M., one from the Mayor of Oamaru, and others from various early settlers in' different parts of the Dominion. THE SPEECHES. ,

Mr Craigie, addressing the assembled gathering, said that as chairman of the Jubilee Committee he was exceedingly glad to see so many of the old settlers there that day, and he extended to all a very lieartv welcome. He expressed the pleasure they all felt at being honoured by tne presence of Sir Joseph and Laqy Ward, and a representative of the Navy in Captain Millar, at their gathering. 'limaru and boiith Canterbury felt proud and xileased that day, and well it might. They were glad to have the Jiayor of Christcnurch with them, as well as the Mayor of mid-Canterbury, and the Mayors of the different boroughs of South Canterbury outside of 'limaru, as well as representatives of all the local bodies, as well as a representative of the Legislative Council in the Hon. Mr Anstey. They had many other distinguished visitors with them as well as sons and daughters of those early settlers whom they had met that day to honour. They had come from north and south, from east and west, and they were glad to extend the hand of welcome to them all. 011 behalf of the Jubilee Committee he therefore said: "Welcome to von all and right glad we are to see you." The committee had done a lot of hard work in working the gathering up and the best return it could; receive would be in seeing everyone enjoying themselves. He believed that jubilees were very old institutions, dating back even to the time of Moses. Kings and Queens celebrated their jubilees: other provinces in this Dominion had done so, and there was everv reason why prosperous South Canterbury should celebrate its jubilee. (Applause.) For the benefit of strangers Mr Craigie explained the boundaries of South Canterbury, and praised it as one of the most fertile tracts of country in the whole of His Majesty's dominions. (Hear, hear.) It would be impossible, he said, within the limit of time, to do justice to his subject, but he wanted to say that the progress made during the past 50 years had been really wonderful; and' all honour, he said, should be given' to those who had borne the heat and burden of the day in laying the foundations of our Dominion so well. (Applause.) The speaker paid a warm tribute to the "Timaru Herald" for its enterprise in issuing that morning a splendid account of- the history of South Canterbury, showing how the country had been transformed from its wild state and made to blossom as the rose. Mr Craigie traced the settlement of South Canterbury from the date of the arrival of the Strathallan, touching 'briefly on the salient features only; and lie contended that for roads and 'bridges to have been made as we had them to-day, and for the provision of all the institutions and service? oi.' which we now had the use and

benefit, ire had much in he grateful, and in all these tilings wo lnicl proof of the fact that the pioneers must have been men and women with strong arms and stout hearts —people of grit and determination, who, under Providence had worked wonders. (Applause.) Only one regret uiingled witli their rejoicings that day, namely, that many of those who had left us such a- goodly heritage ,had now gone to that bourne whence 110 traveller returns, hut we could and would honour and revere their memory as we honoured and revered those who were still living. (Hear hears.) South Canterbury stood out pre-eminent for three thincs —its unrivalled climate, its fruitful soil, and its broad acres —and under good nianacement the best- was being made of these valnab'e assets. But while, the progress, of the past 50 years had been great, he would assume the mantle of th£ prophet and say that even greater progress would be made during the next 50 years. He believed that electricity was going to do much lor vs; that the. time would come when our rivers and lakes would bo h.'- rn r-ssed and all our machinery would ro. ci'vc-n by it, and work of the farm dene largely with it. The- refrigerator bad done much for us in the past, and it would continue to do a great deal for us. Our lines were cast in pleasant places, but if we waited awhile we would probablv have the flying machine to further heln us. and by its aid, we would be enabled to go unon the wings of the morning to view the beauties of Art. Cook and return before the setting of the sun in the evening. (Laughter and annlause.) Ho envied the younc men and women of to-day, who would live to see all the developments of the next 50 vears. Mr Craigie referred with pride to Timaru harbour, and to the fact that the population of South Canterbury had increased from a few hundreds, to its 34,000 of to-dnv. He expressed the hope too. that while we prospered in material things, we would maintain a liish standard for character and righteousness —the greatest asset a nation could have. Ho honed that in this respect. South Canterbury people would uphold the traditions of their ancestors, and that

"Though crown and coronet be rent, " A virtuous populace may arise the while " And stand, a wall of fire "Around our much loved isle."

The' Right Hon. the Premier was the next speaker. On rising lie was received with hearty applause. He congratulated the people ol' South Canterbury upon the celebrations of that day, and paid a tribute of praise to the officials for their faultless arrangements in connection with the function. It was 1111 historical occasion upon which they 'had met, and he was very glad to be with them at so importaht a time. Sir Joseph expressed his appreciation of the splendid historical record of South Canterbury published by the "Timaru Herald" that morning," which for all time, would, together with the account of the proceedings of that day, be prized as "the" record of the important event they were celebrating that day. . They had reason to be proud of the work done by the pioneers of this country. This function was one of the linger posts which marked the history of the province. They had finger posts in family life as well as in public life, Sir Joseph said, and he mentioned that in his own family a linger post- was being marked that day which would always be associated in the future with the gathering of that day. It was the eighth birthday of his youngest son. (Applause.) (This was Master Awarua Pat Wai;d.) The Premier expressed the hope that when his son was celebrating his jubilee, it would be under conditions equally as happy as those under which they had 'gathered that day. Upon an occasion such as this he was sure that 110 discordant note would be struck. They should all be like the lark, warbling notes of harmony and good will, and expressing their appreciation of what Providence had done for them in this part of the world. He was going to eschew polities, but he would like to say that the Government could not be blamed—though they were blamed for a good many things—for sending bad weather to Timaru. They had an ideal day, and he was pleased to see such a function to honour those sturdy settlers who had come here in the early days to carve out homes for themselves and develop the country. The realisation of what had been done should act as an incentive for future effort. He noted that 011 the placard of the Harbour Board hanging on the wall there was evidence of marvellous progress in concrete form. He read there that the tonnage of vessels visiting the port in 1859 was 2500, while in 1908 it was 8(ifS,000. The imports aiid exports in 1859 were 1400 tons, and in 1908 157,000 tons. The value of these in 1859 was £25,000, while in 1908 it was two million pounds. No frozen meat was exported in 1859, but .in 1908 *644,000 carcases were shipped away. In 1859 1500 bales of wool were shipped, while last year 37.000 b'aies were despatched. (Applause.) These figures surely showed a very creditable record for the district. A great transformation had taken place, and while this was so, all would recognise that there was a great responsibility resting upon us, and that we should lend our energies towards ensuring that at the centenary celebrations there should be. as good a record to show as the pioneers of to-day had to show lor their fifty years o) service. Following in the footstejs of those who had done so well, we of today should endeavour to make -Now Zealand the great country it was undoubtedly destined to be. The presence'with them of a representative of the Navy reminded them of their responsibilities, and that,- as a lhattei of ordinary insurance, we should support- tin; strong right arm iiicli pio-' tected us. It was a coincidence tnat wlnle the pioneers had met to be honoured, the warship Pioneer should be at 'limaru representing the power, and 'dory and strength, which gave protection to us all. In conclusion, the Prime Minister said that wetShoulcl all be animated by an honest desire to conduct the business of the country 111 the best possible wuy, to promote its industries and settlement., and to move in one direction with the common oblect of making our country still mr eater. 011-; in effort, hope, ambition and desire, we should be able to hand down to those who followed us, at country which would make for still creatcr' happiness than that which prevailed to-day: (Great applause.) "Mr l 1 • AV. Stubbs, clerk or the ueialtiine Road Board, was next introduced by the Mayor us the oldest settler present, and he was asked to say a few words. Mr Stubbs related some reminiscenses of his early days, and on the call of the Mayor, thiee cheers were given lor him. The next speaker' was Mr .James Blyth, of Temuka (an old Strathallenito.) Mr Blyth expressed his gratification at the arrangements of that day, and said it. was but fitting that they should celebrale the jubilee of South Canterbury. lie then proceeded to give some reminiscences of the early times. Coming out to New Zealand in those days was a very different thing to what it is to-day. There were" then 110 floating palaces, 110 bands to play two or three times a daw He was three months on the voyage out, and during that time the friendships of those 011. the Strathallan had so cemented as to bo indissoluble. It would last for all time, and it was

pleasant indeed to meet on an occasion like this and talk over times past, and indulge in then aid now comparisons. A good many had passed away during the fifty years, and they could only revere the memory oT all. such, and sympathise with 'their friends. Mr Blyth paid a tribute to the sterling wortlr of the early'settlers, whom he described as "the soul of honour, civility and kindness." They were a very hospitable lot, and would always do a favour if • tliey could. (Hear, hear.) They worked hard to get the country in a prosperous state, and had done great good ia their time for. their own and future generations. (Applause.) Mr A. 11. Turnbull (son of the late Mr R. Turnbull, '.who was member for Timaru), briefly addressed the gathering, at the request of the Mayor. He said that recollections of the early days crowded in so fast upon one, when they were thought over, that itwas difficult to know where to begin or where to end. ilTe would not weary them with a speocti. hut would say that it was only those tvlio were here in the early days who would be able to appreciate what was gone through in those times. Hi thought that the suggestion to print a complete history of South Canterbury was an excellent one, which ought to be acted upon. He had a lot of information in his possession, which he would be glad to supply, and there were others who would do likewise. Mr Turnbull spoke of the marvellous progress that, had been made here since the days when Timaru was a sheep 11111, and be said that the pioneers of this province had demonstrated in a remarkable way what could lie done bV ■ ijidustry in a few years. There were three things in life which peoplei reached —success, a drawn battle, or inilure—and he inclined to the belief that those who made a drawn battle ol it had perhaps done better than those who had amassed fortunes. The pioneers had set a high standard for future generations to follow, ; and the sons and daughters of to-dav -should aim atmalting their names synonymous with honour and rectitude, and all that goes to make a success of life. (Applause.) Mr A. E.' Gj.■.••Rhodes was the next speaker, whom the.Mayor introduced as a South Canterbury boy. , Mr Rhodes, who "came here" in 1859, said he was very pleased to be present and to have an opportunity of saying a word or two. But first he wished to apologise for the absence of Mrs M. Studholme ,l ho v as not sufficiently ' well' that day attend the function, and Mr Keaton Rhodes desired also to bo apologised for. Mr Rhodes said that he arrived here about/two months alter the Strathallan, and he was proud and pleased to be taking part in tiicse celebrations. He hojjed, with others, that the record of those who, like himself had come among, the later ones, would bo as creditable as the record of tliose who had gone before. The history of Timaru dated back a little further tlvan 1859, the latter being the date when the township was laid out. i'lie first of the Rhodes'es to come out to ISlew Zealand was W. $. Rhodes, who established cattle stations in North Canterbury. This was in the 30's. Later en. the speaker's father came out rnd Messrs R. and G. Rhodes took charge of the cattle stajtions referred to. They were the first to drive sheep into South Canterbury aboulv 1850.. It might- be some satisfaction/to the Premier' to know, remarked Mr Rhodes, jocularly, that even in those early days there was dissatisfaction with the land laws. (Laughter.) In 1852 the speaker's father had made application to buy the freehold of the land on which "iiiii'ru now stands. Kirst a refusal vas iret with. (Tie had dozens of letters of tlio correspondence which had passed.) Finally Sir George Grey drew up his regulations in 1853 and the Messrs Rhodes bought -the freehold in March ISS4 —8400 acres for cash in 20 different blocks, including the land on which Timaru now stands. His mother had come to Timaru in 1854 and she had not even a bullock team to travel in, as her diarv showed. He (the vp'ril; -r) •vas the third member of the f.uuily, the first one being horn in 1855. 'lhere . was 110 registry office here then, fnd the result was that lie found 'nmseif in after years possessed of three names. (Laughter.) He had been baptised in Lytteiton Church, but means of communication were then very deficient, and his name had'been., wrongly entered up. They had .forgotten to correct' it, in the "slow process of sending the" returns on to Wellington, t bad iMI);,rently been forgolten r-r u isial-eu. aiid another;one substit 1 :-ed f■ >r it. Imally however, the tangled si-» -in had been unravelled and he r..' : .• u\l 1 tsion of his own. (Laughter.) Mr Rrodes said he had been very pleased to meet so many old friends that day. He spoke of the great rush south which had taken place alter people had brought the first sheep into the H.uthern part of the province, p(<er which time progress was rapid. Mrs .Hornbrook was an earlier settler than his mother in South Canterbury, and at that time, Timaru was the head cp-ar-ters of the Levels station. AY hat" his people had gone through was typical of the early settlers generally. He could remember when'Timaru was in tussock and lie knew with what hardships ir.any oeoplc had to put up. He felt perfectly certain that the Mayor was correct in predicting that the progress of the next 50 years would be even greater than that of the past half century. Mr Rhodes said that there v. as an excellent account of the history of South Canterbury in the " Timaru Herald " that day, and he suggested that it should be saved, and with a little more added to it, printed, and bound. The Mayor said it was the intention of the committee to do this. (Applause.) THANKS.

AVe have received the following letter: —" We, the passengers of the .Lancashire Mitch ueg to tender our sincere thanks to His AVorship the Mayor, the committee, and the ladies who assisted at the luncheon, for their kindness and courtesy in connection with yesterday's successful functions. —Wo are etc., A. I''. Blauchett, H. H. Jones, for selves and'2o others." Mr S. Cain, of Seadown, then stepped forward as repre anting tk" pioneers, and heartily tnaiiKeU tne iWayor and the Jubilee Committee for tne splendid way they had entertained mem. The. Committee had spared .neither tune nor expense, and tne pioneers were deeply grateful tor tlu nonour that had been none them. Mr Cain called lor cheers lor tne Mayor and the Jubilee Committee, and these were lustily given, tne Mayor acknowledging the comyliment. They wanted 110 better tlianKs, lie said, man to see the people thoroughly enjoying themselves. 11 was an historical occasion, and he hoped the day would live long 111 the memories of them all. He called for cheers for the early settlers, and the call was promptly and heartily responded to. Then "one more for Old" South Canterbury " was given, and with a final round for Sir Joseph and Lady AVard the proceedings in the Drill Hall terminated.

THE .MAORIS AND THE PREMIER. As the Premier was moving towards the historical room to view the oldtime pictures and the photos, the Maoris gathered round him and gave a song of welcome in his honour. The luncheon party broke up about half-past 3, when cars were brought into requisition again, and many of the party were driven to the Bay.

THE HISTORICAL ROOM. The collection of old pictures got together by the Historical Committee in ■cue lecture hall of the drill-shed was well worth seeing. The walls of the room were well covered, and a large ta hie in the middle of the room also. Prominent among the pictures on the walls are large portraits in oils of Mr AY. B: and Mr R. H. Rhodes, and there was also a good jjliotograph of Mr Geo. Rhodes, whose, sons are so well-known in South-Canterbury. Conspieuous.cn entering the room is a full range of photos of the Mayors who have held office in Timaru, commencing with Mr S. Hewlings. To their varied abilities and counsels, the town has been much indebted; and it is appropriate that they should be represented, as the hist among equal citizens. On the opposite side of the room there is a ■ ery f.ood mid suggestive display by *lie l : ;rbcur Board. It shows the primitive method of hauling surf-boats by man-power winch, and by various grades,to the now familiar loading of large steamers alongside the wharf. The contrast is very instructive. One of the most interesting among these exhibits, to those who remember the old controversies about the proper kind of harbour to make nt Timaru, is ,Sir John Coode's design and that of the present harbour, superposed' upon one plan. This shows distinctly that Coode's £300,000 harbour, it' it had been made, would not have been worth 300 pence for the shipping of the present day. Fine photos show the wharves on busy days, and another the breakwater during a storm, before the mole was built. There are also a number of smaller vieu's both in this section, and also in various parts of the room, which give a good idea of the progress that has been made, as well as" many incidents in that progress. In this section, Mr G. Pearson, lias well finished models to working scale, of a paddle boat, and other boats intended for use in the harbour. Apart from photographs of Old Identities, and these valuable chiefly to Old Identities, '.are the pictures of the site of Timaru before anything worthy of being called a town had been created. The oldest of all appears to be a'finely executed pen-and-ink sketch, by a Mr l!owring, dated 18(30, of the north end of the town, to show the first house erected for Mr H. J. LeCren, the first portion of Beverley. The point of vic.v was the ridge behind Mr T. Thomson's house; and the.-pictureshows a bib of Caroline Bay and the Beuvenue Cliffs. The house is the only building in vie w —it was the only one in that direction, except Mr B. Woollcombe?s down in Waimataitai Valley. From about the same point of view is another, hhoiving the Whales Creek viaduct at the lime the railway was being .nnde. Another interesting picture is a photograph of the foot of George street gully, showing Mr. Rhodes' wool shed and two cottages on the beach, and a few small buildings on the southern slope, one of them being the shed in which the "Timaru Herald" was first printed. A pencil sketch by E. Norman, looking up Church street from the bank above AY. Hay's buildings, shows the Old Bank Tavern, St. Mary's Church (the first one), and a few other buildings. Another picture of the "Old Bank" shows it as "a, going concern." It got this name, and its successor oil the same site retains the name, from the building having been first used by the Bank of New Zealand, pending the erection of its own premises. There are several other very interesting camera glimpses of early Timaru. One of them shows the site at Gabitcs' corner, just excavated for . building on. Excellent photographs of the landing services include some of the Government service' before the "ways" were added-in front <>f.= the she'd-—one of them when some of the piles had been driven. The Rocket Brigade, which did good service in saving life in the shipping disasters of the .seventies and eighties, were the subject of one popular photograph. There were good photographs of a- number of the wrecks that have occurred at Timaru. An old plan of Timaru, surrounded bydrawings of buildings then in existence, is a very interesting relic. So .is another plan, showing , the area swept by the big fire of 'OB. One photo siiows a former landmark, an old cottage, which stood opposite the present post office site. At one time when it wa-s smaller, Mr G. H. Rhodes lived in it. At a later period.Mr G. Hall enlarged it by adding a sort of wooden attic on the cob walls. In i£s latter days it degenerated into Priest and Holdgate's stable, and at length was condemned as an eyesore and destroyed'. Early dwellings in Temuka, Geraldine and AVaimute; photos of .squattei-s' homesteads, a series of views of the various churches and portraits of their clergy; old groups of volunteers, and of fire brigades; some of Norman's famous sketches of the Mackenzie country; a historical series of portraits . culled from pictorial papers by Mrs Ward, and. -including unique lino engravings of the "14th of May" wrecks; these, and a multitude of miscellaneous subjects ,mak'e up a collection of quite remarkable interest, and historical value. The committee had not time to classify the material supplied them, as they would have liked, but they arranged it very well, so that- it could be well seen at all events. The bulk of the work was done by Messrs hired, Holdgate, Rev. \V. Batmiber, and' the'lion, sec., Mr G. I<\ AVilliaiiis. . CAROLINE BAY.

Caroline Bay ' was never before so well patrtniseci as yesterday afternoon. The Jubilee. holiday-makers all appeared to make their way to the Isay, and the seats wore fully and "the lawns thickly occupied witn people sitting down to rest, while the promenade and the sands were" alive'' with pronienaders. Three hands lent their assistance in turns at different points; there were paddlers and bathers ana boats to watch; children kept the swings going 'nearly all the time; -there were the gardens and the improvements generally made by the Beautifying Association to admire; the great accummnlation of sand" where iormerly was deep water, for the old identities to wonder at: there were the tea rooms to patronise ; and thank a thoughtful Borough Council for. And above all, there was the recognition of friends ol long ago not seen for years, and an exchange of reminders of old companionships, of adventures experienced or of labours undertaken together. The mutual greetings of the old folks were as sunny as the afternoon, and everybody said the weather could not have been better if made to si>ecification. l (, or many of the visitors the aspect of the harbour must have been a treat, in contrast with their memories of landing in the surf-boats —with four trading steamers (two of them large ones), a tall-masted sailer, and a man-of-war lying snugly in" the harbour, and gay with bunting, motor boats and row boats Hitting about, and a little fleet of lishing boats .moored ill a row. The Bay proved itself, as it was remarked, a splendid asset to the town; it was such an excellent spot lor the large crowd to assemble on without crowding. Had there been no Caro line Bay, one may wonder liow so many people would have, spent the afteriio;.'.'*, THE FIREWORKS. The fireworks display last night was spoilt by a very heavy rain, which commenced about 8 o'clock. In defiance of the weather, a large number of people waited about the town and in anv spot offering the slightest shelter, till after dark, when old and young alike made their way to the harbour.

some taking refuge from the rain 011 board the various vessels lying at luo wharves, others" in tne llowing Club's sued, while a huge number stood in the lee of the railway signal station. The harbour looked well, even m the heavy rain, all the vessels being brilliantly. illuminated, the dredge in particular having a chain of lights leadin.' up to the top tumbler, which had a circle of yellow lights around its huge wheel, and a large red light, in tlu, centre. H3I.S. noueer set two searchlights playing on the s " r [' n, " iiiiz town aucl country, unci th plav was extremely interesting to those who had not seen the like beh.ro. J e first rocket was discharged liom tin. dredce at twenty minutes to nine, and K.rr»Su other across the ww Wr about with deafening repoits. a quarter ' rockets which ht, lasted for an hour the people seemedJo re _ fact that it was ram:«B> ~ , marks were heait • timo. t > am wet through) and ■ go home. n 'V evening from the ten-als dunn„ t ,| 1l() display deck of the s.s. • : Ilc ieotl and would aaftSte** ESS"

CJHIUSTCHUBCH CONGRATULATIOXS.

The Christcluircli morning P a .Pf ls - ? JtSctay >»<! ed.to.».= &f£&& wti". W"S local patriotism cannot, ovoa t] would, separate the part horn the whole and dissociate the , " the .Province. Timaru, like Ashmu ton was au offshoot of the little settlement ol' which Chrisfcchureh was tlu centre, and it is the iact ol this lationship that robs Timaru s competition with the mother city oi any tendency to cause Inction. Ihe envelopment ol South Canterbury allv, and ol' Timaru's importance as a shipping port, may, to some extent,

! reduce, the predominance of northern Canterbury and : ftf; Lyttclto'n.j but liie increased tradii. and productiveness "all go to tht>' credit ol' Canterbury as it •\v.hole, and in .tho .end to that of tho Dominion. Local patriotism, •of whicli Timaru supplies such an - excellent ex ample, is an admirable quality, in o far as it provides a lirm, basis for thnit wider patriotism without which ft national sentiment is imi)6ssibl<!. ' One may welcome, therefore, such a celebration as Timaru holds to-day ns !;i healthy sign ,for those who initiated it and those who take iiart in it profess by those acts their pr.idj! in their town and district, and they cannot do this without implying equal pride and affection for the province and the colony. It is well, too, as we said on a pre vious occasion, for a young community such as this to look backwards sometimes. We are compelled to look forward —that is the inevitable attitude of youth, and our past is too recent, our history too uneventful, to encourage us to dwell often or for.long, among the memories of by-gone (lays. liut id is nevertheless a good .thing now and then to cast a backward look over th-i shoulder, to note the. false steps-that have been overcome, to review, before the gathering mists have occurred, and to revive, before it is too. late, _ tho. friendships, or the memory of theni, that lightened the march. In such a retrospect there is doubtless much' from which warning may. be taken for the present, but Timaru, looking back to the day .when her first immigrants were landed on the beach before the tiny township, lias assuredly, also, mucii cause .for pride in her performance and for hopeful confidence in her future.