Reunion Gathering at Marton

Manawatu Times, Volume 65, Issue 47, 23 February 1940, Page 3

Reunion Gathering at Marton

DESCENDANTS OF PIONEER SETTLERS ‘ ‘ DUNSINANE ’ ’ HOMESTEAD INVADED The well-known Marton district home stead, “Dunsinane, ” was the scene of a family re-union gathering of descendants of an original pioneering family on Tuesday last, the 100th. anniversary of the arrival in New Zealand of Mr. and Mrs. John F. Alcßeth. This wellknown property was purchased by the late Mr. Mcßeth about the year 1853 when he came to the Rangitikei district from Wellington, and to-day “Duusinane” is the homo of Hon. E. Newman, who kindly facilitated this unique family re-union. Air. and Airs. Mcßeth sailed out to New Zealand in the ship Bengal Aterchant, which was the fourth ship to arrive at Wellington under the settlement scheme organised at Home by Wakefield. The ship sailed from Glasgow on October 30, 1839, and before casting off, the Lord Provost of Glasgow went aboard to address the passengers. On the ocean with the Bengal Alerchant were the Aurora, the Oriental and the Duke of Roxburgh, three ships conveying immigrants organised by the New Zealand Land Company. They all arrived before the Bengal Alerchant, which took 113 days, reaching D’Urville Island on February 10, 1840, and arriving at Petone on February 20. Here Mi\ and Airs. Alcßeth landed and within a few days were subjected to a taste of the dangers arising from disputes among the Maoris. However, they survived those days of peril and later proceeded to the Rangitikei district, travelling overland, while their belongings were dispatched by boat to Foxton. The gathering at “Dunsinane” on Tuesday last was organised by tne eldest grandson, Air. Gordon Alcßeth, of Wanganui, assisted by Air. Fergusson Mcßeth, a great-grandchild, also of Wanganui. Those present at the gathering included Air. F. S. Alcßeth, of Kiwitea, a grandson, son of the late Mr. F. Alcßeth, and Mrs. Alcßeth, Air. George Mcßeth, also a grandson and son of the late Air. Robert Alcßeth, Airs. George Alcßeth, Airs. Robert Mcßeth, of Feilding, Airs. Beedie, of Dannevirke, and many other descendants of the original family.