South Canterbury’s Anniversary Day on September 26 has been overridden by a national memorial day to mark the death of Queen Elizabeth II. Queen Elizabeth died at her Scottish estate Balmoral on Friday New Zealand time at the age of 96, ending a 70›year reign.
Her funeral is to take place in London on September 19.
Queen Elizabeth II visited Timaru three times during her reign — in 1954, 1970, and 1977.
The New Zealand Government announced on Monday there would be a national memorial day on September 26.
That has left the Timaru, Waimate and Mackenzie district councils seeking input from residents about whether there is a desire to move South Canterbury’s anniversary day this year to November 11 — to coincide with Canterbury Anniversary Day — in order not to miss out on the holiday.
The councils will each meet on Tuesday to make a decision. In the meantime, residents in the Timaru district have been paying their respects to Her Majesty, writing in condolence books at the Timaru, Geraldine and Temuka libraries. The libraries are also hosting high teas today in remembrance.
At noon on Monday (New Zealand time) — on the eve of her interment — at the World War 1 Memorial at Caroline Bay, two 25-pounder guns will fire a three-round salute out of respect.
