PORT CHALMERS OLD IDENTITIES

Evening Star, Issue 22363, 12 June 1936, Page 11

PORT CHALMERS OLD IDENTITIES

QUARTERLY MEETING The quarterly meeting of the above association held last night was well attended, and a good programme made the gathering interesting. The president, Mr J. Jackson Purdie, was in the chair. The sister organisation in the city—the Early Settlers Association—was represented by its president and past president. The Chairman said that since the previous meeting of the association, tour esteemed members had taken the long trail—Mr George Holden, Mr G. L. Asher, and Mr J. Pickard, past presidents; and Mr J. Keenan. Mr Purdie announced that the committee was haying life-member badges prepared and it would be a red-letter day in the history of the organisation when these badges were presented. The badges would be given to members, who had founded the association. to members 80 years of age, and to a few others. The presentation would take place on a Saturday afternoon early in September. As soon as the date was fixed it was hoped every old identity would keep it clear for the function. They would have a high •tea together and it would be a memorable occasion. It was intended to inscribe the name of the ship and the date on the life member badges, which would be handed down as heirlooms. Members should hand in the data renuired for the inscriptions. Mr Purdie referred to the last annual picnic at Waikouaiti as a notable function. and this year another combined picnic would be Jield, it was hoped, either at Waikouaiti or at Port Chalmers. ,! Mr Calder and Mr Knight conveyed the hearty good wishes of the Early Settlers Association to the Old Identities.

The feature of the evening was an historical address by the Rev. T. A. Pybus, who went back to the arrival of the first Maori settlers. In 1836 there were about 5,000 Maoris residing in Otakou district. A striking event of those days was when the Rev. Mr Watkin brought Christianity to Otago in 1840. Remarkable progress, spiritual and otherwise, followed his arrival, for he and Mrs Watkin were inspired workers. Mr Pybus gave some fine description of early day scenes, such as that conveying a word picture of Koputai Bay with trees to the tide mark and hosts of native birds carolling at sunrise and filling the hush with lively movement throughout the day. Mr Pybus was .accorded a hearty vote of thanks and the chairman expressed the hone that he would again address a gathering of the association.

A musical programme was submitted b.y Miss J. Sbriuipton. Miss Farqnharson. Mrs J. Jackson Purdio, and Mr J. Swann.