Albertland Anniversary

Northern Advocate, 11 June 1942, Page 6

Albertland Anniversary

The period of 80 years of settlement history completed at the recent Albertland re-union in the Port Albert Hall contains some of the finest records of pioneering and developmental work in the history of New Zealand. As a tribute to these brave pioneers of the sixties, and as a happy and inspiring gathering' for their descendants, the anniversary of the departure of the two first emigrant ships in May, 1862, is maintained year by year.

This year’s gathering was a very pleasant one, notwithstanding the shadow of a great war which has called many of the sons of these settlements overseas.

Proceedings opened with a tea. the well-known hospitality of the district being evidenced in the spread of good things which loaded the tables, and which was much enjoyed by the guests. A good concert followed the tea. During more recent years concert parties have been brought from Auckland and elsewhere for the reunion, but on this occasion the swing back to local talent was quite justified. A very good programme of vocal, instrumental and elocutionary items by district performers, in charge of Mr. Davis, of Wellsford, left nothing to be desired.

Mr. T. Wilson (Paparoa), in a telling speech, said that, as the duties and difficulties of the pioneers in the early days called for high endeavour and strenuous work to lay the foundations of settlement, so Ihe duties of citizens today, with the nation engaged in a great war. called for reliance on a higher Power than man, and the foundation principles of Christian duty which were laid by the pioneers of New Zealand were (he same as those to which the nation’s leaders pointed in the present struggle, and its outcome in the years which followed. The proceeds of the gathering being for patriotic funds, an appeal was made b,v M.\ Waller Lecrcft for generous support for the district’s quota for this object. The concert was followed by supper and a dance, for which orchestral music was provided.