PIONEER COLONISTS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIII, Issue 242, 10 October 1892, Page 4

PIONEER COLONISTS.

JUBILEE CELEBRATION TO-NIGHT.

The 9th of October is the anniversary of an epoch day in the history of New Zealand, aud tho jubilee of old colonists, which will ■be celebrated this evening in the Choral Hall, will mark an era iv tho progress of this colony. To-night will be assombled together many of the hardy spirits who with indomitable courage faced the dangers incidental to pioneer life in a new country inhabited by a warlike race of natives. Fifty years ago the Duchess of Argyle and ■lane Gilford cast anchor in Auckland harbour, having on board five hundred Scottish settlers. Those wero the first emigrant ships that left Great Britain for Auckland. That tho people were of the right stamp, their subsequent conduct has amply testified. Their do.icendants are now to bo found all over the colony, and have in most instances done credit to their hardy progenitors. Therohavealroadybeen three previous re-unions in 1862, 1867, and in 1882. The settlers by these two vessels wero Presbyterians, and being of one faith had a strong bond of union to hold them together. They embarked at Greenock in the Duchess ot Argyle (Captain Tait), on the 10th, and tho Jano Gilford (Captain Paul), on the 16th June, and both arrived in Auckland harbour on the 9th Octobor, 1812. In the latter vossel all the passengers were Scotch, with the exception of ono family. To-night's celobration will nob, however, be restricted to colonists who arrived by these two vossols. The promoters of tho re-union wisely decidod to includo nil colonists of 50 yoars' standing, and by this means a number of much older identities have boon drawn together,

An amount of work has devolved upon Mr J. J. Craig, the energetic Secretary of this Jubileo movement. Circulars havo been forwarded all over the country to old colonists, and the roplies recoived furnished valuable information, all of which has been carefully entered up by Mr Craig. From this source we are enabled to furnish tho following :— ROLL OF OLD COLONISTS. The followingMs the roll of 50-year colonists and over, as compiled from the returned schedules :— 1823-Mr E. M. Williams. Hon. H. Williams (born in New Zoaland), Arch. Deacon Williams (one year old when he arrrived), 1825 -Mr T. C. Williams. 1827—Mr John Williams. 1830—Mr John Edgerloy. Mrs Wm. Gittos (nee Hobbs)—oldesb native born European woman. 1332—Messrs Wm. Corbett, T. D. Cleghorn, T. Cleghom, Mrs. Boyd Bedlington. 1833-Messrs J. A. Wileon and C. J. Wilson, Richard Hobbs. 1834.—Archdeacon Maunsoll, Rev. Jas. Wallis, Mr Flatt, Mrs Wm. Kemp. 1835.—Judge Munro, Mr Richard Monk, Mosdames E. P. Martin (nee White), John Phillipps (nee White). IS36.—Messrs Wm. Brown, J, B. Russell, Geo. Banks, John Landers, Mrs Patrick Heath. IS37.—Mr J. England, Mesdames Antonio Martin, Ann Murphy (nee Davis), Quigley. 1838.—Mrs Valentine Blagrove. 1839.—Messrs J. P. DuMoulin. Thomas Keven, John Callnan, A. M. Kennedy, John Morris, Andrew Otto, Ronner, Alfred Smith, George Vincent, Mosdames Cheeseman, Garty, Holmes, Landers (nee Berry), A. A. Preece, E. M ills (nee Tapper), Rhodes, T. Angus White, W. J. Young, A. Webb, Robert McLennan, Mrs Whewell.

1840,—Dr. J. L. Campbell, Dr. Pollen, Rev. Gideon Smales, Rev. Wm. Gittos, Messrs Blagrove, Aickin, Daniel, Carron, Ed. Constable, P. Cooper, G. Easton, H. Edmonds, J. Gordon, C. G. Gentil, H, Goodfellow, W. Gorrio, P. Harkiri, T. Hekford, H. C. Holman, J.Hodge, J. Hodgson, Alex. Thos. Harris, H. M. Jervie, J. A. Longford, O. C. McGee, J. McQuoid, R. McGee. Mason (Dunedin, Auckland's first Mayor), Thos, Qakes, Thos. Paton, Thos. Pollock, Quigley, J. Runciman, James Runciman, A. J. Smith, R. Seccombe (90). C. B. Smith, Robert Stone, Triphook, Henry White, John Webster, William Wobstor, Henry Williams, H. N. Warner, A. Wilson, John Watson, W. J. Young, William Young, W. P. Brown, James McLellan, Mesdames Allison, Archibald (nee Hepburn), G. M. Main (nee Gittos), Bregman, C. Bailey, Binns, Geo. Boyd, Carruth, Crawley, Crewe, (nee Roberts), Cassidy, Christian, A. Dennett, P, Darby (nee Harkin), Dixon, Geo. Edge, G. Easton, L. Edmonds, A. Edmonds, D. Gorrie," Haydn (nee Melville), Holman, Inkster, Keegan, Langford, J. Lundon (nee Oakes), McPherson, McNaughton (aged 90), McNaughton, J. May, Nelson, M. Nash, Oakes, John Probert (aged 93), J. Scott, Charles Stichbury, Teague, G. C. Taylor, E. Wall, C. Walmsley, J. It. Wood, Wilson (Thames), A. Watson, Wing, Wilson. E. M. Williams, Hughes, H. Smith, Miss Runciman.

1841.—Hon. P. Dignan, M.L.C., Captain W. C. Daldy, Messrs W. S. Wilson, J. L. Wilson, P. J. T. Smith, J. Osborne, C. B. Stone, R. Smith Thompson, J. A. Wood, Henry Williams, John Webster, J. Westwood, Thomas Wylie, T. D. Cleghorn, C. F. Bell, E. R. Hill, Charles Hill, Hopkin Clarke, Deacon, J. P. Davis, F. G. Gleeson, G. S. Graham, John Harding, F, W. Howard, Thomas Kemp, James Lye (Taranaki), Legg, M. McDermott, J. McKerras, B. McKerras, Robert White, Mesdames Outhwaite, Pettit, John Robertson, C. Robertson, James Slater, Dixon (Canterbury), R. S. Sandoll, R. Smith (nee Lithgow), •J. A. Wood, Joseph Craig (nee Wood), Captain Williams, John Williamson, J. Westwood, Daniel Coyle, Chambers, B. T. Dudley, Woodhouse, L. Derrom (aged 95), J. P. Davies, Deacon, J. Gleeson, Harker, McLachlan, Miss C. Robertson, D. Lynch.

1842.—Messrs John Andrews, H., Apdrews, W. Andrews, Robert Andrews, Jamoß Andrews, J. Baber, R. K. Baber, E. Barry, G, T. Bernand, William Culpan, James Crawford, Thomas Churches, G. Carson, S. Clare, Josephus Craig, J. Carradus, James Clare, Richard Clare, J. L. Cole, E. Clarke, R. Connor, Thomas Cook, J. Caldicutt, James Derrom, James Dilworth, R. J. Duncan, G. Eliott Eliott (Dunedin), John Enabling Fitzpatrick, Thomas Finlay, James Finlay, R, S. Fielder, John Finlay, H. Gollan, William Greenwood, Sir William Fox, J. G. Gibson (Nelson), Hutchinson, W. Hume, J. Hill, A. Heather, S. Joll, W. Jamießon, G. S Kissling, Kenderdine (nee Preece), A. M. Kennedy, Ralph Keesing, D. Lundon, P, Lumber, H. C. Lawlor, Robert Laurie, Robert Leothart, Robert McLeod, H. McKenzie, McEwen, P. McNair, P. McArthur, J. Miller, D. Munro, A. Muir, sen., W. Miller, Jaflios Mackay, A. Nicholson, W. Oliver, Aitchison Oliver, J. Paterson, Paul, James Russell, Thomas Rogers, Caleb Robinson, W. M. Robinson, W. R. Robinson, D. Robertson, James Robertson, James Ross, David Russell, Joshua Robinson, F. D. Rich, V. Smith, W. J. Scott, J. C. Soall, J. Sharp, sen,, W. G. Scott, I. Scott, Joseph Scott, George Scott, John &. Simms, Alexander Simms, Matthew Simms, Robert Scott, H. Sbichbury, W. Smith, Stokes, W. Sharp, Jas. Symonds, F. Stickley, J. Stokes, W, L. Thorburn, James Tyler, Thomas Tudehope, NWilson, J. S. Williams, James Wallace, James Wilson, Thomas White, Mes, dames Allies, G. Boyd, J. Bell, John 8011, Bell, Burke (nee Power), Broadbenb, Barchard, J. Ballantyne, J. Blomfield (nee Hobbs), A. Craig (nee McPherson), Doughorty, Cawkwell, Cowan (neeLochead), E, Copeland, Wm. Cooper, Carmicbael, James Carradus, Cawkwell, B. Carter, M. Conway, Darling, Donald, A. Dingwall, P. Dignan, T. Dalton, Jas. England, George Edge, J. Erabling, Fitzpatrick, Thomas

Finlay, John Finlay, C. George, Rebecca Graham, Griffiths, Gimbel, George F. Gimbel, W. Hume, Hannah, Inkstor, Jackson (nte Sims), W. Jamieson, Jarrett, Jackson, A. M. Kennedy (nee Sims), Kunsb, Knox, Keir, H. H. Lawry (nee Foraaibh), H. G. Lawrence, H. C. Lawlor, M. A. Lamb, Lowe (nee Craig), McLellan, R. Brierty. J. McAlpine, McQuade, Mcintosh, McLiver, N. McClusky, McLarnon (nee Hawks), McLachlan, R. McLeod, J. Morrison, M. J. Marks, Mudford, E. Mills, Monaghnn, Matthews, (nee Watt), M. Moore, Mumford, Tames Moore, Marßhn!l(He_McKenzie),John Muir (HecFlatt), A. Matthews, H. Nicol, F. Osborne, J. Oliver, Partington, Pulham, A. Pollock, Pennal, R. Quinn, P. Robertson, F. D. Rich (nee Forbes), E. Scott, Mary Simms, Hendry Somervell, Simmonds, E. Shea, W. J. Sansom, Roborb Scott, Stafford, E. Shipherd, Stokes, H. Smith, E. Sayers (nee Kennedy), Trevarthon, W. L. Thorburn, James Tyler, Thompson, Robecca Thomson, Catherine Williamson, W. L. C. Williams, Jonathan Winks, E. Wood (nee Allen), John Wilson, West, W. B. White, Pennal], Misb Andrews.

In the abovo list 62 arrived in the Duchess of Argyle a6 adults or children, and 47 by Jane Giflord, and by Brilliant 4. Tho others arrived in the Tyne, Louisa Campbell, Annie Watson, Cholydra, SlainB1 Castle, Sophiu Pate, Boleno, Westminster, Bombay, Shamrock, Active, Buffalo, Brampton, Coromondel, Brazil Packet, Bollina, Rover, Martha, Nimrod, Porcupine, Lady Lilford, Fifeshiro, Osprey, Annie of Arbroath, Victoria, Fortune, Jomes, Tryphena, Hopo, Himalaya, Volocipode, Byron, Bongal, Surrey, Aurora, Amelia, Thompson, Diano, Union, Earl, Durham, Timemandrn, Exporter, Bee, Antillu, Berman, Lloyde, Caroline, Blackbird, Frances Speight, Jupiter, Martha Ridgway, Canterbury, Indemnity, Currency Lass, St. George, Clyde, Jane, Deborah, Oriental, Harlequin, Delhi, Tuscan, Pusoy Hall, Adelaide, Clifford, and William Bryant.

■ This roll of old colonists will no doubt still receive further additions, as it is the intention of tho Committee to have the names copied out on parchment, and ultimately deposited in the Free Library. When this fact Is moro generally known, those who have hitherto boen careless about sending in returns, will no doubt become more alive to the importance of having their names entered on what will yet bocome a historic document. The scene ab Mr Craig's office this morning was very interesting. Old identities walked in and entered their names. In answer to tho usual question, " How many descendants ?" the replies wero often 40, 50, 60, and so on —another evidence that these Scotch pioneers were the proper class to enter into possession of a country that required more population. An earnest of tho healthy nature of the climate is shown by the fine stamp of men that have been born and bred in New Zealand. Mon from 50 to 60 years of ago entered their names as born in the colony, and fine specimens they wero, The Hon. H. Williams appears to have been the first white man born in the colony, being now 69 years of age. His brothers, Mr T. C. Williams, 67 years of ace, and the Yon. Archdeacon Williams, who was a year old when he landed in 1823, are good recommendations as to the hcaltafulness of New Zealand. Another brother in this family, Mr 'E. M. Williams, of Mount Eden, head's the list as the oldest coloni.»b, bis age being 75. The oldest in years is Mr R. Soccombo. aged 90. Mrs William Gittos, nee Hobbs, is the oldest white woman born in New Zealand, as she datCß back to 1630. Mrs Derrom, senior, is the oldest female colonist, as she has now attained the advanced age ot 95 years. The story of the vicissitudes through which these old colonists have passed would be highly interesting, forming, as it must, do a portion of tho history of this colony. Reverting to thoee who arrived in tho Duchess of Argyle and Jano Gilford wo find that the notico in the "Government Gazette" doted Oitober, 1842, gives the passenger list as follows:—Duchess of Argyle: Mole adults, 90; females, 90; under 14, both sexes, 117: total, 297. Jane Gilford: Male adults 82; females, 81; under 14, both sexes, 75: total, 238. Grand total, 535. The emigrants are described as farm servants, labourers, sawyers, gardeners, farmers, blacksmiths, carpenters, joiners, millwrights, bricklayers, stonemasons, and artisans of various trade. The females were chiefly farm servants, dairymaids, and domestic servants. The emigrants were set to work at various jobs until employment was obtained. Single men were paid Is 6d and married 2s 6d per day. Fifty years of progress has so improved matters in this respect for the working man that no Government would now think of offering such a low rate of pay for relief work. As women were scarce in those days tho single girls soon settled down.

j Speaking at the Pitt-streeb Wesleyan Church upon the subject of "Fifty Years of Our History," the Rev. W. Morley so id that the material progress of the colony during that period was surprising. When in 1842 the two ships dropped anchor off Mechanics' Bay ond landed their passengers and cargoes in boats Auckland consisted of about thirty whores. Then it was almost a day's journey to get as far as Freeman's Bay, and a bridge had to be crossed where Swanson - street now stood. The whole population was less than 2,000. There were no roads, and it was not an uncommon occurrence for people to be lest almost within coo-ey of Fort Britomnrt. Now they had a population ot some 52,000, and they bad trams, railways, and telephones. Then it took eight months before a reply to a letter to England could be received; now the same could bo done in three months, and in cases of urgency a reply to a cable could be received in 24 hours. The population then- .only numbered 10,000, wherens it was now 626,000, of whom 58 per cent, were New Zealand born, Then almost everything had to be imported, but now their exports amounted to £9,000,000 a year. All the people, it was true, had not grown wealthy, as ib was then hoped they would; but the Savings Banks held de posits to the value of £3,000,000, and large sums were held by the Government Post Office Savings Bank. He was prepared to make the assertion that no other community in the world of the same size was as well off. Few, except for Borne fault of their own, ever wanted bread. OLD COLONISTS PHOTOGRAPHED. At 3.30 o'clock this afternoon a large number of jubilee colonists assembled at the Choral Hall for the purpose of being photographed by Mr J. R. Honna. The hall has been decorated with considerable taste, the walls being draped with bunting borrowed from vessels in port. The meeting of the old folks to be photographed reminded one of the gathering of the clans. CONGRATULATIONS. Mr McLachlan, one of the Committee of Old Colonists' Jubilee Meeting, has received a telegram from Sir Geo. Grey stating that he has joined in a general telegram from the members conveying their congratula tions to the old colonists. A letter has also been received from Lord Glasgow, regretting his inability to attend owing to the Parliament being in session. THE REUNION. Invitations for to-night's gathering have been sent to Archdeacon Maunsell, Dr. Purchas, the Rev. James Wallis, Rev. RF. Macnicol, tho senior Presbyterian minis ter, and to Monsignor McDonald. Mr Gilbert Carson, who was born on board the Jane Gilford, and is now proprietor of the Whangarei "Chronicle," hoi written regretting his inability to attend to-night.

Sir Maurice and Lady O'Rorke have signified their intention of being present. The chair this evening will be taken by a veteran colonist, Dr. J. Logan Campbell. The proceedings promise to be lengthy, as arrangements have been made for ferry-boats to leave the Auckland Wharf at 1 o'clock and 2.30 to-morrow morning. Fifty- years ago a dingy would have been about the only means of reaching Dovonport. The Committee has arranged for addresses from one or two old colonists, and two intervals will be allowed to enable old friends to great each other. A musical programme has also been arranged under the conductorship of Mr Towsey, and dancing will commence later on.

In the ante-rooms some souvenirs of old Auckland will be on exhibition, including a sketch of old Sb. Paul's Church and a portrait of the Rev. John Churton by the late Major Heaphy, also a photograph of Auckland in 1812. Evory arrangement has been made by Mr Craig and the Committee for the comfort and entertainment of the old colonists. Troracars will run direct from Ponsonby and Epsom to the Choral Hall. Ib has been agreed that passengers by the Duchess of Argyle and Jane Gilford shall wear rod and-white rosettes, and old colonists generally rosettes of red, white, and bluo.