PIONEERS' REUNION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16459, 8 February 1917, Page 9

PIONEERS' REUNION.

— ♦ ...... LANDING COMMEMORATED. THE 54th ANNIVERSARY. DEVONSHIRE AND GERTRUDE. The 54th anniversary of the arrival of the ships Devonshire and Gertrude was commemorated yesterday afternoon at Point Erin, when surviving passengers and their descendants, numbering in all about sixty, assembled. These reunions have become ; very dear to the hearts of the old people' still left and, despite age and infirmities, they make every effort to attend the one taction where acquaintances of other days may be pleasantly renewed, and talk tu early experiences be enjoyed. Although the weather yesterday was not so line as that which has favoured reunions ot other years, the general feeling of those i present was one of relief that there was no ram. Early in the afternoon the old, loik and their descendants made their "ay to Point Erin Park, where the Mayor, Mr. J. H. Gunson, delivered a short | speech, and extended cordial welcome to I these pioneers 'of early days. He congratulated both the men and women on 1 V?* splendid work done, Li face of many .difficulties, in laying the foundations of •such a city as Auckland, and hoped that, I despite the inevitable thinning of the | ranks, the majority would gather in rei union for many years to come. Mr. Ounson made special mention of the good work done by Mr. Dunbar Johnson in connection with these gatherings. For the past four years he had worked hard as organising secretary, and much of the success of the reunions was due to his : efforts. On the conclusion of Mr. Gun- i , son 8 speech, hearty cheers were given for ' .the Mayor and Mayoress. J Mr Dunbar Johnson made a brief ! speech, referring sympathetically to the Joss of several old comrades who had passed away BJnce last reunion, notably I Mrs White, of the Devonshire, and Mr. ! and Mrs. James Burnbull, of the uer-' trade. The speaker r,ead apologies for! , r.on-attendance from Mr. Justice Cooper, I , who was"" detained by Court work in' Hamilton, Mrs, Mossman, of Waiwera, Hawke's Bay, Mr. Sam. Hesketh, Mr. D. Fallon, Mr. Witheford, .and several others Beferring to . the death of Mrs. White, Mr. Dunbar Johnson mentioned that she had held the honour of being the oldest surviving passenger of either ship, being 85 years of age at the time of her death. , At the speaker's request, those present, comprising 17 of the Gertrude's passengers and four from the Devonshire, called their ages, and it was found that the dist tinction passed to Mr. Samuel Blomfield, now 81 years of age. Mr. W. Blomfield, son of Mr. S. Blomfield, and Mr. Farrand aiso addressed those present. During the afternoon, refreshments were served in tho park kiosk, and rausicaJ items rendered by the Italian string band The time passed very pleasantly, and the reunion was thoroughly enjoyed I by all present.