EARLY SETTLERS’ ASSOCIATION

Evening Star, Issue 21719, 14 May 1934, Page 12

EARLY SETTLERS’ ASSOCIATION

ANNUAL REPORT The annual report of the committee contains the- following clauses: — The association commenced its year with a membership ol 2,713. During die twelve months ended April 30 last, it lost through death 68 members, and by resignations 8, a total of 7(1. On the other hand, there was the pleasure of enrolling as members fifteen early settlers and 172 descendants, a total ol 187, the grand total being 2,82-1 —a net gain of 111. Five of our old members became life member* during the year. Once more it is very pleasing to stale that members su inscriptions received for the twelve months, exceeded those of the previous twelve months, this, notwithstanding the financial depression, it being evidently a point ol honour that subscriptions due to the association must be paid. .Unfortunately, tlje year closed with a debit balance of i-30 2s Sd, against a credit balance last year of 118 Is 9d. The Joss is chiefly due to a falling oft ot a revenue derived from the letting ol the halls, the income for 1934 being £349 9s 3d, against an income of £496 11s for 193 d. On the other hand, members subscriptions for 1934 showed a fair increase over those ol 1933. The interest taken in the early insstory of Otago is greater than ever, w hile the fame of the picture gallery ot the old identities, together with the many interesting historical exhibits in the associations' museum, is becoming world wide, judging by the addresses of the many visitors, not only from Australia and New Zealand, but from overseas. It is with deep regret that the committee lias to record the death on Good Friday last of Mrs Kate Horwood, who, for many years, was on tiie staff of the association, and retired about two years ago. It also has to record the death of a very old friend, an honorary auditor, Mr Hector faulkner Munro Mercer, and the death ot one of the passengers per the Blundell m 1848, namely Miss Somerville of Hawke s jig Y The committee is of the opinion that the present is a fitting opportunity of again thanking donors for their vanous gifts to the association, and to a-s----sure them that same are greatly appreciated. Jt would also like to impress, not only on members of the association but all residents of early Otago and their descendants, the good work they would do lor posterity by making provision for presenting to the association any historical documents or papers they may have. It would impress upon all not to look upon such things as useless and destroy them. "What may appear to be of no value to the owners, may be of priceless value to the association. This association had a strongroom specially built for the preservation of what the committee think are special articles of value. , On April 9 a deputation of the committee waited .upon the Finance Committee of the Dunedin City Corporation with a view of securing a grant from that body; So far it has not been favoured with a reply to the request made. , The eighty-sixth anniversary of the settlement of the province of Otago was held on Foundation Day. March 23* Easter again clashed with Anniversary Day, the retailers tacking the Anniversary Day holiday on to the Easter holidays. No matter what happens, March 23 must always be Anniversary Day. It is pleasant to record that the only surviving Dunedin passenger per the Philip Laing was present at the morning service in First Church. Anothei remarkable incident in connection with the church services was the presence ot passengers per vessels which arrived m the early ships, those which arrived between 1848 and 1868, the only years which were not represented being l»ou, 1851, and 1855—truly a unique record. As members are aware, the association bolds a dance in the Early Settlers Hall on the first Wednesday m each ot the winter months, the profit arising therefrom going to pay the interest on the £I,OOO owing to the Dunedin City Corporation. The high traditions ot these dances are worthily upheld, while the association is once more deeply indebted to Mrs Janies Dey and her willing helpers for all they did to make the dances such a success. The Museum and Portrait Galleries of the association were visited during 1933 by Mr S. F, Markham, of the Museums Association, London Mr Markham’s reports on Ins visits to the museums and art galleries ol Australia ami New Zealand are now to hand, a copy of which we gratefully acknowledge. This is what Mr Markham says about the museum, etc., of this association:—" Many towns have Early Settlers’ Associations, _ which are broadly paralleled by the Historical Societies of Ontario. The most successful of these is the Otago Daily Settlers’ Association, Dunedin, which has amassed a vast nuuiCer of qibotographs and articles of historical import. The photographs are not only of persons of note, but of ereryonc who arrived m Otago before 1869, and all are exhibited in the old Art GalleryThere is much valuable material which would well repay classification eithei geographically, chronologically, or by a judicious combination of these m The° d roofs of the different halls of the association have given the com mittcc a good deal of natural wear and tear, while the proximity of the railway station and railway lines have not improved matters the sulphurous fumes emanating from the coal used by the engines hayin«r a had effect on the metal used in the roofing and skylights. . The hearty thanks of the association are due to ‘the ‘ Otago Daily limes and the' 1 Evening Star for publication of the reports of the monthly meetings, likewise to Mr lamiock, of the city reserves, and his staff for keeping in order the grounds surrounding the halls, well-kept lawns and showy flower beds being a groat set-off to any building. Nor must the committee forget the association s own staff all of whom have rendered yeoman’s services, special mention heme? made of what the secretary, Mr W g Paterson, has done for the association. It is only those closely associated with him who know the enthusiasm he imparts into his , unties and the keenness displayed, particularly the securing of new members. Mr Paterson lives for the association.