CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION

Greymouth Evening Star, 13 February 1940, Page 12

CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION

PIONEERS HONOURED TRIBUTES AT AFTERNOON TEA The pioneers of Westland were honoured yesterday afternoon, when residents since 1880 and before, in the Grey district, were entertained at a complimentary afternoon tea at the Victoria Park ballroom, the function being held under the auspices of the Greymouth Centennial Celebrations Committee, which was assisted by a women’s committee. Over 250 pioneer residents of the district were seated at the long tables in the ballroom, which was effectively decorated with bunting, greenery and bowls of hydrangea. The oldest resident present was Mrs. Eleanor Reid, aged 92 years, of Blaketoiwn. but there were several others present who had received the Centennial ribbon tor 75 years’ residence in the Dominion, wnile the green ribbons, for 65 years’ residence, were numerous. The Mayor (Mr. F. A. Kitchingham) presided and among those at the official tables were the Mayoress, Mr. J. O’Brien, M.P. and Mrs. O’Brien, Mr. W. Lee Martin, Minister of Agriculture, Mrs. Martin and Miss D. Martin, Mr. A. H. Cockayne, Director General of Agriculture and Mrs. Cockayne, also members of various local bodies and their wives. Among the numerous apologies for absence received were those from the Prime Minister (Mr. Savage), Mr. P. C. Webb, M.P., Mr. T. B. Tirakatene, M.P., Very Rev. Father J. Long and Mrs. O’Halloran, who was the first white girl born in Greymouth. After an opportunity had been given the guests to renew old acquaintances, proceedings were opened with the singing of the National Anthem. Referring to the telegram of apology from the Prime Minister, the Mayor said that in selecting Mr. Lee Martin as his deputy. Mr. Savage had made an excellent choice, as he had lived and worked on the West Coast many years ago, and had the good sense and fortune to marry a member of one of the pioneer families. He (the Mayor) wished to extend a very heartv welcome to Mr. and Mrs. Martin and also the other members of the official party, and members of local bodies, particularly Mr. G. Perry, who had been Mayor of Hokitika for between 20 and 25 years. No function in the whole of his hie had given him the pleasure that this had ‘already done, continued the Mayor. He felt that it was a very slight tribute paid by the people of the Grey district to the pioneers. It was possible that some of those entitled to be present had been missed — if so no one regretted it more than he. Also, perhaps, some had been invited who did not qualify, but it was thought better to invite a dozen such people than miss one who really should be present. It was a very slight and simple tribute to the pioneers and Was made'possible only by the untiring efforts of the committee and workers, and the generositj’ of many people in Greymouth. Although the function was small and simple, it carried the deep and profound good wishes of the community of the younger generation. Among those present was a lady who had reached the age of 92 years, and she had been presented with a bouquet by Mrs. Lee Martin, while there were five members of one family seated at other parts of the room. It was a very fine assemblage of the people who had borne the heat and burden of the days immediately following the gold rush and to them, the citizens of the district paid their respect. The people whom they honoured that day had faced hardships and difficulties when the West Coast was vastly different from what it was to-day. and yet they had developed a spirit ’ of comradeship which had never died. He hoped that that spirit would continue among the people born on the West Coast and that it would spread its influence to other parts, as it had been done in the past, as instanced by the legislation of Richard John Seddon, which was largely due to the humanitarian feelings on the West Coast. As a descendant of a pioneer resident of the late 60’s, his feelings were all 'with the guests, concluded the Mayor. Perscnally, and on behalf of the district, he paid a tribute to all they did in helping in the development of the district. and in the days to come he wished them all the best in health and happiness.

MINISTER’S MEMORIES Mr. Lee Martin said that he was delighted to be present and also to bring from the Prime Minister a message of goodwill. Although he could not claim to, be the son of a West Coast pioneer, he had done the next best thing and had taken the daughter of one and he had been associated with the work of constructing the railway from Stillwater to Reefton, while he had been in Greymouth when the first train came through from Hokitika. He still had in his possession a piece of the ribbon which was stretched across Mackay Street on that occasion. What gave him the greatest pleasure that day was that he was bringing back with him his partner of 46 years (his wife) and in expressing appreciation of her help and influence he remarked that we did not give the credit due to the women, who had played an important part in the development of the Dominion. Many people present, he was sure, knew his wife and her parents, Mr. and Mrs. James Warnes, who came to the West Coast in 1866. After relating several anecdotes of the early days. Mr. Lee Martin said that the majority of those present could recite similar experiences of the difficulties overcome, but it had been worthwhile. One did feel that the early pioneers were not only hard-working and upright but were God-faring as well and played a full part in the development of the West Coast. As, some months ago, he had travelled over the West Coast by air, he wondered at the temerity of Brunner and Heaphy in coming into the district, and it was a wonderful indication of the grit and determination of those people who had come to the West Coast, and other parts of New Zealand, set to work and by perseverance and work had made possible the things we enjoyed to-day. As we looked back over the first 100 years, of our national life we remembered with gratitude the pioneers who had endured privations but had laid a solid foundation so that the superstructure which followed was one that all could feel proud of. Referring to Sir A. Ngata’s speech at Waitangi concerning the treatment of the Maori race, Mr. Lee Martin said that we, also had enjoyed an association with the Motherland and it was love of the Mother Country and loyalty to King and Country that had been one of the outstanding features of the

years that had passed. On two previous occasions we had heard the tramp of men as they went to help the Mother Country and again, in the midst of our Centennial celebrations we heard that tramp. In 1914-18 we thought that it was a war to end war, but it had not proven so, and so,' once again, the Empire was engaged in a. mighty conflict. The Government had had to make a decision and it decided that New Zealand’s place was alongside the Motherland —and he believed, that it had made the right decision. We are members of the British Commonwealth of Nations and were we to share the benefits and then refuse the responsibilities? He did not think anyone present, particularly the pioneers, xVould say that. The Government had felt that in this trouble the Empire had to stand together and he thought that they would have been unworthy of the Dominion if they had made any other decision. The sons of the pioneers to-day were responding to the call and theirs had been a magnificent’response. In the last war 88.000 men were sent overseas in four years—now, in five months they had had a response of 27,000 or one-third of the total of the last war. It was a magnificent tribute, not only to the young men - but to those mothers and fathers who had come here in the younger days cf the Dominion. They had gone through privations but yet had created that spirit which had enabled the youngmen to respond so nobly to the call. One felt that, we had a great deal to be thankful for in the pioneers, who had shown not only brawn and muscle but deep down in their hearts that which had filled a great heritage. In conclusion, Mr. Lee Martin said that he wished to pay a tribute to those who had come here in the early days and who, by their work had contributed to the many amenities we were-, privileged to enjoy. He hoped that their work would never be forgotten and that, in the years to come, at the next celebrations there would be someone to pay a tribute to those present for the work they had done in the development of this part cf God’s Own Country.

WESTLAND’S MEMBER It was with some diffidence that he rose to speak that day, dealing with the people who had lived so many years in the district and had done so much for the West Coast, said Mr. O’Brien. Although he had not been here for 40 years yet, he did know some of the hardships which everyone present that day had to face. Referring to the early unfavourable opinions of the West Coast, Mr. O’Brien said that 84 years ago it had been purchased from the Maoris for £3OO and the pioneers had then set in to* colonise it. He thought that New Zealand and the West Coast owed a tremendous debt of gratitude to those assembled that day. It was a remarkable fact that people who bore the heat and burden of the day were seldom thanked. It was a poor tribute, but something, that they had assembled that day to express appreciation of those who gave us what we enjoyed to-day. One thing that had helped New Zealand tremendously in the first 100 years was the spirit that came here with the earlj’ pioneers and in every town and district 'it seemed that something had been done for future generations, said Mr. O’Brien, referring to the foresight that had led to the setting’ aside of native, education, church and recreation reserves. As mentioned by the Mayor earlier, the early legislators had reflected that spirit and it had gone on from party to party. When people gave their best for the country, it was up to us to see that the least they got was shelter and security in their old age. Referring to Mr. Lee Martin’s remarks in connection with the 'war, Mr. O’Brien said that he hoped peace was not far away. Personally, he felt convinced that in the early future those who made war would be dealt with by the people in the various countries. We were doing our best at this end and he believed that if the war was fought to a finish no people would stand a Government which made war. There were people who said that Britain and the Empire was- decadent but those people had only to look at some of the lands of the Empire. In New Zealand, the first 100 years had seen us climb to the highest standard of living in the world and the job ahead of us in the next 100 years was to double or treble our population and if possible, bring the standard of living even higher, building a new Britain and a new paradise in the Pacific. He was sure, concluded Mr. O'Brien, that the present generation would never be able to give the thanks to the pioneers that were due to them, but all of us appreciated the work that (hey had accomplished.

HOKITIKA MAYOR. Mr. G. Perry, 0.8. E., Mayor of Hokitika, said that it was with feelings of considerable emotion that he addressed the gathering. He was a native of the West Coast, his parents having arrived in 1865-66, 'and when he thought what the country was like he was lost in admiration for the fortitude and courage that the pioneers must have shown. It was the lure of gold that brought them to the Coast, and although it was said that the West Coast was not fully prospected, those earl}’’ pioneers had prospected from the sea coast to the top of the Alps and all the gold that could be obtained by individual labour they had got. What was left was for modern machinery only to obtain. Notwithstanding their hardships and their difficulties, the pioneers were happy people —they had an object in view—striving for an independent existence. That was the heritage they had left us.. Expressing appreciation of the sentiments expressed by Mr. Lee Martin concerning the patriotism and loyalty of the people of the Dominion, Mr. Perry said that they felt equally with him that the rights possessed by them should be maintained and it was up to the younger generation, in the face of the threats of an unscrupulous and bloodthirsty enemy, to see that they were. At the present time, concluded Mr. Perry, we had a good opinion of ourselves, but given a little time to get over our boastfulness and to work as we should, we would get down to the task in hand, for the further progress of New Zealand.

THE REPLIES. Responding to the addresses, on behalf of the guests, Mrs. W. E. Thomas said that it gave her great pleasure to be present at the function, particularly as she had lived in Greymouth for many years and had seen many great changes. She was pleas-, ed at the references that had beenmade by speakers to the part of the! women in the development of the country and she was proud to repre-l sent the good old stock which had produced l so many worthy citizens.' She wished to thank the Centennial •' Committee for arranging the function'

that day and also the women’s committee which had looked after them. Mr. Gardner Wilson said that he had landed on the West Coast when he was six years- of age and he would be 78 years of age next August, IJe recalled the state of the- country and many early incidents in connection with its gradual development, including logging operations in- what was now Tainui Street, the GreymouthParoa tram, the Dobson murder, and ! early settlements. He also thanked , the various speakers for their remarks nad those responsible for the organisation of the function. i Mr. T. .Eldon Coates thanked all i those who had helped to decorate the ■ room, to prepare- the excellent repast provided and also those who had so kindly looked after the welfare of the guests. Referring to a number of the old faces he saw around- him, he reI marked that there must have been | some good stuff in their forefathers ' and mothers. They were sterling people who knew nothing but work, and helped one another. If there was more of that spirit among the younger people to-day the world would be a better place, as too much of a habit of leaning on others had developed. i A most successful function concluded with the singing of “For Old Times Sake” and “Auld Lang Syne.” Between the addresses, vocal items were given by Mrs. C. McQueen (a wearer of a Centennial ribbon), “Danny Boy”; Mrs.' W. Cogswell, • “Silver Threads Among the Gold”; Mrs. C. Hickman, /‘Love’s Old Sweet Song,” and Mr. '.I. Duffy, “Believe Me if All Those-En-dearing Young Charms.” Mr. Duffy . also led community singing of old- ' time favourites, the musicians being Mesdames E..Parfitt (piano) and T. Somerville (violin), and Miss K. Gieseking (piano). All or the pioneers ' present signed a souvenir roll. | Owing to the unfavourable weather, members of the Greymouth branch of i the Canterbury Automobile Associa--1 tion attended 1 at Victoria Park and conveyed the older residents to their respective destinations. CENTENNIAL RIBBONS. WEST COAST RECIPIENTS

Centennial ribbons, for long residence in New Zealand, have been presented to the following West Coast residents: —Miss J. J. Fitzsimmons, Sale.St., Hokitika, 85 years; Mr. F. A. Baucke, Kanieri, 85 years; Mrs. Mary A. Taylor, 158 Tainui St., Greymouth, 85 years; Mrs. Augusta Martens, 6, Turumaha St., Greymouth, 85 years; Mr. William Craven Mirfin, Totara Flat, 80 years; Mrs. Elizabeth Ann Brown, Black’s Point, Reefton, 80 years; Mr. Alfred S. L, Armstrong, Cowper St., Greymouth. 80 years, Mr. George Rich Wylde, Ikamatua, 80 years; Miss Louisa M. Wylde, R.unanga, 80 years; Mrs. Honey, Kumara Junction, 80 years; Mr. J. C. Godso, 13, Perotti St., Greymouth, 80 years; Mr. E. Baucke, c/o F. A, Baucke, Kanieri, 80 years; Mr. Evans Henderson Hargreaves, c/o J. Green, Ikamatua, 80 years; Mrs. Annie Curtis, 11 Peel St., Cobden, 80 years; Mrs. Annie O’Neill, Ross St., Dunollie, 75 years, Mr. Henry Swift, Preston Road, Greymouth, 75 years; Miss Fanny Kemple, Alexander St., Greymouth, 75 years; Mrs. Lucy M. Rothwell, Thompson St., Greymouth, 75 years; Mrs. Helena Lindsay, c/o Mrs. Wm. Haglund, Ida St., Greymouth, 75 years; Mrs. Anpie A. Methven, 29, Bryon St., Greymouth, 75 years; Mary Graham, c/o Alex. Graham, Rotomanu, 75 years; Mr. D. McLeod, Cobden, 75 years; Mrs. Nicholson, 22, Marsden Road, Greymouth, 75 years; Mrs. J. Stokes, c/o Mrs. L. Goodall, Bright St., Cobden, 75 years; Mrs. J. Payn, Kumara, 75 years; Mr. Henry Caleb Kilgour, Alexander St., Greymouth, 75 years; Mr. Harry George Griffin, Packer’s Quay, Blaketown, Greymouth, 75 years; Mrs. Elizabeth Marshall, Kotuku, 75 years; Mr. John Marshall, Kotuku, 75 years; Mrs. Caroline Wylde, Alexander St., Greymouth, 75 years; Mrs. Emma Rebecca Armstrong, Cowper St, Greymouth, 75 years; Mr. William Tuckey, Maori Creek, 75 years; Mr. John Fitzgerald, c/o Roud’s Private Bag, Greymouth, 75 years; Mrs. Jessie Debenham, 9, Puketahi St., Greymouth, 75 years; Mr.,Thomas Hubert Boustridge, Blackmore St., Greymouth, 75 years; Mrs. Christina McQueen, Omoto Road, Greymouth. 75 years; Mrs. Leba Morris, 82, High St., Greymouth, 75 years; Mr. D. Young, Seven Mile Road, Runanga, 75 years; Mr. Thomas Watson, Westland Hospital, Hokitika, 75 years; Mr. Edward Ryan, Westland Hospital, Hokitika, 75 years; Mr. Gardner Wilson, Chesterfield, 75 years; Mrs. E. T. Lindbom, 18, Cardwell St., Cobden,.7s years; Mrs. A. E. Mclntosh, Shakg; speare St., Greymouth, 75 years, Mrs. L. P. Northcroft, Hokitika, 75 years; Mrs. Althea Lamacroft, Davie St., Hokitika, 75 years; Mrs, S. Moore, Fitzherbert St., Hokitika, 75 years; Mr. J. F. W. Schroder, Hokitika, 75 years; Mr. Herbert Williams, Fitzherbert St., Hokitika, 75 years; Mrs. Wallaska Giese, Hampden St., Hokitika, 75 years; Mr. Robert Ross, Hokitika, 75 years; Mr. J. W. Chamberland," Bell Hill, Ruru, 75 years.

CELEBRATIONS AT IKAMATUA The following programme has been arranged at Ikamatua for the Centennary celebrations On Friday evening, Fc' r -:.::y 23, the pioneers are to be enin the Public Hall. On Saturday, February 24, in the morning the sports committee in conjunction with the school committee are to plant trees in the school grounds, the trees to be provided by the sports club. On Saturday afternoon the centennial sports are fo be held. The committee have drawn up, a programme almost the same as last year and given fine weather a good afternoon’s entertainment is assured. The celebrations will conclude with a centennial ball in the Public Hall on the Saturday evening.