OLD-TIMERS MEET

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 1, 26 September 1939, Page 12

OLD-TIMERS MEET

Celebration By Early Settlers DOMINION DAY Flowing beards and snowy hair were much in evidence, when old-timers met in Wellington yesterday for the Early Settlers’ Association Dominion Day celebrations. The meeting, which was very largely attended, took the form of a social afternoon. The oldest pioneer present was Mr. W. B. Allen, Carterton, aged 92. Others were Mr. Mark Maxton, Mrs. C. A. Allen, Mr. C. Cud-by, Mr. C. J. Pearson, Mrs. Emma Chisholm, and Mr. W. Toomatli, secretary of the association. An interesting photograph of the Victorian era, to be hung in the Wakefield Hall of the new municipal library, was handed round. It showed the family of the late George and Jane Elizabeth Allen, Wellington. New Zealand entered upon her 101st year on a note of sorrow, but not misgiving, said the president, Professor IT. P. Wilson. Britain’s cause in the present European conflict was a right one, and must triumph in the end, but before that day many of those present might have gone to another -land.

Dominion Day commemorated New Zealand’s emerging from the colonial stage, and becoming a nation, among those others joined together in the British Commonwealth. It was a day of rejoicing at the wonderful. progress that had been made . New Zealand owed much indeed to those who, from the wilderness, had carved' these Islands of the Blest; blest because of their rich natural resources, and because of the national character built up by .selection of her early colonists. For though it was impossible to control the entry in the early days of adventurers from the other side of the Tasman, still 90 per cent, of the early settlers were selected immigrants of sound English, Scots and Irish stock. The mayor of Lower Hutt, Mr. J. W. Andrews, said that nothing that could be achieved by politicians today could ever equal the splendid work of New Zealand’s pioneers. Mr. J. C. Webb, Wellington, produced a manuscript diary of his father’s of .100 years ago. He said his father, a stonemason’s apprentice from a Kentish village, worked his passage to New Zealand as a member of the crew of the sailing ship Cuba, which brought the New Zealaild Company’s survey party. From February. 1839. to June. 1845, he made a daily entry in the dairy.

He said that the dairy was on foolscap and was extremely delicate to handle. The Turnbull Library had offered to repair it, if he would bequeath it to the national collection; but he could not do that because it was bequeathed to his eldest son.

Mr. Maxton reminisced of the early days and old identities he had known. The old ladies were presented with floral bouquets. Between the speeches there was singing, and afternoon tea followed. The celebration was regarded as most, successful.