THE OLD COLONISTS GATHERING.

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 243, 13 October 1910, Page 2

THE OLD COLONISTS GATHERING.

I .'To the Editor.) I Sir,—l quite agree- with the remarks ;of your reporter in bis description of I ihe above "that the singing of 'The Old Hundredth' and '<_> (!od, our help in ages I past,' was something to be remembered." i think it might be termed magnificent. But 1 hope i shall be pardoned if I veni ture to question the propriety--of insertj ing original productions in the programme of these true gatherings. I un- ; feignedly wish many more years of ' healtli and happiness to the "old lady of 79" who composed the one that appeared the other day, and which was read by the Rev. .Mr. Lyon. Notwithstanding, if I had the houotir of beiug a member of tho executive, i should rigorously oppose the inclusion of any new matter ou these occasions, whether of poetry or music. Who knows what poetic fires may be latent in the breasts ' of these old colonists, and if once they find vent in composing poems for these annual meetings, and sending them to : the executive with a request for their ' publication, discord, and not concord, will bo the result. It is obvious that : they could trot all be accepted, and i equally obvious that the. authors of those wiiieh were rejected' .might feel ' a little sore at the fact; therefore, the ' wisest course world be to refuse all. 1 Personally. 1 entertain a feeling of gratitude and admiration for the men—and ; women, too—who first initiated, and who so successfully carry out. 'this idea of : an annual gathering of -tbe pioneers of the country. It is a great "religious," function in the best sense of the term, and serves to knit together the hearts of all those who participate in it.-—1 am, ■ etc., E. BEkkHOCSE.