EARLY DAYS
SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION
The gathering together of early settlers in New Zealand who really "bore the heat and burden of the day," and who had to fend foi; themselves in every sense of the word, was successfully accomplished at the party held yesterday to celebrate the ninety-first birthday of Mr. W. B. Allen. It was a particularly pleasant function. The party was held at the Oddfellows' Hall. The '■ president (Mr. F. P. Wilson) welcomed the guests, and specially the guest of honour and his sisters, Miss Allen and Mrs. C. E. Chisholm, who accompanied him. Mr. Wilson spoke of the historical part of the work done, and said he hoped that when the centennial arrived a memorial would be erected to mark the place -where the first settlers landed. The association also intended to ask the City Council to beautify the Sydney Street Cemetery, and was prepared to render every assistance in this work. The secretary, Mr. W. Toomath, said it was proposed to make the memorial a national one, to become to New Zealanders what Pilgrims' Rock at Massachusetts Bay was to the Americans. .
Mr. Allen, in his reply, spoke of the early days in the Wairarapa. He told of a bridge at the foot of the Rimutakas which had collapsed, and lighted candles had to be used for the rescue work. He remembered Carterton when it was a three-mile bush, and Queen Street, Masterton, when it was tree stumps, trees, and a single shed. He thanked the association for the delightful party it was giving in his honour. _ Mrs. M. Welsh sang two solos, accompanied by Mrs. Moore. Mrs. Sorrel, Napier, who is 80 years of age, also sang, and Mr. C. Tandy recited a poem which, he said, he used to recite at band of hope meetings 70 years ago. Afternoon tea was served by the ladies' committee. On a table in front of Mr. Allen were two beautiful birthday cakes, one the gift of the ladies' committee and the other from relatives in the Wairarapa. On the first of these were 91 candles, which Mr. Allen lighted before cutting the cake. Among those present were Mrs. Manthel (who recently celebrated her ninetieth birthday), Mrs. C. Morris, Miss M. Ray, Mrs. W. Light, Mrs. M. Blackey, Mr. Allen's daughter-in-law, and Mrs. T. P. Allen.
EARLY DAYS
Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 44, 20 August 1938, Page 16
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