AFTER FIFTY-FOUR YEARS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 34, 8 February 1917, Page 7

AFTER FIFTY-FOUR YEARS.

ANNUAL REUNION OF PIONEERS SHIPS DEVONSHIRE AND GERTRUDE. Bel—lion functions of the most unorthodox description present to many concerned features of interest, but such gatherings as applied to our pioneers jossess a poignant interest for all. They are distinctive gatherings of persons •to whose enterprise, energy, and foreBglt we are largely indebted to-day for the prosperity we enjoy in this settled land. So it v&s that the anniversary ot the arrival in Auckland of the ships Devonshire end Gertrude, on February 7 and S, IF/B, respectively, was yesterday afterjc/m celebrated by the shipmates, relatives, and friend? in a most enthusiastic manner at Point Erin Park. The weather was fine, and there was a large attendance. The early settlers were met at the -trams and conveyed by motor-cars to the scene of the jubilations. White hairs, physical infirmities, and frailty denoted in. several instances the handiwork of Jither Time, and main- a revered face and personality was missed, but those considerations were lost to those present, -who entered into the festive spirit—the _nnd of companionship of yore—with genuine delight. About, twenty-five of the passengers ■who landed by the two boats participated in »b'„ commemoration. Those who came bv/the-ship Gertrude preponderated. To 'fet—guish the folk by the two vessels, those, by the Gertrude wore blue and -i—ite badges, and those by the Devonshire red and white. The complete list of those, remaining alive, or of those present, was not available owing to the free and somewhat informal nature of the celebration. However, those present -inct—led Mr. John Wrigley, Mr. G. L. Biomson, Mr. and Mrs. S. Biomfield, Mr. and Mrs. Farrand. Mrs. MeMaster. Miss Cotterill, Mr. S. White, Mr. G. I. Panter, Mr. and Mrs. R. Bradley (Auckland), 3_g. Masefield (Northern Wairoa), Mr. and Mrs. R. X. Smith (Thames), all by the Gertrude; Mr. Dunbar Johnston, Mrs. _"ren<— and Mr. Samuel Clark, by the Bevo—shire. ''":. SOME OF THE PIONEERS. It is worthy of note that Mr. WUliam Cooper bas just gone into retirement after holding the position of official Court reporter in Auckland for sixteen jars. _tr. Samuel Clark still looks hale. He was sporting two veteran medals. Mr. Ch irk carries sear evidence of the part ie played in the Maori war from 1563 to 1567: Speaking to a reporter, ihe stated •that he took part in a good many engagements, mostly on the lines of ambusodes and skinniahes. This was in Tara_uki. He was also in the force under Gaieral Schute which took Waikoikoi apm the Maoris. A right hearty type of the sturdy «arly arrivals was Mr. Samuel White, "vhb established the well-known firm of cqntracto— _ Messrs. White and Sons, in this city. AThen a Pressman ventured fthe supposition, in quest of some matter |of-interest concerning the past, that Mr. ,' "Wlite'-might recall some experiences, tbe I old gentleman laughed in the irrepresI able manner that was so characteristic i of onr forbears in the days when trouble < and hardship faced them on every _an<L I "Did you not have many stirring ineiI 'dents in-your time?" was the gentle and persistent question put to the old settler, who replied, "Oh Lor, scores of them; so many that T can't remeniber." He began to talk cheerily, and amongst his anecdotes he mentioned that he built the first exhibition building in Auckland. "I was a bit pinched for time, and the committee \ in charge decided to penalise mc to tbe extent of £100 per day for every day I *ent over my time in completing the ttection of the building. I got it fin—bed a day or two before, but it was cut pretty fine, I can tell you." concluded Mr. White, with another laugh, as an official hurried him away to get his photograph taken with the group. TRIBUTE FROM THE CITY. The Mayor (Mr. J. H. Gunson), in tbe course of some appropriate remarks, said it gave him great pleasure to attend once more a gathering celebrating the arrival in Auckland of the worthy settlers by the good ships, Gertrude and Devonshire. This was the third occasion on which it had been held during a time of great stress and strain,- and it was pleasing to think that there were those in our midst who took sufficient interest in those days of 1863 to perpetuate these meetings of She old folk. The gatnering that "lay was evidence of the fact that there still quite a number of the first Passengers, he was glad to 6ay. able to take an active part in the function held annually. Of course, the ranks were being thinned, which was only natural. 'AH looked back with a sense of pride and thankfulness upon the work of the early settlers, who* by their abundant and useful labours.' laid tlie foundation •of this fine city. On behalf of tbe citizens he wished those present, and those ■matte to be present, on their anniversary many happy returns, and hoped , they would long be spared to enjoy the mirts of their early citizenships, and to again _eet in the future. Mr. Gunson, ™ concluding, referred to the fine efforts of Mr. Dunbar Johnston, from a A *? ySar ' m or _ anisil "'? the reunions aM thus keeping green the memories « tie early days. He trusted that the Passengers and their descendants on the ~~? occasion of assembling, would meet Pa I cond ition of a world-wide =«W lasting peace having been obtained. Applause.) fn^\V Dmibar Joh nston called for cheers **■ and Mrs- Gunson. and Mr. GunatW? eDtlonin ? that hr noticed a good fi r\° f l OW f e °P ]p ' called for STL. * V chefirs for thff old *°lfc— thC Gertr - Jdf and the w£? Jg£- '" h ca!C THE --."NnPERSARY TE v •nterin di °^u ment *" as then made the a-Ttwin 16 tea kiosk wh ™° «• % ht £****<*% prepared luncheon was ? €re tfce o ]d People and W d ,T Ddants and friends W-ed *£_ta___T_T many happy and re__l«3 I ° ents a nd reminiscences were of" and cordia V"™ paraarkefl fc» v - . P r °ceedmgs were Jfiren +T. y a . b r'g h tuess that must havo Bion u**™P~l arrival, every occa--1917 rp„^ JolCe Up ° n the success of the ' \t eunionhh- r *Ar r r IUIS Tr-°?,- pre£ided ' ha ™S ~ fetter a-* W '' l ' a ™ Biomfield, whose the Jert-L ° ther ' hoth P»»«>gei_ by s ton^ def P , , Werepre ' 3P,lt " M?.Jo__. &_ Ht , D ? referp to the. passm yea r 1 ° f the during stand as' aS , kcd those prersent to •¥*__."• mrk of res r>ect. The L™t° lead a numt *r of apologies Wto m& ™ able he present ow«M H, > fi ' Ckness *nd other rea-ir-bnL t„ r te " "•Po 1 "-**.' for h- -??***, and, like othera who could

not attend, wished tho gathering a. sueI cess, and hoped all tire old passengers would again commingle. Mr. Johnston made sympathetic mention of the, demise of the Hon. Dr. McNa'b, who, although not a passenger by the vessels under notice, always showed a keen interest dn the arrivals by them and in the passengers who arrived by other early ships. Dr. McNab was one of New Zealand's foremost historians, and his death was a big loss to this Dominion. Mr. W. Biomfield and several others present made some fitting remarks concerning .the early arrivals, and several mus lC al items helped to enjoyably while away a pleasant time.