FIFTY YEARS’ OLD!

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 243, 14 October 1931, Page 11

FIFTY YEARS’ OLD!

PATEA BOROUGH JUBILEE SPECIAL WEEK OF FESTIVITIES OPENED MAORI TRADITION; PAKEHA PERSEVERANCE Celebrations to mark the fiftieth birthday of the Borough of Patea were begun yesterday, and will be continued throughout this week. Yesterday’s programme included a special meeting of the Borough Council to officially record the town’s Jubilee, a procession, which gave tangible proof of progress, and a dinner at night, at which a toast list formed a medium by which the past was recalled to join hands with the present. The Hon. A. J. Young, Minister of Health, represented the Prime Minister and the Coalition Government, and was accompanied by Mr H. G. Dickie, M.P. for Patea. The various functions arranged in honour of the occasion reflected the energy and enthusiasm displayed by the special Jubilee Week Committee, and, in particular, that of Mr L. W. Austin, town clerk, who had the secretarial and organisation work in hand. The town was gaily bedecked with flags, and the business thoroughfare decorated with greenery. At night the main streets were a veritable fairyland of coloured lights. The water tower, in particular, which was specially lighted for the occasion, was a fine sight. Fine weather favoured the day’s festivities.