OTAGO HONOURS PIONEERS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 68, Issue 139, 24 March 1948, Page 4

OTAGO HONOURS PIONEERS

Climax of Centenary Celebrations PAGEANT DEPICTS FIRST SETTLERS’ ARRIVAL (P.A.) * DUNEDIN, March 23. With the sun gleaming on the waters of the lower harbour and green hills as the background for the furled sails and tall spars of the “John Wiekliffe,” the historic landing of the first Free Church settlers in Otago 100 years ago, was re-enacted at Port Chalmers this morning. The ceremony attracted a huge crowd which braved a cold south-west wind.

Remembrance of the pioneers and their achievemenas marked to-day’s proceedings, not only at Port Chalmers but in Dunedin itself.

The most important part of the pageant at Port Chalmers was the landing of the “first settler-s” in crinoline and sugarloaf hats at a spot a few yards from where their forbears set foot in the new colony. As soon as the “John Wiekliffe” (the trawler Taiaroa converted to barque rig) dropped anchor longboats rowed the party ashore. In the form of a symbolic stage play they were welcomed by a group of surveyors, traders, and Maoris. “Captain Cargill,” a descendant of Captain Cargill, wearing the blue Scottish bonnet of his ancestor, replied to the welcome and then went on to deliver his famous address to the immigrants.

Speeches of Congratulation

' A formal ceremony followed in which congratulatory speeches were made made by the Governor-General (Sir Bernard Freyberg), the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser), Sir John Falconer, former Lord Provost of Edinburgh, Mr E. T. Tirikatene, representing the Maori race, and several others.

Then came a procession illustrating the history and industrial development of Port Chalmers. The celebrations ended with a children’s treat in the afternoon and a centennial ball at night.

More than 3000 people attended a commemoration ceremony in the Town Hall arranged by the Otago Early Settlers’ Association to honour the memory of the 97 passengers who arrived on the John Wiekliffe. Messages were read from the King and Queen and from the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations (Mr Philip Noel-Baker). Among the speakers were Mr Fraeer, the United Kingdom High Commissioner (Sir Patrick Duff), the Leader of the Opposition (Mr S. G. Holland), and the Governor-Gen-eral.

At night a civic service of thanksgiving in the Town Hall brought to a close a day which marked the climax of the centennial celebrations.

LOOKING BACK FIFTY YEARS SYNE (From the “Guardian,” Mar. 24, 189 S). Annual Meeting—The annual meeting of the local branch of the British and Foreign Bible Society was held in the Orange Hall on Thursday evening. There was a good attendance, and Dr. Trevor presided. On the' platform with the doctor were the local clergymen and other friends. Addresses eulogistic of the society’s work were delivered by several of the gentlemen on the platform. In the course of these addresses it was shown that something like 350,000,000 copies of the Scriptures or parts of them had been supplied to heathen nations. TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO (From the “Guardian,” Mar. 24, 1923). Singers—Of the Westminster Glee Singers who charmed Ashburton’s musical folk last evening, three of the boys were soloists of St. Paul’s Cathedral, London, and all of them are from one or other of the cathedrals around that historic neighbourhood. In the course of their stay in Ashburton they had time to pay a visit to the Domain, which delighted them with its varied freshness and beauty. They went on to Temuka this morning, and proceed to-morrow to Timaru, where they hope to spend two nights and see an eyeful of the fashionable port. They are to spend a week in Dunedin.