Over 100 Attend Old Settlers’ Reunion

Northern Advocate, 26 April 1940, Page 2

Over 100 Attend Old Settlers’ Reunion

Endowed with special significance because of Centennial year, the annual reunion of the Whangarei Early Settlers’ Association, held in the Town Hall, was most successful. Well over 100 attended, including mere than 50 ladies. A number were wearing their Centennial emblems—green for 75 years’ residence in the Dominion; red for 80 years; and two of those present—Mr William Hawken and Mrs Sarah Bel! —wore purple, which bespoke 90 years. These two latter were given the seats of honour at the right hand of the chairman (Mr Kenneth Mcßeth). Apologies for non-attendance were received from Mr J. G. Barclay, M.P., and Mrs Barclay; and Messrs J. A. S. Mackay. J. A. Finlayson (on account of sickness), Francis IVlander, J. and I. Wilson, Andrew Wilson and Dan J. Finlayson. After luncheon and ’ a welcoming speech by the chairman, all joined in the singing of the National Anthem. A solo was sung by Mr W. L. Booth. Toast to “The Pioneers;” Descendant of one of the oldest families in New Zealand, who first settled here 120 years ago, Mr S. A. R. Mair, engineer to the Rangitikei County Council, proposed the toast of “The Pioneers.” He had never felt prouder than when having the opportunity of honouring those who had slaved and at times almost starved to convert what had been the “Roadless North" into one cf the gardens of New Zealand, he said. When his father and grandparents had first settled here in 1842. Whangarei was almost a savage land, and he told of how, five years later, the 48 whites had been driven out by hostile natives. At the same time there had been many friendly natives. Where the Town Hall now stands had been a Maori pah, Pi Tci Toi, presided over by Te Iwi Tahi, a relative of Tirarau, paramount chief of the district and a good friend of the settlers. Puhipuhi "Gold Rush” Recalling incidents of the Puhipuhi “gold rush" in which he participated, and the early surveying days, Mr Mair spoke of the wonderful hospitality of the pioneers. It was not a question of asking to be put up for the night, but a foregone conclusion that everything that was best in the house would be yours. In humorous vein. Mr Cam Miller, of Hauraki Plains, caused much laughter when he rose to reply. The old pioneers had not striven with the idea of taking anything with them, but to make conditions tetter for those who followed, he said, and the same spirit, actuated those who were the old brigade today. Women’s Hard Lot. The lot of the women had been harder even than that of the men. said a vice-president of the association (Mr Frank Elliott), proposing the toast of the “Wives of the Pioneers."

By reason of their environment, they had faced and conquered hardships which the women of today would never dream of tackling, let alone overcoming. Preserving good health and remaining as active as possible was Mr Elliott’s formula for defeating j advancing age, and judging by the looks of the ladies present he felt that quite a number could not qualify as being 60. Her mother had gone to the backblocks with a young family of six. I said Mrs Weir, who said that she herself could not remember any great hardships as a girl. Mrs Earp, of Taranaki, whose father Mr William Willing, was a pioneer farmer of Whareora and Tikipunga, also responded. Speaking for the ladies, another vice-president (Mr T. O’Carroll) spoke of how courageous women, transplanted from the hearts of great cities in the Homeland, had voyaged for 150 days and more to New Zealand, and followed their husbands to the backblocks. Born in Nikau Whrtres. Without doctors and hospitals they had reared large families, which were a credit to them. Some present (among them Mr Oliver Child) had been born in nikau whares and were none the worse for it/Speaking as one born in ’Karamea 71 years ago, Mr O’Carroll said that the women of those days, without even sewing machines, never sent a child to< school with dirty or torn clothes. “When it comes to this age, none will be behindhand in acknowledging their years,” said the chairman, instituting a search for the oldest people present. Oldest Lady. Escorted by Mr Mcßeth, the oldest lady, Mrs Bell, walked in sprightly fashion from her place to cut the cake standing in the centre of the hall. She did it with composure and was accorded a warm round of applause and presented with a bouquet by Mrs R. C. M. Harington. Mr W. J. Bell replied on behalf of his mother, and Mr William Hawken. of Maunu, who, at 91. was the oldest man present, spoke on hfs own behalf, and was accorded musical honours. Responding to the toast of “The Guests,” proposed by Mr T. H. Steadman, the Mayor (Mr W. Jones) said that pioneering trials in Northland