EARLY SETTLERS

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 19, 24 January 1938, Page 15

EARLY SETTLERS

MEMORIES RECALLED

ANNIVERSARY MEETING

The ninety-eighth anniversary of the founding of the Wellington Province was celebrated by a large number o£ members of the Early Settlers' and Historical Association of Wellington with a social gathering in the Oddfellows' Hall, Clyde Quay, on Saturday afternoon. Some of those who knew Wellington during its first decade were present and the oldest of these, Mr. W. B. Allen, not only discussed happenings of over eighty years ago but also produced a sketch made by him of the first house built in the city. The memory of those who first established the city was honoured and plans for a fitting memorial to Edward Gibbon Wakefield, whose grave is in the Bolton Street Cemetery, were mentioned as part of the activities of the association to mark the centennial celebrations. The birthday cake was cut by Miss C. A, Allen and greetings are to be sent by the association, along with pieces of the cake, to former Gover-nors-General of the Dominion. The meeting was almost entirely social in character, the few speeches made being commendably brief. Several songs were sung during the afternoon, former meetings were recalled, and experiences of many years ago discussed. Professor F. P. Wilson presided. ROLL OF HONOUR. Proceedings commenced with the singing of the "Old Hundredth," and then the secretary (Mr. W. Tomath; read the roll of honour, containing the names of members who were in Wellington before 1850:—Mr. W. B. Allen, Miss C. A. Allen, Mrs. E. Chisholm, Mr. Mark Maxton, Mrs. E. Lloyd, all born in Wellington, and Mr. George E. Smith, who arrived in the ship New Era in 1845. Professor Wilson referred to the arrival of the first settlers at Petone beach ninety-eight years ago, and went on to discuss the rapid development of New Zealand. It was fitting on such on occasion, he said, that they should turn their minds back to Edward Gibbon Wakefield, because if it had not been for him New Zealand might not have been British. New Zealand, on a population basis, Was the richest country in the world and had the greatest exports. That was due in a large measure to the foundation laid by the early settlers. Because the founders of the country had been progressive pioneers New Zealand had made great progress and would continue to progress no matter whether legislators helped or hindered. The names of some of those first pioneers had been read out and some of them were present. Mr. Allen would celebrate his ninety-first birthday shortly. (Applause.) He had played an important part in the colonisation of the country and he was still playing his part. He might not be able to continue his work with his hands, but his brain was able to guide as well as ever. Professor Wilson said that it had been suggested that a suitable memorial should be planned for the centennial. He suggested that a memorial to Edwin Gibbon Wakefield would be appropriate. A sister association, the New Zealanders' Association, proposed to erect the model of a ship, and he hoped they would endeavour to secure the plans of the Aurora, the first ship to bring settlers to Wellington, for that purpose. Professor Wilson'urged members to support the project and also the erection of a fitting memorial to Edward Gibbon Wakefield. A representative of the Otago Early Settlers' Association, Mr. W. A. Ferens, brought greetings from his association and gave a brief account of the activities of the Otago association. He also urged members of the Wellington association to do all they could to collect and preserve records of the early settlers. MEMORIES OF EARTHQUAKE. The oldest pioneer present, Mr. W. B. Allen, referred to the earthquake in Wellington on Anniversary Day eighty-one years ago. A member: Eighty-three years. Mr. Allen agreed that it might be eighty-three years ago. The earthquake occurred in the night. Their house had just had its flooring put in and they were sleeping upstairs for the first time. The earthquake shook three chimneys down and they came through the roof without anyone being injured. His fathey had been at a meeting and was caught in a tidal wave on his way home, but eventually reached the back door, and after a struggle got it open. He took all the family out of the house and up on to Pipitea Point. At that time the Superintendent of the province was a Mr. Fox, Mr. Allen said, and he remembered his father telling Mr. Fox that he was going to leave New Zealand. Mr. Fox replied that New Zealand was a splendid country in spite of earthquakes and urged Mr. Allen to stay. He did so and died in New Zealand. After afternoon tea had been served, Mr C. A. Mclntyre explained the proposal of the New Zealanders' Association for the erection of a memorial in the form of a ship on the top of Mount Victoria.