PIONEERS’ REUNION.

Evening Star, Issue 23501, 15 February 1940, Page 2

PIONEERS’ REUNION.

TO THE EDITOU. Sir,—Please allow me to protest against the choosing ot the main speaker for the above reunion. Seeing it is onr one-hundredth anniversary, why 'fehonld a Presbyterian get that honour when they did not settle here till 1848? I think the honour should go to either the English. Irish or Methodists, as it is well known that these three nationalities were settled here before the Scotch. What about Johnny Jones for one? He had a wellcultivated farm before 1848. He, 1 think, was English. Then there were the late Mrs Wolsey’s parents, Mr and Mrs Coleman.. They had five children born here before 1848, one being born on November 1, 1847 ? so I think it is about time the real pioneers were rightfully honoured. Perhaps some descendants of the ones before 1848 could throw more light on the history. We descendants. feel proud of our early forefathers, and feel it is our duty to stand for their rights and cherish the wonderful memories. It is a saying that it is not the drowning man that gets the praise, but his rescuer, so why not the same with our 1840 or earlier pioneers? They started the way,

and many a Maori have I heard talk well of them. So stand up, yott real pioneers, for the honour of your fore, fathers.—l am, etc., : .. Magnet. , February 15. ' CONSCRIPTION. TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —It is high time the Government brought in conscription to waken up the ■ Taieri Plain single men. There have so far been only two married men, with families, gone into camp from the Outran district. Do you think that is playing the game, when the married men should be at home with their wives and children till such time a« they are called upon, and the able* bodied single men hang around the street corners making such a noise that a few months in camp would bring then to their bearings?—l am, etc., Fair Plat. February 14.