THE PILGRIMS.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18566, 16 December 1925, Page 11

THE PILGRIMS.

| COMMEMORATION CONCERT | DANCES AND SONGS OF OTHER | DAYS. j Tho gathering which was held in the j Caledonian Hall last night in celebration of the 7~>th anniversary of the ar- ' rival of the first of the Pilgrim ship? must have brought pride to the hearts of the pioneers who were present, and was a tribute to the organising ability nf tho Canterbury Pilgrims' Association. The entertainment which was given was sueli as would recall to the pioneers tfie days when they arrived in New Zealand, filled with the spirit which has resulted in Canterbury becoming the great province it is to-day, and it also served to enable the present generation to-learn something of the manner in which the' pioneers used to enjoy themselves at social gatherings, long before jazz was thought of. Owing to the success of the entertainment, there is a likelihood of its being repeated at an early date. An outstanding feature of the entertainment was the presentation of three tableaux symbolical of the early pioneering days. "The Landing of the Pilgrims" was divided into three parts. The first showed a group of Maoris waiting on the shore to greet the pioneers, the second depicted them watching the landing, and the final sceno was illustrative of the pioneers being greeted. The tableaux were most effectively given, and were correct to the smallest detail of dress, the' Maoris, who came from Ra'paki, being attired in native costume, while the Pilgrims wore the quaint apparel of the Victorian, period. Those who represented the Pilgrims were': Mrs It. IS. Batchclor, Mrs F. Polhill, Miss M. E. Pyne, Mr E. H. S. Seagcr, and Master H. S. Batchelor.

Tableau and Quadrille. An old-fashioned quadrille was danced at the conclusion of the tableau depicting "The. First Assembly Ball," in which tho ladies' dresses lost little, if anything at all, in comparison with those of 1925, the men being most noticeable for the mutton-chop whiskers with which their faces were adorned. Those who took part in the tableau wore: Mrs J. E. Cuningham, Misses G. Anderson, E. Eeynolds, and T. Thompson, and Messrs J E. Cuningham, E. E. Webb, H. Barker, and N. Batchelor, and in the quadrille (which was arranged by Miss Lowe): Mrs ,T. E. Cuningham, Misses G. Anderson, E. and T. Thompson, and Messrs J. K. Cuningham, E. E. "Webb, H. Barker, and N. Batchelor. The third tableau, which represented | Dr. Barker's tent among the tussocks, wa3 the more interesting to many of the pioneers present whoso memory could carry them back so far, in that two of those who appeared in it were Mr W. Barker, a son of the pioneer, and Miss Barker, a granddaughter, and also because the furniture used in it was actually used by the Doctor. Other items given were: "Sailors' Chanties," Mr. T. W. Charters and chorns; song, "The Englishman," Mr Charters; recitations, "The Night Watch on the Charlotte Jane" and Professor Wall 's commemorative ode, Mr A. A. Johnson; song "I Knew Something," Miss K. Helmore, Mr D. R. Cracroft .Wilson, and chorus (by courtesy of Miss I. Mulvany Gray); gavotte, Misses T. Thompson, and E. Vaughan, and Messrs N. Batchelor and D. Carl (arranged bv Miss Lowe); dance, "Sir Soger de Coverley," children representing the pioneers (arranged by Miss Lowe). During the proceedings, the president called .'Oll the winners of the Association's competition, open to scholars of primary schools for the best essay on "The' Progress of Canterbury during the past 75 Years''—Miss E. C. Cook (North New Brighton School) and Miss M. Butterfield (Somerfield School) —to accept special prizes of £2 2s and £1 Is respectively, ihe presentations being made amid applause.

"Auld Lang Syne," la the unavoidable absence' of Sir B. Heaton Bhodes, who was to have addressed the gathering, the president of the Canterbury Pilgrims' Association (Mr J. A. Fleshe'r) delivered a brief speech appropriate to the occasion. The entertainment had proved such a success, he said, that it was to be hoped that it would be given annually, with a view to instilling into the younger generation the example' of the pioneers. The present was the third occasion* on which the Association had arranged Anniversary Day celebrations. After giving details of the growth of the Association-, the president said he was glad to see so many pioneers present, including Mrs Whitmore. It had been suggested! to him, ho continued, that a "Who's Who?" should be compiled of those who came to New Zealand 75 years ago, and ho would admit that the isea appealed to him. Mr Flesher trusted that as many of the pioneers as possible would attend the final day's celebrations, which were to take place at Lyttelton to-day. The Association, he said, was endeavouring to preserve the history of thi' early settlers, and had been fortunate in being granted the uso of a room 111 the City Council Chamfiers in which to collect relics. H e hoped that the public would send along to the Association for safe-keeping any S uch exhibits In conclusion, the president expressed pleasure at the fact that pioneer who had arrived bv on© nf First Four Ships, the Bev. F. G Brittan and who was present at the gathering! had been able to preach at the servW Sui d o*f the C - f i l edral 0n Sunda F honPilgrims' landiiig. anmversar y of the .taut* a ri'rxs txtp; < more, one of the two snrv?-" V , . ship Charlotte' Jane. assemble! oil the K«o° w£r^ reet ,'.' 1 " th <**>■ Z piause. w ith the audience thev in singing "Auld Lang Swip Jt* Which Mr Jota the pioneers, returned thanks enthusiastic manner in tt-k- ? - been received; also re W Ch bad to the great reception Saturdaj-. n t0 thcm on