THE CENTENNIAL

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20786, 22 April 1939, Page 12

THE CENTENNIAL

REASON FOR THE NAME NEED FOR UNIFORMITY Although, three years ago. good reasons were given for the use of "centennial" as a noun in preference to the variously-pronounced word "centenary," many people, including some in official positions, cling to "centenary." states the March issue of the New Zealand Centennial News. At a ronferenco in Wellington in March. 193*. Mr .1. W. Heenan. Under-Secretary nf Infernal Affairs, explained why flip Minister has approved a recommendation of the National r>nfenniai Committee for the Government's adoption of the word ••centennial.' ' It was agreed, said Mr Heenan. to save constant reference to ‘‘centenary" 'with the stress on the "ten" . "eenteenary" with thp stress on the ‘teen" . and "rent-ennry” with the stress on the "cent"', that the ppople should adopt a word which called for only one pronunciation. Thus it was. age«ed to use a perfectly good word, the educational use of which as a noun r.«* well a* an adjective was settled. "Centennial" was a very euphonious word., one that was established in other countries and one that for all purposes could be usefully adopted.