ALBERTLAND SETTLEMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10477, 24 June 1897, Page 5

ALBERTLAND SETTLEMENT.

JUBILEE REUNION OF THE SETTLERS. A jubilee reunion of the Nonconformist settlers of Albertland took place last evening, in St. James'* Hall, to celebrate the arrival of the ships, of the expedition in 1862 The hall was comfortably filled by the Battlers, their families, and Wends. lb may be interesting to note that the first four ships—Matilda Wattenbach, Hanont, William Miles, and Annie Wilsonarrived in succession in 1862, and the Gertrude in February, and Tyburnia m September, 1863. There were on the platform (their wives accompanying in many instances) the following representative settlers of the expedition -.-Messrs. J. Becroft, W. Edwards, Cutfortb, Mander, Coiling!, Stevenson (Matilda Wattonbach), John Brame, J. Shepherd, James Coupland (Hanover), Theo. Cooper (Gertrude), T. YV . Leys, W. Leys, and C. G. Hill (Tyburnia), Mr. T. (Jubb (chairman of the Rodney County Council), Rev. W. Gittos (superintendent of Wesleyan Native Missions), and Mr. W. Goudie (eldest son of Captain Goudie, of the Matilda Wattenbach). '[be Rev. A. H. Collins, of Ponsonby, who has recently made a tour of the Albertland eettleinont, was alio present. Mr, Th«o. Cooper presided. The Chairman, in opening the proceedings, said he was glad to preside over such a gathering, as the Albertlandera were repre'ented in many instances there to the fourth generation. He belonged to the second generation. It Was gratifying to tee so many of the old settlerpresent, with their partners in life, in health and strength. Many had passed away, and even since the reunion was determined on, one had departed—Mr. Cray, of Paparoa-and they would all, he felt sure, condole with the bereaved family. In 1862 the Nonconformist movement for .■ special settlements of Nonconformists in, the colonies was initiated (amid groat eclat, and was warmly encouraged hy the English and colonial press. The settlement had not been bo successful, materially, in its early days, as ib would otherwise have been, owing to two causes— land, and want of communication and access to a market. The provincial and colonial Governments had not fulfilled the promises made to their full extent, and the Groat North Road, shown in London on the map, existed only on paper. Had tho authorities made roads to the Kaipara waters from Auckland, from Mahurangi, to Port Albert, and placed a steamer on the Kaiparaestuary, the settlement would have made greater progress. He (the Chairman) had taken ten days to go from Manukau to para Heads, and four days tocross the bar And gel into the Oruawharo. He then referred to hiweminiscencea of Port Albert and of the Albertland Gazette and Ocean 'Chronicle, first printed by Samuel Johnson on the Matilda Wattenbach and then at Port Albert, it being his (the Chairman's) high office to pull the press and print the Chronicle and distribute the paper. After a lapse of 20 years he visited (he settlement, and thought no special settlers had clone so much in the work of colonisation, and they deserved well of the country. Ho was sorry to say the chaplain of the Gertrude (Rev. W. Worker) was unable to bo present through bodily infirmity. He could not sit down without thanking, on behalf of the Nonconformist settlers, the Rev. Win. dittos, who at the time of the founding of the Albertland settlement) was Wesleyan native missionary in the Kaipara. He was not merely a missionary, but had been their friend and advisor throughout, and his name would be enshrined in their memory, as ib was a household word in the North. (Cheers.) Dr. King, hon. secretary to organising committee, expressed his pleasure at seeing so many present, and read apologies from Messrs. Wilson (Paparoa), Rev. W. Worker (Wellsford), Mr. Turner (Tauranga), and Mr, Henry Brett (Hanover), who forwarded a cheque for £5 towards defraying expenses of re-union. A letter was road from Mr, J. R. Banna, the well-known photographer, offering to photograph the settlers and their descendants in a group and frame ib for placing in the Free Public Library, at his own charge. The offer was accepted with thanks, and it was decided to take the group in front of St. James's Hall at eloven o'olook this forenoon. Mr. J. Braine (the brother of one of the the founders) stated the movement originated in Birmingham, and he knew the roof under which it was projected. Ib was the original intention of the promoters not only to found Albertland, but settlements in the South and in other colonies, of Nonconformists. Notwithstanding many drawbacks, as to land and communication, Albertland had been a blessing to the province. Five thousand settlers had been introduced. There were no paupers, as each had paid his or her p.is»aire money, and £130,0110 of capital lurl been brought into the Auckland dhtrlot. (Applause.) The Rev. W. dittos congratulated the Alberlanders on their tine gathering. The pioneers he had known from the outset (33 years ago) anil many of their descendants wore personally known to him. lie had induced the chief Paikea to sell the land for speolal settlement, for tho natives wanted Europeans in the district. The Maoris asked him what sort of people these Nonconformists were who were coming from

England, ad they wanted raiifflitlras, men 5 who would act with dignity ana justice. Ho , told them tlmb they wore a religious people, not rich and not poor, hoiionb and upright, mid that they hated public-houses. The latter prediction was borne out, as there | never had bean a public-house in Albertland. and they did not want it. He then related some interesting reminiscences, showing the kindly relations between the natives and the newcomers when the settlement was established. The Maoris respeoted the Albertland settlers, lb was true that the land wns only (air in quality, bub as the ' settlers acquired more experience in working land, they wore enabled to make a oomfortable livlne, (though they would not get rich) and loavo free homesteads to their children. He hoped the Albertlanders would be blessed In their future career, and enjoy still greater prosperity. In the past these special settlers had been a blessing to. the province, and indeed to the whole colony. (Cheers), Mr. J. Shephsrd said that he would deal with the social progress of Albertland. Ho had been registrar of births, deaths', end marriages for twenty-two years of a portion of the district, and during that period there had been 100 marriages, 558 births, and 131 deaths-tho last being their old friend .Mr. Cray. There was no look-up, no drunkenness, no pauperism among the Albertland settlers, and they supplied Auckland with its beet fruit. Mr. T. Oubb (Chairman of the Rodney County Council) referred to the causes which had militated* against the progress of the settlement, lb was a mistake to 'put new settlers on a heavy day soil. Still with all the .drawbacks the high character of the settlers manifested itself unmistakably. Last year, although the council contributed £184 bo charitable aid, net a single Albertland settler or their descendants had been relieved, bub the aid had been given to people nob connected with them, or persons wandering through the settlements. That fact spoke volumes. Messrs. C. 0. Hill and VV. Leys gavo seme reminepdonces of life on the good ship Tybnrnia, on the passage to Auckland. An excellent(programmo of music, etc., was gono through during the evening, as follows -.-Instrumental quartette (Schubert), Miss Lester, Mejlsfs. Walton, 0. B. Summer, and P. McKean; flohg, "The Dear Home Land," Miss May Dudding; recitation," The Lifeboat," Miss Gnndrod J song, "The Mission of a Row," Mrs. J. M. Oeddtfl: instrumental trio, Miff Brooks, Mensrs. 0. Walker, and W, Pelton; song. ' "Daddy," Miss Pluramer j pianoforte solo, Mies Lester; song, Mr. W, Cousins. Miss ' Lester officiated as accompanist. < Mr. W, Leys moved -i vote of thanks to 1 the chairman, the chairman: of the crganis- > tug committee (Sir. James CoupUnd), the hon. see. (Df. King), the, committee, the ' speakers, and the ladies and gontlemen who ' had contributed to the musical and eloon--1 tionary programme of the evening, which 1 was carried by acclamation. 1 Dr.' King and 1 Mr. Cbuptan'A briefly responded,'. ;•-*•.'.■ Light refreshments were handed round at i an Interval during 'the 1 everting. There-, . Union proved a great doecess. *'■* " '';, : ;,' Messrs. Beerofband Lester., had a roll at , the entrance to, the hall; which' was signed 1 by the original settlers and • their. desceiv , 4»nt». Ik ii . intended 'to I place this, lntet.esting roll in the Free Public Library, with [. the other hutorioia docaoMato, «f » like character. ~■ : . -.' ' ' ;; *-' ■ -. .-'".vii 'V'i''•"?■'• .'■■■■'"■'";.' • '