MONDAY'S CELEBRATIONS.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume XL, Issue XL, 28 March 1913, Page 3

MONDAY'S CELEBRATIONS.

A sharp frost on Monday morning promised a fine day, a promise which was fulfilled to the letter. The town harl been decorated with flags and greenery, and various devices giving a welcome to visitors were displayed in conspicuous places. Visitors poured in all the morning per medium of motors, bicycles, buggies and horses, and the assemblage during the day was variously estimated in figures ranging from fifteen hundred to two thousand. The Procession contained fully 400 made up as follows:--

Between forty and fifty troopers, j under the command of Lieut. Greer, I headed the march through the wain i streets. Next came the Brass Band, followed by the Borough Councillors. : Some seventy old identities preceded the members of the County Council, who preceded five motor cars carrying old identities who were too feeble to join in on foot. The next were the school cadets and children to the num- I ber ofone hundred and twenty or more I The latter carried a Hag bearing the date of the opening of the school 1866. An interesting feature of tho procession was the next body, who represented diggers of the early days en route for a new rush. The getup was verv good. Some had pack horses and mules, others vehicles that looked as if they had traversed many miles of rough roads, and all were dresßed lo suit the occasion. They had all the paraphernalia of the digging days, even to ioada of scrub for firewood, a precaution that used to be very necessary in this treeluss . region. A stockman, a jockey and a | Btation hand were also represented. 1 The procession would not have been complete without the old covered in coach carrying the gold escort and accompanied by three mounted troop- / era. To make the scene more realistic a couple of bushrangers laying in wait at a convenient spot " bailed up " the coach and eventualy fiot away with the booty. It is not customary for buahrnngcra to notify their victims beforehand, but in this instance more realism would have been added had the police b*en notified, as they were not aware of the part they were expected to play. The Fire Brigade, about sixty Oddfellows head ty the pipers, and the trademen's vans made up the procession. Mr John Law, of Ranfurly, acted as marshal of the procession, and wa3 assisted by Messrs A. E. Inder, Wood of the Otago Early Settlers' Association, and E„ Smith. The work of getting 40C 0 people who had had no rehearsal intc order and leading them along the route was a rather difficult one, bui was successfully and creditably accom plished. Mr James Cain's horse had on i bridle of horsehair, which was througl the American War of Independence It haa boen through four generation

Mr S. Kirby got the prize for bis " costume," a representation of a sundowner, very much exaggerated. We feel just a wee bit inclined to juar rel with the one who awarded tha prize. Messrs Andrew and George Brown and Charlie Hore, to our mind, had far the mpst realistic turn out, and looked what they represented to the letter. A halt was called in front of the Town Hall. Here the Mayor, Mr McNeil, extended a hearty welcome, on behalf of the people of Naseby, to the old pioneerß to a scene of their early activities. It was very gratifying to see so many of the old people back here again. He trusted that they would find much of interest to them, that they would renew old acquaintances, and spend a very happy tima during their stay in the town. Three rousing cheers were given for the old identities, who were then welcomed on behalf of the County Council by the chairman, Mr C. J. Inder. Mr Inriar said he felt proud to be a descendant of some of those early pioneers, to whose energy and enterprise the Dominion owed so much of its present present prosperity. The procession marched to the Recreation Ground and round the track before disbanding. Mr J. M' Donald, the kinematugrapher of theTuurist Department, who secured a number of pictures during the day, selected some of the pioneers as suitable subjects for pictures of old miners. As various private photographers were also busy during the day, no doubt pictures of the Tarious scenes will be plentiful. All old pioneers were supplied by the secretary with suitable badges. At his olice a large collection of old photographs were displayed and records of the early district. This'spot was a centre of attraction and the old photographs were carefully examined by young and old for familiar faces. The Bowling Club's hospitality in placing their green at the use of visi tors must not be overlooked, for it was largely availed of and helped many to while away what might otherwise have been a dull hour. The Speehes. The speeches made during the afternoon were few and brief. Mr Hugh Wilson, Vice-president of the Maniototo Early Settlers' Association, was the first to address the crowd. He expressed regret atthe absence through indisposition of the president of the association, Mr J. G. Bremner, of Kew whose happy faculty of recalling early events would have made his presence valuable. He read a message of welcome and greeting from Mr Bremner. This, he explained, was an extract from a lengthy letter in which Mr Bremner urged the association to interest itself in a carefully thought out plah for along the base of the neighbouring mountains. While extending a hearty greeting to the aarly settler» and their descendants, Mr Wilson said they must not forget that the squatters were the forerunners of the prospector, doing excellent work in supplying provisions and in many intances hospitable entertainment. He gave a word of praise and welcome to the Oddfpllows' delegates, whose presence in the procession had imparted to it both tone and colour. He alluded to the death of one v£ their vice-presidents, Mr A. G. Mathias and expressed regret at the sad inroads death had made in the band of pioneers since their last gathering. Mr J Wood, secretary of the Otago Early Settlers' Association, said he had beer, at several jubilees of a like nature, and he muat compliment them on the manner in which the whole of the district had worked together to make these celebrations a success. The turnout of early pioneer miners in the procession was second to none of chose that had preceded it. He asked what the descendants were go-

ing to do honor the old miners and their wives who had laid the foundations of the greatness of the Dominion. There was not the least doubt that these descendants did not honor the old people as they should. He advised tha young people to get an old miner to give them some of his reminiscences, and they would have an education that all tha schools in the Dominion could not give. On of the Early Settlers' Association of Otago he gave a heartj greeting }o the Hogburn pioneers on the occasion of their jubilee. He apologised for the abßence of the president of the association, Mr Donald Reid, and of Mr Thomas Alcock, of Waikouaiti. Mr R. Scott, M.P., paid a high tribute to the labours of the pioneers, anc 1 expressed his heartiest good, wishes towards those present. Speaking to the younger generation, he pointed out that as their fathers and mothers had worked for this country so it rested with them to hold it, defend it, and keep it as at the present tim. Mr E. Marslin, Mayor of Alexandra, expressed the pleasure he felt as u native of the town in taking part in ' the celebrations. He took exception to Mr Wood's statement that the younger generation did not honor the pioneers as they Bhould. He claimed i I that he and his schoomates had a full I appreciation of their worth, and es- -' pscially of the brave work tha pioneer ■ women had accomplished. His old : schoolmates had been standing loyally - by their native town and sending in i generous subscriptions to make these 3 gatherings successful. He felt proud f of the support they had accorded. c Mr G. A. Coughlan, Provincial i Grand Master of the Manchester Uns I ity in Otago, returned thanks for the n i manner in which the Oddfellows had d ! been welcomed and entertained in d | Naseby. e I Mr J. R. Elder, of South Dunedin, d who was introduced as the man who 0 ; had driven the first sheep to the Hog•o hum, said he had been in the district 9 long before the miners. When he *fc lived in the Hogburn district then i* there was no one within a very long ! distance of him. He gave a brief outa line of how this district came to be ;h ' taken up, and mentioned that the first 3. run extended to the Hogburn. He retia marked that the miners had not lm-

proved the country from a grazier's point of view, but it was evident that the country new carried a large population. He laughingly remarked that in his young days he never heard anyone speak of that " Noble band of brave and hardy pioneers. We knew each other better," he said, " a great deal better, and the present generation is able to leave a better stamp on the country than the early pioneers ever did. That's my opinion."

The secretary, Mr R. F. Inder, read a number of extracts from apologies received from various people whocould not attend. Among the communications were messages from the Prime Minister, the Hons. Herries, Herdman and Bell, Sir Robert Stout, the chairman of the Wostland County Council the secretaries of the Gabriel's Gully, Dunstan, and West Coast Jubilee Committees. The Sports. The Sports Committee had bo arranged the programme as not to take up too much time or prevent the public from wandering over the ground and indulge in friendly chat, bo the enjoyment cf no one was interfered with.

The following results were supplied to us by Mr Dixon, the energetic secretary of the Sports Committee, whose capable arrangement of preliminary details left nothing to be desired, everything being in re adiness when required: Boys' race, 13 years and under. Prize, trophy, books, valued at 7s 6d. —There were nine entries. Val. Inder Ist, F Saddler 2nd, A. M'Gambridge 3rd.

Girls' Race, 13 years and under. Piize, as above.—Twelve entries. Ruby Inder Ist, Effie Lawer 2nd, Lily Jones 3rd.

One hundred and thirty n>d yards Handicap Race. Gladstone bag, value 20a. Twelve entries. —George Lindsay Ist. District team* Tug-of war, five men a-aide. Trophy value £o. The teams represented were—Gimmerburn two, Eweburn Farmers, Wedderburn, Kyeburn two. Mounted Rifles, Wedderburn Defence Club and Oturebua. Naturally, this event created very great interest. The semi-final was won by Gimmerburn No. 2 againßt the -Wedderburn Defence Rifle Club, and in the final Gimmerburn No. 2 beat Gimmerburn No. 1. The names of the winners are—G. Helm, W. Helm, C. Dougherty, J. Kerr, P. Dougherty. Ladies' Chain Step. Trophy, salad bowl, value 20s. Four tied in the first distance, 22yds 10in, stepping xo within 3£ inches. In the final, 18yds lft B£in, Mrs P. Fennessy stepped 18yds lft 6in and won. Sack race. Set brushes, value 10s. J. Millar Ist. Obstacle race. Barometer for first and a purse for second. Bert Jacob Ist, W. Jacob 2nd. Early Settlers' race for men. Silver hofc water jug valued at 30s. S. Law Ist.

Walking greasy pole. Ham valued at 20s. Jas Moore, jun. Ist. Place-kicking football. Gladstone bag valued at 16s. W. Smith Ist.

Early Settlers'chain. step. Walking stick, value 40s. The distance was 26yda Ift Bin. Varcoe was first with 26ft Ift 6in.

Boys' race, eight yeare and under. Trophy worth 7s 6d. Fifteen entries 0. B'ennesy Ist, C George 2nd, C O'Malley 3rd Girls'race, eight year 3 and unrtar Prize as in last race. Pearl Churchill Ist.

Young ladies' race. Egg cruet in case, worth 15s. Nine entries. Miss M Coyle Ist. Young men!a race. Silver ma box worth 10s. Twelve entries. James Stephens Ist. Chain step, open. Biscuit barrel worth 20s. There were thirty one entries. The distance was 25yds 7in, and G. Devinney and G. Currie stepped the exact distance.

Early Bettlers' men's race. Solid oak clock, value 40s. Wm. Bottirig Ist. It is interesting to note that Mr 1 Botting competed in the first Caledonian sports held in Naseby. • Early settlers' ladies race. Cruet, value 40s. Mr 3 Mann Ist.

Shoe race. Ladies bag, value 10s, James Stephens Ist. Wood chopping contest. Trophy, Alex. White Ist.

Oddfellows' race. Silver cup; W. Cole Ist. Dancing competition Trophy. »W. D. Matheson, Palmeraton South. It will be noticed that the committee put on a couple of new events for this town.

General. Owing to the large crowd present, we may safely say that some who attended to tbe catering department were the hardest worked of any,

There was a plentiful supply of refreshments, largely owing to the generosity of the ladies with their well laden baskets, and a crowd of willing and energetic workers waited on the pleasure seekers, but even then they could have done with more assistance.

We should not forget to mention the early day mining camp which was on the ground, It wa3 a very good imitation on a small scale of a miners' camp.

In the evening there was a torch- j light procession followed by a concert j and dance. The former was greatly admired. Mr J. Francis was at some | pains to get his contribution to the I procession up in style, ard Mr Montgomery bad his turnout gaily decorated. We don't think there was ever before such a packed audience in the hall as attended the concert. The programme provided was worthy of the occasion. A memb=.r of the committee promised to supply us with a ! list of the items, but it has not crys- | talised yet.

Taken altogether the function was, j as a Jubilee celebrations should be, ! the most imposing and successful . held in Naseby. Nothing but praise for the management was heard on all ; aides. '

The sports were continued on Tuesday and a smoke concert was held in the evening, but we hold over port.

Before concluding we must congratulate the secretary, Mr Robert F. Inder, on the way he carried out the multitudinous duties of his office, and carried everything to such a successful issue.

Old Identities

There were a . good many old idenities on the ground, although the number of the veterans of the early sixties who remain is sadly few compared with the band who worked on our fields in those far off years in the prime of their health and strength. Chatting with a few of those present our representative dropped across the following among the visitors

R. Jeff, who was here in '6B. Ha looks a bit the worse through the passage of time, but as well as can be expected'of Jone who landed at Lyttelton in 1850.

S. Voisey, who was present soon after the outbreak of the rush. Like a good manv others, he left the Dunstan owing to the rising of the river, thinking it would never go down again, and made his way across. He worked in Clark's No. 3. His eyes sparkled as he spoke of the good gold they got there. He was there when Sergt. Garvey's body was brought in. He considers that Garvey lost his nerve and stood still. Had he continued his journey in the direction he was going down the Waitaki Bide for another twenty minutes, he would have come across a homestead, Voisey is now domiciled in Fort Chalmers. Another old veteran who came from Wyudnam district to celebrate the event is W. S. Howard.

A family group, some of whom hav6 been associated with the district from the very beginning, were the Messrs Botting. There were seven of them present, and their' sister, Mrs Neil, arrived the following day. Those pressent were —William, Frank, Peter, Jamea, John, Garibaldi, and Leopold. William and Peter performed the exploit referred to in our columns recently of driving a bullock team and plough across Mt. Pisgab. The former was here in '63, being one of the first. He took the first load of bread from here to Hamilton when that field brokfc out. He used to shoot ducks on the Taieri Lake, and bring them,up to sell to ifce diggers. A rather interesting though trifling'fact connected with those days is that he once planted a gun in a hole on the river bank> and it vyas found by a man fiftaen yeard afterwards in a good state of preservation. N. Thomaa, batter known here as "Nicky Thomas," carries his 70 years well and last Friday cycled from Macraes to Hyde, ea route for the scene of the feJtivities.

A very old pioneer of the district is Dan M'Kay, of P~rt Chalmers. He came out in the same vessel as the Messrs Lory, Reed, Blanchard and Mrs Blanchard, ard was on Upper Kyeburn three months btfore the rush took place here. Ra states that Messrs Parker and party were working here quietly for a while, and U9ed to visit Kyeburn far•',.provisions. One night one of them got "a bit on " and let the secret out. M'Kay left here 35 years ago, and visited the Nelson, West Coast and Kimberly goldfields. Our old townsman D. Stewart, of Hanmer, looks well He and hiß late partner were the first married in the Presbyterian Church,and got the usual Family Bible That event took place 47 years ago on the sth of his month Mr John Be«ttie, of Cambrian, was here before digging days. He saw Hartley and Reilly go over the Rough Ridge and down the valley with two packhorse when they were on their way to the Dunstan. That waß in January or February, 1862. Mr Beattie was the first man to sink a hole in Hyde. While in charge of a run there an old man made him a cradle, and he got 17dwta of gold in a day, which set the gold fever running in his veins, and he made for the .Dantan an 3 followed digging until he settled in Cambrian.

Mr G. Brown, of Oturehua, still looks hale an 1 hearty, despite the fact that he was shepherding in the district as far back aa 1860. Among others whose names are familiar were Messrs P. Fahey and H. Brown, of St Baihans. Mr Joe Neil, Christchurch, was here in 1866, and after seven years went to Livingstone He claims to | have been the first man to drive a tunnel the red formatiom up the gullly. Unfortunately, his mate took the levels wrong, and they never struck the bottom. Mrs Small, of Hawea Flat came here in 1863 at the same time as Mrs Morgan She was the firf-t woman on the Dunstan rush. She left here in '64. Another old identity was Mrs James Stewart. Among the ex-residents who left at a later date were—Mr S. Law, Palmirston North; Mr and Mrs A. M'Lean, Mr R. Hosie, Mr and Mrs James Hore, and Mr and Mrs G. Provan.