SETTLERS CELEBRATE

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 102, 24 January 1933, Page 10

SETTLERS CELEBRATE

Wellington Birthday Cake

“ROLL OF HONOUR” READ

Professor F. P. Wilson, president, occupied tbc chair at the annual reunion of the Eearly Sei tiers’ and Historical Association of Wellington, held in the Oddfellows’ Hall, Clyde Quay, yesterday afternoon. In opening the proceedings the president gave a hearty welcome to all present, especially to his Grace Archbishop Redwood, who. Professor Wilson said, was actually one year older than Wellington City. There were those to-day who considered that they were enduring hardships if they were not able to go to the pictures every night, said the president. When he heard men talking like that he felt inclined “to put in the boot.” The early settler managed to amuse and entertain themselves with much simpler pleasures—conversation, literature aud music,, and happy family parties that were full of wholesome fun and real enjoyment.

In those ftld days a tradesman did not wait for a tram to take him to his work. Carpenters used to walk from Island Bay to Kelburn and think nothing of it. No doubt they had their troubles in those times, but they did not. complain as much as people did nowadays, but went oh determinedly, with a tightened belt, to see it through. That was the spirit of the pioneers. Professor Wilson mentioned that seven years hence Wellington would'be celebrating her centenary, and he ventured to express the hope that all present would live to see the day. After the singing of the National Anthem, all present joined in singing the old hymn, “All Pople that on Earth do Dwell,” and later sang the pioneer hymn, “O God. Our Help in Ages Past.” During the afternoon the ninety-third birthday cake of 'Wellington was cut and served to mejnbers and friends.

The Roll of Honour- —the list of members —was as follows: —George Judd (ship Martha Ridgeway, 1840), Henry Curtis (ship London, 1840), J. Daysh (ship Gertrude, 1841), his Grace Archbishop Redwood (ship George Fife, 1842), Mrs. Cornfoot (nee Shorter), a centenarian; John Kilmister (Lady Nugent), Alfred Mills, Mrs. E. J. Brown, born in New Zealand iu 1843; T. P. Allen (1845), Mrs. W. B. Alien (1847), Mrs. Player (1847), Miss Allen (.1852), Mrs. Chisholm (1855), Alfred Allen (1855), Mrs. Ralph, H. J. Claridge (1856), Mark-Maxton and George Tain.