History brought to life

The first rain Queenstown had had in a long while did not dampen a celebration of local history Yesterday, a procession of worshippers walked from St Peter's Anglican Church to the lakefront statue of William Rees - Queenstown's founder and leader of the local Anglican community - for a re-enactment of the then Bishop of Christchurch, Bishop Henry Harper, presenting Mr Rees with his licence to be a lay reader and preacher to the community.

Mr Rees had been presented with his licence on March 15, 1863, and yesterday was chosen for the celebrations as it was the Sunday closest to thate date.

The Vicar of St Peter's Anglican Church, the Rt Rev Dr David Coles, played the part of Bishop Harper and later unveiled a donated portrait of Mr Rees preaching at St Peter's.

The foyer in Eichardt's Private Hotel provided a dry space for everyone to raise their glasses of champagne and toast the early settlers and gold-miners who established St Peter's Church in Queenstown.

The main 150th celebrations will occur over the weekend of Saturday, August 31, to Sunday, September 1.