TEMUKA CENTENNIAL YEAR CELEBRATED

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21644, 3 May 1940, Page 3

TEMUKA CENTENNIAL YEAR CELEBRATED

Procession A Marked Success

Tribute To Pioneers That the pioneers hold a warm spot in the hearts of the people of the Temuka district was evidenced by the large attendance at the Centennial celebrations held yesterday. It was a representative and spontaneous effort which reflected credit on the Centennial Committee guided by the chairman (Mr A. W. Buzan) and the secretary (Mr A. G. Foreman). Wise planning ensured the smooth running of events and the programme as a whole was very satisfying.

The procession x/as the most gratifying feature of the celebrations and was a tribute, not only to the pioneers, but also to the spirit and industry of the people. Twenty-five vehicles, appropriately decorated, formed a colourful picture as the procession wended its way from Wood Street to the Domain. A float depicting the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi was a notable contribution. A buggy carrying a family with necessary domestic utensils was a reminder of the rude conditions confronted by the early settlers. A cow being milked focussed interest on the district’s dairying industry, while a Red Cross station drew attention to need of helpers In this humanitarian work. The difficulty of fire fighting in the early days was the point stressed by the presence of a manual engine, which formed an interesting part of the procession. The Arowhenua Maoris provided two floats and they enlivened proceedings with their singing. A humorous touch was provided by the presence of a knowing elephant which crossed its knees and yawned and en route to the Domain, demanded a beer at the first hotel. The rest of the procession comprised the various organisations of the town, including the Temuka Municipal and Pipe Bands, which provided the music for the various displays at the Domain. After welcoming the official party comprising Mr T. D. Burnett, M.P., the chairman of the Geraldine County Council (Mr K. McKenzie), the Mayor of Timaru (Mr W. G. Tweedy), the Mayor of Waimate (Mr G. Dash), the Mayor of Geraldine (Mr D. C. McKechnie) and the representative of the Maori people (Mr N. Waaka), the Mayor (Mr A. W. Buzan) congratulated the people of the Temuka town and district on their work in bringing the wonderful procession into being, and commended the Centennial Committee for its wholehearted support in organising the celebrations.

Tribute To Pioneers After a brief summary of the events leading to the establishment of a civil form of government in 1840. the Mayor said it was hard to realise the magnitude of the task of the pioneers who suffered hardships and privations in carving a living from the tussock and bush. There were no roads or bridges and little in the way of facilities for communication. These men and women had indomitable courage and tenacity of purpose, which was evidenced in the solidity of the foundation they had laid in such a short time. Roads and railways were built, large tracts of country were opened up, and in a comparatively few years New Zealand was commanding world-wide attention because of her progressiveness. Succeeding generations had built on these foundations, and in building they had had the support and co-operation of their splendid Maori people. With their aid they had built a nation of which they were justly proud, and in honouring the pioneers he would say that no monument which they could build could compare with the monumental character of New Zealand’s beautiful towns and modern institutions.

“To-day,” said the Mayor, “we are inclined to take it easy, but there is work to be done, buildings to be erected, and we have to do it. The resources of this country are tremendous, and it is necessary in the interest of the Empire that these resources should be developed. When that is done we will with pride be able to call New Zealand what the pioneers meant it to be: ‘God’s own country.’ ” The Mayor concluded by exhorting the children to realise the importance of the work of their forefathers and the splendid heritage which was theirs. It was their job to build a worthy structure on the solid foundation already laid. Maori Relationship Mr Burnett congratulated the district on its 90 years of progress, the chief note of which had been the happy relationship that had existed between the pakeha and Maori. He advised the Maori to guard jealously the legends and folklore which had made them such a romantic race. Speaking of the pioneers, Mr Burnett said that they had a monument in the beautiful Domain, the highways which radiated from the town, the 3,000,000 sheep in the district and the harbour. They could extract courage and cheer from what the pioneers had done. They had faith in the Almighty, faith in the future of their country, and they had the self-reliance to go forward. If the people were true to stock the work of the last century would be amplified in the next. The Empire was facing a crisis at present, and he hoped that the people of New Zealand would unite and keep inviolate for posterity this far flung post of Empire. The pioneers had shaped the destiny of the Dominion, which enjoyed the highest standard of living in the world. He asked people to preach and practice the gospel of work,

and to the pioneers he said that they had fought a good fight and they should feel proud of their achievement. Stating that he had lived in the province foe. approximately 70 years, the chairman of the Geraldine County Council (Mr K. McKenzie) said that he could appreciate the marvellous development which had taken place and was aware of the value of the early settlers’ contribution. He hoped that the boys present would absorb some of the spirit of the pioneers and build as worthily as they had done. Mr N. Waaka spoke in his native tongue on behalf of the Maoris, and he was interpreted by Mr T. H. Paiki. After conforming with the tribal

custom of paying respect to their] dead and assuring them that they , would worthily carry on the tradition . which they had bequeathed to them, | Mr Waaka said that they were pleased j to be associated with the pakeha in the celebrations. After paying a tribute to the pioneers he said he hoped that the relationship between the two races would be one of amity. Centennial Ribbons The Mayoress (Mrs A. W. Buzan) presented centennail ribbons to the following pioneers who have resided for 75 years or more in New Zealand (length of residence in parentheses): I Mrs C. Herdman, Arowhenua (84 years); Mr W. Cameron, Hayhurst Street (82); Mr W. Grant, Maude Street (83); Mrs M. A. Findlay, Dyson I Street (82); Mrs A. E. Bradshaw, I Gammack Street (81); Mr H. E. Gapper, King Street (80); Mrs M. Airay, Studholme Street (80); Mrs Bambridge (deceased) per Mrs J. ' Gourley (78), Mrs H. E. Gapper, King | Street (78); Mr J. Haughey, North, Town Belt (77); Mrs A. C. Watson, King Street (76); Mr W. Graves, King ■ Street (76/; Miss J. McClintock, King ! Street (76); Mr G. Ward, Birkett I Street (76); Mr C. Story (deceased) I per Mr L. Story (76), Mr McCallum, I Main South Road (76), Mrs G. Hen- • derson, Milford (76), Mr J. Love, ■ Davie Street (75).

A full programme at the Domain included a drill display by pupils of the Temuka District High School, folk dancing, Highland dancing, poi dancing, and a Punch and Judy show. Before the presentation of centennial ribbons the school children sang the National Anthem, “God Defend New Zealand,” and “Land of Hope and Glory” in honour of the pioneers. Following were the results of the baby show judged by the Mayoress of Timaru (Mrs W. G. Tweedy): Under 12 months: June Gates 1, Marie McKenzie 2; boys under 12 months: Neville Stewart 1, David Tindall and Graham Henderson equal 2; girls over 12 months Lynley Boocock 1, Maureen Wood and Robina Griffiths equal 2; boys over 12 months: John Creighton 1, Raymond Milne 2. Mrs Tweedy gave a special prize to the Taite twins. FOOTBALL Following is the Temuka senior team to play Celtic at Fraser Park at 2.30 (’bus leaves at 1.45 p.m.): Mallett. McKenzie, Sullivan, Goodson, Stewart, Horgan, B. Barrie, Dawson, G. Kain, Henderson, W. Kain, J. Boyle, Gilbert. Neville, G. Ackroyd. Juniors: Campbell. CooMiey. Davies, Taylor, Harris, Barrie, Leathern, Hayes, Waters, Collins, Jackson, Calder, O’Connell, Lyons, Scott, Hickey. Jamieson. Any player’s name not mentioned to report at the dressing shed. ENLISTMENT The Recruiting Officer (Mr J. King) has received the enlistment of Edward Joseph Downes of Teinuka. YOUNG FARMERS Mr M. Livesey presided over a good attendance of members of the Milford Young Farmers’ Club. Arrangements were made for a lecture at the next meeting. A debate on the subject “That freehold tenure is preferable to leasehold tenure” was won by the negative side, comprising Messrs W. I McCormick (leader), J. Dale and G. Lyall. The affirmative was supported by Messrs R. Palmer (leader), L. Livesey, and G. Crossman. At the

close of the debate a short discussion took place. Mr G. H. Mulligan was judge. / HOCKEY Following is the Temuka Women’s hockey team to play Stafford B at Timaru: D. Beeby, D. Dennison, K. Aker, P. Cameron, J. Cowper, E. Armstrong, K. Sauer. A. Paynter, D. King, R. Bain, C. Mallett. The B team to play Wanaka at Temuka is C. Sharpe, D. Ward, C. Norton, Mrs Templeton, N. Young, J. Westaway, J. Beck, K. Benbow, V. Woodhead, M. Harr, M. Day. “CHICKEN WAGON FAMILY” The “Chicken Wagon Family,” those gay, friendly, famous folks who stir the wanderlust in us all, roll into town to-night with Jane Withers and Leo Carrillo in the driver’s seat. They’ll stop at the Elite Theatre. The production, based on the lovable Barry Benefield novel, offers Jane another of her merry, mischievous roles as the adventurous young daughter of a family that travels through the country, trading any and everything for chickens, which they market when they get to town. After a series of amazing and amusing adventures, in the typical Wtihers tradition, all ends happily. “Stop, Look and Love” is the associate feature.