OPOTIKI PIONEERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21467, 15 April 1933, Page 16

OPOTIKI PIONEERS

The pioneers of Opotiki were entertained by the members of the Opotiki Women's Institute this week. They included all those who have lived in Opotiki for over 50 years. Mrs. J. J l ]. Cooper, president."of the institute, presided. The oldest person present was Mr. V. Savage, born in 1813 at the Wade, who gave a very interesting account of his early days in Opotiki. Mrs. Connolly, who, with her Bister, Miss Abbot, landed at China 06 years ago, also gave many interesting reminiscences. Among the pioneers present were:— Mesdames N. Clarke, Moody, Jeffer.v, D. Russell, G. Kelly, E. Graham, j. Parkinson, Talbot, Sutherland, J. Kerr, Faulkner, Connolly, Gordon, J. Kelly, T. A. Abbot, Woodford, Downey, J. B. Gow, H. Clarke. Misses McGregor, Abbot, Murray, and Messrs. M. Mahoney, J. Carroll, J. McCarthy, W. Beece, H. Appleton, T. Clark, J. Kelly, .T. Parkinson, V. Savage, Lowe, Emmett, E. Thompson, E. Parkinson, W ? . Connor, also Captain Faulkner, who that day brought his boat in over the bar from J'auranga without a pilot, although he had not been again to Opotiki for 20 years. It was his boat that Mrs. Connolly and Miss Abhot arrived in 56 yenrs ago. A musical programme was given and afternoon tea was provided. On behalf of the pioneers the Mayoress, Mrs. .J. T. Thompson, thanked the hostesses for the pleasant afternoon's enier tain men t pr ov i ded.