NINETY-ONE YEARS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 143, 19 June 1931, Page 6

NINETY-ONE YEARS

WANGANUI’S PROGRESS i WELCOME WEEK OPENS t- TO-DAY d ’ A COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAMME y 1 r Strictly speaking Wanganui was 100 J years old on January ]4 last, that is if i.jthc birth of the settlement goes back c to th day when the first white man d landed. p Air T. W. Downes, whose knowledge r of the early days is second to none in a this community, has recorded that Joe t, Rowe, a trader in dried human heads, left. Kapiti in a whale boat with four 3 companions on a whaling expedition, <i On January 14, 1831, ho landed off the r little bight near Landguard Bluff. 8o if one were to be strict in cognisance J of dates ho would rule that the fir. t J trader Wanganui knew was this Joe r Rowe, never mind the nature of his - calling. t But Rowe’s landing was but a begmi> ning. Jt had mweh in common with the landing of Columbus on the shores of , the Western World, even though it may - have lacked the spice of adventure ! Columbus had in the thought that there 1 might be a flat, and not a round, world in front of him with a pro noble drop “over the edge” at the other end inI stead of a shore to land on. Rowe , knew there was land awaiting him, but i his thrill of adventure lay in the fact that he did not know how he would be received. History relates that his was really an ill-starred expedition. There were too many tomahawks figuring in the reception to cause it to be anything else, and, probably for that reason, Wanganui sets her day of birth 10 years later. This year marks the 91st to pass since the name was written into Colonial records. With the laudable object of commemorating ninety-one years of progress an energetic committee of businessmen has been assiduously at work organising a week’s run of festivities that are to have a real birthday flavour. The disignation of the whole uas been fittingly shortened to one of “Welcome Week.” It is a title that speaks for itself, and commends to a wide populace the fact that the city, in birthday mood, has a welcome for all. The Prime Aliriist.er (The Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes) is patron of the organisation and the president ir, His Worship the Mayor (Mr N. G. Armstrong). Mr D. E. Dustin is chairman of the executive and Air W. Al. Hallam score * ta ry. A glance at the week’s programme ia sufficient to satisfy that the committee have made a strenuous endeavour to promote something that will trulv a seal to the title of ‘'Welcome Week.” To-day (Friday, 19th.)—Free gift search commences in city and continues daily. Prime Minister’s Welcome Week message read in schools. 12 noon: Free gifts showered from rhe air by “Miss Wanganui.” 12.15 p.m.: Community singing, Majestic Theatre. 12.30 p.m.: Motor Traders’ procession. Evening: Wanganui Golf Club's ball; Technical College play, ‘‘Julius Caesar,” at Opera House: and special picture programme. To-morrow (.Saturday, 20th.). —1 p.m.: Fire Brigade display at Fire •Station. Sports events to be advertised. 7 p.m.: Monster Joy Night tor adults at National Mutual Buildings (next Bank N.Z.) kindly placed at disposal of committee. Sunday, 215t.—8.15 p.m.: Garrison

Band, Opera House; and special services in churches. Mayor and council asked to attend. Monday, 22nd.—12.30 p.m.: Decor- i ated trade vehicles’ procession. Even- 1 ing: Opening night of amateurs ‘‘Haugh That Off” at Opera House, Pirates’ Football Club annual dance, Druids’ Hall. Tuesday, 23rd.—12.30 p.m.: Motor traders’ procession. 12.15: Community singing, “Majestic.” 1.15: Children ’s pet and fancy press parade to “Miss Wanganui’s” birthday party at National Mutual Buildings. ” Evening: “Laugh That Off,” second performance, and picture programme; inmates of Jubilee Home entertained. Wednesday, 24 th.—12.30 p.m.: Trade procession. 2.30 p.m.: Football match, Technical College v. Wanganui Collegiate School, at Spriggens Park. Evening: Choral Society's concert, Opera House. ihursday, 25th.—Wanganui Winter Show opens. 1 p.m.: Early Settlers assemble Foster’s and Spriggens’ Hotel lounges, and National Mutual Buildings, motor to racecourse for reception by Mayoress ami wives of City Councillors. Presentation of Good Citizens’ Badges by the Mayoress. Evening: Social evening for early settlers at. IDustin s; E'rick Cabaret carnival. . Friday. 26th.—Wanganui Winter Bhow. tree gift search concludes tomorrow. Saturday, 27th.—Monster trade pro-V cession to show ground. 1.30 p.m.:’ Miss Wanganui's” bachelor partv; finish of Harrier’s “Benson Trophy’’and presentation of children’s batlges; tug-of-war competition. Evening: Harrier Club Joy Night, Druid’s Hall; inmates of Wanganui Public Hospital entertained. •Sunduy. 28th.-8.15 p.m. Opera House, grand concert by qiueen Alexandra s Own Band. A Laudable Object. Tim original intention was that th. ' Welcome Week" activity wag not. to I” I'romotml with the object of making money. It has been decided, howevethat any surplus ihat may accrue is to b- .1. loted to the .Mayor 's I ncraplov. I belie! J- und.