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The National Centennial Press Committee is also functioning, and through it the organization is assured of the co-operation of the newspapers of the Dominion in emphasizing the significance of the Centennial particularly, and in assisting to create a Centennial atmosphere. It is intended shortly to appoint a National Centennial Music Committee, which, in collaboration with the National Broadcasting Service and the Provincial Centennial Councils in the four main centres, will organize and present a comprehensive programme of music and drama during the winter months of 1940. (4) Provincial Organizations. Provincial Centennial Councils have been appointed to control the Centennial organization in each of the eleven Centennial districts —namely, Auckland, East Coast, Taranaki, Hawke's Bay, Wellington, Nelson, Marlborough, Westland, Canterbury, Otago, and Southland —and in practically all cases the Councils have extended the organization throughout their respective districts by the appointment of zone and/or local committees. For the most part the controlling committees are in active operation, and the thanks of the Government are due to the members for the time and effort they are giving gratuitously from a desire to make the Centennial observances the success the occasion warrants. (5) Centennial Memorials. Up to 31st March, 1939, only a small percentage of the controlling committees had decided the form of their memorials, but the reports reaching the Department from time to time indicate very clearly that the type most favoured is that which will embrace the beautification of and the provision of public amenities on reserves to be known in future as Centennial parks. A pleasing feature of this activity is that in most cases such projects embrace also the planting of trees either for beautification purposes or to commemorate the names of pioneers, Maori chiefs, and others who have rendered signal service in the development of the district concerned. The type of memorial next in point of favour would appear to be the provision of women's rest and Plunket rooms. From a utility standpoint this type of memorial will prove an acquisition to the amenities of the locality in which it is placed, but the National Centennial Council will give special consideration to the memorial aspect of such a project, particularly in the matter of design and setting, in order that it will be more appropriate to the occasion and have a more general appeal. Another popular form of memorial is the swimming-bath. Here, again, special attention will be given to its treatment as a memorial, otherwise it can be regarded only as a public amenity which in ordinary circumstances would not be eligible for financial assistance from the Government. Other proposals which are under consideration include memorial halls, illuminated fountains, libraries, museums, and community centres. (6) Centennial Celebrations. National.—At its meeting held on. Bth December, 1938, the National Centennial Council recommended, and the Government has since approved of, the following national celebrations to be observed during 1940 : — Sunday, 7th January . . National Thanksgiving Day. Monday, 22nd January .. Landing at Wellington of first settlers of the New Zealand Company (allocated to Wellington). Monday and Tuesday, 29th Celebration of Hobson's arrival in New Zealand (allocated to and 30th January Auckland). Tuesday, 6th February . . Affixing of first signatures to Treaty of Waitangi (allocated to the Government). Wednesday, sth. June . . Proclamation over Stewart Island (allocated to Southland). Monday, 17th June . . Proclamation over South Island at Cloudy Bay (allocated to Marlborough). Sunday, 11th August . . First exercise of Sovereignty over South Island at Akaroa (allocated to Canterbury). Wednesday, 9th October .. First landing in New Zealand of Captain Cook at Gisborne (allocated to Gisborne). Saturday, 16th November. . One-hundredth anniversary of separation of New Zealand from New South Wales. A national holiday to conclude Centennial celebrations (National Centennial Council, in conjunction with Wellington Provincial Centennial Council). The re-enactment of the ceremony of obtaining the first signatures to the Treaty of Waitangi by Captain Hobson, E.N., on 6th February, 1840, will be carried out by the Government, and the fixture will be regarded as the national Maori celebration for the North Island. The re-enactment of the first exercise of Sovereignty by Captain Stanley, R.N., and Magistrates Robinson and Murphy at Akaroa on 11th August, 1840, will be carried out by the Government in collaboration with the Canterbury Provincial Centennial Council, and will be regarded as the national Maori celebration for the South Island. The other national celebrations have been allotted to the appropriate Provincial Centennial Councils and will be carried out by those organizations with the assistance of a monetary grant from the Government. Provincial and Local Celebrations. —At 31st March, 1939, only the Westland, Otago, and East Coast Centennial Councils had selected their celebration dates. It is expected that the other Provincial Councils will submit their respective programmes at an early date and that before the end. of the year it will be possible for the National Centennial Council to publish for general information a properly co-ordinated programme of Centennial celebrations throughout the Dominion during 1940.

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