HISTORY RECALLED

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 43, 19 August 1944, Page 10

HISTORY RECALLED

EARLY SETTLERS' PARTY

VICEREGAL GUESTS "I hope those responsible will see that this association never, flags in any way," said his Excellency the Governor-General at the reception and birthday party given by the Early Settlers' and Historial Association yesterday. His Excellency, who was accompanied by Lady Newall, continued: "We..'urbanites' are apt to forget what has been done in the early days by your forbears, the early settlers. The result of their courage, ingenuity, determination, and God-fearing spirit can be seen in New Zealand today." His Excellency, in extending birthday greetings to Mr. W. B. Allen! one of the "elderly members." who celebrates his ninety-sixth birthday today, recalled that Mr. Allen's father, a Kentishman, who had twice been Mayor of Wellington, had had a great deal to do with the location of the Queen's Quay. A year ago, said his Excellency, the Harbour Board had presented him' with a cigarette box made of the original timber from the Queen's Quay. Its excellent preservation was due to Mr. Allen's foresight in making sure that all the totara used had been coppered. On behalf of her Excellency and himself he wished the association and its members many happy years "in the lovely country for which their forbears were responsible.'' Mr. W. Toomath, who presided in the absence of Mr. Justice Blair,, said that the sons and daughters of the best men and women in England had come to New Zealand in 1840. They were, selected with the greatest discrimination, for none had been allowed to 1 leave without certificates for sound I moral character and bodily health, in ! addition to other advantages. "MADE" THE WAIRARAPA. The direct descendants of early settlers present at yesterday's - gathering included Mr. W. B. Allen, of Carterton, aged 96, and*.his two sisters, Mrs. Chisholm and Miss Allen, both of whom are over eighty. They are the son and daughters of Mr. George Allen, who setled in Thorndon in 1841 after an earlier visit to New Zealand, , and started business as a boat builder. He was twice Mayor of Wellington. His son, Mr. W:: B. Allen, ■ Mr. Toomath claimed,' "had. made the Wairarapa,. He had made roads, built bridges, collected funds for timber with which to build a schoolhouse free of charge, guaranteed funds for factories, and had in fact "nearly ruined himself with public spirit." Mr. Allen addressed the gathering briefly, on the beginnings and growth of Wairarapa cheese factories. " Mrs. Peter Fraser, wife of the Prime Minister, conveyed the good wishes and admiration of their Majesties to the people= of New Zealand, saying that there was no more fitting place than this gathering for their expression. Other speakers were the Mayor, Mr. Appleton, and Mr. Andrews, Mayor of Lower Hutt, both of whom paid tributes to the co-operation of the Maori race, represented yesterday by Mr. Hapi Love. The high standard reached by New Zealand was largely due to the inspiration, encouragement, and idealism of the Maori people, said Mr. Appleton, Mr. Love "gave an interesting interpretation of. Maori carvings and .other objects of historical interest. , •'■.'■ ..'■■■'■■•■ ' ■ ••

Biographies of elderly members were read and; many delightful stories and anecdotes of pioneer days were related. Several solos were sung by Miss Rosaleen Hickmptt. Their Excellencies, who were accompanied .by Major H. A. Jaffray, were.received1 by Mr. Toomath. Mrs. C. E. Carter, and the committee.