EARLY WELLINGTON

Evening Post, Volume XCVI, Issue 10, 11 July 1918, Page 3

EARLY WELLINGTON

A PLEASANT RE-UNION

ANNUAL MEETING OF ASSOCIATION

The annual meeting of the Early Settlers' and Historical Association of Wellington, which was held at Godber's rooms, Courtenay-placej last evening, was largely attended. Mr. J. E. Jenkinson (president) occupied the chair, and amongst those present were Messrs. H. Daysh (Masterton), Neil Small (Pahiatua), and L. G. West (Palmerston North).

The annual report, which was read, stated:—"ln presenting; this, the third report since our inception, your executive does so with somewhat mixed feelings. The work of the association has been held in a.beyance very much owing to the general upset occasioned by the world war now raging. In May, "1917, members met to farewell our ex-secretary, Mr. R. K. Lyon, on the eve of his departure on active service. At that meeting it was resolved that we should renew our activities, that meetings be held at least quarterly, and that Dominion Day and Anniversary Day be celebrated in a fitting manner. It was also agreed then that the present executive should hold office for the term of the war. Your committee, however, thinks that as the term is still too indelinite, and that a number of those elected on the committee are unable to attend meetings and carry out the objects of the association, a general meeting should be called and a few more good workers added to the committee. During the past 14 months we have elected 47 new members, and we now have a nominal roll of 200. We have, however, since our last general meeting lost a number of interesting and useful members. Among them wo might make special mention of Mr. A. H. Turnbull, Mr. Enoch Tonks, Mrs. Maxton, Mr. Donald Fraser (of Bulls), Dr. Boor (of Nelson), Captain Bell, Mr. 'John Stevens, Mr. Flyger," and others. We express our deepest sympathy with their relatives in the loss they have sustained, which has been our loss as well. We must in the natural course of events expect these losses, and we must, therefore, do our best to get more new members. There is plently of room for more young active members to continue the work of their parents, or to hand on to future generations their record, and on this depends the Future 'of this association. The financial position of the association must also be considered. By the balance-sheet submitted, it will be seen that our expenses have been, very heavy in comparison with our receipts. Our credit balance is small, the greatest proportion being held in war certificates." PRESERVING RECORDS.. The President, in moving the adoption of the report and balance-eheet, invited suggestions from members for the effective carrying out of some of the proposals which had been made by the execu tive. It behoved all who could do so, to assist in forwarding a scheme for the proper housing and preservation of the . historical records and documents connected with the Dominion and with this provincial district in pai-ticular. In Wellington they had an immonse fund of information which it would be quite easy to iget. There were a number of people here who were in this district, or in the colony, between 1840 and 1850, and thoy could furnish much interesting and valuable information. In seconding the motion, Mr. John Smith expressed the opinion that the association was doing fairly well considering the war. Mr. H. Daysh (Wairarapa) supported the motion, which was caiTied. Mr. L. G. West, an ex-Mayor of Palmerston North, spoke in support,of the project of a memorial being erected to the early settlers of Wellington. He also endorsed the suggestion that a building should be secured by the association in which the_ pictures and historical documents which had been secured by the association would be safely housed. INTERESTING RECORDS. Mrs. C. Morris [a descendant of Cap 'tain F. G. Moore, who arrived in Wellington in 1840), related some interesting incidents connected with Captain Moore's early life in and about Wellington m the forties. The speaker said Captain Moore owned the' first vessel belonging to Wellington—the- Jewess— which vessel was wrecked' at Kapiti Island. Miss Allen presented to the association a number of interesting documents, including a burgess roll of Wellington Borough for the' year 1843, and a copy of the New Zealand Colonist (published in Wellington), dated April, 1843. Mr. T. W. Stace said he had plans showing the position of the Maori pas and fortifications in and' around Wellington, and out as far as Paekakariki. He would have much pleasure in pre-. senting it to the association as a historical document connected with the early days. The principal part of the information on which the plan was drawn was, he said, supplied by Mr. Elsdon Best, the woll-known authority on Maori lore. Mr. C. M. Luke mentioned that it was exactly 44 years since he landed in Wellington. He strongly supported the suggestion. to secure a permanent home for the association. Ho suggested that a committee should be set up to wait on the City Council in order to enlist the support of that body in the work of the association. Mr. George Jones, Petone, in the course of some remarks on the early days, mentioned that he arrived in Wellington 53 yenrs ago, and that he put up the first gas-holder, on the then beach, where the present gasworks are located. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The election of officers resulted as follows :—President, Mr. J.. E. Jenkinson; vice-presidents, Mesdames J. Earle. A. Carter, S. Brown, Messrs; L. G. West (Wairarapa), J. B. Harcourt, J. Smith, H. Daysh, L. M'Kenzie, L. Stowe, F. P. Wilson, C. M. Luke, and Dr. A. K. Newman, M.P. ; committee, Mesdames M. L. Dawson, C. Morris. E. Sidey, E. J. Moore, E. Redward, J. M. Edwards, H. Morris. Messrs. W. E. Moore, R. A. Wright, M.P., Thomas Smith, H. A. W. M'Kenzie; secretary, Mr. W. A. Edwards; treasurer, Mr. T. W. Stace; auditor, Mr. C. D. Morpeth; oditor of Journal, Mr. P. Galvin.