SAILING SHIP WAITANGI

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22306, 21 January 1938, Page 18

SAILING SHIP WAITANGI

. — # PASSENGERS' ANNUAL REUNION GATHERING AT LYTTELTOK Eleven of the survivors of the 314 passengers who arrived at Lyttelton in the clipper ship Waitangi on January 15, 1384. attended the annual reunion which was held at the Excelsior Hall, Lyttelton, yesterday. There were also present relatives and descendants of some of the passengers. They were welcomed by Mr C. B. Forbes, president of the Waitangi Shipmates' Association. The passengers present were Mrs J. L;£iins (nee Gabriel), Burwood; Mrs E. Marsh (nee Spinner), New Brighton; Mrs D. C. Colville (nee Geary), Mrs H. M. Gowans (nee Aylwardi; Messrs C. B. Forbes (Cust). A. R. Forbes (Cust), R. H. Lang (Cust), A. E. Small (Ashburton), H. R. Taylor iHarjgiora), James Wood (Christchurch), and J. T. Norton (Lyttelton). Mr E. Harris, of Kirwee, who arrived in New Zealand in the Waitangi nine years earlier, in 1875, was also present. After half an hour for the exchange of reminiscences, the shipmates were summoned to the luncheon table by the sounding of a ship's bell, followed by the singing of a shanty, lead by Mr J. TV Norton. In proposing the toast of "Shipmates, Absent and Present," the president contrasted methods of travel in 1884 with those of to-day. The Waitangi had taken 77 days for the passage) from Plymouth to Lyttelton, really a smart trip. To-day, giant aeroplanes or flying boats could do the trip in seven days. The toast was responded to by Messrs J. Liggins and J. Smith. After the luncheon a meeting of the association was held.