THE CENTENNIAL

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21559, 23 January 1940, Page 6

THE CENTENNIAL

Wellington Memorial Dedicated Ceremony At Petone Messages From All Parts Of Empire By Telegraph—Press Association WELLINGTON, January 22. About 5000 persons assembled on the Esplanade on the Petone foreshore this morning for the dedication and unveiling of the Wellington Provincial Centennial Memorial at the approximate spot where the brig Aurora arrived with the first settlers 100 years ago. The Mayor of Wellington (Mr T. C. A. Hislop) presided. The ceremony commenced with the National Anthem, followed by all joining in singing “God Defend New Zealand.” A party of 28 warriors from Taranaki and Maori girls chanted a welcome, after which the warriors filed before the official dias and presented a spirited haka of welcome. The dedication service was in accord with the first pioneer service, conducted by the Rev. J. Macfarlane on Pittoone beach in 1840. The Old Hundredth and Psalm 23 were sung, also the hymn "O God of Bethel.” The Rev. Brian Kilroy, of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Wellington, read appropriate Scripture and offered up a prayer

Speeches were then delivered by the Mayor of Wellington, the Mayor of Petone (Mr G. London I, the Minister of Finance (the Hon. W. Nash), who is the member for Hutt, the representative of the United Kingdom Government at the Centennial (the Marquess of Willingdon), and the representative of the Commonwealth of Australia at the Centennial (Senator G. A. M. McBride) . Before the dedication ceremony a wreath bearing the inscription “In Grateful Remembrance from the Government of New Zealand” was laid by Mr Nash at the grave of Te Puni. a chief of the Ngatiawa, who died on December 5. 1870. This ceremony was attended by Maori representatives from Taranaki, Patea. and Te Aro Pa, as well as by descendants of Te Puni from the Hutt Valley. The arrival of the official party was greeted with Maori laments.

The speeches were reminiscent of the courage, energy and enterprise of the pioneers, tribute being paid to the solidity with which the early settlers had laid the foundations of the Dominion’s progress. Mr Chamberlain’s Greetings Greetings to New Zealand from overseas Governments were then read. The following message, sent by Mr Neville Chamberlain on behalf of the British Government, was read by the Marquess of Willingdon: "His Majesty's Government fn the United Kingdom send warm congratulations and greetings to the Government and people of New Zealand on the 100th anniversary of the first organised settlement in their country of people of British stock. The celebration of this event by Maori and Pakeha is a token of that mutual understanding and co-operation on which the British Commonwealth is founded. It is a striking demonstration of the possibility of peaceful progress by free people. It throws into stronger relief the brutal acts of aggression committed by Nazi Germany in the war to which these acts have led. “New Zealanders have already at sea and in the air conspicuously displayed those qualities of courage and determination which marked the original pioneers of settlement. Though a severe struggle lies ahead New Zealand can look forward with confidence to the time when the forces of evil have been overcome and the peoples of the British Commonwealth can devote their lives in freedom and security to the arts of peace.” Mr Mackenzie King, Prime Minister of Canada, wrote:

“Please join Canada’s good wishes to any you may extend to our friends in New Zealand on behalf of the United Kingdom. Message From General Smuts The following message to Mr Savage from General Smuts, Prime Minister of the Union of South Africa, was read by the Hon. P. Fraser: “On behalf of his Majesty’s Government in the Union of South Africa 1 have great pleasure in conveying most cordial congratulations on the happy occasion of New Zealand attaining its centenary and sincerest good wishes for the future of a great Dominion and the continued progress and prosperity of its people.” Wakefield’s Grave The following message from Lord Bledisloe, a former Governor-General of New Zealand to the Prime Minister, was read by the Hon. W. Nash: “Having always entertained a great respect lor the memory of Edward Gibbon Wakefield, a lar-sighted pioneer of sound civilisation within the Empire from which no country has benefited more than New Zealand, and being anxious about the due preservation and embellishment of his humble grave at Wellington which I visited while I was Governor-General of the Dominion, I should like, if I may be allowed, to constitute with the enclosed cheque for £ICO a small endowment fund in the hands of the Chief Justice, the interest of which shall be applied partly towards the inaintenace of the grave and partly towards supplying a wreath or other floral emblem to be placed upon it every year on the anniversary of his death. I shall be grateful if you will put this in hand for me.” Part of the Maoris His Excellency the Governor-General, the Hon. W. Nash, and Mr T. C. A. Hislop (Mayor of Wellington) added their mead of praise to the pioneer spirit which had enabled the early foundation and which had carried New Zealand successfully through many trials and a century of great progress. Mr Nash drew attention to the presence of the descendants of Edward Gibbon Wakefield and Te Puni, who had met on the beach 100 years before. He traced the progress of the Dominion as shown in the export figures, and acknowledged the part the Maori race had played in building New Zealand as a worthy part of the British Commonwealth. Mr Fraser quoted the words of Abel Tasman on sighting the Southern Alps, that he had seen a great land, uplifted high. That could be said of New Zealand to-day. Senator P. A. M. Mcßride (representing the Australian Government), said that Australians had often looked to New Zealand experience for the solution of common problems. Australians had looked with pride on the achievements of young New Zealanders

since the war started, in the air ano also in the battle of the River Plate Senator Mcßride and Mr Nash made more or less jocular reference to the Australian and New Zealand potato and orange embargoes, and expressed the hope that the matter would soon oe settled to the satisfaction of both countries.