MEN OF HONOUR

Evening Post, Volume CIII, Issue 92, 20 April 1922, Page 11

MEN OF HONOUR

THE EARLY SETTLERS

REV. JAMES PATERSON'S TRIBUTE.

Ninety-three years of age next month, and still hale and hearty, the Rev. James Paterson was one of those present at the gathering of the Early Settlers' and Historical Association's reunion at Duatin's Rooms, Cuba-street, last uight. The gathering was the first held by the association this year, and there was a large attendance, over which Mr. J- E. Jenkinson presided. Mr. Jenkineon echoed the feelings of all present when, he expressed warm pleasure at the presence of Mr. Paterson, who, he said, was honoured by the many people who knew him in Wellington. In the course of a few remarks, Mr. Paterson referred the sterling characters of the early pioneers of the Dominion. He spoke of the. delight he felt at tho founding of the association, of which he had been a i member from the beginnings but expressed regret that he did not see around him so many of the first settlers who had been present at earlier meetings of the association. ''I am nowVin my fifty-fourth year in New Zealand, and if is/ a matter of great delight to me to think that I came out so early," remarked Mr. Paterson, "and.to have met those \who helped 'to lay the foundations of the colony, which they 1 nourished and strengthened and made what it is— one of the best colonies in the Empire." (Hear, hear.) ■ Mr. Paterson mentioned the names of some of the olcl colonists, and spoke 'particularly of the late Mr. T. W.\ M'Kenzie— "Tommy M'Kensie, one of the best-hearted men I ever came across." Mr. , M'Kenzie, he said, was a man of high character in every way, and, they missed him very greatly. The early settlers, added Mr. Paterson, were men of high character, great ability, and earnest purpose, and they had laid a noble foundation for the 'colony. They-, were men of truth, men. of" honour, and men of energy, who had faced unknown dangers in coming out here.: iThe very-fact that they had built up the colony and made it one of the strongest parts of the Empire had encouraged others to follow' them to this land. Mr. Paterson .concluded by saying that he could not expect to look forward'to a great many more ■ years, but so long as he was spared ho would always be glad, so long as lie was able, to attend the meetings of the Early Settlers' Association. (Applause.) ■ ..' After Mr. Paterson had finished)his remarks,- Mr. R. D. D. M'Leari, of Hawkes Bay, a son of the late Sir Donald M'Lean, addressed the gathering. Then those present exchanged reminiscences of other and more stirring days in the history of New Zealand. A pleasant musical programme, (arranged by Madame Mueller, diversified the proceedings, and during the evening those present partook of supper.