THE PIONEER CLUB.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1115, 1 May 1911, Page 9

THE PIONEER CLUB.

.THOSE WHO HAVE DARED. :Wo have not in New Zealand a club composed. of .-descendants of tho men who helped to make New Zealand by their gallantry in war, their heroism and steadfastness in facing tho privations and perils of the .early days of colonisation, but, if one wore ever forward, there could be a large and noblo membership. - In Sydney, very recently, a Pioneer Club was opened, and Lord Dudley, who performed the ceremony, paid a fine tribute to tlio memory, of those men to whose courage and enterprise Australia owes so much. , Sir Edmund Barton also spoke, and applauded tho purpose of the club—the linking together of the descendants of tho men whose names made illustrious .the pages of Australian'.history. The walls aru hung witli. old-fashioned portraits, many of them curious reproductions of old daguerrotypes, showing the strong, capable faces of those intrepid spirits who "blazed the trail" and opened new doorways iu the world. Captain Cook is there, and Sir Joseph Banks, Captain William Bligh, and Jean Francois do Taloup, Comte de la Pcrouso, Colonel Collins, Edward Henty, John Waxland, Arndoll Watcrhouse, Colonel Sir Jlaurico O'Connell, Archibald Bell, Surgeon John Harris, Dr. John Scaly Griilin, Captain Phillip Gidle.v King, Lieu-tenant-Colonel George Johnston, Captain John Hunter, Picv. Richard Johnson, Captain Arthur _ Phillip, Captain John Jlacarthur, William Faithful, Veil. Archdeacon Cowper, and scores of others. Like tho Mayflower Club in America, this may bo said to be tho most _ exdui'.ivo ':lul> in Australia. Neither money, nor genius, nor-influence can gain you admittance. Tho key of membership is of an antique pattern unknown to the locksmiths of to-day, and will turn only in tho hand of a descendant of a pioneer. Tho membership now numbers nearly 300. The aims of the club aro to collect and preserve relics and pictures of historical interest, and to givo Australia the place she deserves, but has never received, iu heroic records. Australia began her career 011 the- wrong foot, as it were. Tho wrong things have always been remembered about her, for whatever may have.been her incidental, experiences, tho annals of her early days aro starred with splendid achievements. And it ,is time, the Pioneer Club considers, that this was acknowledged by tho world. ' One thing tho visitor notes—there is no feminine touch anywhere in tho club; it is devoted entirely to tho glorification of men. Yet women play a pretty important part ill the making of Australia. This tho secretary (Mr. Hope Johnston) readily admits. lie has received communications from women all over tho continent, . evincing tho deepest interest in the club, .and 110 hopes to rccognise their • claims by making "the wives of tho pioneers" a standing toast at tho annual banquet. For permanently removing superfluous hnir by .electrolysis Jlrs. ltolleston was awarded'a diploma at the Rhodes School of Electrolysis. Boston, U.S.A. Appointmerits mado and personal attention given at her new address, 25G Lambton Quay, nearly opp. the Economic. 'Phono loUi), * For U p-to-da'to Costumes, seasonable an( l well cut, go to W.. S. Bedford, Willis Street, over Shop occupicd by !•'. Cohen, Mercer.—'