League of Mothers

Hutt News, Volume 13, Issue 23, 15 November 1939, Page 5

League of Mothers

The League of Mothers' flnaf meeting of the year, recently held in the Horticultural Hall, took the form of a Centennial afternoon, the occasion also being the 13th anniversary of the foundation of the Lower Hutt branch of the league. At the back of the beautifully decorated stage was a tall vase of purple and blue irises, flanked by bowls of vivid iceland poppies and greenery. The table centre-piece was a bowl of ranunculi, and artistically arranged baskets of roses completed the flora) decoration scheme. A Union Jack and a New Zealand Ensign were draped on either side of the stage, and were an appropriate reminder of the historic occasion. Mrs. J. W. Andrews, the president, welcomed Mrs. H. D. Bennett, who was the Centennial representative of the Maori race, and Miss I'riscilia Wakefield, the grand-daughter of Edward Gibbon Wakeiield, who represented the' i:.l ,iioh settlers, and members of the Settlers' Association. Two interesting visitors who were also welcomed were Mrs. Christian and Mrs. Warren, from Pitcairn Island, iiiese ladies, who are cousins and direct descendants of Fletcher Christian, the leader of the original Pitcairn Island settlers, both spoke in appreciation of the hospitality extended to them, and were the recipients of floral shoulder sprays. Mrs. H. D. Bennett was also presented with a shoulder spray. The children in the creche had their annual party, and were delighted with their birthday cake, which was iced in pink icing and decorated with silver lollies and beribboned kewpies. In introducing the soloists, Mrs. Parata Olsen, Mrs. Andrews said that it was to be hoped that the day would come when all peoples wotlld live side by side as peacefully as did the Maori and pakeha in New Zealand. Mrs. Olsen, accompanied by Mrs. Andrews,? rendered two delightful Maori songs, and was presented with a shoulder spray of pink rcses. After the serving ot afternoon tea by Mrs. Taylor and a band of helpers, the league choir, under Mrs. H. S. Barron, sang a bracket of Christinas carols: "Good «ing Weucelas," "The First Noel," and "Sleep Holy Babe." The accompanist was Mrs. Wells. 1

Mr. W. Toomath, secretary of the Early Settlers' Association, the speaker for the. afternoon, expressed his pleasure at addressing league members during the Centenuary celebrations, and said he was indebted to the following for mar terial, as they had allowed him access to their records: Rev. H. E. K. Fry, the Diocesan Trustees, .Fathers Callaghan and Connolley, the librarian and assistants of the Turnbull and Central Libraries, Mesdames Morris, Cook, Fitzmaurice Judd, 13. S. Knox, A. J. Gearing and Williams. Through the generosity of Dr. B. J. Dudley, Mr. Toomath was able to exhibit an interesting carbine, which was presented to Captain Heaphy, V.C., for his services in the Maori Wars by Sir Georg Grey, then Governor of New Zealand, The first settlers in the Hutt Valley built their homes along the river bank, where the land was highest, said the speaker, and had a great deal to contend with. Within the space of a few days in May, 1840, they had a fire, an earthquake and a flood, and it was on account of the Hutt River being subject to flooding and the difficulty of lauding goods on I'etone beach, that the town was moved from the Valley to the shores surrounding I 'ort Nicholson and Lambton Harbour. In these days, one hundred years later, the pioneers ,the hardships they endured and the work they endured, is sometimes forgotten, said Mr. Toomath, , but no finer body of people ever existed, and they were forbears of which anyone could be justly proud. In conclusion, Mr. Toomath said that he had lived both in Wellington and in the Hutt Valley, and could assure those present that the Ilutt was by far superior. His remarks were borne out by Mrs. Cook, who, in addressing the gathering, said she had lived in the Hutt for many years, during which time the population had increased ten-fold. Mrs. Andrews thanked Mr. Toomath, and in wishing all present a happy Christmas, she expressed the sincere hope that at this season we would have peace in actuality as well as in our homes and hearts. The singing of the National Anthem concluded a memorable occasion.