EARLY SETTLERS

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 3, 29 September 1942, Page 4

EARLY SETTLERS

Preservation Of Relics

GIFTS TO ASSOCIATION

The possibility of finding at least a temporary home for relics associated with the early days of life in New Zealand was mentioned by the mayor of Wellington, Mr. Hislop, when he extended the good wishes of their fellow citizens to a large assembly yesterday afternoon of members of the Early Settlers and Historical Association of Wellington, who met in an informal function to celebrate Dominion Day. There should, said Mr. Hislop, be some place to be known as an early settlers’ hall, where they could keep treasured mementos, and have a meeting place for themselves. He suggested that, in the meantime, the New Zealand room in the municipal library might be made available, pending a permanent early settlers’ hall which could conceivably be provided when the proposed civic centre was built. Commenting that at all these meetings it was only timely and, he thought, right, tq speak of' the spirit of the pioneers, Professor F. B. Wilson, who was chairman of the inaugural meeting of the association 31 years ago, and who again presided, said he wished to emphasize that they were now in the fourth year of the greatest struggle for liberty and democracy. However, democracy, he considered, was worthless unless they recognized its duties. These came. first, and rights afterwards. Though in 7a per cent, of the people was to be found a great spirit of service he was inclined to think that there were others who demanded rights before fulfilling their duties, which emprasized the first essential of democracy. The value of meetings of the early settiei-s could not be stressed too much, said the Prime Minister, Mr. Fraser, who was present, especially during times when everybody in the community was working for the preservation of what the pioneers had built up. It was most encouraging to find at these meetings those who had encountered and overcome big obstacles in life after facing the world and the wilderness with indomitable Will and great courage. Their example was a great stimulus to those who came after them, to bear up and follow in their footsteps. Today the young men on the battle-fronts and the young women on the home front were showing themselves to be truly worthy of their forebears. It showed that the intrepid spirit of the New Zealand people was still alive, and as strong as ever. Mr. Fraser expressed the hope that all would meet once again on the next Dominion Day, The association has received from Parliament the. gift of a presidential chair, dating back to the days of the, old Provincial Councils, and yesterday afternoon two more presentations were made. Mr. W. B. Allen, a 96-year-old pioneer of the Wairarapa district, speaking in a steady clear voice, made the presentation of a table made from split matai timber which had formerly been the top of a chest of drawers he had possessed for 70 years. It was of splendid workmanship and he was congratulated by the Prime Minister on its beautiful design. It. will be known as the Allen table, for presidential use.

Cr. H. Green, deputy-mayor of Petone, on behalf of the borough council and citizens, presented to the association the wheel from the historic Percy’s mill. The wheel is fashioned from timber, is in a good state of preservation, and was installed as toarly as 1842-43.