ALBERTLAND SETTLERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22741, 29 May 1937, Page 14

ALBERTLAND SETTLERS

ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS OLD FRIENDSHIPS RENEWED [by —own correspondent] PORT ALBERT, Friday The 75th anniversary of the sailing from London in the ship Matilda Wattenbach of the first party of settlers for .the Albertland settlement was celebrated at Port Albert to-day. In spite of unfavourable weather there was a very good attendance, although a party from Paparoa was unable to attend the celebrations. Among those taking part were three of the voyagers on the Matilda Wattenbach, Miss Mary Inger, Miss Hannah Inger and Mr. Davod Becroft. Another of the early settlers of the district present was Mr. J. A. Shepherd, who came by the ship Hanover. These people came to New Zealand as small children and have spent their entire lives in the Port Albert district. A large number of the descendants of the original settlers was present, including a number from Auckland. The celebrations were commenced with a public tea and after this there followed an interval during which many friendships of the old days were renewed. In an address Mr. J. A. Shepherd gave an interesting account of the experiences of the early pioneers and the difficulties they had to face when the settlement was first founded.

A varied concert programme followed Mr. Shepherd's talk, and the items presented were almost entirely the work of descendants of the original settlers of the Albertland district. The evening concluded with dancing.