“AULD ACQUAINTANCE.”

Evening Star, Issue 15293, 19 September 1913, Page 9

“AULD ACQUAINTANCE.”

OTAGO’S EARLY SETTLERS,

A HAPPY REUNION,

■ Tim social reunion of members of tho Otago Early Settlers’ Association, held last evening, was a memorable gathering. Time has thinned the ranks of those dauntless m«u and women who braved the hardships of the now land, and though among the big gathering that filled the hall last evening there were venerable folk who had tho unmistakable stamp of the pioneer, yet tho majority were of a younger generation. Mr Donald Reid, the president of tho association, was chairman, and wnS supported by tho Mayor (Mr W. Downie Stewart) and the Rev, A. Cameron. (Chancellor of the Otago Each made a noteworthy speech that stirred enthusiasm.

The President expressed groat pleasure at being able once again to meet members at such a social and comfortable-looking gathering as they had that night. On occasions of that kind be always liked to refer back to the hardships of their pioneers whom they met, end to whom - it was a pleasure to do honor at their meetings, and to the scenes and surroundings that met them on their arrival some 65 years ago. It was not easy for them, except some of the earliest of them, to form any idea of the hardships and discomforts of those days. No roads, scamps, flax everywhere, and not even a landing-place from the boats. Those were some of the hardships, and then they were sometimes without the necessaries of life, for communication was very indifferent. Weeks without flour, _ when the bakers would cell nothing but biscuits, and biscuits to a working man—especially at three or four prices—became a very expensive affair. Sometimes they were without tea, but in those days manuka came in in good stead. They* became so accustomed to it that they did not like to give, it up when they could get tea. . They should keep in mind what those hardy, stern men battled for. There was nothing to help them along, and with the leaders of the movement the scheme did not turn out so successfully as was anticipated, and they had an anxious time in order to secure that the people whom they had brought out did not suffer any hardships that could be avoided. They bad now got u. beautiful city. “The city beautiful” it had been well described. A good climate—of course they grumbled—(laughter)—but it was an Englishman’s privilege to grumble, though the Scotchmen did not grumble very much. (Applause.) Then in respect of their institutions, of which those noble men had laid the foundations, many of the pioneers had passed off the scene. They had made provision for the education of the young. And let him say that a number of the fine men of their University were now passing frem tho scene after many years’ labors. But those labors would not die with them. They would go on through all time. Tire University should have the support and encouragement of the whole community, as ho believed it would have. They met free from all strife. 'they had no massacres such as there had been in the Balkans, or strikes and disturbances and disorder such as there were throughout the world. They had not even the suffragettes to disturb their quiet progressive methods. (Laughter.) The only thing to disturb them was when they got a stonewall in Parliament. (Renewed laughter.) Even that was nothing to be afraid about, for the missiles were not very dangerous. As to tbs future of tho association, bo did not think they bad any need to be anxious about it. Of course tho older people were dropping off tho scene, and it was well to see the young men and young women taking an active part in keeping those meetings to . commemorate their worthy pioneers. He would like to refer to one whom they lest recently in the death of Mr Charles Duke, a vice-president of tho association. He was an exemplary gentleman, and keenly enthusiastic in their cause. It was a- pity that such men gTew old. The Mayor made a happy speech. He remarked that he understood that it was not, safe for any member of the City Council to appear on a public platform, but Mr Reid had said he was all right there. He noticed that the association, with that wise conservatism which was a valuable factor in success, had installed gas in the building instead of electric light. (Laughter.) But he wanted first of all to congratulate tho society on the very good progress they were making, and the splendid services they were rendering to the community. It was a well-known fact—and it was commonplace to say it—that tho success of the society was due in the first’ place to tho fact that tho early pioneers were men of sterling character and indomitable energy. When they had in their midst such a splendid type as the president of their association it was unnecessary to say more. (Applause.) Tire president of the association, had borne for many years a distinguished part in the progress of this part of the Dominion, and not only of this part of the Dominion, but for many years he bad taken, a front-rank place in the work generally in Now Zealand and in the Parliament of New Zealand. Anyone who looked back through old records would find that there was no man who figured in the early work in the way of land legislation and liberal legislation with more prominence than tho president of the association. (Applause.) Their association was one of the first of its kind formed in the Dominion, and that it was well worth starting was demonstrated by the fact that other centres were forming similar associations. The society was practically the parent society of that sort in the Dominion. Ho thought the future success of the society was assured, for the reason that their activities branched out in so many directions, and interested not only the young but the middle-aged and the old They had gathered up memorials of tho early days for the use of students of the history of the- Dominion. There was already a vety valuable collection, and it was growing in bulk and in value. The Hocken collection was a similar collection, and there was the Public Library. Ho thought it was a great pity that they had those three collections m competition in a sense, but ho was sure that in time they would evolve a scheme of co-ordination. People from Australia had forwarded valuable material to their association. He congratulated them on the solid foundation on which it had been built, and wished them success future that lay before them. Bbe Rev. A, Cameron, whom the president pointed out, was in the jubilee of u the City of Dunedin in September, 1863. congratulated tho society on the splendid work they were doing. He thought., it was of very great value, and would be of increasing value, and ho was sure that that would be recognised more and more Ho. also congratulated tho president on the measure of help he had been able to give the society. He did not seem to be growing older at all, and ho war- sure- that every member of tho society hoped that he would never grow old. (Applause.) It must bo the climate that was keeping him evergreen. The speaker was not very observant when ho came one on the City of Dunedin, but one of the things he remembered was that there was a very lively desire on the part of the boatswain to give him a rope’s end. (Laughter.) He was not sure whether ho deserved it, but he knew- lie did not get it. Personally be did not remember anything about hardships, but there were difficulties to contend with that a very large majority of the young men of to-day would not care to face. The pioneers faced them, and did not grumble. It was that spirit of observance and patience under difficulties that enabled them to lay so splendidly, tho foundations of this part of the Dominion. They did not, thoroughly realise how much * they ought to thank the pioneers. (Applause!) They did nob think simply of themselves, but from the very beginning thought of those who were to follow. If the Provincial Council had had their way there would have been much larger endowments. The University would have had larger endowments if the Provincial Council had been allowed to set aside all the land they proposed to rive. It might not be known to all of them that when some members of the early Provincial Council resolved to ■found tho University those in the north thought it was altogether too premature, and hud it not been for perseverance the Uirfrwri2y would not hare been the splen-

did institution that it was now—yet an institution' , that Whs . Drill in' its infancy. _ He hoped they would help; to make Dunedin tho'centre of Education throughout the whole of tho Dominion. (Applause). They looked back dh what had been accomplished. Ho thought it was wonderful. Let them take, heart and resolve to make this part of the Dominion tho intellectual lifo of the community. Let those who followed look back with gratitude on the work of the present generation as they to-day looked back with gratification on the work done by the pioneers of the past. (Applause.) _ During the evening a musical and elocutionary programme was provided. Contributions were given by Miss L. M'Laren (pianoforte solo), Miss I. M. Grant Reid and E. Drake (vocal 'items), Master Colin , M'Kenzio (national dances, of Scotland), Piper Alex. M'Kay (music of Scotland), arid the Fryo Family (orchestral selections). Refreshments were provided, and the indispensable interval for , looking for shipmates and becoming acquainted with their descendants was taken advantage of. Mr John Wood, secretary of the association, saw that all the details were attended to. The danco which followed the social was a complete success.