ANNIVERSARY DAY.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 13608, 17 December 1909, Page 7

ANNIVERSARY DAY.

CELEBRATIONS BY PILGRIMS AND EARLY SETTLERS.

! the celebration of the f.fty-innth anniversary of the arrival of , thj firit four ships* was carried out . i n:oii success;uilj. by the early settlers 'I and representatives of the' Pilgrim ' { Fntheis— and mothers—of Canterbury. ; .Mr John Andersen, with that hc*pi- . i taaty which U2s aJlVay<s hoen the ch , r . . J actonsuc ot t|:o Canterbury Pilgrims, > j invit-eJ all the survivors troiu among \ i ti:oso wijo Kino out in the Charlotte ; j rfir Geo. 6oyir.oiir, Randolph, ■ j au * to inoet at his house and be ; J present at a luncheon given by him m honour ot mo day. j iie- Oiu Colonists' marked the recurrence oi mc aninversaiy by placing anGiher stone memorial —this tune in tne South I'ark—to mark the s;to of fuo wl-ires and tents erected by the early sit tiers coming by the'first'four ships. Botn functions were carried out with great success, tho weather being ■ i splendid, and the attendance, under I tno circumstances, very good. UXVEILIXG THE isTOXE. The stone memorial which was unveiled yesterday ha.s been placed in tuo_ pare oi ttie .South Park nearly opposite the United bowling green, where wore tho huts of the rliilpotts, tiij Qikuics, the Pattncks, and others i wliosubscquent.y farst tettied in the disI trict of £t. Albans. This spot is on tho bank of tne creeK wiiich runs tl rough the park. The stone bears tho following inscription on a brars plate: —"This stone was erected on December lGth. IiXW, by the Old Colonists' As-s<K.-ia.tion, to mark the spot where tho early settlers erected tneir huts in 1551." There was a gcodly gathering, including .amongst others .Mrs b\ tomith (formerly a Miss Philpott) and Mr G. Philpott, representing tho families who camped on the spot. Mr A. K. Kirk said they had met, as was their annual custom, to celebrate the anniversary by placing another atone memorial in commemoration of th<-- o!d times. He was pleased to see so many there that day to take part in such an interesting ceremony. Mr Kirk then called upon Mr G. It. Hart, president of the Old Colonists' Association, to unveil the stone. Mr Hart said that the little ceremony at which they were assisting,would in times to come be of the utmost importance. Now that tho work of collecting documents, pictures, etc., in connection with the early history of Canterbury had been taken over by the Canterbury College Board of Governors, the Association intended to devote themselves to tho work of placing memorial stones to mark historic spots in and around the city. On the spot where those present were gathered, a number of the nioneer settlers set up their whares and tents on their first introduction to their new "home. The generation of Pilgrims—that was tho second generation who remembered soonethins of the old days—was fast passing away, and when they were gone, a great deal of the information on the subject of oarly history would also pass n.way. The idea had occurred to him (the speaker) that it would be a good thing to have a permanent mark on some of the historical spots for the benefit of future generations, and this idea had been adopted by tie Association. He urged those present, so long j as they lived, and the rising generation in times to come, to keep up Anniversary Day even though only half-a-dozen met together. It was, Mr Hart pointed out, not only the sentiment connected with commemoratins the arrival of the first four shins that should influence them, but they must remember that it was on the second Anniversary Day, not far from that very spot, that that great man John Robert Godley took ' his touching farewell of the people amongst whom he had lived and worked. For that reason, if for no. other, they should never allow the celebration of Anniversary Day to pass into oblivion. Xext year being the Diamond Jubilee of the Province, he suggested that they should commemorate that parting by placing a stone column on the srot at Pilgrims' Corner, where the farewell gathering to Mr Godley was held. The stone was , then iinveiled. Mr R. C. Bishop said that he was a descendant of the Pilfrrims and one himself, having arrived, by the Randolch, though very'young at the time; and he desired to express tho pleasure it gave him to be present that day. They had -ill had to rongh it pretty hardly in the old times; but still they were always a hanpy family. He stronely suprorted the remarks of the president as to the necessity of never dropping the celebration of Anniversary Day, and he hoped to see ei-ery year a commemoration of so interesting an ow>>r.ion. Photogranhs were then taken of those present and of the Pliilnott family and the president and officers of the Association present. GATHERING AT MR JOHN ANDERSON'S. The gathering at Mr John Anderson's was a.most representative one, including as it did not only Pilgrims, but those who were facetiously called during the proceedings "The Prehistoric Antediluvians," i.e., those who were here before the first four ships arrived. These latter included Mr S. C. Farr, Messrs Hay (2), Mr Deans, and; Mrs John Deans (representing the Deans family), and Mr A. E. G. Rhodes (representing the Rhodes family). There were present others outside the special representatives of early eettlers, including his Lordehip Bishop Julius, Mrs Julius, Miss Anderson, Mrs A. E. G. Rhodes, and Mr W. H. Triggs. Altogether, over one hundred took part in the celebrations. After a short interval spent in exchanging reminiscences and renewing old friendships covered, the party adjourned to lunch, which was served in a. marquee in the grounds. Mr John Anderson occupied the chair, Messrs W. G. Brittan (Sir George Seymour) and A. D. Dobson (Cressy) being in the vice-chairs. After luncheon, the Chairman read apclogiee for non-attendance from several who had been invited, including tis Excellency the Governor, who expressed regret at not being able to be present on so interesting an occasion; and the Hon. C. C. Bowen, M.LrC/ He went on to say that he had been given by Mr Richards an account paid to his father, the late Mr John Anderson, for work done. He had! been so surprised at the moderate amount charged for the work, considerinc; that his father had had to carry all the raw material he used over the hill, that he had bad it framed and intended to hanjr it up in the offices of Andersons. T.td. In giving the t.iast of "The King.' , the Chairman svid' that the late Queen Victoria had taken a very warm interest in the work of the Canterbury Association, and in the sailing of the first four ships which had borne the Pilgrims to what was then to them an unknown land. He felt sure there was no body of people who possessed greater zeal for the welfare of the Empire. Thf> toast having been honoured, and the National Anthem sung, The Chairman proposed the Jiealth of his Excolloncy the Governor, which was also enthusiastically honoured. Bishop Julius, said he was pleased to be present on so interesting an occasion, and felt honoured at being asked to propose the toast of "Health and Happiness to fhe Pioneers and Early Pilgrims." He had often, wished that,-following the American idea, the day could be called Thanksgiving Day. They had much to

be thankful lor that God had been so good to them, and that so many had oetin snared to be present on that, day. Therefore, Jie thought that Thanksgiving Day would be a more appropriate title, lor December ltith than tiie- present one. Tho Pilgrims .had a strong and abiding gratitude to the men under whoso aus'-itW they had come to that new country. Their names were perpetuated in the hills, rivers, and townships of the jrovineo, and would never fade away whilst Canterbury lasted. The early settlers were good men and true, and hard work was before the { vouneer uoneration in Christchurch to I live up to the record of their forebears I who came out in the early days. They ! were nicked nen, who cheerfully faced j the dilh'culties and dangers of ocean travel to seek fortune :n a new land, and being so, they were far above their fellows. Tney had, in the early da\s, to live in whares and tents, and sleep under flax bushes, and now in their later years they looked abroad nnd saw a beautiful nty. Therefore, they had much cause to thank God for what had been done. They loved the old days, the old comradeship, and even the "hard times they had rone throuch; and so, good Canterbury" Pilgrims that they were, he said God bless them. Equally, if not more -o, those who came earlier than the Pilgrims, the Deans family, the Rhodes family, and the Hays family, who were here before any of them! were entitled to their reverence and respect. Those families had held out thokindly hand of welcome to the newcomers in a strange land, and had done all that they could for them. He desired to couple with the toast tho names of Messrs W. G. Brittan and A. D. Dobson. Mr "W. G. Brittau expressed regret at the absence of the Hon. C. C. Bowen, who would have done ample justice to the to-ist, but he fully esteemed the honour which had been done him in coupling his name with it. Mr" Brittan then referred to the claim made by the Randolph to the priority of arrival, and urged that as the Sir George Seymour • had left a day later than tho rest, she was entitled to that honour. Their parents had had to encounter many trials and difficulties, and they should be proud . that they had sprung from men and women who had struck out from comfortable homes and mad© the country what it was. Hβ desired also to express their gratitude to those -who were here before them for the hospitality and kindness shown by them to the parents of the present representatives of the Pilgrims. Their host of the day, Mr John Anderson, was entitled to their gratitude for the kindly and hospitable thought which, had brought them together that day. Ho wished to follow that example and to ask all present and those who were not who were Pilgrims to do him the honour to meet him at his home on the Cashmere Hills next Anniversary Day. Thence they could look out on the beautiful city, and he felt sure they -would exclaim in the words of the Psalmist, "My hath fallen unto mc in a fair land. Yea, I have a goodly heritage." Mr A. D. Dobson said he had great pleasure in being present that day. As had been said, the early settlers were picked men and women who were the right sort to meet the difficulties inseparable from early colonisation. He could remember as a boy standing on the top of the Port Hills and looking out on the plains on which was to bo seen only a tent where the White Hart now was, a group of buildings near ■where the Gas Office now was, and another group near the Market place (now Victoria square). Now they had a city ! "with all the appliances of modern civilisation, and he had risen to have charge of the works of that ciity. He desired to thank Mr Anderson on behalf of his shipmates in the Creesy for his kindly hospitality. Mr Deans briefly responded on behalf of the Deans family, saying that the young colonials far preferred New Zealand to be called a colony rather than « Domfnion.' He wos proud to bo there that day to meet the descendants of those with whom his . grandsfather had had such pleasant relations in the old days. Mr A, E. G. Rhodes said he -was glad to be. present that day, and; td meet so many old coltenists. His people had been in Canterbury before the first four ships, and so had the family of Mr Hey. It was very pleasant to be able to record that the old settlers and the Pilgrim Fathers had got on co well together, and he rejoiced that, thanks to Mrs John Anderson's hospitality, he had been able on the second day after returning home to meet so many old settlers. They had travelled a good deal since leaving Canterbury, but after all there was no place like their home here. Mr S. C. Farr pave an. interesting account of • the eariy days on the Peninsula before the arrival of the first four shi&B, and ! spoke of several adventures of the early days. Mr J. Hay spoke cs to .the kindly relations existing between the early settlers, and the Pilgrims. Messrs G. R. Hart, R. C. Bishop, E. Pavitt, and Bayfield, also spoke. The last mentioned suggested that next year being tho Diamond Jubilee, invitations might be sent .to the son of the late Mr Godley, and other descendants of the original members of the Canterbury Association, to visit ; Canterbury. .

Mr Durey read a very interesting dress to the Pilgrims, detailing the steps taken by him to form.a. roll of the Pifgrims. Starting with twenty-two last year attending the annual gathering, they had increased this year to sixty-five. Hβ mentioned that'during the year the following pilgrims had died:—Mrs Haskins, Mrs Bayfield Mr F. Philpott (Randolph), Mrs Wornali Miss Fanny Washbcurne (Sir Geo' Seymour), Mrs Patten (Cressy). Photographs were then taken of all present, and also of the passengers by the first four, ships. The passengers present were: — Charlotte Jane: Mesdames Mary Griffin, Whitmore (nee Miss Jane Grobb), Blake (nee Mise Bishop), W. Buss (nee Miss Howard), Messrs R. C. Bishop, John Jeffs, and J. Anderson. Sir George Seymour — Mesdames Crates (nee Miss Button), G. Allard, Wright, Dalton, Miss Daiton, the Rev. F. G. Brittan. Messrs W. (>. Brittan, J S. Asbby, R. Wornill, G. A. Wornali. G. Cresswell. J- Hill, L. Rooke, G. S. Philips, J. DureVj P. J. Laraman —16. Randolph—Mesdnmes F. Smith- (nee Miss Philpott). Joreoh Raplev (nee Mhs Worvdford), John Harper. R. Harper, Harris (nee Miss Stakes). Winter (nee Miss Stokes). Mcnrrief (nee Miss Stokes). Horrell (nee Wif>s Waghern), Wntson (nee Miss Free), G. Howi«on (no« Miss Free), Messrs A. D. Bayfield. E. Smart. A. Philpott, G. Philpott. A. X. Philpott, A. G. Philpott, •T. Harper. R. Harper, J. R. Chamey—2o. Cressv—Merdamcs Rcsendale (t\fe Mi.ss Whitmore), Vincent (nee Miis Whitmore). Hewitt, Cbiridee (nee Miss Duffel). Rook* (nee Miss Duffel), Coxher»d (nee Miss MouMoy). Messrs R. Evans, T. Kent, O. Dunford. G. R. Hart. E. C. Mouldey. E. Kent, I. Parish, W. Parish. J. R. Childs. A. D. Dobson. E. Baker, J. F. Baker, and F. Allen—l9. A hearty vote of thanks -was carried by acclamation to Mr John Anderson for his hospitality, and three cheers worn lienrtilv given for Mr, Mrs, and Miss Anderson.