WELLINGTON'S BIRTHDAY

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 19, 23 January 1924, Page 7

WELLINGTON'S BIRTHDAY

CELEBRATED BY EARLY SETTLERS.

The Wellington Early Settlers' Association yesterday celebrated Wellington's birthday—the 84th anniversary of the • landing of the first settlers on Petone beach, from the ship Aurora.

There was a large gathering at D.ustin's rooms, Cuba street, both in the afternoon and evening." A number of those present came from the Wairarapa and ■ Manawafu districts. Amongst those who attended were the following:—Mr. H. Curtis, who came by the ship London in 1840; Mr. George Judd (Martha Bidgway), 1840; Mr. C. Southee (Lady Nugent), 1841; and Mr. David Nixon (London), 1842. The oldest settler present was Mr. C. Southee, of Feilding, 96 years of age.

Mr. E. G. u Pilcher^"yice-president of the .society, presided at the. evening meeting, and was assisted in the organisation of the gathering by the secretary, Mr. W. A. Edwards. The, chairman asked those present to ■picture to themselves the scene on Petone beach on that day 84 years ago, when .the settlers who came by the first ship of the New Zealand Company stepped on shore from boats from the Aurora. They came to a country unknown to them, inhabited by natives of a Svarlike race. Those first settlers had many difficulties to encounter. They came to New Zealand without ,the authority of the Home Government, but they came determined to make homes for themselves in this new land. It was only after they landed that the Home Government awoke to the fact of the potential value of this country, and Bent post-haste a representative to take charge of affairs. Mr. PUcher then read an extract from Edward Jerningham Wakefield's book, describing the scene of the landing of the first settlers at Petone. He also produced a sketchbook of Mr. E. B. Hopper, one of the directors of the New Zealand Company. Mr. Hopper arrived by the ship Oriental in 1840. The sketch-book contained pencil sketches of Wellington Heads, and of Petone beach on the day of landing. The drawing was made from the deck of the ship. Mr. Pilcher also produced some invoices relating to the material brought by the settlers— including bushfeHjng and sawmilling implements.' He quoted extracts from the prospectus of the committee of "The First Colony of New Zealand," dated Bth July, 1839. An extract was read from a letter written from Brighton, England, in 1841, in which the* writer stated his object in coming out to the new land.

In - the course of an interesting address, Mr. G. London mentioned that his grandfather was one of those who landed at Petone in 1840. He spoke ill high terms of the courage of the pioneer settlers, and urged the young people of to-day to take a pride in their country—a country in which should dwell a happy,' prosperous, and contented people.

Wellington's- birthday cake was then cut with due ceremony Lby the oldest^ settlers present.

The chairman proposed the toast "The Old Pioneers," coupled #th the names of Mesdames Ear], Lloyd, and E.. J. Brown. The toast was responded to by Mr. Mark Maxton, of Greytown. Mr. Charles Dixon, of Masterton, who arrived with his parents in 1842, related some incidents of the early days. Musical selections were rendered, and a moat enjoyable evening was spent by those present.