First published in Column Eight on the 31stMarch 1993

Otago: wild coasts, arid inlands, lush pasturelands. A provinceof marvellous contradictions. That last word sums up not only the piece ofEarth we inhabit but also this province’s prevailing attitude to itsAnniversary Day.

Do other provinces take such an ad hoc approach to theirholiday? Would we so arbitrarily toss around Labour Weekend, Good Friday orBoxing Day? (We have better reason to do so with Queen’s Birthday, since the Queenc...