PIONEERS HONOURED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19764, 11 October 1927, Page 11

PIONEERS HONOURED.

VERY SUCCESSFUL REUNION. ADDRESS BY ARCHBISHOP. MAINTENANCE OF TRADITIONS. "The future of Auckland, New Zealand, the Empire, depends on the character of its citizens—character such as the pioneers had. If we are to be true to our noble heritage; if we are to continue to serve and to fear God, all will be well. If we neglect the lessons of the past, God only knows what will happen. It is up to you, our pioneers, to go on building." These inspiring words were addressed by Archbishop Averill to a gathering of over 600 old colonists in the Town Hall yesterday, the occasion being the reunion to celebrate the 85th anniversary of the arrival of pioneer colonists by the ships Duchess of Argyle, Jane Gifford, Brilliant, Osprey, Louisa Campbell and other vessels. Every year the number of these pioneers diminishes, but their children and grandchildren are proud to stand in the light of their early struggles; proud to claim them as father or mother. Scattered among the large gathering yesterday were many grizzled old heads; faces tanned by hard struggles for livelihoods in the open. The Mayor, Mr. G. Baildon, who presided, read apologies for absence from the Governor-General, Sir Charles Fergusson, and Lady Alice Fergusson, the Prime Minister, Mr. Coates, and Mrs. Ooates, Dame Christina Massey, Sir Robert Stout and Mr. W. Culpan, chairman of the executive committee. Traditions of Pioneers. "I have attended these reunions for the past 15 years and this day is one of the happiest days of my year," stated Archbishop Averill. "Very soon the very old colonists—those who came Out in the very early ships—will be as extinct as the moa. It is very important that the Old Colonists' Association should keep up this function so that the traditions of the pioneers can ever be kept fresh and honoured." The Primate laughingly made the suggestion that tha association should form an infants' department for such as he (Laughter). He thought the children of 60, who had been in the colony for at least 35 years, could come under this category. "1 want to say a few words to the youngsters before me—the boys and girls of the old brigade," he proceeded. "Wb desire to honour our pioneers for laying the foundation of our city, our province and our country." He referred to the different conditions for settlers who arrived from overseas to-day and those who arrived in the 'forties and 'fifties. Today, they had wireless announcing the time of arrival of vessels and people were on the wharf ready to lend a helping hand to new arrivals. In the days of the pioneers they needed a good, pony, and that was Shanks' pony. The pioneers had to fight the bush and build farms out of a "wilderness. This not only developed muscle, but also built up character arid the will to make good. Tribute to Pioneer Women. "If the men were heroes, the women wero super-heroes," added the Archbishop. "We honour the pioneering men, but we doubly honour the pioneering women, who stuck by them and helped them to make good. It was on the character of such men and women that the foundations of our Empire have been built." (Applause.) In a brief address, the Mayor stated that three generations were represented in the hall. Referring to the Archbishop's remark that the early pioneers would soon be as extinct as the moa, the Mayor said there was one difference. The pioneers left others to carry on. (Applause.) Mr. John Bain, the oldest descendant, of the pioneers who arrived at Onehunga in the ship Brilliant in October, 1841, was presented with a cheque, according to custom. During the reunion service a prayer of thanksgiving was said by the Rev. E. R. Harries and solos were sung by Miss Phyllis Gribbin and Miss Edna Peace, the former being accompanied by Mr. J. Maughan Barnett on the organ and the latter by Mr. Barnett and the Old Colonists' Choir. In the concert following, Miss Gribbin, Mr. Alan McElwain, Mr. Barnett and the choir were the contributors. Afternoon tea was served in the supper room.